The Last Guy I'd Want Coaching the Knicks

by Seth on Apr 9, 2008 1:24 PM EDT in Miscellaneous

We're gonna have to put up with a lot of this rumor-mongering for some weeks, or at least until Isiah and Donnie Walsh have a formal meeting. Anyway, Frank Isola is under the impression that Scott Skiles would be a good fit for our Knicks. I'm here to say that aside from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Skiles is the only coach over whom I'd take Isiah Thomas. And I don't even have to come up with a reason. Isola says it for me:

Skiles, 44, would give the Knicks instant credibility and would bring back the concepts of defense and accountability. He can be brutally honest, a trait that is not always appreciated by his players, but Skiles also gets results.

That last part is rather important. If anyone could reintroduce the tense, paranoid atmosphere of Dolan's recently abandoned media policy, it's Skiles. Nothing pisses me off more than a coach who uses the media as an outlet for lashing out at his players. We've had that before, and it simply did not work. There are ways to hold a team accountable without being overbearing and belittling. The Knicks need a new culture, and Skiles just doesn't fit. Here's SML with much more on this possibility.

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"instant credibility"

Funny, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named also was supposed to bring us that, too.

Of course, the problem is, who else is out there? Mark Jackson is unproven (Though I'd love to see him get a go,) Rick Carlisle might be one of our best choices, but other than that, is anyone else really in the running? I've heard that Paul Silas is available, and he's proven to do excellent with controlling LeBron James (Still can't figure out why Silas was fired while the Cavs were 34-30...) and Baron Davis. I'd love to see Silas get the job.

AIM: ThatsNoooGood

by JoshL on Apr 9, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

coaches

two guys: John Thompson III of Georgetown, and Calipari. I know about the whole "college coach in the NBA" thing, but they're guys that run systems that cater to NBA game. A team that ran the princeton offense (the g'town version) would be competitive right away. It's visually pleasing, and it teaches players to a) be complete players and b) to be unselfish. It would be an instant hit. As for Calipari, I think he got a raw deal in NJ, and his new offense would also fit our personnel (guard heavy) Now if we could just find a way to get Derrick Rose...

by Buckets on Apr 9, 2008 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Good choices...

First off, yes, I agree... Skiles would be Larry Brown II. Which we already know isn't going to work, unless we get a new roster.

I like John Thompson III, and think he would make a really good pro coach. He's probably the only college coach right now I would say that about, except for maybe Pitino, who we know is a decent NBA coach (not great, but decent). I don't care much for Calipari - in fact, he reminds me too much of Tim Floyd. I think he gets by in the NCAA because he can get talent as a recruiter (sometimes illegally as we know), but he's not a great x's and o's kinda coach.

I hate to put all my hopes on Derrick Rose, but man... this franchise has lacked a franchise point guard since Walt & Earl. It would be a great turn of events for the franchise if we could land a top-2 pick....

by stopmikelupica on Apr 9, 2008 5:34 PM EDT reply actions