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

[Enzo954]

Read on Twitter

Berman refuses to retire, but he is so good at being a provocateur

Berman's a clown. Who the hell thanks the guy that fires them?

[Jalen Bluntson]

That's right...get fans hopes up on Jenkins before breaking their spirit with Brown...the Knicks really know how to deliver a kick to the crotch like no other franchise can.

So you think Jenkins is the better choice? I am not really familiar with their styles but, Brown won COTY a couple years ago. His offense was top of the league.

Jenkins guided teams to some top offenses as well while also getting his teams to play defense, not sure Brown accomplished that too frequently.

I don't know who would be better but I think the perception around the hire will mean more than the actual results. Look at Thibs, he guided the team to the best 5 season stretch since the 90s teams and got them to the ECF for the first time in two decades but there are people who are convinced he's a terrible coach.

Reality and perception don't always meet.

I hated Thibs methods. He was a good culture change coach but, he gets exposed in the playoffs.

I just hope the next guy can get more out of the team.

[stuporman]

Remember folks...Berman rhymes with vermin...

[nykballa2k4]

Perhaps Thibs told them he didn't want those guys. Who knows? I'm glad we fired Thibs though. Just nervous and hoping we don't mess this up moving forward. I have no belief that Thibs can win a title with his methods. None.

We got pretty close ...

Not close enough. This playoff run was one of the most frustrating I can remember watching considering how far we got. Playing like trash almost every game. Struggled with Detroit. Struggled and got lucky with Boston. Choked against the Pacers. We had very questionable coaching throughout. We played like 3 or 4 decent games the entire time.

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

[The KnicksFix]

We got pretty close ...

Not close enough. This playoff run was one of the most frustrating I can remember watching considering how far we got. Playing like trash almost every game. Struggled with Detroit. Struggled and got lucky with Boston. Choked against the Pacers. We had very questionable coaching throughout. We played like 3 or 4 decent games the entire time.

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

We blew the lead because he got scared and put Brunson back in the game with 6 minutes to go and 5 fouls, so they targeted him on play after play after play. A prelude to the rest of the series to close the 4th in game 1
That’s not on the players on the court
That’s on the coach

[The KnicksFix]

So you think Jenkins is the better choice? I am not really familiar with their styles but, Brown won COTY a couple years ago. His offense was top of the league.

Jenkins guided teams to some top offenses as well while also getting his teams to play defense, not sure Brown accomplished that too frequently.

I don't know who would be better but I think the perception around the hire will mean more than the actual results. Look at Thibs, he guided the team to the best 5 season stretch since the 90s teams and got them to the ECF for the first time in two decades but there are people who are convinced he's a terrible coach.

Reality and perception don't always meet.

I hated Thibs methods. He was a good culture change coach but, he gets exposed in the playoffs.

I just hope the next guy can get more out of the team.

Cause Thibs coached game 6 of the ECF no different than he coached game 30 in January or February
Our next coach needs to make on the fly adjustments with multiple actions

[Jalen Bluntson]

We got pretty close ...

Not close enough. This playoff run was one of the most frustrating I can remember watching considering how far we got. Playing like trash almost every game. Struggled with Detroit. Struggled and got lucky with Boston. Choked against the Pacers. We had very questionable coaching throughout. We played like 3 or 4 decent games the entire time.

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

He's gone now. The FO obviously agree with those of us who don't care for his methods. Who's next is the topic.

[stuporman]

So you think Jenkins is the better choice? I am not really familiar with their styles but, Brown won COTY a couple years ago. His offense was top of the league.

Jenkins guided teams to some top offenses as well while also getting his teams to play defense, not sure Brown accomplished that too frequently.

I don't know who would be better but I think the perception around the hire will mean more than the actual results. Look at Thibs, he guided the team to the best 5 season stretch since the 90s teams and got them to the ECF for the first time in two decades but there are people who are convinced he's a terrible coach.

Reality and perception don't always meet.

I hated Thibs methods. He was a good culture change coach but, he gets exposed in the playoffs.

I just hope the next guy can get more out of the team.

Thibs was more than just a culture changer, he got the team to consistently win and that's why he's in the top 5 in Knicks franchise history with wins. Although there were many that felt he wasn't the one who could get them over the hump, he just got them to the top of the hill but the rock always seemed to roll back down over him like Sisyphus.

Brown had two teams win 60 games in the season with a young LeBron and not get to the finals, you sure he's not Thibsian? I mean, has he shows he can get teams to play above their weight? Not saying I know which of the two are better but Jenkins has guided some teams with adversity still get the playoffs in the tough west. Brown had LeBron teams fail in the playoffs in the weaker east.

He may be the right one or he may not, I'm not going to pretend I know for sure which it is.

[nykballa2k4]

Not close enough. This playoff run was one of the most frustrating I can remember watching considering how far we got. Playing like trash almost every game. Struggled with Detroit. Struggled and got lucky with Boston. Choked against the Pacers. We had very questionable coaching throughout. We played like 3 or 4 decent games the entire time.

