MIAMI, FL - JUNE 10: The NBA TV crew, Shaquille O'Neal, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy talk before Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat on June 10, 2014 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Death, taxes, and the Knicks need a new head coach.
David Fizdale was thrown under the bus for the Knicks abysmal start to the season which means at some point in the very near future New York will name its 14th head coach (we’re counting all the interims) over the last 19 years. Yuck.
The turnover rate is astounding and one reason among many why the Knicks have won precisely one playoff series this millennium. As usual, big names are rumored to be candidates for a job that sounds sexy but really is a hot mess when looking past the glitz and glamour of Madison Square Garden.
For starters, Knicks ownership has to decide the fate of president Steve Mills, who is rumored to be on the hot seat. Much of the ineptitude of the Knicks falls at the feet of Mills since he returned to MSG to call the shots in 2013 and the argument that he doesn't deserve to hire another coach is easy to make.
Reportedly, there are three high-profile candidates the Knicks are widely believed to have their eye on while a former player and future Hall of Famer has recently been identified as another potential target. Does anyone have the inside track? Who stands to gain the most from taking the Knicks job? And why should any of them actually take it if it was offered? We laid it out.
Jeff Van Gundy
Why He’s a Candidate: One of the best broadcasters in basketball, Van Gundy has seemingly carved out a cushy life for himself commentating for ESPN while leaving behind the massive stress of coaching in the NBA for the past dozen years. But he’ll forever be a coach who had a successful run in the NBA (.575 winning percentage over roughly 9.5 seasons, one NBA Finals appearance) and since 2017 has led various USA Basketball squads. Many believe if the right situation presented itself around the NBA he’d seriously consider giving up the microphone. Plus, he hasn’t denied interest in getting back into coaching in the NBA.
Why He Makes Sense: Van Gundy was the last coach that had any sustainable success in New York and Knicks fans have revered him ever since he took the 1999 squad on an unlikely run to the NBA Finals. He spent seven seasons as a Knicks assistant, four under Pat Riley, before he took over in 1995. While Van Gundy and the Knicks had a famously frosty relationship following his abrupt resignation in 2001, all indications are tensions have cooled and Van Gundy would be welcomed back to MSG if both sides felt it was a good fit.
Why He Shouldn’t Take the Job: It ended ugly in New York the first time when Van Gundy abruptly wanted out after 19 games during the 2001-02 season. The Rockets will likely need a coach at the end of the season and Van Gundy, who lives in Houston, has a history with the Rockets. The Rockets would be an infinitely more attractive job than the Knicks. And why would the 57-year-old put up with all the bullshit that is life at Madison Square Garden when he can continue to live his best life talking about basketball or simply wait for a better job to open up? Whether that’s the Rockets or an underachiever (Chicago?). Van Gundy will remain a coveted candidate for just about any job until he tells teams he's cool just calling games.
Mark Jackson
Why He’s a Candidate: Ever since Jackson was dismissed by the Warriors following the 2014 season he’s been linked to a lot of NBA jobs. That’s because he had a successful run building Golden State into a 51-win squad during his final season at the helm and hasn’t been shy about letting everyone know he’d like to coach again. Somewhere. Anywhere.
Why He Makes Sense: He interviewed for the job that ultimately went to Fizdale so Knicks management is familiar with more than his catch phrases—Jackson reportedly already has support within the organization. His New York ties are arguably the biggest reasons why the 54-year-old Jackson, who hasn’t coached in six seasons, is always linked to the Knicks whenever the position opens up. He’s from New York; he was drafted by the Knicks and had two stints running point at the Garden. A fan favorite, Jackson is fondly remembered and largely respected by Knicks loyalists.
Why He Shouldn’t Take the Job: Similar to his broadcasting partner Van Gundy, why would Jackson leave his cushy job with ESPN to try and fix the dumpster fire known as the Knicks? Not when he could pursue other gigs if he wanted. It also rarely works out well when revered former players come back to coach. Jackson is known for keeping it real with his criticisms and keeping it real doesn’t play well in MSG. The front office and ownership would prefer you say less. Just ask Larry Brown.
Tom Thibodeau
Why He’s a Candidate: Despite getting canned from the Bulls and TimberWolves, Thibodeau remains a highly respected head coach candidate. He recently spent time around the Clippers during a November homestand, attending practices and offering up observations, and Doc Rivers raved about having access to Thibodeau’s basketball acumen. “During practices he doesn’t say anything, he just waits and then after practice, we’ll talk and he’ll tell me what he saw. It’s great to have around,” Rivers said. Thibodeau will continue to be linked to numerous jobs as they open up and it’s expected that the 61-year-old will once again roam the sidelines in the NBA.
Why He Makes Sense: Thibodeau is one of the better free agent coaches since he has a 352-246 career record over eight seasons. He was the 2010-11 NBA Coach of the Year when Chicago won 62 games in his first season running the show and while he’s been heavily criticized for running some of his players into the ground, you can’t deny that with the right assembled talent he can get a lot of out of his players in the short term. He has ties to the Knicks since he spent seven seasons as an assistant in New York (five-plus under Van Gundy) and as head coach he’s largely been known more for his defensive chops. That would play well with Knicks fans who are nostalgic for the 90s squads that were rough, rugged, and, you know, successful.
Why He Shouldn’t Take the Job: He could do a lot better. As someone that has coached superstars before (Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns), the Knicks roster isn’t particularly appealing unless you’re interested in the grimiest of reclamation projects. While whipping a young roster into shape could potentially be a good spot for Thibodeau ,who is notoriously hard-nosed, he has to be judicious about his next gig. Thibodeau can’t afford another quick flameout after things went south in just 2.5 seasons with Minnesota, therefore risking permanent damage to his long term coaching prospects.
Jason Kidd
Why He’s a Candidate: Currently the Lakers top assistant coach under Frank Vogel, Kidd’s name will be linked to openings since he’s spent more time being the man than being a man under the man—meaning this is the first season he’s been an assistant instead of the head honcho. He’s highly respected by many NBA players, especially veterans who played with or against him. He was a brilliant point guard during his legendary career before he immediately become a head coach upon retirement. He led the Nets to the playoffs in his first and only season in Brooklyn during the 2014-15 season and then spent the next three and a half seasons coaching up Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Bucks. Antetokounmpo called Kidd’s coaching “a big part of my success.”
Why He Makes Sense: Like Jackson, Kidd reportedly already has support within the organization. Kidd had varying degrees of success with the Nets and Bucks, but when a superstar vouches for you that carries weight. Kidd has ties to the Knicks since he helped them to their best campaign in 20 years during the 2012-13 season. That's the year New York won its only playoff series over the last 19 seasons. Kidd would command a lot of respect from New York’s young core since they all grew up watching him. Plus, New York's point guard situation is a black hole and who better to improve it than one of the best to ever play the position.
Why He Shouldn’t Take the Job: Kidd has the least to lose by taking this job compared to the other three candidates. He’s the youngest (46) and sports the kind of clout with the players the others can’t come close to matching. But it’s still a no-win situation coaching the Knicks as long as New York continues to operate without a clear plan. You can’t base the future success of your franchise on the idea that you’ll just sign a superstar one of these summers. Not when you’ve been a cauldron of dysfunction for nearly two decades. The Knicks have no identity on the court, major roster deficiencies, a terrible track record of developing and retaining young talent, a general lack of respect, and the NBA’s most volatile ownership. The city and the legendary arena will always be pluses, but when everything else is a negative why bother?