Official Knicks Coaching Search Thread pt. 2 (update: poll added 6/18/25)

[thebuzzardman]

i doubt jalen would be happy about that either if that's the plan

I think he'd be fine with a more egalitarian offense with him off ball a bit more

if i remember the story jenknis didn't really want to run any pnr hardly and that pissed off ja.

i don't think he gets the job. it's too extreme a change in the opposite direction. they need someone who will be a happy medium.

Would be pretty awesome to get KAT and then hire a coach who doesn't want to run the P&R.

Then again, at least KAT spreads the floor and the offense looks good for 5 out.

[GONYK]

i doubt jalen would be happy about that either if that's the plan

I think he'd be fine with a more egalitarian offense with him off ball a bit more

if i remember the story jenknis didn't really want to run any pnr hardly and that pissed off ja.

i don't think he gets the job. it's too extreme a change in the opposite direction. they need someone who will be a happy medium.

Yea, that was what I noticed too. But it is still a lot of drive and kick, which is Jalen's game.

Plus it could still generate open looks for KAT without a screen, which KAT seems allergic too.

I wouldn't get overly hung up on this if they consider Jenkins though. I think whoever they hire will collaborate and they will build a staff around the roster, not the roster around whatever the coach did before.

[kNicksGmen]

It sounds like this season's Memphis offense had nothing to do with Jenkins then?

We would have to go back to the 2022-23 season when they were last healthy under him and the Grizzlies were 15th in offensive rating. The Kings were actually 1st under Mike Brown that year...interesting

Grizzlies were 4th offense in 2021-2022 the year they won 56 games (also 6th in defense)

2022-23 they were 11th offense on nba.com and 3rd defensively. If you look at their roster it's hard to imagine it could/should be rated very high offensively. Morant is a shoot first PG that can't shoot (46/30/75 splits that year) taking 20 shots a game. They have a lot of good to very good players that are athletic and can defend etc - but if Bane is your #2 and Dillon Brooks your #3 essentially that's a questionable offensive roster at best. Also Morant missed 23 games, JJJ missed 19, bane missed 24

2021-22 when their offense was 4th it was largely driven by Ja having a great year as brooks was their #2 option with 43/31/85 splits

[3toheadmelo]

i doubt jalen would be happy about that either if that's the plan

I think he'd be fine with a more egalitarian offense with him off ball a bit more

if i remember the story jenknis didn't really want to run any pnr hardly and that pissed off ja.

i don't think he gets the job. it's too extreme a change in the opposite direction. they need someone who will be a happy medium.

I think the lack of pick and rolls was the assistants offense and Jenkins actually tried to compromise later on.

FOR ALL OF his individual gifts, Morant has never been a great pick-and-roll player. He's not even above average, according to ESPN Research.

Morant averages just 0.99 points per direct pick as the ball handler in his career when using an on-ball screen. That ranks 39th among 56 players to run at least 5,000 on-ball screens as the ball handler since 2019-20.

He also has just a 44.7% effective field goal percentage on jumpers when coming off an on-ball screen in his career. Only Russell Westbrook has been worse among 111 players to take at least 750 jumpers when coming off an on-ball screen since 2019-20.

The appeal of an offense that doesn't rely on pick-and-rolls is obvious for a franchise built around Morant's offensive talents.

LaRoche's system replaces pick-and-rolls with relocations. Players move away from the ball handler into space, instead of bringing their defender toward the player with the ball. The goal is to create space and quality shots in the shortest time possible.

Iisalo's expertise was to be deployed in coaching pace and the transition offense, where Morant excels.

Jenkins tried to adjust and compromise. He started calling for more pick-and-roll sets. In March, Memphis ran 59.8 on-ball screens and handoffs per game, up significantly from the earlier months of the season.