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

He's gone now. The FO obviously agree with those of us who don't care for his methods. Who's next is the topic.

So my point is the FO scares me because their judgement seems fickle, faulty, impulsive, reckless. With those being the descriptors, perhaps we will wind up with JKidd afterall.

[nykballa2k4]

Not close enough. This playoff run was one of the most frustrating I can remember watching considering how far we got. Playing like trash almost every game. Struggled with Detroit. Struggled and got lucky with Boston. Choked against the Pacers. We had very questionable coaching throughout. We played like 3 or 4 decent games the entire time.

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

We blew the lead because he got scared and put Brunson back in the game with 6 minutes to go and 5 fouls, so they targeted him on play after play after play. A prelude to the rest of the series to close the 4th in game 1
That’s not on the players on the court
That’s on the coach

Brunson is supposed to be our guy. That's what you do. Trust your guy. Other mistakes were made, but putting in your guy, clutch player of the year, in clutch time, isn't the problem.

[LFGK]

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

We blew the lead because he got scared and put Brunson back in the game with 6 minutes to go and 5 fouls, so they targeted him on play after play after play. A prelude to the rest of the series to close the 4th in game 1
That’s not on the players on the court
That’s on the coach

Brunson is supposed to be our guy. That's what you do. Trust your guy. Other mistakes were made, but putting in your guy, clutch player of the year, in clutch time, isn't the problem.

He is our guy but why play with something that was working? 5 fouls what do you think Indi was going to do the rest of the game? Doesn't take rocket science, Thibs got fired because of thibs not missed free throws at the end of game 1.

[WargamesX]

Low key something not spoken on because it can only be inferred is the idea the FO does not want a coach who 1) hasn’t been a coach before 2) hasn’t been a head coach for a while. Based on their moves they definitely seem to want someone who can come and the team doesn’t miss a beat in continuing to grow. Not so much that they couldn’t implement a new system, but that they are prepared to run a team as a HC.

I say that to say this I wouldn’t be surprised if we do see a quick hiring of a coach and it’s Jenkins or Brown .

Jenkins and Brown both lost their jobs because mercurial star players on their teams didn’t like their coaching, not because they were doing a bad job coaching. Meanwhile Malone seems to be going through issues with his FO and Bud looks like he needs a break.

[The KnicksFix]

Results are what they are. We are a breeze away from Hali missing that shot and a whole different series. Thibs didn't choke on the FT line. He did unfortunately have sub-par FT guys on the court, but Hart and OG could have hit their FT.

We blew the lead because he got scared and put Brunson back in the game with 6 minutes to go and 5 fouls, so they targeted him on play after play after play. A prelude to the rest of the series to close the 4th in game 1
That’s not on the players on the court
That’s on the coach

Brunson is supposed to be our guy. That's what you do. Trust your guy. Other mistakes were made, but putting in your guy, clutch player of the year, in clutch time, isn't the problem.

He also took out Mitch and replaced him with Hart
Be subbed out Mitch who helped to build the lead. Mitch and deuce went out. While JB and hart returned.
We all saw the game, that was 1000% on coaching and being formulaic. That’s the problem, he could never stray away from his crutch. That’s being unable to adapt and to “read the room.” That’s why Thibs is gone. We saw this too many times.

[GONYK]

We blew the lead because he got scared and put Brunson back in the game with 6 minutes to go and 5 fouls, so they targeted him on play after play after play. A prelude to the rest of the series to close the 4th in game 1
That’s not on the players on the court
That’s on the coach

Brunson is supposed to be our guy. That's what you do. Trust your guy. Other mistakes were made, but putting in your guy, clutch player of the year, in clutch time, isn't the problem.

He also took out Mitch and replaced him with Hart
Be subbed out Mitch who helped to build the lead. Mitch and deuce went out. While JB and hart returned.
We all saw the game, that was 1000% on coaching and being formulaic. That’s the problem, he could never stray away from his crutch. That’s being unable to adapt and to “read the room.” That’s why Thibs is gone. We saw this too many times.

This conversation belongs in the Thibs thread

[nykfan42]

I'm down with Jenkins.

[The KnicksFix]

Low key something not spoken on because it can only be inferred is the idea the FO does not want a coach who 1) hasn’t been a coach before 2) hasn’t been a head coach for a while. Based on their moves they definitely seem to want someone who can come and the team doesn’t miss a beat in continuing to grow. Not so much that they couldn’t implement a new system, but that they are prepared to run a team as a HC.

I say that to say this I wouldn’t be surprised if we do see a quick hiring of a coach and it’s Jenkins or Brown .

Jenkins and Brown both lost their jobs because mercurial star players on their teams didn’t like their coaching, not because they were doing a bad job coaching. Meanwhile Malone seems to be going through issues with his FO and Bud looks like he needs a break.

I thought the same
They want someone who has already been in the game for a bit. But that only leave bud, Malone, Jenkins, brown. Though Johnnie Bryant has basically been an assistant coach long enough now to understand how to manage players egos. No one became a legendary coach until they were given a shot. I say Bryant is the guy.

