The Knicks Thread....

[_Steve_]

Luke Walton, Tyronn Lue and Derek Fisher being considered for the coaching vacancy.

From ESPN

Three candidates who will thus receive consideration from Jackson, sources said, are Luke Walton and Tyronn Lue -- former players under Jackson who have already begun their coaching careers -- as well as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher -- if Fisher elects to stop playing after this season as he has hinted.

Sounds like pure desperation.
Next in line could be Randy Brown, Dickey Simpkins or Bill Wennington...

[Kevin]

Luke Walton....seriously?

[Jeffx]

Marv Albert's revenge....and he's right.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/05/16/ ... th-knicks/

[_Steve_]

Now even Dunleavy (the elder) is in the mix.
Reading Marv's comments, I find even more similarities between Dolan and my boss. If what he says is true you want to leave more sooner than later...

[NovU]

If what he says is true you want to leave more sooner than later...

Do you?

[_Steve_]

If what he says is true you want to leave more sooner than later...

Do you?

Sure as hell! Wrote several letters of application over the last couple of weeks myself. If the environment doesn't fit, even the best jobs tend to suck.

[Mandich]

If the environment doesn't fit, even the best jobs tend to suck.

Richard Hammond doesn't agree.

[Jeffx]

Leave it to the Knicks to turn a coaching search into a circus. I'm surprised a smart cat like Phil didn't have a Plan B.

And if Phil has total control over basketball operations, why wasn't he able to get the guy he wanted?

[shadowgrin]

Phil Jackson may have the advantage in rings but he's no Red Auerbach when it comes to building teams.

[Andrew]

Even if he has total control over basketball operations, he doesn't have complete control over the minds of his prospective employees...presumably. If the Knicks' reputation is that bad, Phil's control might allow them to set up interviews or send out feelers to the candidates he wants, but that doesn't mean much if there isn't mutual interest.

[Jeffx]

I just wish the Knicks could be consistent like they were during the 90s. They didn't finish the deal, but for a decade they were good for at least 50 wins and a trip to the second round. Now the strategy is suffer for a few seasons, then put all our eggs in one basket, suffer again, etc., etc. That doesn't work.

Brain-Dead Dolan will be on WFAN's Mike Francesca show tomorrow afternoon. He's tight with the Sports Pope, so you know there won't be any tough questions.

[Stress Fracture]

Knicks looking to deal Shumpert for a draft pick

The Knicks and Oklahoma City could be linked by more than Derek Fisher’s coaching future.

As Fisher mulls his next career step, the Thunder are looking at trading at least one of their late first-round picks, and Knicks president Phil Jackson said he’s looking to obtain a pick for either round of the NBA Draft. The Post reported at February’s trade deadline Oklahoma City made an offer for Iman Shumpert, but the Knicks passed. ESPN.com reported the Thunder offered their 29th pick.

That was before Jackson came aboard, and talks surely will be staged between the two clubs. The Nets are also trying to obtain a late first-round or second-round pick, according to general manager Billy King.

Oklahoma City has the 21st and 29th picks. The 29th pick is considered to have the least bang for the buck, as it comes with a two-year guarantee at a set rate, as opposed to a player picked a few slots later, in the second round, who doesn’t receive guaranteed money.
The Knicks don’t want to clog up their 2015 cap space unless they are sure they’ll draft a can’t-miss rotation player. The 29th pick is slated to make $959,000 in 2015-16, which is modest for a top rotation player. The 21st pick would make $1.2 million.

Sounds like a desperate move.

[NovU]

Shumpert is not a star but only a serviceable wing man. Perhaps he could improve but I wouldn't mind this move. This year's draft is deep and strong. Phil Jackson taking a risk? That's nice and aggressive.

[_Steve_]

Cap and rosterwise the situation for the Knicks is pretty much fucked up. Jax can't do much more until a real retard aims for a STAT, Felton and/or Bargnani deal.

[shadowgrin]

According to that article Felton and Shumpert were supposed to be traded to the Clippers for Matt Barnes and Darren Collison, deal was cancelled when Shump got injured.

[Jeffx]

Just heard on WFAN Derek Fisher will be our next head coach - 5 years, $25 million.

[NovU]

It seems Phil Jackson eagerly wants his ex-players for the coaching job. None of them has coaching experience though. I am guessing he just wants someone familiar with his system.

Jackson has discussed other head coaching candidates. Former Lakers forward Rick Fox opened up about his discussions with Jackson and says it's in the new Knicks president's court. At this point, it appears Fox and others are backup plans or potential assistant coaches for a new staff.

The Knicks seem to be fully behind Fisher at present, but it's still unknown if time away from the court has rekindled his desire to keep playing. Because there's the chance Fisher changes his mind at the last minute a la Kerr, give the probability of New York hiring him this week an 8 of out 10.

Oh, and Phil has been fined $25,000 for mentioning Fisher's name too early which violates NBA conshitution.

[Andrew]

And it's official.

[shadowgrin]

This is going to be a nice train wreck to watch.

[NovU]

Awesome. There probably is no quick fix to the Knicks' problems but it looks like Jackson is running the team to his wants (or at least for this occasion). I am guessing Fisher should be viewed as kinda long term project and not be judged by next season solely because the expectation shouldn't be too high for next couple season with their limitation in roster, salary, and trade possibility.

Btw, these new comers in coaching are really interesting. Kidd's second year will be fun to keep eyes on. Kerr will certainly entertain us. Then we have Fisher kinda like Jason Kidd as he's also making instant player to coach transition.

[Jeffx]

I am guessing Fisher should be viewed as kinda long term project and not be judged by next season solely because the expectation shouldn't be too high for next couple season with their limitation in roster, salary, and trade possibility.

Unless Phil can pull some Zen magic and dump these contracts, I'm not expecting much with next season's roster either.

[Jeffx]

In other news, I heard on WFAN league sources are saying that Carmelo Anthony is leaning toward Houston or Chicago(IMO, Chicago would be a better fit). Apparently he's ticked at Phil Jackson for discussing his contract in public. Stay tuned.....

[_Steve_]

In other news, I heard on WFAN league sources are saying that Carmelo Anthony is leaning toward Houston or Chicago(IMO, Chicago would be a better fit). Apparently he's ticked at Phil Jackson for discussing his contract in public. Stay tuned.....

'Melo is a greedy bum. He should pair with LeBron to build an all time choking leagacy.
From what I've read, Mavs and Heat are also in the mix. IMO he'd best fit with the Bulls if he really wants to leave NY. I can't see any sense in building a team around 'Melo and Harden. If the Rockets plan to do so, they should also get Rudy Gay and Brandon Jennings to have even more volume scorers on their roster...

[Jeffx]

How do you cats feel about Shump? Lot of Knick fans I talk to at other sites want him out because he hasn't progressed enough.

I'm not ready to give up on him yet. Let's see what he does under a new coach/system.

[Jeffx]

'Melo is a greedy bum..

The Knicks can offer him the most loot, so if he leaves, it has nothing to do with money, but winning a title ASAP.