On March 7, Morant capped a comeback road win over the injury-ravaged Dallas Mavericks by scoring 11 of his 31 points in the final 6:15. All five of his buckets down the stretch came off of pick-and-roll or isolation, the sort of dribble-centric plays the Grizzlies had gone away from for most of the season. Morant had exhibited his delight in the final minute by flexing in the paint after making a floater and dancing while pretending to play guitar after drilling a dagger 3-pointer, a stark contrast to his often dour mood this season.

"A little bit of Ja, the old Ja," Morant said postgame while describing those moments.

How often had Morant felt like that this season?

"Not at all," he said.

Had Memphis won more during this stretch, this could've gone down as a good adjustment. But the Grizzlies weren't winning much. They were regressing, offensively and defensively -- once the strength of the team. The Grizzlies rank 20th in defense since the All-Star break, giving up 117.1 points per 100 possessions. Memphis is 8-13 since the break, including a 6-7 record with Morant on the court.

[Fury]

I'm not gonna stress over Ja having issues with the offense. He and Jalen have different personalities.

Also, if it helps, Jalen doesn't even like pick and rolls like that.

[god shammgod]

I think he'd be fine with a more egalitarian offense with him off ball a bit more

if i remember the story jenknis didn't really want to run any pnr hardly and that pissed off ja.

i don't think he gets the job. it's too extreme a change in the opposite direction. they need someone who will be a happy medium.

Yea, that was what I noticed too. But it is still a lot of drive and kick, which is Jalen's game.

Plus it could still generate open looks for KAT without a screen, which KAT seems allergic too.

I wouldn't get overly hung up on this if they consider Jenkins though. I think whoever they hire will collaborate and they will build a staff around the roster, not the roster around whatever the coach did before.

i think the best version of jalen is an iso player as much as people don't like it. and i think getting the best version of him should continue to be priority number 1. he's very successful playing this way. he looks at a screen and mostly sees a way to create a split second of separation and not as a tool to find an open teammate. he does that out of desperation mostly. and i wouldn't change it much. i never thought to myself this was one of their bigger problems.

[Fury]

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[Fury]

if i remember the story jenknis didn't really want to run any pnr hardly and that pissed off ja.

i don't think he gets the job. it's too extreme a change in the opposite direction. they need someone who will be a happy medium.

Yea, that was what I noticed too. But it is still a lot of drive and kick, which is Jalen's game.

Plus it could still generate open looks for KAT without a screen, which KAT seems allergic too.

I wouldn't get overly hung up on this if they consider Jenkins though. I think whoever they hire will collaborate and they will build a staff around the roster, not the roster around whatever the coach did before.

i think the best version of jalen is an iso player as much as people don't like it. and i think getting the best version of him should continue to be priority number 1. he's very successful playing this way. he looks at a screen and mostly sees a way to create a split second of separation and not as a tool to find an open teammate. he does that out of desperation mostly. and i wouldn't change it much. i never thought to myself this was one of their bigger problems.

Yeah, the biggest issue in the playoffs wasn't Jalen finding an open teammate, it was that we sucked from corner 3s. That's where we missed Divo. Jalen would kick to the corners and keep defenses honest, but Mikal and OG bricked most of them.

[Capn'O]

I'm not gonna stress over Ja having issues with the offense. He and Jalen have different personalities.

Also, if it helps, Jalen doesn't even like pick and rolls like that.

I don't think kat does either. Lord knows he doesn't like setting picks.

[HerSports85]

CP/KFTV setting the record straight on a few things.

1. Mike Malone is not being considered at all

2. Johnnie Bryant remains on the list

3. Leon will make the ultimate decision

4. The process is nothing more than the process. The Knicks are doing their homework on who's available and who's not and making a list. Doesn't care about the talking heads.

5. He said that all these reporters saying Leon doesn't talk to anyone need to speak for themselves. He talk to people, just not them. Hinting that he's one of the people in the know.

6. Sounds like Jenkins has a lot of question marks. The major thing is locker room management Mike Brown is more favorited. The front office like a lot about him.

