The feeling around the NBA is that Jeff Hornacek won’t return as the Knicks’ head coach for the 2018/19 season, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. According to Berman, people around the league view Doc Rivers and Mark Jackson as a pair of potential top targets for the Knicks if they seek out a new coach.
Hornacek’s spot on the hot seat is nothing new — since the Knicks fell out of playoff contention earlier this season, rumors have swirled about the possibility of a head coaching change in New York. Rivers and Jackson have even been mentioned as possible candidates before, including by Mitch Lawrence of The Sporting News and Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Still, Hornacek’s hold on his job appears more precarious than ever over the last week, according to Berman, who points to a handful of recent incidents to illustrate that Knicks veterans probably don’t expect to be playing for the current head coach much longer. As Berman observes, Hornacek handing Tim Hardaway Jr. the clipboard during one timeout and Trey Burke waving off Hornacek’s attempts to call another timeout were both unusual moments that took place during Monday’s loss to the Hornets.
Additionally, Kyle O’Quinn screamed profanities at his head coach during Friday’s game in New York, and a confrontation between Hornacek and veteran center Joakim Noah earlier this season ultimately led to Noah’s dismissal from the team. According to Berman, big man Kristaps Porzingis also “cursed out” Hornacek during a practice late last season, not long before Porzingis skipped his exit meeting.
The Knicks are expected to wait until after the regular season to make any announcements regarding their coaching situation, but at this point, Hornacek’s days in the position appear numbered.
Please not Doc Rivers. Mark Jackson is ok he’s probably an underrated coach but just not Doc…
I agree. Doc is terrible.
Mark Jackson’s past history with New York and the Knicks makes him a perfect fit. He was the starting point guard for the Pacers when they lost to Kobe and Shaq for the NBA Championship. Rik Smits was hurt and Jalen Rose was young.
Just because he used to play there, that doesn’t make him a “perfect fit.”
I would give Mark Jackson the reins to a terrible team. He took the Warriors from door mats to 50 wins. He did it with defense and accountability and all that stuff. He wasn’t great on offense so you need a good offensive assistant, but I think Mark Jackson would get the ball rolling to credibility. He’s proven that.
Loved him as a player, but not sure I’d want him as a coach. There’s a reason he hasn’t been hired the past few years and his getting fired in GS was odd – relationships, handling of players, church in the locker room. I’d be interested in seeing Jay Wright or a Brad Stevens college type run/grow with the team.
They need more church in the locker rooms.
Amazing how Hornacek was good in Phoenix before the GM started trading to trade and ruined the team. Jesus himself couldn’t win in NY with that ownership.
Doc Rivers is insanely overrated, and Mark Jackson is a polarizing locker room guy. If you’re in his “clique,” you’re good. If not, you’re toast. This organization is honestly doomed for failure. One stupid decision after the next.
Bring back Jeff Van Gundy
Yes
As a Celtics fan, I encourage them to bring back Isaiah Thomas :)
Rivers is not just overrated overall as a coach, he has shown zero acumen or interest in player development. He left the Celts (by mutual agreement before he got the Clips job) because they were going to rebuild. Just who around the league is suggesting Rivers for the Knicks? The Clips?