Phil is smart and he has to know how important this next hire is. He cannot simply hire another coach that fits his triangle. He needs to be able to adapt to a coach outside of his inner circle. This is a crucial hire over the coming months that will affect the development of Kristaps. Phil MUST hit on this hire. Time to look outside the three sided shape, PJax. Thibs or bust.
Mr. Fischer is and always has been a solid basketball class-act. I believe it should be noted, he has few professional sports enemies despite being on multiple center stage platforms in his career. We should all wish him well.
3
Hmh...
Bring in a coach, Fisher, with ZERO coaching experience -including Little League--and surround him with veteran assistants all of whom likely thought they should have his job. The rookie coach gets paranoid thinking all his helpers want his job and ignores their advice.
The team founders and becomes one of the worst in the league.
Asks Jackson, "How could my plan have failed?"
Bring in a coach, Fisher, with ZERO coaching experience -including Little League--and surround him with veteran assistants all of whom likely thought they should have his job. The rookie coach gets paranoid thinking all his helpers want his job and ignores their advice.
The team founders and becomes one of the worst in the league.
Asks Jackson, "How could my plan have failed?"
2
Hey Jim,
I've got a great idea--how about we hire someone who has never coached in any capacity at any level to be our head coach in the most brutal media market in the NBA? Lets say 5 years, 25 mil--ok by you? I know, more experienced coaches in our league are making less but we need to make a splash. Plus, if we do well, I'll get most of the credit not the rookie HC. Let me know what you think. -PJ
Hi Phil,
Sounds awesome! Do you wanna hear me play some really bad guitar now?
-JD
I've got a great idea--how about we hire someone who has never coached in any capacity at any level to be our head coach in the most brutal media market in the NBA? Lets say 5 years, 25 mil--ok by you? I know, more experienced coaches in our league are making less but we need to make a splash. Plus, if we do well, I'll get most of the credit not the rookie HC. Let me know what you think. -PJ
Hi Phil,
Sounds awesome! Do you wanna hear me play some really bad guitar now?
-JD
1
I think that the issue is how the Knicks were losing not because of their players, but in spite of them. I think that to argue that this roster is not good enough to get them into and through at least one round of the playoffs is nonsense. Look at the Celtics or the Raptors? The Knicks have two horrible problems - starting and finishing games. They have got off abysmal starts, such as the one recently with the Pistons, where I believe that they were down by almost 30 points. While they came back and almost won, they probably would have blown out the Pistons had they played at the high level that they demonstrated that they could play at - for an entire game. In addition, closing out games is an issue. They had a recent strong game against the Spurs, but simply went into a scoring drought at the end of the game -- with no concrete, well-designed play being called by the Coach.
2
"Costly Losses Pile Up..."? 96 losses is a season and a half?
Sounds like a bulk discount on the price of failure!
The curse of Dolan continues, hanging like a toxic miasma in the air over MSG...
PS: AND Fisher gets $20 million to NOT coach for 4 more years?
What a "brilliant" deal for a guy with absolutely NO coaching experience! ("Who care about a mere $20 million? Raise tix prices...AGAIN...and AGAIN!" --Jimmie D.)
Sounds like a bulk discount on the price of failure!
The curse of Dolan continues, hanging like a toxic miasma in the air over MSG...
PS: AND Fisher gets $20 million to NOT coach for 4 more years?
What a "brilliant" deal for a guy with absolutely NO coaching experience! ("Who care about a mere $20 million? Raise tix prices...AGAIN...and AGAIN!" --Jimmie D.)
2
Neither Fisher, Jackson or Rambus can "make changes" because the Knicks simply don't have the talent to be much better than they are now. Even if they make the playoffs they won't last past the first round. So I suppose Jackson made this move simply to send a message to the players that he expects at least max effort every night or Fisher won't be the only one getting fired.
How many times does firing the coach in mid-season improve things? Not once in a hundred. It just lets the team know they can start making their summer plans early.
I remember 2 times -- once in Seattle when Lenny Wilkens took over, and once -- lowandbelowhold -- in NYC when Mike Woodson took over -- although I am sure there are a few others.
My question is why Phil hired Derek? Why when in my opinion the person that is most qualified for the job Doug Collins is never mentioned. I don't know if he is an advocate of the triangle but he certainly knows basketball and is a good judge of talent. Maybe he doesn't want to coach anymore as he now is an analyst for ESPN. But Phil should reach out to him.
1
No coach in the world, including Phil or Popp or Pat, can help a team that stinks. And the Knicks, I'm sorry to say, stink to high heaven.
Right about now Steve Kerr is thanking his lucky stars and as pinching himself to make sure that his coaching life is not just a dream. Sometimes it's not just the job you do but the job you take (or don't take) that makes all the difference.