7. Kris Pursianen - The FO told thibs during the Celtics series to use different lineups outside of the starting lineup to get ready for the Pacers series and he refused. They bascially wanted to replace Hart in the starting lineup, and told Thibs he will be safe if it didn't work. He still refused to try something different until it was too late. This goes back to Jay Will saying that Leon and Thibs had tension on the sideline during the playoffs. So now they're looking for a coach that's more flexible and can make adjustments.

[DOT]

I'm not gonna stress over Ja having issues with the offense. He and Jalen have different personalities.

Also, if it helps, Jalen doesn't even like pick and rolls like that.

I don't think kat does either. Lord knows he doesn't like setting picks.

Yeah, something really bad is that despite playing less than half as many mpg as KAT, Mitch got slightly more screen assists per game this year (2.6 to 2.5)

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/hustle?CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*nyk&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

In the playoffs it was even worse, Mitch was at 3.3 per game to KAT's 2.0 in 15 more mpg

I can't see the overall data because stats.nba.com separates all PnRs into PnR ball handler and PnR roll man, but this year we were 23rd in shots from ball handlers off PnRs in the league, and the 4th fewest go to roll men in the league

Last year we were 9th best and worst in the league respectively. Year before 12th and 30th. 2022 we were 7th and 26th, 2021 we were 5th and 26th. So just in general under Thibs we were never really a high volume PnR team. Always about average in the league

But Brunson is an elite PnR scorer, and is consistently in the top 10 in shots out of the PnR in the league.

[G_K_F]

CP/KFTV setting the record straight on a few things.

1. Mike Malone is not being considered at all

2. Johnnie Bryant remains on the list

3. Leon will make the ultimate decision

4. The process is nothing more than the process. The Knicks are doing their homework on who's available and who's not and making a list. Doesn't care about the talking heads.

5. He said that all these reporters saying Leon doesn't talk to anyone need to speak for themselves. He talk to people, just not them. Hinting that he's one of the people in the know.

6. Sounds like Jenkins has a lot of question marks. The major thing is locker room management Mike Brown is more favorited. The front office like a lot about him.

7. Kris Pursianen - The FO told thibs during the Celtics series to use different lineups outside of the starting lineup to get ready for the Pacers series and he refused. They bascially wanted to replace Hart in the starting lineup, and told Thibs he will be safe if it didn't work. He still refused to try something different until it was too late. This goes back to Jay Will saying that Leon and Thibs had tension on the sideline during the playoffs. So now they're looking for a coach that's more flexible and can make adjustments.

Mike Brown would be a disgraceful hire.

[knickstape4ever]

CP/KFTV setting the record straight on a few things.

1. Mike Malone is not being considered at all

2. Johnnie Bryant remains on the list

3. Leon will make the ultimate decision

4. The process is nothing more than the process. The Knicks are doing their homework on who's available and who's not and making a list. Doesn't care about the talking heads.

5. He said that all these reporters saying Leon doesn't talk to anyone need to speak for themselves. He talk to people, just not them. Hinting that he's one of the people in the know.

6. Sounds like Jenkins has a lot of question marks. The major thing is locker room management Mike Brown is more favorited. The front office like a lot about him.

7. Kris Pursianen - The FO told thibs during the Celtics series to use different lineups outside of the starting lineup to get ready for the Pacers series and he refused. They bascially wanted to replace Hart in the starting lineup, and told Thibs he will be safe if it didn't work. He still refused to try something different until it was too late. This goes back to Jay Will saying that Leon and Thibs had tension on the sideline during the playoffs. So now they're looking for a coach that's more flexible and can make adjustments.

Mike Brown would be a disgraceful hire.

explain

[ZeroStatic2]

They're waiting for Jason Kidd to actually break silence because that's the only path to get Giannis to the knicks. The knicks are looking for that 3rd superstar to team up with KAT and Brunson.

[Context]

CP/KFTV setting the record straight on a few things.

