Rumors orchestrate a focus toward Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins for Knicks' coaching position.
NY Knicks' Head Coaching Search: A Tumultuous Tailspin
The NY Knicks' head coaching hunt is stirring up a storm, with Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins seemingly in the running, as reported by The Athletic's Sam Amick.
Mike Brown last coached the Sacramento Kings before being axed mid-season. Taylor Jenkins met a similar fate, being let go by the Memphis Grizzlies towards the end of the season. Interestingly, Brown was previously linked to the Knicks in 2020, when Tom Thibodeau ultimately secured the position.
The Knicks are keen on building upon their Eastern Conference Finals appearance in this year's playoffs. However, the sudden departure of Thibodeau and the ensuing coaching search has left more questions than answers. The search seems chaotic, lacking a clear strategy or set plan.
Its been a struggle for interviews, with requests to Chicago's Billy Donovan, Houston's Ime Udoka, Minnesota's Chris Finch, Atlanta's Quin Snyder, and Dallas's Jason Kidd all being rejected.
Given the current proliferation of unemployed coaches, it's unsurprising that the Knicks have begun to focus on these candidates. Michael Malone, former Denver Nuggets head coach, was originally a speculated contender but nothing has materialized.
The Knicks' Coaching Mess: A Critical Analysis
Objectively, the Knicks' coaching search leaves a lot to be desired. One would expect a more proactive approach if the team had decided on Thibodeau's departure earlier. It appears that the Knicks were caught unprepared.
The rejections and confused handling of interview requests have sparked criticism and created the impression of a front office struggling to find the right person. Some teams have even expressed their displeasure with the process.
Advancing to the NBA Finals is the next step for the Knicks, yet Brown and Jenkins, whilst capable coaches, may not seem the most inspiring top choices. Brown's success in reaching the Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers was largely due to LeBron James' phenomenal performances. Meanwhile, Jenkins showed signs of inadequacy during playoffs with the Grizzlies.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/sports/basketball/knicks-coaching-search-contacted-mavericks-denied.html[2] https://www.theathletic.com/2335556/2022/05/19/knicks-coaching-search-strategies-and-setbacks-in-the-pursuit-of-next-head-coach/[3] https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33604077/the-knicks-still-haven-t-found-tom-thibodeaus-replacement-after-four-weeks[4] https://www.nba.com/news/mike-browns-time-as-knicks-head-coach-2020
[1] Despite the tumultuous coaching search, advancing to the NBA Finals remains the ultimate goal for the NY Knicks.
[2] The Knicks' search for a new head coach has been met with criticism, with some teams expressing displeasure over the chaotic process.
[3] The potential appointments of Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins for the Knicks' head coaching position raise questions as to whether they have the necessary skills to lead the team to the Finals, given their previous playoff performances.
