The New York Knicks have done their due diligence in the search for their next head coach. There have been over ten names linked to the open position. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, they have chosen David Fizdale.
David Fizdale has agreed to a deal to become the New York Knicks coach, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 3, 2018
The New York Knicks have finally found their man! After a short search, the Knicks have agreed to terms with David Fizdale to become their next head coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
David Fizdale is the former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. In 101 games, his team had a record of 50-51. Memphis made the playoffs in his first season at the helm where they went in as the seventh seed and lost in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs.
Fizdale is a defensive-minded coach who may or may not have been let go due to differences with a star player. Before being hired in Memphis, he spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and the Miami Heat. The last two years in Miami he held the title of Associate Head Coach.
During the 2016-17 season, Memphis ranked seventh in the league with a defensive rating of 104.5. They led the league in opponent points in the paint only allowing 37.8 per game. Their offense also improved under Fizdale. The year before he was hired, Memphis ranked 29th in three-point percentage. His first year there, they shot 35.4 percent, good for 17th in the league. Memphis also attempted eight more three-point shots per game once Fizdale arrived. They went from 18.5 attempts per game to 26.5 per game in his first season with the team. Yes, it is a small sample size but Fizdale is a young coach who is well respected around the league. He should also be hungry considering the way he was dismissed in Memphis.
Will this decision make everyone happy? Of course not. It is, however, a good decision for the Knicks in the middle of a rebuild.
Now that New York has found their head coach, they can focus on the upcoming NBA Draft.
