Which HC candidate would make the best assistant?

With Tom Thibodeau as the presumptive preferred to coach the New York Knicks subsequent time, who would be the most effective addition to his staff members?

Who is heading to be on the bench for the New York Knicks subsequent time? Of course, selecting a head coach is the priority, but placing together a sturdy group of assistants can enable propel a group ahead in a way that is hard to quantify.

Despite the fact that this coaching research is using a bit more time than most anticipated, Tom Thibodeau is even now the preferred to land the gig. SNY’s Ian Begley stories that the Knicks prepare to carry on vetting candidates into subsequent week. Crew president Leon Rose seems to be in no rush to make his selection.

Irrespective of the slow process, the intelligent money is even now on Thibs. If the extended-anticipated employ eventually takes place, the subsequent problem is who will he provide together as assistants? Probably the far better problem is who will Thibs and the front office environment choose to employ together?

According to Marc Berman of the New York Article, Thibodeau is open to the concept of collaboration with the front office environment. Berman also notes that Mike Miller and Mike Woodson are two feasible candidates rumored to flank Thibodeau on the MSG sidelines.

Despite the fact that Kenny Atkinson could even now go after a head coaching occupation somewhere else, it’s not crazy to envision a environment in which he winds up using a lead assistant function with the Knicks. The Lengthy Island native and previous Brooklyn Nets coach could remain home and wait around for the correct occupation to open up. Crazier factors have happened.

Irrespective of the exhaustive list of coaches vying for the Knicks’ occupation, these three are the most very likely to indication up to be a portion of Tom Thibodeau’s staff members. All three are previous Knicks assistants and Atkinson is the only a person who has not been the head coach (interim in Miller’s circumstance). Here’s how they stack up.

Mike Miller

Miller took about the Knicks after the group ousted David Fizdale. The basketball junkie took about throughout a tumultuous time in the organization and did as very well a occupation as any individual could count on. The Knicks had been 4-18 when he took about and Miller led the group to a seventeen-27 report as interim head coach.

Have been the Knicks superb with Miller as the coach? No, but they had been a great deal far better. Not to point out, Miller took a great deal of bullets from the media though the front office environment remained in the shadows for a great deal of the time.

But all that apart, Miller can be an priceless addition to Thibodeau’s staff members for his familiarity with the younger fellas on the roster. Miller designed a sturdy bond with Mitchell Robinson about the 2019 summertime and the function they place in together didn’t go unnoticed. Robinson’s increase from a sound second-round pick to a potential franchise cornerstone.

Miller is respected in the locker area and can enable simplicity the changeover concerning the laissez-faire model of Fizdale and Thibodeau’s method to coaching.

Mike Woodson

What Woodson may well deficiency in familiarity with the Knicks’ present-day roster, he makes up for in NBA working experience. We all know Woodson was in charge throughout the team’s very last operate to the playoffs. He has used nine seasons as a head coach and even more time as an assistant.

Almost 25 yrs of working experience in The Affiliation just cannot go unnoticed. Woody latched on with Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers subsequent his exodus from New York when Phil Jackson took the reins of the franchise. Spending the very last number of yrs on staff members with a person of the most effective coaches in basketball is a superior indication. Woodson is a pro’s pro when it comes to NBA coaches.

Kenny Atkinson

This would be Atkinson’s second stint as a Knicks assistant. His first time about was crucial in developing his credentials as a participant progress “guru.” It’s been said and protected a million periods, but Atkinson labored intently with Jeremy Lin throughout Linsanity and he’s credited with supporting the place guard unlock a amount of participate in no a person believed he was capable of.

Atkinson’s progress chops had been on whole screen in Brooklyn as very well. Despite the fact that there had been a number of lean yrs, he aided fellas like Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, and D’Angelo Russell take their online games to the subsequent amount.

The Knicks require an assistant who can whip the guards into form. There’s no doubt Atkinson can do that and if he’s looking to wait around on the correct possibility to arrive up, a major place on Thibodeau’s staff members would make perception.

Last Ideas

In fact, any of these fellas would make wonderful assistants for Thibs. Woody’s working experience, Atkinson’s name for participant progress, and Miller’s connections to the present-day roster are all important. In a great Knicks environment, all three would indication up for a place on the bench.

Nevertheless, it’s unlikely all three arrive to New York to be assistants. Of these three, Miller is the a person who is most effective minimize out for the gig. Furthermore, there is a link concerning the two from their preceding function with United states of america basketball.

His familiarity with the present-day group of younger fellas would enable aid a seamless changeover for Thibs and the players. Continuity issues in the NBA and trying to keep Miller in the fold would enable stabilize the franchise throughout these unparalleled periods.

And of training course, Miller can give Thibs some tips on how to offer with the rigorous New York media.

I requested Knicks interim HC Mike Miller what the greatest adjustment was heading from G League to the NBA #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/GOqpAhwECB

— Danny Modest (@dwsmall8) February 20, 2020