The Knicks have completed the second round of interviews for their head coaching job, according to Steve Popper of Newsday.
As reports last month indicated – and as president of basketball operations Leon Rose later confirmed – the Knicks’ search process included a first round of informal meetings with the candidates for its head coaching position. More recently, the club conducted a second round of more formal interviews.
It’s not clear whether the Knicks are now ready to make their decision or whether the organization will narrow down its initial list of 11 candidates to a smaller group of finalists before finalizing a hire. Rose said during an appearance on MSG Network last month that he expects the team to make a decision on its permanent head coach before the NBA resumes its season later this month in Florida.
According to Popper, Tom Thibodeau – who has been considered the frontrunner since the start of the process – remains the odds-on favorite. However, New York’s search was wide-ranging.
In addition to Thibodeau and interim head coach Mike Miller, the club also interviewed former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, former Knicks coach Mike Woodson, former Bucks and Nets coach Jason Kidd, former Lakers and Cavs coach Mike Brown, and five current assistants without head coaching experience, including Ime Udoka of the Sixers.
The full list of candidates can be found on our 2020 head coaching tracker.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- The Knicks will get the opportunity to learn about “the Spurs way” during their head coaching interviews, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who points out that besides current Spurs assistant Will Hardy, Udoka has also served on Gregg Popovich‘s staff.
- In a mailbag for The New York Post, Berman discusses the Knicks’ coaching decision, potential offseason targets, Allonzo Trier‘s departure, and more.
- Knicks executive Craig Robinson has been named the next executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (Twitter link). Robinson is on an expiring deal with New York and the expectation has been that he won’t be retained by the new management group, led by Rose.
I fully expect the NY Knicks organization to make a mistake here. Just as their past would indicate.
Berman says in his article the Knicks are trying to make the playoffs next year. Um hello, guys? Has no one been paying attention the last 15 years? They’re seriously gonna hire Thibs and try to limp into the 8th seed next year. Jesus Christ, just put some shooters around Barrett
and Robinson and see what you have like every decent bball analyst has suggested for over a year. Miller did a good job, keep him. Or hire someone like Udoka and give him a few years. Thibs just failed in MN at exactly what you’re trying to do with much better personnel. An average fan shouldn’t be a better GM than the actual GM.
Mr Mort I like shouting “Doooomm!” when a big dunk is thrown down, the dunk of death. Unless it’s a highlight reel of nothing but. Then I just quietly think, He’s tall.
Thibodeau can’t lead the team to make playoffs due to lack of good players
Knicks may part way with him after one year
We are watching another last dance
Knicks need a Young coach to build a Young team. Any chance Penny or Jerry Stackhouse comes to the NBA. I really want Mark Jackson but more than likely he would want the Nets more