They should talk to Tom Tip.. Chicago's last's coach ... But word is Brain Shaw is who they are looking at. Jackson really should give up on this Triangle nonsense. When you have Kobe Bryant & Shaq or Jordan & Pippen .. anything works. People should stop getting on Anthony, other than his knee problem he has played well this season. Galloway should start over Calderon. With Afflalo, Anthony ( when ok ), Lopez, and PorZing. They still need an all star caliber point guard, as another commentor pointed out. But I would let Mellow bring the ball up alot. He handles it good and can make some nice passes. They have a very good bench. The Knicks should be doing much better than they are, and that does fall on the coach.
Jeez, it's about time, he never should have been hired in the first place. Who says good players (and that's being generous to Fisher, though he certainly was a ruthless, dirty player) make good coaches ? So many experienced coaches around who are out of jobs, and Phil Jackson hires a lackey. Shame on him.
1
The comments reveal many Knicks fans have a bizarre, for being so NYC worldly, addiction to summoning up names from the past as an answer to the problems inherited from the past.
To win, come up with a good basketball team The idea that this name or that name is what it takes to have a good team is proof there is no respect for what a good basketball team is. Amkng other things it is lightening in a bottle and it does not come from fiat. One reason basketball is great. Perhaps the game has left Jackson behind, but I doubt it. He went with that rookie and is still suffering Melo. But Jackson teams play defense; those Jordan teams won with defense, and defense can be willed into being by a good coach and GM who make it priority. There is that Melo thing...
To win, come up with a good basketball team The idea that this name or that name is what it takes to have a good team is proof there is no respect for what a good basketball team is. Amkng other things it is lightening in a bottle and it does not come from fiat. One reason basketball is great. Perhaps the game has left Jackson behind, but I doubt it. He went with that rookie and is still suffering Melo. But Jackson teams play defense; those Jordan teams won with defense, and defense can be willed into being by a good coach and GM who make it priority. There is that Melo thing...
Feel sad for Derek Fisher, Never enjoy hearing that a man lost his job, but I'm sure he will not starve since his contract is guaranteed.
Phil should have realized it would come to this. Even he needed the time driving the bus for the Albany Patroons before being an assistant in Chicago. Oh well, another good man goes by the wayside in New York sports.
1
How about Walt Frazier as the next coach?
At least we would get to see more of his interesting choices in clothing while he paces the sideline.
At least we would get to see more of his interesting choices in clothing while he paces the sideline.
I really, really think that Phil Jackson needs to be more active and open about the team. Jackson is seemingly so aloof that I am not sure the players can relate to him and he will determine the path of any Knicks coach.
1
I liked Fisher as a player, but not as a coach. Everybody knows that if you coach for Phil Jackson, you have to have the triangle offense in your DNA. Good luck to him.
1
Bring back $ Bill.
2
NYT William Rhoden must be feeling the blues tonight.
He wrote a piece here advising the Knicks to hire him, then jump up/down from joy when they did!
Rhoden figure it's the Knicks, and Dolan never know the values of money cuz he never earned it!! Why not give a rookie like Fisher a coaching gig?
He wrote a piece here advising the Knicks to hire him, then jump up/down from joy when they did!
Rhoden figure it's the Knicks, and Dolan never know the values of money cuz he never earned it!! Why not give a rookie like Fisher a coaching gig?
2
Sorry, but for the thousandth time, the rot is at the top. Nothing will get better until DOLAN IS GONE!
16
Carmelo Anthony...
90th in the league in Shooting Percentage.
13th in the league in Field Goals Attempted.
No draft choices (again). No worthy free agents (again).
Carmelo Anthony is NOT Derek Fisher's fault.
90th in the league in Shooting Percentage.
13th in the league in Field Goals Attempted.
No draft choices (again). No worthy free agents (again).
Carmelo Anthony is NOT Derek Fisher's fault.
10
“It’s easier,’’ he added, “to fire a coach than 15 players.’’
--------------
Or one president who orchestrated the whole mess. Phil is trying to shoehorn his system rather than one that will fit his team's strengths. He has yet to understand that it worked so well in LA and Chicago was because he is a great coach and he had Kobe and Jordan. Those teams attracted top talent. This illusion that the Garden is the the mecca of basketball dates from the 1940's
--------------
Or one president who orchestrated the whole mess. Phil is trying to shoehorn his system rather than one that will fit his team's strengths. He has yet to understand that it worked so well in LA and Chicago was because he is a great coach and he had Kobe and Jordan. Those teams attracted top talent. This illusion that the Garden is the the mecca of basketball dates from the 1940's
3
If Phil's going to insist on the triangle, he should just coach. Or do without a coach. Otherwise, he should just hire a good coach, or fire himself from his current job and let the Knicks get on with it.
9
No surprise here- he just wasn't ready. .
#7 has to go- no agent in their right mind would let a high-caliber player come here, until that happens. .
A point guard, please. .
And a coach who can enforce "if you don't play defense, you won't play". .
Period
#7 has to go- no agent in their right mind would let a high-caliber player come here, until that happens. .
A point guard, please. .
And a coach who can enforce "if you don't play defense, you won't play". .
