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

[prophet_of_rage]

Will the front office ever really be united? It feels like Thibs was fired by Wes who wanted him gone last year.

The next hire has to be united between Wes and Leon. That's interesting to navigate.

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[Fat Kat]

Will the front office ever really be united? It feels like Thibs was fired by Wes who wanted him gone last year.

The next hire has to be united between Wes and Leon. That's interesting to navigate.

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Yeah. It’s not just Wes and Leon though. Imagine being Walter Perrin and Frank Zanin watching as Thibs refuses to play the draftees. The analytics staff etc. They probably want the next coach to have communication and symmetry amongst the entire front office. I think Thibs ignored them and even made fun of them.

[FrozenEnvelope]

I don't think you can hold it against Jenkins and Brown for getting fired by their last teams. If you look deeper at their situations, it really wasn't all on them. Jenkins was neutered by his GM and Sacramento is dumber than we were during the Isiah years.

I guess I'd be fine with either guy considering what else is out there. I wanted Malone but that doesn't seem like an option. I'm surprised Vogel hasn't been mentioned. Bryant might be too green for the gig.

This is like having a lot of cap room to spend on free agents but there aren't any Super Stars on the market.

[BKlutch]

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.

Maybe he did well just avoiding being shot by Ja.

[WargamesX]

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.

Maybe he did well just avoiding being shot by Ja.

Ja was the most problematic star player in the league and you know that old joke “Ja Morant is who De’Aaron Fox thinks he is”

Both Jenkins and Brown had toxic stars that cost them their jobs.

The Knicks meanwhile is a team full of grown men who take the game seriously.

[BKlutch]

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.

Maybe he did well just avoiding being shot by Ja.

Ja was the most problematic star player in the league and you know that old joke “Ja Morant is who De’Aaron Fox thinks he is”

Both Jenkins and Brown had toxic stars that cost them their jobs.

The Knicks meanwhile is a team full of grown men who take the game seriously.

Sadly, Kenny Atkinson, one of the top coaches in the NBA, also had toxic stars who cost him his job with Brooklyn. This worked out so well for KI and KD, of course, as well as for his successor, Steve Nash. We can only assume that Mo Rant will do as well as his bro, Du Rant.

[WargamesX]

Maybe he did well just avoiding being shot by Ja.

Ja was the most problematic star player in the league and you know that old joke “Ja Morant is who De’Aaron Fox thinks he is”

Both Jenkins and Brown had toxic stars that cost them their jobs.

The Knicks meanwhile is a team full of grown men who take the game seriously.

Sadly, Kenny Atkinson, one of the top coaches in the NBA, also had toxic stars who cost him his job with Brooklyn. This worked out so well for KI and KD, of course, as well as for his successor, Steve Nash. We can only assume that Mo Rant will do as well as his bro, Du Rant.

Kenny was one of the guys I wanted them to take a chance on instead of Thibs. Same for Kidd and Ime, but the lesson is pretty clear. Good Coaching is Good coaching and unless the coach is part of the problem (like Malone was) it shouldn’t be held against them. Even Ime and Kidd had issues but they are good coaches.

Carlisle lost his job in Indy the first time due to toxicity, went to the Mavs and had to leave cause Luka was tired of him. Now he is in the finals. Good coaching tends to stay good coaching.

So the front office needs to figure out if Jenkins and/or Brown are good coaches and if yes, which one is better for the team.

[Kidknick!]

I'm high on Brown, especially after LoK had a Sacramento guy on saying what Mike Brown brought to that team and how he changed the atmosphere. Kings had EPIC offensive output under Brown. I say go all in on a high octane offense. That's the roster that they have and that's how you put them in the best way to win.

[mpharris36]

I'm high on Brown, especially after LoK had a Sacramento guy on saying what Mike Brown brought to that team and how he changed the atmosphere. Kings had EPIC offensive output under Brown. I say go all in on a high octane offense. That's the roster that they have and that's how you put them in the best way to win.

Be careful. Jodi Fernandez gets most of the credit for the Kings offensive explosion. They took a hit last year because he left for the Nets coaching position.

[Adelheid]

I don't think you can hold it against Jenkins and Brown for getting fired by their last teams. If you look deeper at their situations, it really wasn't all on them. Jenkins was neutered by his GM and Sacramento is dumber than we were during the Isiah years.

I guess I'd be fine with either guy considering what else is out there. I wanted Malone but that doesn't seem like an option. I'm surprised Vogel hasn't been mentioned. Bryant might be too green for the gig.

This is like having a lot of cap room to spend on free agents but there aren't any Super Stars on the market.

both situations have toxic players involved. not saying they wont experience toxic players in new york, but its much much less likely

[8516knicks]

Marcus Morris said it's not primarily about X/Os as much as getting team camaraderie going - knocked Thibs for bench having attitude of "What do I have to do to get minutes?" Said both finals teams this year had obvious camaraderie (which he credited partially for why they are there). So from that standpoint, perhaps a Kidd might have made sense to the FO.

[thebuzzardman]

I'm down with Jenkins.

Watch on YouTube

After Knick losses: "At least I have chicken"

[Kampuchea]

Will the front office ever really be united? It feels like Thibs was fired by Wes who wanted him gone last year.

The next hire has to be united between Wes and Leon. That's interesting to navigate.

Sent from my SM-S9080 using RealGM mobile app

Hope we keep the divide, nice to have alternative opinions and be challenged.

[spree2kawhi]

Just get Bryant along with JVG. Do it.

[Knicksfan1992]

I'm high on Brown, especially after LoK had a Sacramento guy on saying what Mike Brown brought to that team and how he changed the atmosphere. Kings had EPIC offensive output under Brown. I say go all in on a high octane offense. That's the roster that they have and that's how you put them in the best way to win.

Be careful. Jodi Fernandez gets most of the credit for the Kings offensive explosion. They took a hit last year because he left for the Nets coaching position.

The Kings were 8th in the league in Offensive rating when Brown got fired.

He was a scapegoat for the team mainly being unlucky in clutch situations and Fox being a sourpuss behind the scenes and snaking the team.

I'm not banging down the doors for Mike Brown to be hired but the fact that he got that Kings team to 48 wins in a super loaded West is impressive in hindsight IMO.

[Clyde Frazier]

I think it's odd we've heard zero rumors about Mike Malone being a candidate (unless I missed it?) I'd be surprised if he had no interest in the job.

[DaGawd]

I think it's odd we've heard zero rumors about Mike Malone being a candidate (unless I missed it?) I'd be surprised if he had no interest in the job.

we have no interest in him

[thebuzzardman]

Half the board will like the new coach, half will hate it. Can't really care.

[BKlutch]

Half the board will like the new coach, half will hate it. Can't really care.

Will that depend on who the new coach is?

[thebuzzardman]

Half the board will like the new coach, half will hate it. Can't really care.

Will that depend on who the new coach is?

The only coach that I think is interesting is Bryant, and they won't hire him. And I don't know if Bryant is really any good. Seems like it, but who knows.
Maybe Hurley, just to see if a college guy who is a maniac makes the pro leap (probably flames out)

Kidd, Jenkins, Brown, could care less.

Jenkins is maybe interesting if he brings LaRoche and that offense with him.