Knicks · Fizdale to the Knicks (page 1)

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Sources: After meeting with James Dolan, David Fizdale agrees to coach Knicks

David Fizdale has agreed to a deal to become the next coach of the New York Knicks, league sources told ESPN.

Fizdale met with Knicks owner James Dolan on Thursday in New York, who then gave his approval to president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry to enter into contract negotiations with Fizdale, league sources said.

Fizdale, who coached the Memphis Grizzlies into the Western Conference playoffs in his one full season as coach, was New York's primary target from the start of the search process.

Thank you Steve Mills for bringing in Perry/Fizdale. No one knows for sure if this will work out. But by bringing them in, shows that you didnt look for the answers to the Knicks problems, mostly in the rearview mirror.

Well done.👍

Sources: After meeting with James Dolan, David Fizdale agrees to coach Knicks
6:02 PM ET

David Fizdale has agreed to a deal to become the next coach of the New York Knicks, league sources told ESPN.

Fizdale met with Knicks owner James Dolan on Thursday in New York, who then gave his approval to president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry to enter into contract negotiations with Fizdale, league sources said.

Fizdale, who coached the Memphis Grizzlies into the Western Conference playoffs in his one full season as coach, was New York's primary target from the start of the search process.

Fizdale is expected to travel to Latvia soon to meet with Knicks All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis, league sources said.

Mills and Perry fired former coach Jeff Hornacek shortly after the conclusion of the regular season. The Knicks were a combined 44 games under .500 in Hornacek's two seasons.

Mills and Perry met with several candidates prior to agreeing to terms with Fizdale. Among the coaches they interviewed: former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, former Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, former Warriors coach Mark Jackson, Heat assistant Juwan Howard, Spurs assistant James Borrego, Toronto G League coach Jerry Stackhouse, Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga and Clippers assistant Mike Woodson.

Fizdale is the Knicks' 11th coach since the 2001-02 season and the fifth since the start of the 2010-11 season. Management hopes that he can start to elevate a franchise that hasn't reached the playoffs in five seasons.

The Knicks prefer to build a young core around Porzingis, who isn't expected back until midway through next season as he recovers from a torn ACL. The Knicks own all of their future first-round draft picks and are projected to clear significant salary cap space in the summer of 2019.

The franchise's next coaching hire will need to "understand today's player" and be a strong communicator, Mills told reporters after dismissing Hornacek.

"Today's players are very different from yesterday's players," Mills said. "So, you have to be a person that understands who these guys are, where they come from, what their basketball journey is."

Fizdale was an integral part of two championships as a member of Erik Spoelstra's coaching staff with the Miami Heat - where he spent eight years as an assistant coach. He built a reputation on his ability to connect and communicate with players, and strong teaching and tactical ability. He has strong relationships with several players from his Heat tenure, including LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

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martin wrote:got us a whole new slew of GameThread opportunities

Yeah, good hire. The front office saw our needs and did what it had to do in order to replace the loss of Abby Hornacek and, potentially, XRM's mom. Good job Perry. I guess David will make for an OK coach too.

Oh well welcome! David

CrushAlot wrote:Awesome. One of the hosts of mad dog radio is a big heat fan. He did not want the Knicjs to get Fiz. Said he was a great coach and all the players in the league love him.
i have heard nothing but good things about him.

Yeah this is a good move for the Knicks. I wanted Bud or Fiz! Now they can get to work!!!

CrushAlot wrote:Zach Lowe and Danny Leroux both liked the hire. That is steep praise from guys that are generally critical of the Knicks.

It generally feels like we are turning this thing around. The Perry hire, the coaching interview process and now Fiz! This feels like we are an actual, legit franchise!! The circus has left town!

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StarksEwing1 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Zach Lowe and Danny Leroux both liked the hire. That is steep praise from guys that are generally critical of the Knicks.

Pretty much everyone ive seen come out loves the hire. He was one of if not the best coachng choice on the market

Definitely, this is very good news. He wasn't my top choice but Budenholzer's probably going to Milwaukee anyway.