[WargamesX]

Low key something not spoken on because it can only be inferred is the idea the FO does not want a coach who 1) hasn’t been a coach before 2) hasn’t been a head coach for a while. Based on their moves they definitely seem to want someone who can come and the team doesn’t miss a beat in continuing to grow. Not so much that they couldn’t implement a new system, but that they are prepared to run a team as a HC.

I say that to say this I wouldn’t be surprised if we do see a quick hiring of a coach and it’s Jenkins or Brown .

Jenkins and Brown both lost their jobs because mercurial star players on their teams didn’t like their coaching, not because they were doing a bad job coaching. Meanwhile Malone seems to be going through issues with his FO and Bud looks like he needs a break.

I thought the same
They want someone who has already been in the game for a bit. But that only leave bud, Malone, Jenkins, brown. Though Johnnie Bryant has basically been an assistant coach long enough now to understand how to manage players egos. No one became a legendary coach until they were given a shot. I say Bryant is the guy.

Maybe but it’s a hella of a risk. Especially come the playoffs. If Bryant gets overwhelmed the FO would be the ones to blame. From that big picture perspective Brown would have the advantage over Jenkins too. He’s coached a team to the finals and understands the mental fatigue that could cause.

If the Knicks don’t at least make the ECF next year the FO is now the ones on the hot seat. Even if it’s just the media saying it.

Like I think Brown and Jenkins both have a shot and the FO has to sit with them and hear them both out. The East isn’t wide open. There are good teams league wide and the Knicks don’t just want to return to the ECF they want to win a championship.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Low key something not spoken on because it can only be inferred is the idea the FO does not want a coach who 1) hasn’t been a coach before 2) hasn’t been a head coach for a while. Based on their moves they definitely seem to want someone who can come and the team doesn’t miss a beat in continuing to grow. Not so much that they couldn’t implement a new system, but that they are prepared to run a team as a HC.

I say that to say this I wouldn’t be surprised if we do see a quick hiring of a coach and it’s Jenkins or Brown .

Jenkins and Brown both lost their jobs because mercurial star players on their teams didn’t like their coaching, not because they were doing a bad job coaching. Meanwhile Malone seems to be going through issues with his FO and Bud looks like he needs a break.

I thought the same
They want someone who has already been in the game for a bit. But that only leave bud, Malone, Jenkins, brown. Though Johnnie Bryant has basically been an assistant coach long enough now to understand how to manage players egos. No one became a legendary coach until they were given a shot. I say Bryant is the guy.

Maybe but it’s a hella of a risk. Especially come the playoffs. From that perspective Brown would have the advantage over Jenkins too. If the Knicks don’t at least make the ECF next year the FO is now the ones on the hot seat. Even if it’s just the media saying it.

Like I think Brown and Jenkins both have a shot and the FO has to sit with them and hear them both out.

Who do you like?

[WargamesX]

I thought the same
They want someone who has already been in the game for a bit. But that only leave bud, Malone, Jenkins, brown. Though Johnnie Bryant has basically been an assistant coach long enough now to understand how to manage players egos. No one became a legendary coach until they were given a shot. I say Bryant is the guy.

Maybe but it’s a hella of a risk. Especially come the playoffs. From that perspective Brown would have the advantage over Jenkins too. If the Knicks don’t at least make the ECF next year the FO is now the ones on the hot seat. Even if it’s just the media saying it.

Like I think Brown and Jenkins both have a shot and the FO has to sit with them and hear them both out.

Who do you like?

I like both of them, neither is perfect but if the goal is experience they both bring something to the table.

Both of them are solid coaches, who didn’t deserve to be fired if they were being judged by their coaching. Jenkins lost the grizzlies locker room but the grizzlies locker room might be as toxic as the hornets. It’s just their FO is just better at drafting players. Meanwhile Fox was a toxic star that wanted a trade, and Brown got caught in the crosshairs of that.

I think on the surface you got to like the things Jenkins is known for like player development, deep rotations, a willingness to adapt, but Brown has been a better playoff coach. I also think if the plan is to play like the Grizzlies did last season with the 5 out motion offense the Knicks might have to trade Mitch. He’s not built for that at all. Brown might fit better with a roster full of defensive players outside of the two star players.

So like I said if I am the Knicks FO, you bring both of them in and hear them out. This team has been designed around Thibs for years now, and suffered whenever they didn’t get guys who fit his style. Thibs fingerprint is all over this team. Whoever comes in, has to coach with that in mind, while the FO make changes to fit the new coaches style.

None or that is as easy as it sounds. To the point I also wouldn’t be surprised if we learn Jenkins and Brown messed up their interviews and the FO starts interviewing former HC from a year or two out and assistants. Though I think they would love one of these two to actually get the job so they can focus on other things.

[Adelheid]

the best coach the knicks can get -- is the one that can make everyone, including the star players, accountable