David Fizdale is brimming with optimism and the head coach of the New York Knicks wants to see the fans come out and support the team.
New York Knicks fans might not be as excited about the season as David Fizdale is, but he’s hoping they get there eventually. Fizdale exudes confidence and excitement all the time, but his energetic nature was on display on Wednesday when Bruce Beck of WNBC-TV caught up with the head coach of the Knickerbockers for an interview.
Fizdale told Beck:
“Come out and support us. You will not be disappointed. We’re going to put a team on the court that you’re going to be proud of!”
Fizdale would go on to touch on the various issues this team will face. With such a young roster he knows there will be growing pains in terms of decision making and shot selection. But he’s excited to develop the young players and develop a winning culture in Madison Square Garden.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Fizdale is how he will mesh with Kristaps Porzingis—considering his falling out with Marc Gasol that was the final straw for Fiz in Memphis.
But Fizdale maintains that Porzingis is excited about the new regime and he’s ready to be challenged by Fizdale and his coaching staff.
Fizdale told Beck:
“He likes the challenge of me saying ‘I want him to be the MVP’ and ‘I want him to be the Defensive Player of the Year.’ That’s real competitors they want that and I’m going right at it with him. I want him to look at himself that way.”
In his short career in the NBA, KP doesn’t seem like the type of player who backs down from a challenge. He has the potential to develop into an MVP candidate and he definitely has the potential to become the Defensive Player of the Year. He was leading the league with 2.4 blocks per game when he tore his ACL last season.
So far, David Fizdale is saying all the right things. It’s important that fans temper their expectations with a young roster and no timetable for Porzingis to return. But there’s no doubt that it feels like the Knicks are trending in the right direction.