Period
4
The disaster that is the Knicks is years away from being turned around. What a horrific ten years or so. Was Red Holzman and the teams of my youth only 46 years ago?
Blow up the entire roster, keep Porzingis and feed him some steak, get him strong to endure the NBA and start drafting. Ship Carmelo off please for some draft choices that might turn into an athlete who plays with passion on both ends of the court. Or clone Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard...
anything but a continuation of failed choices on and off the court. I'm done
Blow up the entire roster, keep Porzingis and feed him some steak, get him strong to endure the NBA and start drafting. Ship Carmelo off please for some draft choices that might turn into an athlete who plays with passion on both ends of the court. Or clone Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard...
anything but a continuation of failed choices on and off the court. I'm done
No coach can make a Carmelo Anthony dominated team into a winner. If Jackson hires a quality coach such as Van Gundy he must trade Carmelo first.
While Anthony is a great scorer he does not inspire teamwork and he's lousy on defense. Add to that, he gets injured for half of the games, and is past his prime. Trade him ASAP and gey some good hard working rebounders and sharpshooters, and maybe a consistent point guard. Horrible thought: is the pervert Isiah Thomas behind all this and in the running for permanent coach? Nolan is such an egotitical fool that I would not rule out that nightmare.
While Anthony is a great scorer he does not inspire teamwork and he's lousy on defense. Add to that, he gets injured for half of the games, and is past his prime. Trade him ASAP and gey some good hard working rebounders and sharpshooters, and maybe a consistent point guard. Horrible thought: is the pervert Isiah Thomas behind all this and in the running for permanent coach? Nolan is such an egotitical fool that I would not rule out that nightmare.
3
I don't disagree with all that you wrote but what choice do the Knicks have? He is their best player. It isn't the player so much as it is the plan. And the plan belongs to Phil Jackson.
1
Regarding your Jackson "must trade Carmelo first" before getting a quality coach to come aboard. The article says that Anthony has an iron-clad no trade clause for the final 3.5 years of his "massive" contract. He also loves the NY stage. It's almost certain he'd agree to go only to a team that has a real shot at a title immediately, and that team, if so good, would have little cap space and would take him only if the Knicks owner eats most of that $25 million a year contract, for another 3.5 years. Would you like to be the one to go into the owner's office to broach that subject?
2
Anthony has been playing the most team-oriented basketball of his career. He's leading the team in assists, rebounds, and scoring - despite not being 100% as of late.
A healthy Carmelo Anthony is not the problem with this group. He wasn't worth what we gave up (especially given his free-agent-to-be status in 2011) - but now that he's here, he's not the issue. The issue is that KP is too young and green, Jose can't guard a corpse, and Affalo is either very, very good or very, very, very bad. And when he's very, very, very bad - we're very, very, very bad. Obviously, if we had Gordon Heyward (drafted with the final pick we gave up in the Me-bury trade), we'd be better. But that's a whole other story...
A healthy Carmelo Anthony is not the problem with this group. He wasn't worth what we gave up (especially given his free-agent-to-be status in 2011) - but now that he's here, he's not the issue. The issue is that KP is too young and green, Jose can't guard a corpse, and Affalo is either very, very good or very, very, very bad. And when he's very, very, very bad - we're very, very, very bad. Obviously, if we had Gordon Heyward (drafted with the final pick we gave up in the Me-bury trade), we'd be better. But that's a whole other story...
1
Time for the Knicks to hire Patrick Ewing as their coach. Unlike Derek Fisher, he's worked as an assistant for a long time. He could probably teach Porzingis a thing or two also.
4
Might as well give it a try
1
I won't argue with his dismissal, but Fisher brought the Knicks a long way from last year. Let's give him credit for doing that much...and let's not forget the team's fortunes turn on Porzingiis, who is only a rookie, becoming consistently good and Carmelo starting to shoot like the Carmelo of past years.
1
Fisher was out of his element. My decision was sealed last week on an inbounds play. There were 10 second on the shot clock. Melo got the ball, thinking he had the full 24...shot clock violation. Nobody, no a single coach, and certainly not Fisher, bothered to shout to the players they only had 10 seconds. Simply inept.
3
When asked after that game about what play he called he said "we dont really run set plays"
2
25 million for a rookie coach...shame on you Jackson.
Pope was there last year and said remember the neediest and the hidden...the rich guy heard it from the front row. disgraceful. intelligent people I don't think so.
Pope was there last year and said remember the neediest and the hidden...the rich guy heard it from the front row. disgraceful. intelligent people I don't think so.
He got his and now you can go out and get yours. There isn't any need to be so jealous.
2
They don't learn, do they?
They (the Knicks) know basketball is a game played by five players on one side against five other players on the other side. And to win, you need all five to get involved to outplay the other side. How hard can that be? Very hard, if you're the Knicks. They use one guy going against five.
Game.
They (the Knicks) know basketball is a game played by five players on one side against five other players on the other side. And to win, you need all five to get involved to outplay the other side. How hard can that be? Very hard, if you're the Knicks. They use one guy going against five.
