Well, those John Calipari to the Knicks rumors were fun while they lasted. It turns out the Kentucky coach is on vacation in Egypt at the moment, where it’s six hours later than on the East Coast. So when ESPN’s Ian Begley reported that Calipari had interest in taking Phil Jackson’s place as Knicks president (and presumably coach), Cal was fast asleep halfway across the globe.
Calipari woke up on Friday morning ready to check out the pyramids and also took a moment to deny the rumors, saying he has not reached out the Knicks and will be the Kentucky coach “for a long time.”
NO ONE has contacted the Knicks on my behalf. I am the coach at Kentucky and will be for a long time!
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2017
Even in Egypt I can’t escape the rumors. Are you kidding me?! It’s 5 in the morning here and this is what I wake up to?
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2017
Off to go see the pyramids in a bit. And by the way, I like my team. And my @usabasketball team too!
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2017
Calipari has built a good thing at Kentucky. He’s won one national title (although some would consider that underachieving since he always has one of the top recruiting classes) and been to three additional Final Fours. And he thinks the one-and-done system is great!
Cal went to the NBA once before in a failed stint with the Nets. Considering the black hole that the Knicks have been for coaches and, well, everyone really in recent times, it seemed unlikely from the start that he’d leave a college powerhouse for an NBA franchise like that.
