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The human glasses emoji is the new head coach of the New York Knicks!
David Fizdale and the Knicks have an agreement in principle on a deal. An announcement and introductory press conference isn't expected until next week.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) May 3, 2018
In the meantime, let’s get you up to speed.
MMiranda’s Know the Coach piece on Coach Fitz (Fiz?) is here.
Michael Rappaport’s podcast with Fiz (Fitz?) is here.
Articles from Yahoo!, Newsday, New York Post, Daily News, and New York Times.
One interesting portent from this morning:
Today would be a good day for the Knicks to announce a big hire.
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) May 3, 2018
On this Date:
1967: Draft Walt Frazier
1973: Win Game 2 NBA Finals
1982: Willis Reed enshrined HOF
1992: Win Game 5 vs Pistons
1998: Win Game 5 vs Heat
1999: Clinch 12th straight playoff
2013: Win Game 6 vs Boston
So that’s good!
Also interesting & good:
New Knicks coach David Fizdale’s activism against confederate statues like Jefferson Davis & Nathan Bedford Forrest did not get attn like Pop/Kerr/SVG. But it should have.
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) May 3, 2018
Not saying it contributed to Fizdale’s head-scratching firing by Memphis. Just not saying it didn’t either. pic.twitter.com/2Ra7jJFMTZ
Some reactions from around the basketball world:
Continues to tell me .... “No ceiling on players... sees more in them than others have... frees them to be more than they’ve even considered...”. And confirms Fizdale was popular and well liked by LeBron & Dwayne Wade. #Knicks
— Tina Cervasio (@TinaCervasio) May 3, 2018
When one closes. Another one opens. The future of NewYork just got a lot brighter( literally). Congrts my friend Coach Fizdale! https://t.co/zJoN6XG4fJ
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 3, 2018
Fizdale. Love it. Culture guy... Terrific hire. Pumped.
— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) May 3, 2018
Knicks just got a great coach.!!! Love my guy Fiz https://t.co/Lv3TP3h75j
— Josh Richardson (@J_Rich1) May 3, 2018
David Fizdale is a grand slam hire for the #Knicks. He is the rare HC who is extremely well respected by players, personnel people, executives and other coaches as well. Has done it right his whole career ... if anyone can turn this team/franchise around, it's Fiz.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 3, 2018
Like this hire for the Knicks. Young, creative, can grow with the team if the Knicks have patience. https://t.co/4M5wuYgMFI
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 3, 2018
David Fizdale was the right choice. Applaud the Knicks for getting this one very, very right.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) May 3, 2018
Yay!
The Knicks finally made a great choice to be their next coach. Congrats, David Fizdale. Congrats, Knicks fans.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 3, 2018
After Kristaps was injured David Fizdale said on The Jump that it would be difficult for the Knicks to recruit top free agents now. How's that for a recruiting pitch?
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 3, 2018
Yikes!
"Congrats Fiz. [The Knicks] got the best coach on the market in my opinion."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 3, 2018
—@1MrBigShot pic.twitter.com/ULaOcD43kJ
Yes?
From fans:
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY FIZDALE! @NYKNICKS FANTASTIC CHOICE
— Eddie Huang (@MrEddieHuang) May 3, 2018
Not mad at this at all https://t.co/DeGQ7ZcZ1w
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) May 3, 2018
And from the team:
Hellllll Yeeeaaahhhh!!! pic.twitter.com/lmdUSjJ1yv
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) May 3, 2018
Congrats to a great human and hard worker, FIZ #NewYorkForever
— Emmanuel Mudiay (@emmanuelmudiay) May 3, 2018
TAKE THAT FOR DATA #KnicksWay
— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) May 3, 2018
#knicksway #readytoWORK pic.twitter.com/dLUViWS6My
— Damyean Dotson (@staytuned21) May 3, 2018
Welcome Fiz, to #KnicksWay
— Ron Baker (@RonBaker31) May 3, 2018
How’d they get their posts in so fast?
Knicks players were informed of the David Fizdale hire before the news got out.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) May 3, 2018
That’s how. #Knicksway #Fizway