1. Mike Malone is not being considered at all

2. Johnnie Bryant remains on the list

3. Leon will make the ultimate decision

4. The process is nothing more than the process. The Knicks are doing their homework on who's available and who's not and making a list. Doesn't care about the talking heads.

5. He said that all these reporters saying Leon doesn't talk to anyone need to speak for themselves. He talk to people, just not them. Hinting that he's one of the people in the know.

6. Sounds like Jenkins has a lot of question marks. The major thing is locker room management Mike Brown is more favorited. The front office like a lot about him.

7. Kris Pursianen - The FO told thibs during the Celtics series to use different lineups outside of the starting lineup to get ready for the Pacers series and he refused. They bascially wanted to replace Hart in the starting lineup, and told Thibs he will be safe if it didn't work. He still refused to try something different until it was too late. This goes back to Jay Will saying that Leon and Thibs had tension on the sideline during the playoffs. So now they're looking for a coach that's more flexible and can make adjustments.

Appreciate this HS...

[JXL]

CP/KFTV setting the record straight on a few things.

1. Mike Malone is not being considered at all

2. Johnnie Bryant remains on the list

3. Leon will make the ultimate decision

4. The process is nothing more than the process. The Knicks are doing their homework on who's available and who's not and making a list. Doesn't care about the talking heads.

5. He said that all these reporters saying Leon doesn't talk to anyone need to speak for themselves. He talk to people, just not them. Hinting that he's one of the people in the know.

6. Sounds like Jenkins has a lot of question marks. The major thing is locker room management Mike Brown is more favorited. The front office like a lot about him.

7. Kris Pursianen - The FO told thibs during the Celtics series to use different lineups outside of the starting lineup to get ready for the Pacers series and he refused. They bascially wanted to replace Hart in the starting lineup, and told Thibs he will be safe if it didn't work. He still refused to try something different until it was too late. This goes back to Jay Will saying that Leon and Thibs had tension on the sideline during the playoffs. So now they're looking for a coach that's more flexible and can make adjustments.

Was on their live show earlier, and heard the same things. Good on Leon and the FO for doing this now, and seeing what we're seeing.

This is why I don't listen to those idiots on ESPN and other garbage, cause they don't know spit about what's going on. Leon knows what's up, and I'm rolling with what he and this FO goes with.

[G_K_F]

CP/KFTV setting the record straight on a few things.

1. Mike Malone is not being considered at all

2. Johnnie Bryant remains on the list

3. Leon will make the ultimate decision

4. The process is nothing more than the process. The Knicks are doing their homework on who's available and who's not and making a list. Doesn't care about the talking heads.

5. He said that all these reporters saying Leon doesn't talk to anyone need to speak for themselves. He talk to people, just not them. Hinting that he's one of the people in the know.

6. Sounds like Jenkins has a lot of question marks. The major thing is locker room management Mike Brown is more favorited. The front office like a lot about him.

7. Kris Pursianen - The FO told thibs during the Celtics series to use different lineups outside of the starting lineup to get ready for the Pacers series and he refused. They bascially wanted to replace Hart in the starting lineup, and told Thibs he will be safe if it didn't work. He still refused to try something different until it was too late. This goes back to Jay Will saying that Leon and Thibs had tension on the sideline during the playoffs. So now they're looking for a coach that's more flexible and can make adjustments.

Mike Brown would be a disgraceful hire.

explain

Coached 4 teams (Cleveland twice) in 11 seasons.

His offense sets are ass.

His defensive coaching is worse than Thibs.

He's a soft presence.

He hasn't had any sustained playoff success since 2007.

[DaGawd]

They're waiting for Jason Kidd to actually break silence because that's the only path to get Giannis to the knicks. The knicks are looking for that 3rd superstar to team up with KAT and Brunson.

that’s the ultimate pipe dream, i really don’t see us getting giannis without trading kat or brunson

[stuporman]

So we are using Ja's mood to determine how good the coach is now? Hm...ok

[TheGreenArrow]

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