Game.
2
I thought Phil would wait until the end of the year but knew this was coming. Fisher did look overwhelmed. What about Jeff Van Gundy? He was fiery and he has mega basketball smarts.
3
Never should have had the job in the first place. Not qualified. His comments to the press this weekend were evidence of a "coach" who isn't.
3
Dismissing Fisher solves the lesser of the Knicks problems. Jackson should be shown the door now as well.
The Knicks are primarily about triangle ideology and Jackson's ego. While the rest of the league has figured out how to defend the triangle, the Knicks struggle to execute it. They don't believe in 3-pointers, they don't need a point guard. They don't run the pick and role, they don't have plays ... they have the triangle. They don't believe in analytics, they believe in playing the "right way," come hell or high water.
Adherence to the triangle sharply restricts the kind of players they can use. For the sake of the triangle, JR Smith and Shumpert were sent to Cleveland for no return. Tyson Chandler was sent to Dallas, with reports at the time suggesting that Jackson did not shop him for the best deal. True, he got rid of Felton's burdensome 2-year contract, only to take on 3 years of Calderon, who might be the worst defensive guard in the league if it weren't for Vujacic.
Jackson's roster construction is ludicrous, top-heavy with duplicate players up front and light at the point and the wing.
The Knicks need to move on from Carmelo for his sake as well as for their own. Now would be the best time, but to let Jackson arrange a trade is inviting disaster. In an ideal world, Jim Dolan should get the axe as well. Short of that, he should bring back Dave Checketts and let him hire a new general manager and coach.
The Knicks are primarily about triangle ideology and Jackson's ego. While the rest of the league has figured out how to defend the triangle, the Knicks struggle to execute it. They don't believe in 3-pointers, they don't need a point guard. They don't run the pick and role, they don't have plays ... they have the triangle. They don't believe in analytics, they believe in playing the "right way," come hell or high water.
Adherence to the triangle sharply restricts the kind of players they can use. For the sake of the triangle, JR Smith and Shumpert were sent to Cleveland for no return. Tyson Chandler was sent to Dallas, with reports at the time suggesting that Jackson did not shop him for the best deal. True, he got rid of Felton's burdensome 2-year contract, only to take on 3 years of Calderon, who might be the worst defensive guard in the league if it weren't for Vujacic.
Jackson's roster construction is ludicrous, top-heavy with duplicate players up front and light at the point and the wing.
The Knicks need to move on from Carmelo for his sake as well as for their own. Now would be the best time, but to let Jackson arrange a trade is inviting disaster. In an ideal world, Jim Dolan should get the axe as well. Short of that, he should bring back Dave Checketts and let him hire a new general manager and coach.
4
Phil Jackson is supposed to be a genius. Giving a 5 year contract to a person with no head coaching experience turned out to be a big mistake.
Wouldn't it be just awful if this country hired a President for a 4 year term when that person has no political experience? Unimaginable.
Wouldn't it be just awful if this country hired a President for a 4 year term when that person has no political experience? Unimaginable.
1
Mark Jackson gets my vote: Favorite son, proven winning record, commands respect, would be popular with the fans. Maybe a little into the religion thing, but so what, it's not like he's running for President.
8
Fish is a nice guy and he's done his best. Still, his best wasn't working. I've never liked his rotations and thought he could have been a lot more creative on the offense. All too many times the ball movement bogs down and the Knicks revert to "iso" play. They're just not good enough to pull that off. They ought to take a page out of the old Knicks playbook - or the one used by the current Warriors: Move without the ball, hit the open man. Red Holtzman, wherefore are thou?
2
I knew that was coming. In Knicks-land, when the going gets tough, Fisher gets going.
1
Finally. He should not have been hired in the first place.
He got a 5-year deal, guaranteed!? Wow! As if this completely untested coach wouldn't have eagerly signed a two-year NBA contract.
Zen master? Maybe. Canny negotiator? Hmmm...
Zen master? Maybe. Canny negotiator? Hmmm...
2
Jackson's words " ...(Fisher) couldn't succeed in winning" Really?? C'mon- Jackson knows very well that the winning or losing is primarily due to the players on the team. Does anyone think after watching the smooth teamwork of the exceptional athletes on the Spurs or the Warriors that different coaches would make that much difference- I don't think so...
1
Really? How good were the Warriors under Mark Jackson? Three seasons .525.
How good are the Warriors now under Kerr?
How good are the Warriors now under Kerr?
1
whome, I was not a big fan of Mark Jackson as a coach but you're not being entirely fair to him. He took over a very bad situation at Golden State and got them playing good defense for the first time in recent memory. The Warriors improved a lot under Jackson. Now, I had issues with Jackson's attitude of us-vs-everyone (including their own management) and I wasn't happy with his offense and rotations. I am not saying he was a great coach. I liked the Kerr hire, even though he had not coached before. (He had, at least, been a GM.) Kerr took the team a big step beyond what Jackson did, and, I think, beyond what Jackson could have done. But Mark Jackson did a good job overall at GS.
