For much of the 21st century, the New York Knicks have been, quite frankly, a punchline, particularly when it comes to personnel decisions. Sometimes, they have hired people who probably had no business in their roles (Derek Fisher, Isiah Thomas). Other times, they have forced people with impressive resumes into positions ill-suited to their strengths (Lenny Wilkens, Mike D’Antoni, Phil Jackson). The consistent theme, however, has been bad decisions. And not only decisions that appear silly in retrospect, but also ones that look foolish right there in the moment.
With that in mind, it was a bit surprising to see the Knicks hire a coach Thursday and watch just about every observer…actually approve of the choice.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks’ next coach will be David Fizdale, the former Grizzlies headman who led a battered team to the playoffs in his only full season in Memphis. Fizdale, who passed up an offer from the Suns to sign a four-year deal in New York, checks all the boxes. Experience, track record, reputation. For what it’s worth (probably not much), he even boasts a strong relationship with impending free agent LeBron James. There’s simply a lot to like with this hire and not a lot to criticize.
Even in the typically cynical world of Twitter, praise for the Fizdale hire was nearly universal.
Congrats to the @nyknicks on getting this one right. Now may the basketball gods keep James Dolan from screwing with Coach Fizdale.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) May 3, 2018
Fizdale. Love it. Culture guy… Terrific hire. Pumped.
— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) 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
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
On ESPN, Chauncey Billups championed Fizdale as the best coach on the market, Paul Pierce called him well-qualified and Jalen Rose described him as a “perfect fit” with the Knicks.
“Congrats Fiz. [The Knicks] got the best coach on the market in my opinion.”
—@1MrBigShot pic.twitter.com/ULaOcD43kJ— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 3, 2018
Meanwhile, Knicks players seemed genuinely excited about the hire.
Hellllll Yeeeaaahhhh!!! 👏 pic.twitter.com/lmdUSjJ1yv
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) May 3, 2018
Welcome Fiz, to #KnicksWay
— Ron Baker (@RonBaker31) May 3, 2018
TAKE THAT FOR DATA #KnicksWay
— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) May 3, 2018
Of course, there’s a substantial possibility that all these approving tweets will look silly two years from now, when Fizdale becomes the eleventy-seventh coach to flame out of this job. As we said before, he wouldn’t be the first impressive coach to fall short in New York. But for now, let’s offer a round of applause to the Knicks, who seem to have made the right move for once.
