New York Knicks David Fizdale
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

As the New York Knicks come closer to making their decision, David Fizdale seems to be the leader in the clubhouse for the job.

According to reports from Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, David Fizdale has “gained serious traction” in the New York Knicks’ head coaching search.

Fizdale is one of 11 candidates still in the running for the position, but he is also part of the smaller group that seem to be the most realistic options for Steve Mills and Scott Perry. In addition to Fizdale, Mike Budenholzer, Jerry Stackhouse, David Blatt, and even Mark Jackson seem to be part of the smaller group of candidates most likely to take over in New York.

Fizdale is a young coach known for his good relationships with players. If Mills and Perry can get past Fizdale’s failed relationship with Marc Gasol in Memphis, he could be the perfect coach for the youthful Knicks. Jeff Hornacek was let go in large part due to his failure to reach his players.

It’s safe to say that Mills and Perry want someone who can form a strong bond with players, especially the younger guys on the team like Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina. The future of the team rests largely on Porzingis and Ntilikina’s shoulders.

If the front office wants a guy who will go to bat for his players, Fiz already has a history of that in his short coaching career. After a playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Fizdale had a postgame rant that immediately went viral. Whether or not you think he had a point about the officiating in that game, it’s great to see a coach have the back of his players like Fizdale does. Nothing against Hornacek, but Fizdale would be a breath of fresh air in New York.

 
NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.