The New York Knicks made some front office hires recently by bringing Brock Aller aboard to be the Vice President of Basketball and Strategic Planning. Walt Perrin joined as Assistant General Manager of College Scouting while Frank Zaniness was named Assistant General Manager of Pro Scouting. Knicks general manager Scott Perry signed an extension for the 2020-21 season.
The next priority for the Knicks is finding a new head coach. Mike Miller has been the interim head coach since David Fizdale was fired. However, Miller likely isn’t going to be the Knicks’ head coach in the long-term. The Knicks will begin the search for a new head coach soon but may have to wait to make a decision until the NBA resumes its season.
Tom Thibodeau is the top candidate for the job, according to Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Miller and Kenny Atkinson will also be interviewed by the Knicks. It is unknown if the Knicks will interview anyone else besides those three.
Tom Thibodeau
Thibodeau hasn’t coached since January 2019. However, he is a good coach as he had a 352-246 record with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Bulls made the playoffs every year under Thibodeau. In 2011, he led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals. Thibodeau was with the Timberwolves for two-and-a-half years and ended the Timberwolves’ 14-year playoff drought.
Mike Miller
Miller took over the coaching duties after David Fizdale was fired. He has left a strong impression on the Knicks’ organization but he will be interviewed, he likely won’t be the head coach permanently or long-term. However, he will be offered a role in some capacity, according to Rob Goldberg of Bleacher Report.
Kenny Atkinson
Atkinson is available after being fired by the Brooklyn Nets in March. He would be a good choice because he knows what it is like coaching in New York.
Atkinson had the Nets in a playoff spot when the season was put on hold. He is also known for player development. As an assistant for the Knicks, he helped develop Jeremy Lin. With the Nets, he has helped Spencer Dinwiddie and D’Angelo Russell. The Knicks have a lot of young players on their team who would benefit from having Atkinson as their coach.
Verdict
The Knicks should hire Tom Thibodeau as their head coach. He is the best candidate of these three for the job. However, if the Knicks fail to acquire the services of Thibodeau, the job should be offered to Kenny Atkinson.
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