After starting the season 4-18, the New York Knicks have fired head coach David Fizdale amidst a search for answers.
First reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the New York Knicks have fired head coach David Fizdale. This move comes on the heels of a 44-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday and a 37-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Mike Miller will step in as interim head coach. He won the G League Coach of the Year with the Westchester Knicks during the 2017-18 season.
The team issued the following statement:
“Head coach David Fizdale and assistant coach Keith Smart were relieved of their coaching duties. Assistant Mike Miller has been named interim head coach.”
Fizdale compiled a brutal record of 21-83 during his one-plus seasons with the team. After tying a franchise-worst 17-win mark last season, the expectation was that the Knicks would take a step forward this season.
At 4-18 through 22 games, the Knicks are on pace for their worst season in franchise history. Although the roster is far from a cohesive unit and it’s clear that the offseason was an abject failure, Fizdale didn’t do enough to win with the pieces he had.
Moreover, one of the big checkmarks under Fizdale’s name during the hiring process was his potential to draw in superstar free agents. The Knicks weren’t able to sign any marquee stars, but it’s unfair to lay that at Fizdale’s feet. The Knicks didn’t even have a meeting with any of the star free agents on the market, although they claim they could have if they wanted to.
That makes three Knicks head coaches in a row who failed to coach into their third season. Jeff Hornacek was let go at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. Much like Fizdale, Derek Fisher was fired midseason during 2015-16 with Kurt Rambis taking over as interim head coach for the final 28 games.
Once again, the Knicks are jumping on the coaching carousel. Now the attention turns to the front office, consisting of team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry. If the futility continues, there’s no one else to pass the buck off to.
