The New York Knicks fired David Fizdale last Friday, after going 21-83 with the team in two seasons. They also parted ways with top assistant coach Keith Smart as well, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and opted to promote Mike Miller to the role of interim coach.
Fizdale shared with the media last month that he had the backing of Knicks owner James Dolan as Barbara Barker of Newsday revealed.
“Every game, every game. Jim Dolan comes in and gives me a vote of confidence, a pat on my back, and really has just been incredibly encouraging over the last year and a half or whatever it’s been,” Fizdale said. “All we talk about is just sticking to the process of making these guys better and building for a future of sustainable winning.”
However, according to Jabari Young of CNBC.com, an agent that represents various coaches around the league revealed that Fizdale’s firing was “inevitable.” For now, Mike Miller is at the helm, but rumors are swarming about who might be the next permanent head coach could be.
One of the names at the top of the list is former Knicks and Warriors coach Mark Jackson.
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Does Mark Jackson Want Knicks Job?
Earlier today, Heavy.com’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson reported that he spoke with someone close to Jackson, and the source revealed that he was unsure if Jackson would want the Knicks job.
“I don’t know whether Mark Jackson wants that job,” someone close to Jackson told Robinson. “I don’t know whether the Knicks are serious about giving him that job.”
Mark Jackson coaching the Knicks is the latest talk. Will he? “I don’t know whether Mark Jackson wants that job,” someone close to Jackson tells me.
“I don’t know whether the Knicks are serious about giving him that job.”
Per Robinson, Jackson was apparently ‘promised’ that job in the past.
“He still ain’t got it & he’s not dwelling on it,” said Robinson. Would he replace interim Mike Miller? It would be interesting to see if he’d actually take a job in-season.”
Mark Jackson apparently was ‘promised’ that job in the past. “He still ain’t got it & he’s not dwelling on it,” I’m told.
Would he replace interim Mike Miller? “It would be interesting to see if he’d actually take a job in season.”
During his time with the Golden State Warriors, Jackson posted a 121-109 record and helped the development of future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. He also led the Dubs to back-to-back playoff appearances. Before that stretch, it had been 20 years since the franchise’s last playoff berth.
However, it wasn’t enough to save Jackson’s job, as the Warriors brass decided to cut ties with the coach. They would go on to hire Steve Kerr and the Warriors proceeded to win three championships in five seasons.
Earlier this year, Mark Jackson spoke with Cameron Buford of Voice of the Fans, who asked how he stays focus on his duties as an NBA analyst, considering he’s had to cover a lot of Warriors games for ESPN.
“There is nothing in the background, I’m blessed, and I have a job to do,” said Jackson. “There’s nothing in the background, and no concerns at I’m living out a dream.”
Former coach and Jackson’s broadcast partner, Jeff Van Gundy praised Steve Kerr for always giving credit to Mark Jackson when asked about his contributions to the Warriors, per Justin Terranova of the New York Post.
“One of the things that stands out to me about Steve [Kerr] through all of this is his constant recognition of all that Mark did to set the table there and establish a new culture as far as winning, defensive-minded, and giving these great players, [Stephen] Curry and [Klay] Thompson, not only the green light but the confidence to achieve what they have achieved,” Van Gundy said. “To me, I’ve always admired Steve because he’s been so quick to share the credit with Mark.”
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Knicks Eyeing Mark Jackson as Coach? Analyst Reveals Update