"The Knicks stumbled to a 17-65 record, the worst in franchise history"?
Considering some of the Knicks teams of the early 60s and mid-80s, that's a real "accomplishment"!
Bring back the Globies! At least they were fun to watch!
Considering some of the Knicks teams of the early 60s and mid-80s, that's a real "accomplishment"!
Bring back the Globies! At least they were fun to watch!
1
Fisher's comment on the Denver game saying he was partially responsible for the team coming out flat didn't go far enough. When a team starts games with low energy and a lack of a sense of urgency night after night, that's the coach's fault. Unlikely that the Knicks are a playoff team even with Phil Jackson coaching, but better to move on from Fisher now and start fresh for next season. Dolan has plenty of money to pay off Fisher's 5 year (mistake!) contract, so that's not a big deal in Knick-land.
2
Pitchers and catchers in 10 days.
32
Jackson hired Fisher as a stand in hoping he (Jackson) could limit his time with the team and the exposure of his legacy if the triangle did not work and Jackson could not bring the team to preeminence Fisher was and is the fall guy. By Jackson's own admission the triangle is a failure. The problem is the organization. Clearing out the young with team building potential and bringing in the old of another era is and was a mistake. Ownership is what needs to be changed. Someone or group who are not so arrogant and incompetent. Build the team, don't just hire and buy it. Get an owner who has had to work to accomplish something rather than someone who inherited and is living off the old man's legacy. Someone serious who does not live their hobbies and knows what work, stress and risk entails. Someone who will do what is beneficial to the long term of the team and not just try and buy a contender.
4
I agree 1000% and have talked myself blue, boring friends with my harrangues. But that scenario just ain't gonna happen. We're stuck with Dolan for --- forever.
The best we can hope is that the dauphin has learned the errors of his meddling ways and won't ship young promising players and high draft picks for prima donnas and second raters. In other words, leave the basketball decisions to the executives who understand the game.
Seeing Gallo return with the Nuggets dredged up bad, bad memories. That trade...ugh. But it was just illustrative of other stupid moves. Barnangni and the No. 1 pick we shipped to Toronto. Or paying Chicago with high draft picks for that stiff Eddie Curry, who was going to become a restricted free agent they could have signed at the end of the season without giving up a single pick. Oh, the Knicks picks used by the Bull would up being the No. 2 pick overall. as well as the right to swap no. 1 picks in the 2007 draft (which turned out to be Joakim Noah.) Pretty great, eh? If you root for Chicago. Dolan should have learned his lesson then and there.
The best we can hope is that the dauphin has learned the errors of his meddling ways and won't ship young promising players and high draft picks for prima donnas and second raters. In other words, leave the basketball decisions to the executives who understand the game.
Seeing Gallo return with the Nuggets dredged up bad, bad memories. That trade...ugh. But it was just illustrative of other stupid moves. Barnangni and the No. 1 pick we shipped to Toronto. Or paying Chicago with high draft picks for that stiff Eddie Curry, who was going to become a restricted free agent they could have signed at the end of the season without giving up a single pick. Oh, the Knicks picks used by the Bull would up being the No. 2 pick overall. as well as the right to swap no. 1 picks in the 2007 draft (which turned out to be Joakim Noah.) Pretty great, eh? If you root for Chicago. Dolan should have learned his lesson then and there.
3
Finally. I can't say that the Knicks' roster is consistent or anything, but I'm sure that Fisher's coaching "technique" was bad. His decisions were just... Unexplainable... He didn't get the rotation (after 5 months? c'mon), he thought that Vujacic was an useful player, he didn't gave Williams enough time. I don't know if Rambis could be a better coach, his previous record is not promising, but I'm sure that Phil Jackson would guide him.
1
The problem is not Fisher as it is with Phil Jackson, a bitter old man confronting his own basketball mortality. Desperate to remain relevant, Jackson insists on running an outdated offense that was designed for slow white guys in the 1950's (and to which his name is famously attached) only so that others can genuflect to his greatness. Thus, he hires a neophyte like Fisher, all the while ignoring that his disciples who have employed the triangle offense have never had a winning record and many have never exceeded a 0.30 winning percentage. He ignores advanced analytics and the fact that those analytics say that the triangle offense is designed to allow players to shoot the most inefficient shot in basketball–the mid-range jumper--thus undermining his team’s best chances of succeeding. Damn winning if Phil and his triangle offense can’t get credit for it. Jackson also fails to involve himself in the daily operations of the team sufficient for him to be aware that the team has no clear goal. If your star is closing in on the end of his career, why would you draft a player whose window of productivity will not begin before that star retires? If you want to build around the young player, why would you keep the high-salaried aging star on your roster instead of trading him for young assets that will grow with the young star? For $12M a year, is it too much to ask for a coherent plan and a willingness to subjugate your ego for the sake of putting together a winner?
10
Stop hatin' on Phil Jackson. Bring back Jeremy Lin.
