Schmeelk: Enough Already, It's Time For Knicks To Hire A Coach
By John Schmeelk
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There really isn't a reason for Phil Jackson to wait any longer.
He has lost out on Luke Walton, the one candidate he potentially would have had to wait for until the back end of the playoffs. Walton decided to coach the Lakers, and much like Steve Kerr last year, opting not to team with his former head coach.
With the first round of the playoffs over, no other coach is likely to be cut loose by a team that has been knocked out of the playoffs.
So the Knicks sit there, one of five teams without someone under contract. Kurt Rambis and J.B. Bickerstaff have interim tags with the Knicks and Rockets, respectively. The Kings have not replaced George Karl yet. The Pacers, finally, are at the end of their contract with Frank Vogel. David Blatt, who already interviewed with the Knicks, will get his turn with the Kings and likely the Rockets. Vogel's future with the Pacers will be decided by the end of the week.
The Knicks are the only NBA team, or anyone really, interested in Rambis. Mark Jackson is the only other rumored candidate for the Knicks job.
Phil Jackson needs to make up his mind and hire a coach before his choices are reduced more than they already are. The Knicks don't have any draft picks, so the organization has leaked their opinion that it isn't important to hire a coach quickly. No, the coach, if hired, won't be doing a whole lot until Summer League. But by making a decision now, Jackson gets to choose from the most candidates and potentially limit some competition from other teams. Coaches are often hesitant to turn down an offer if they aren't sure another one is coming.
The Knicks haven't played a game in three weeks. What else is there to figure out? Jackson knows everything he needs to know about Rambis, and there has been more than enough to time to form an opinion about Blatt. Jackson should be familiar with Vogel due to his time with the Pacers, and can get information from one of his former players, Brian Shaw. Shaw coached with Vogel in Indiana, and would be a logical fit to join Vogel if Jackson decides he is the right man for the job.
Vogel, a New Jersey guy, has expressed his love for Jackson in the past. Whether he is fluent in the triangle remains to be seen, but his strength is his ability to coach defense. The fastest way for the Knicks to get better is to improve their defense, especially in the backcourt. If Vogel is willing to come aboard with Rambis as his triangle coordinator, it is a match that makes a certain level of sense if Jackson is amenable to it.
Vogel doesn't have the winning resume that Blatt had overseas (or as good of a record in the NBA, for that matter), but he can coach in this league and will make an immediate impact on the team's defensive effort and execution. He is much more preferable to Rambis, as is Blatt. Of course, Larry Bird and the Pacers first have to decide to let Vogel walk, which is not a foregone conclusion.
The best and most readily available candidate for the Knicks remains Blatt. He is a detail-oriented coach that showed the ability to be flexible. Despite his lack of chemistry with LeBron James, he got the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals and gave the Warriors a run for a few games despite being completely outmatched due to injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
Blatt coached and won with the Russian National Team after having a lot of success coaching in Israel. He won consistently wherever he coached in Europe. He demands a lot from his players, and wins wherever he goes. His reputation among casual NBA fans is far worse than among basketball people around the league.
Either Blatt or Vogel could coach the Knicks long after Jackson rides into the sunset. Both would be great fits. Rambis would evaporate along with Jackson and would not be part of any sort of Knicks legacy long term.
It's time for Jackson to make his choice, and get his man, before somebody else does.
Schmeelk's Snippets
-- Kristaps Porzingis made the right choice by foregoing playing for the Latvian National Team this summer to train with the Knicks. As much as skill development is important for Porzingis, body development is even more essential. He needs to get stronger to be more consistent on the boards, and to punish other teams for putting smaller defenders on him. The best place to do that is in New York at the Knicks' training facility. There isn't much for him in Summer League, either. Let the Knicks give guys like Jerian Grant the chance to develop there. It is more important for Porzingis to stay healthy and develop his body.
For all things Knicks and Giants, please follow John on Twitter at @Schmeelk
