Knicks Reportedly Targeting 3 Potential Coaching Replacements for David Fizdale
On Friday, the lowly Knicks fired David Fizdale after starting the season 4-18, which is the worst start in franchise history. Assistant coach Mike Miller has been promoted to interim head coach, but the Knicks are looking for a more permanent and successful coach to lead the team back into relevance.
The Knicks have looked into potential replacements already, with three former NBA coaches making their way to the top of the list. Those potential coaches are Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Tom Thibodeau.
Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Tom Thibodeau are reportedly options for the #Knicks if they decide to make another in-season coaching change. https://t.co/s7SO4XBIE8 pic.twitter.com/kKgsAVOT8b
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) December 12, 2019
Van Gundy was actually the head coach of the Knicks for parts of seven seasons (and assistant coach for the Knicks for another seven). He also wanted the job a year-and-a-half ago, but was not given the chance.
Jeff Van Gundy wanted his old job back when the Knicks hired David Fizdale instead. Van Gundy had coached the Knicks to 69 playoff games in 6 years & finished with 2nd highest winning % in franchise history (59%).
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) December 6, 2019
Steve Mills never considered him. pic.twitter.com/LUbeajCYvY
Jackson played for the Knicks from 1987-1992 and 2001-2002. He also has coaching experience, leading a young Warriors team before they became the greatest regular season team in league history.
Thibodeau has been coaching in the NBA for 30 years, once being an assistant coach under Van Gundy for the Knicks from 1996-2004. Thibodeau is a great coach and has been around the league for a very long time in many different capacities.
Still, whether either of the three would want to take on such a rebuild remains to be seen.