7
The Chicago Bulls were not slow white guys in the 1950s. Neither were the Lakers.
2
Yes, you're right. The reason the Bulls and the Lakers won those titles was because those teams ran the triangle offense and not because they were run by four of the top ten players in NBA history. And god knows those Timberwolves teams coached by Kurt Rambis and those Mavericks teams coached by Jim Cleamons would never have succeeded (to the tune of 0.29 winning percentages) if not for the wonderful triangle.
Kurt Rambis? One would think they would bring in Isiah Thomas.
3
"But in something of a surprise, Kerr turned him down...." ????? What surprise??? Kerr realized he would not have complete control in New York with Jackson running the whole show, so he opted for a better opportunity with the Warriors.
8
America at it's finest. With all the homeless veterans and the Syrians running for their lives Derek Fisher collects $20 million dollars over the next four years because he was a lousy coach.
What the hell is going on in this world?
What the hell is going on in this world?
16
Not only do I concur, I called for this several days ago.
After the Knicks fought off a 27 point deficit to take a fourth quarter lead against the Pistons, only to lose anyway...Fisher said he would not be disappointed if his 'young, developing' team missed the playoffs.
This is not a young, developing team. You have one rookie, Porzingis, and he arrived much more ready to contribute than you had any right to expect....and it's been half a season now.
That this team keeps coming close, only to lose in the end, screams that the expectations aren't high enough. "Coming close" is good enough, and then Fisher basically admitted that his expectations were no higher than coming close.
Time to go.
My choice for the full-time replacement; Mark Jackson. Yes he's a hothead and not all that fun to play for, but I have zero doubt that he will raise the expectation level.
A modest winning streak would position this team for a playoff push.
Now we just have to get them to care.
After the Knicks fought off a 27 point deficit to take a fourth quarter lead against the Pistons, only to lose anyway...Fisher said he would not be disappointed if his 'young, developing' team missed the playoffs.
This is not a young, developing team. You have one rookie, Porzingis, and he arrived much more ready to contribute than you had any right to expect....and it's been half a season now.
That this team keeps coming close, only to lose in the end, screams that the expectations aren't high enough. "Coming close" is good enough, and then Fisher basically admitted that his expectations were no higher than coming close.
Time to go.
My choice for the full-time replacement; Mark Jackson. Yes he's a hothead and not all that fun to play for, but I have zero doubt that he will raise the expectation level.
A modest winning streak would position this team for a playoff push.
Now we just have to get them to care.
7
OK. The wife situation was not a plus.
But let's face it, the Knicks handed Fisher a deficient team, even considering they are in the East.I doubt Jackson himself as floor coach, or Pat Riley or Red Schoendist, or Auerbach could make this team fit. Getting Carmelo was a bad idea. It's all been downhill from there. Thank Dolan, who I'd not want to manage a car wash.
Looks like Fisher will be comfy with his remaining contract pay.
But let's face it, the Knicks handed Fisher a deficient team, even considering they are in the East.I doubt Jackson himself as floor coach, or Pat Riley or Red Schoendist, or Auerbach could make this team fit. Getting Carmelo was a bad idea. It's all been downhill from there. Thank Dolan, who I'd not want to manage a car wash.
Looks like Fisher will be comfy with his remaining contract pay.
1
Well let's move on and do the right thing and hire a real coach Tom Tibadeau and not some reject like Brain Shaw
10
I think many of us felt that Fisher was a bad hire, what with never having coached at any level. Watching the Knicks play didn't generally make one feel as though it was otherwise. And Fisher always had a sour countenance, making it seem as if he was mostly lost at sea. By contrast, watch young coach Stevens over in Boston. First time coaching in the pros and he looks like he's been doing it for twenty years. As this goes along, the Zen Master looks increasingly like a guy who had a whole lot of luck coming his way until eventually it he didn't.
11
The hallmark of a good coach (like Jackson) is first, halftime adjustments and then endgame decision making .... draw up a dam play or else why call timeout, after timeout, after timeout? Fisher always appeared somewhere between stunned and scared (ocular pressure)..... Phil should have dumped him when the whole Matt Barnes thing surfaced. Time to shake things up. How about having Dennis Rodman come in as a 10 day rebounding coach. He got swagger !!!! and juice -- which the Knicks need.
A bigger problem for the Knicks the past 35 years has been the lack of a top flight, in his prime, point guard. Except for a few brief years with the talented but mercurial Michael Ray Richardson, the Knicks have been floundering at that position with at best mediocre players since Walt Clyde Frazier was doing his stuff a long, long time ago.
Shaggy **** That's right ... but Fisher is still a bad coach.
The Knicks are the worst NYC franchise ever. In a league in which almost half the teams make it to the playoffs every year, they rarely do. They have won 2 NBA championships in 70 years! That's an even worse record than the Mets who are a vastly more entertaining team to watch. The tragedy of it is that the NYC area has produced some of the best basketball talent of all time. I think is time for the Dolans to sell this team to someone who is committed to winning in the Big Apple, they just seem to own them for fodder for country club chats.
