Enough with the triangle. Let’s talk about the five best coaches the New York Knicks should hire no matter what kind of offense they run.
By Chip Murphy
Carmelo Anthony spoke for the entire NBA last week when he gave his thoughts on the New York Knicks’ antiquated offense.
Anthony has made it a point to say that he disagrees with Jackson’s free agency strategy of getting players who fit his system. Anthony feels, as any sensible person would after coming off of back to back 50-loss seasons, that emphasizing the system over the player is the wrong move.
Unfortunately, that’s how Jackson feels and he will never change. His mammoth ego has no equal and his arrogance knows no bounds.
These five coaches are all good fits for the Knicks jobs, but they won’t even get a look. That has nothing to do with them personally, but with the philosophy of a foolish old man who won’t admit he’s wrong. Unfortunately, these coaches don’t preach the t-word.
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5. Tony Bennett, University of Virginia HC
Tony Bennett is the leader of one of the best defenses in college basketball. He’s the outside the box hire. The college coach who could be looking for a challenge at the next level.
According to kenpom.com, over the last five seasons Bennett’s Virginia Cavaliers have ranked 6th, 24th, 5th, 1st, and 5th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
He borrowed the vaunted “Pack-line” defense from his father Dick Bennett, former head coach at Washington State. Bennett’s defense is simple. One man relentlessly pressures the ball handler while the other four defenders sag off, hoping to encourage penetration into the help defenders. The defense is designed to force contested kick outs to jump shooters and double-teams in the post.
Bennett may want to return to the NBA as a coach, as his run as a player didn’t go smoothly. He was drafted in the second round by the Charlotte Hornets in 1992, and after three seasons his career ended due to a foot injury.
His name hasn’t been brought up as much as Jay Wright or John Calipari, but the defensive-oriented Bennett would be an interesting fit in New York.
4. Jeff Hornacek, Former Phoenix Suns HC
Jeff Hornacek was scapegoated for the dumpster fire that was the Phoenix Suns this season, regardless of where the blame actually belonged. Instead of talking about what a nightmare this season was, let’s talk about before management ruined his roster. In 2013-14, Hornacek placed third in the Coach of the Year voting.
The offense built around the two headed point guard monster of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe was revered instead of reviled, and Channing Frye had morphed into one of the league’s best stretch fours. This added up to a team that ranked 7th in points per 100 possessions.
Hornacek’s team completely fell off after that first season, but he shouldn’t take much of the blame. He’s an offensive guy and the wrong pieces were brought in on offense. An up-tempo style would be interesting for this Knicks’ team.
3. Mark Jackson, Former Golden State Warriors HC
Mark Jackson will always be haunted by the success of the Golden State Warriors. He was run out of town after butting heads with his bosses, and replaced with Steve Kerr. The foundation that Jackson built was turned into a dynasty. We forget how Jackson was on the court, the truth is the two two coaches couldn’t be more different.
Jackson focused on the Warriors horrendous defense when he took over in 2011-12. Jackson’s team finished 27th in defensive rating in his first season but steadily improved in his next two, to a more respectable 14th and than an elite 4th. Jackson’s Warriors’ had good offenses, but nothing like the historic numbers they do now of course.
The biggest difference? Well how about this, in Jackson’s last season as coach the Warriors were last in passes per game. The same Warriors team that seem to swing the ball around the key like the Harlem Globetrotters.
Jackson will be a popular candidate because of his strong New York City connections, but if the Knicks were to sign him they’d need a strong offensive assistant.
2. David Blatt, Former Cleveland Cavaliers HC
Don’t laugh. Just because LeBron James hated David Blatt‘s guts doesn’t mean Melo will.
We never saw the offense that we were promised when Blatt was hired by the Cavs two years ago. That’s not his fault. He wasn’t supposed to coach that Cavs team. He was hired to run a rebuilding squad led by Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins.
Instead, James came in. Blatt and his system didn’t make sense in Cleveland anymore. That doesn’t mean that both won’t fit in New York. Blatt’s Princeton offense is said to have elements of the t-word, so take that for whatever it’s worth.
The Knicks finished 24th in offensive rating and 28th in effective field goal percentage, so an overhaul on that side of the court wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
1. Tom Thibodeau, Former Chicago Bulls HC
Tom Thibodeau is reportedly angling for the same deal Stan Van Gundy and Doc Rivers have, complete control over organizational decisions. Good for him. Bad for any delusional Knicks’ fans that were still holding out hope for Jackson to pull a rabbit out of his hat.
Before being fired amidst problems with management, Thibs coached the Chicago Bulls for five seasons and made the playoffs in each one. The Bulls were consistently one of the best defenses in the NBA, with the only criticism being his stubbornness on the offensive end and short rotations.
The best defensive mind in the NBA is unemployed and the Knicks should be taking advantage of the fact that he has ties to the organization dating back to his time as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy. Unfortunately, the search is rigged.