This past year for the Knicks had its share of ups and downs. After starting off the year hot, things slowed down a bit once Derek Fisher was let go. Then came in assistant Kurt Rambis, who posted a 9-19 record as the interm head coach for the Knicks.
With the teams season over the first order of business is to name a new coach to run the team. While there has been talking of sticking with Rambis another name has been added to the conversation. Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt.
First reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
David Blatt met with New York president Phil Jackson about Knicks' coaching job on Monday, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2016
Blatt, 56, has had his fair share of success during his short time in the NBA. Last season he led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals and eventually lost to the Golden State Warriors. He started off the season 30-11 until he was surprisingly let go this past January. Outside of the NBA, he has close to 20 years experience coaching in the Euroleague, winning a title in 2014 with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Blatt also won the Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics with the Russian national team. He also has connections with Knicks general manager Steve Mills. They both played together at Princeton during the 1970s.
Rambis, 58, on the other hand has not had success when coaching. Before his short tenure in New York, he was the Timberwolves head coach from 2009-2011, winning only 15 and 17 games respectively. He also was the Los Angeles Lakers head coach for a short time during the 1999 lockout season, going 24-13. His overall coaching record is 65-164.
In my opinion, David Blatt makes more sense to be the next coach for the New York Knicks rather than Kurt Rambis. Blatt was successful with the Cavaliers and showed signs that he has a bright future in the NBA. He has had success across the world from the United States to the Russian national team.
After being let go with a .732 win percentage, Blatt is very motivated to prove that he will be around for good. He also has key players like Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis to build around. He can help find the players strengths to work to their advantage
Rambis is still the clear favorite to be the full-time head coach (via The Vertical)
“Interim coach Kurt Rambis has remained a strong frontrunner to become the full-time coach, and it is unclear if the Blatt meeting was more than a token appearance in a coaching search. Jackson has been determined to continue to run his triangle offense, and Rambis has been a loyal disciple of the system.”
David Blatt might not be the star coach every Knicks fan has hoped for, but he can win games and develop strategies to help the franchise be successful. He does not run the triangle, but with his knowledge and Phil Jackson helping him out, there is plenty of potential that can be hard to pass up.
Keep your fingers crossed New York Knick fans.