3
Page Luke Walton.
1
The Dolan Curse continues. As long as Baby Dolan is around the Knicks will never be sound.
16
Yesterday I commented on Scott's column about the Knicks and Fisher, that it seemed odd that he could write an entire column about this sad assemblage of mis-matched parts and not once mention the Zen master himself, "Razor elbows" Phil Jackson. I guess today's article is making up for that oversight although it seems to portray Phil as someone remote to the entire situation. Yes - he did hire Fisher and he ultimately fired him by where has Phil been in the intervening 18 months? Nowhere to be found it seems.
I can't see inside the locker room, so I don't know if he had lost the faith of the troops or not.
But the team is rebuilding. I know there is some fantasy that the team will make the playoffs. But showing up for the first or second round is nothing. The team needs to focus on the rebuild effort. Any coach will do, for now, as long as the players work hard and respect the coach.
But the team is rebuilding. I know there is some fantasy that the team will make the playoffs. But showing up for the first or second round is nothing. The team needs to focus on the rebuild effort. Any coach will do, for now, as long as the players work hard and respect the coach.
For those who may not know, the Knicks will still have to pay his 5-yr $25 million salary. Yes, he had never coached, but neither had Steve Kerr, who got the same contract at Golden State and won a championship his first year (with a far superior team).
1
not sure the Knicks are on the hook for the full amount on the contract - there were team options. This isn't quite like Larry Brown's cash haul!
Your star player is ailing .Your star rookie is starting to play like a rookie . Your team team with very limited talent is playing like a team with very limited talent. Phil enjoy working in your fantasy world that the Knicks are a playoff team . Derrick enjoy your 25 million. Don't feel too bad .
2
I'm afraid that Phil Jackson will have the same problem hiring a new coach in the off-season that has constrained the Knicks hiring of coaches and of players who are free agents or have the right to reject trades. No person with other choices wants to work for James Dolan, even with Jackson there to run interference. [Jackson would seem to be the rare exception who proves the rule.]
7
This is a shocking, yet not surprising, move by Jackson.
We knew back when Charlie Rosen’s (a long-time Jackson confidant) story came out a couple of weeks ago that there was clearly trouble brewing. And Fisher had not won over the fans with his crazy rotations. But for this move to happen without some attempt to improve the team’s roster is surprising.
If Carmelo Anthony does not get hurt in the 2nd half of the Boston game, I doubt any of this happens – because the Knicks’ margin of error is thin enough that the difference between a healthy star and a hobbled one can easily be the difference between the team over / at .500 and 8 games under.
Rome obviously wasn’t built in a day, and the Knicks roster will not be turned over in one off-season; but this roster has major problems that will likely not be remedied until this off-season, and maybe even the next.
To me, Fisher looked like he was not ready for this level of responsibility, and was a bad hire from the start. And most Knick fans don’t care about winning the triangle, they just want to win.
As Brooklyn Al Davis used to say, “just win, baby”. Just win.
We knew back when Charlie Rosen’s (a long-time Jackson confidant) story came out a couple of weeks ago that there was clearly trouble brewing. And Fisher had not won over the fans with his crazy rotations. But for this move to happen without some attempt to improve the team’s roster is surprising.
If Carmelo Anthony does not get hurt in the 2nd half of the Boston game, I doubt any of this happens – because the Knicks’ margin of error is thin enough that the difference between a healthy star and a hobbled one can easily be the difference between the team over / at .500 and 8 games under.
Rome obviously wasn’t built in a day, and the Knicks roster will not be turned over in one off-season; but this roster has major problems that will likely not be remedied until this off-season, and maybe even the next.
To me, Fisher looked like he was not ready for this level of responsibility, and was a bad hire from the start. And most Knick fans don’t care about winning the triangle, they just want to win.
As Brooklyn Al Davis used to say, “just win, baby”. Just win.
6
Good riddance to bad rubbish. One the coaches personal life starts to take center stage, it was time to let him go!
2
This may be way out of line, but I started to get a weird vibe when the news came out about Fisher's altercation with Matt Barnes concerning Barnes' ex-wife.
It was just odd.
Until recently the Knicks were one of the surprise teams in the NBA.
Jackson must have felt that Fisher had lost the locker room.
I wish the Knicks well, and hope they flourish for the rest of the season.
But a $25 million five year deal for a guy who had never coached a single game in his entire life? Wow!
It was just odd.
Until recently the Knicks were one of the surprise teams in the NBA.
Jackson must have felt that Fisher had lost the locker room.
I wish the Knicks well, and hope they flourish for the rest of the season.
But a $25 million five year deal for a guy who had never coached a single game in his entire life? Wow!
7
Can't really blame Fisher for that. He and his wife are divorcing. Barnes and his wife are divorcing.
The only guy who stepped out of line was Barnes, who belongs in prison.
That said, Fisher's not much of a coach coaching not much of a team. A lot harder to change the team.
The only guy who stepped out of line was Barnes, who belongs in prison.
