Schmeelk: David Blatt Rumors Won't Change Knicks Direction
By John Schmeelk
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After a few days of fans pulling their hair out over the possibility of Kurt Rambis coaching the Knicks next year, another name has emerged, according to reports: David Blatt.
Even in the articles promoting Blatt as a potential coach, the sources are careful to point out that Rambis is still a leading candidate or will be back with the team in one way, shape or form. The New York Post's Marc Berman reported that if Rambis was not the head coach (he called Blatt a long shot), then he would be an assistant general manager or pseudo "offensive coordinator."
It's possible that given the negative reaction to Rambis, the Garden is trying to put other names out there to quell some of the rebellion against the idea of Rambis leading the team going forward. Blatt would be a decent option, but mostly because he is being compared to Rambis. Blatt's resume is much better because of his record in Israel and with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the issues he had with LeBron James and the Cavs players raise some red flags.
It shouldn't be forgotten by Knicks fans that the clear-cut best option that would probably turn the Knicks into a playoff team next year is still sitting out there: former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. Anything the Knicks do that doesn't end with Thibs should be treated with disappointment, and a great level of skepticism.
As mind-boggling as it may seem, as long as Phil Jackson is still here next year (there are no signs that he won't be), the Knicks will run as pure a version of his system as possible next season. Jackson believes in his system, and he will run it. He wants to secure his legacy and win, but if it means going down in flames and pulling the Knicks down with him, Jackson is willing to accept that fate. He has an opt-out after next season and will make the 2016-17 season his ultimate experiment in the triangle.
It doesn't matter that the best defensive coach in the NBA (and one of the best overall) is available in Thibodeau. Jackson is going to do it his way. That's his right as the team president, and on some level his belief in his own way of playing basketball should be respected. He thinks it will work, and he will not deviate from it. It's prideful and stubborn. It could be his undoing.
Of course, that blind belief in a philosophy might drag the Knicks to the bottom of the ocean with him. If this fails, Jackson moves on with his 13 rings and millions of dollars. He can go write another book, relax on the beach or take a front-office job with the Lakers. He will be fine. The Knicks will not.
A team that has been craving stability will need another new captain of the ship. They will likely have to hire another new coach if Jackson goes with Rambis. If next season goes up in flames, the odds that Carmelo Anthony will still be on the roster will be slim to none. If the team stinks next year, Anthony is likely to demand to be dealt by the trade deadline. In other words, the Knicks would almost be starting from scratch again.
MORE: Schmeelk: Dolan, Of All People, Needs To Save Knicks From Jackson
This can be, in effect, a one-year plan for Jackson. If next year goes well, he could ride out his entire five-year contract. But if the team finishes out of the playoffs one more time, either he will bail or James Dolan will push him out the door. Anthony would likely be gone as well. At the very least, the Knicks would have a first-round pick if their record was bad enough. Of course, the chance that a coach of Tom Thibodeau's quality would be available again next summer is slim. The Knicks might very well be missing their shot at a transcendent head coach this summer because their president is too proud to hire someone that won't let him coach from the front office.
Blatt is far from a perfect candidate, but at least he, unlike Rambis, could survive past Jackson's regime. The same could be said for someone like Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina, who should also be considered. But that doesn't seem to be what Jackson wants. His concern is winning his way, for better or worse. There's no better person to execute that plan than Rambis, who he can coach through without putting his body through those physical rigors.
That's how it is going to be unless the Knicks owner does something about it. This is Jackson's team. It will be his team if they make the playoffs, or it will be his team if they have a lot of pingpong balls come next June. Jackson hasn't failed in the NB A yet, and Knicks fans hope it won't start now.
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