That said, Fisher's not much of a coach coaching not much of a team. A lot harder to change the team.
1
Here's hoping the Knicks get the same insightful and incisive head coaching prowess from Rambis that the Timberwolves were forced to endure for two years. He had a 32-132 (.198!) won-loss record with the Wolves, despite having both Al Jefferson and Kevin Love on the same roster his first year. Rambis chose not to play them both at the same time - probably worried that doing so might pull his team's winning percentage above the .200 threshold. He also said he was going to use the triangle offense with the Wolves. Enjoy, Knicks fans! My guess - after year end Phil Jackson is forced to take the head coaching reins.
8
Well. It is about time. The Sports world exacts revenge quickly, doesn't it? Who the Hell is Derek Fisher? And, who cares?
1
Maybe he should have concentrated on the game instead of Matt Barnes' wife.
3
Fisher was a terrible choice to begin with, he should never have been hired and that's on Phil Jackson. Bigger problem for the Knicks are Carmelo's creaky knees.
12
Good move, He should have been fired the day he casually said something to the effect that not much should be expected from this team including not making the playoffs. He seemed way over his head from the start. The fiasco with matt barnes said a lot about his maturity level and decision making. It was an odd choice by Jackson to hire him but then commit to 5 years?? Rambis gets to audition. Perhaps he's learned something since his very poor showing in Minnesota. Next trade Anthony for some high draft picks, expiring contracts and a decent PG.
15
Another bumbling, stumbling New York Knicks team, 2016 edition. Players come and go, coaches come and go, and the losing continues. Keep Porzingis, and wipe the rest of the slate clean, starting with Anthony. This formula is not working and never will.
3
Could this be happening? Could it be virtually impossible to put together a good Knicks team, regardless of the personnel because a certain attitude pervades the team no matter who is on it, to wit: Nearly 20,000 will come to the Garden 41 times a year regardless of whether we are 17-65 or 65-17. It's not that any player consciously doesn't care about winning, but could they be affected by the fact that the fans don't seem to care? Situation is different, say, with the Mets, whose attendance fluctuates with their fortunes on the field. Or check out the Phillies' attendance these days after however many hundreds of consecutive sellouts in the past. Just musing. Obviously, no proof that there is some kind of cause and effect relationship.
1
It has been painful being a N.Y. Knicks fan for the last 15+ years. They consistently dump very good people, The NBA is filled with N.Y. Knicks alumni that have flourished with other NBA teams after being dumped by the N.Y. Knicks. I strongly suspect coach Fisher will be among them
8
Overdue! When Fisher said it was the process, not the playoffs, he was toast. Players need to motivated and have goals, not just paychecks.
4
That might be a trendy hot take line ... but just a reminder to everyone reading this: no internet commentator knows what he's talking about. Brent Brown of the 76ers has been renown for getting hard work out of his atrocious team every single night despite the fact that they've never been in contention for the playoffs. So, no, players don't need to have the playoffs on the horizon (or be taunted by the suggestion that it's a possibility) in order play hard.
1
And to an extent Fisher was right. Look at all the middle-of-the-pack low-seed teams that are in a tough position because they have huge contracts, no cap room and they've hit their ceiling. Knicks management has been terrible for some time, so there's a lot to overcome ... but try telling a Brooklyn Nets fan that making the playoffs is all that matters - how did that work out for them? You think the Wizards are close to finding their missing piece? They're usually around the 8 seed! The problem with the middling playoff teams is that they frequently have to be blown up and rebuilt.
Exactly. These are supposed to be professionals. This is their job, not an after work hobby.
Coaches get too much credit when things go well and take too much blame when things go badly. At the end of the day, it's the players that have to play.
It's also the "best" players on the team that have to lead. As long as Carmelo is on our team (or any team), we will never win a championship. Carmelo is the worst thing that's happened to the Knicks franchise, ever.
Coaches get too much credit when things go well and take too much blame when things go badly. At the end of the day, it's the players that have to play.
It's also the "best" players on the team that have to lead. As long as Carmelo is on our team (or any team), we will never win a championship. Carmelo is the worst thing that's happened to the Knicks franchise, ever.
Wasn't he signed for 5 years?
2
Phil should just start coaching again
6
Good news. Fisher's seemed inscrutable, been inconsistent and unclear. Not calm, cool and zenlike as we would have hoped. A team trying to rebuild with some decent talent needs a more seasoned coach. Not a rookie in this position.
2
About time... was in way over his head.
7
Derek Fisher just did not appear to be able to handle the details, the schemes of coaching. The closing of games and lack of a scheme repeatedly surprised me. Fisher will learn in time and could have delegated playing design, but he was apparently not ready.
Also, didn't Fisher have a long term expensive contract? If so, a foolish mistake when hiring for a person new to coaching.
Also, didn't Fisher have a long term expensive contract? If so, a foolish mistake when hiring for a person new to coaching.
10
Yes...he had a 5 year, $25m contract. I learned that from reading the article.