Carmelo Anthony wants to be with the Knicks , and as the team’s best player, wants some say in who will coach the team. He wanted Tom Thibodeau, but obviously that didn’t work out. When asked recently, Anthony said that he “for sure” wants to have a say in who is hired, but is unsure of who should be the selection.
The Knicks interviewed Blatt two weeks ago, and Blatt reportedly left that meeting with the feeling that he is a legitimate candidate. Carmelo Anthony is reportedly on board the Blatt train. From Marc Berman of the New York Knicks:
Though his buddy LeBron James couldn’t stand him, Carmelo Anthony likes the idea of hiring former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, according to a person familiar with his thinking.
…
The source stated Anthony believes Blatt, because of his vast international experience before joining the Cavaliers, would be better for 7-foot-3 Latvian phenom Kristaps Porzingis than would interim coach Kurt Rambis.
The source said Anthony feels Blatt could develop Porzingis into an All-Star quicker with his international touch. Blatt has dominated leagues in Israel and Russia, where he also was coach of the Olympic team, guiding the country to the bronze medal in 2012.
Sources have indicated Porzingis wasn’t thrilled with the way Rambis used him early on (he went the first 12 games under the interim coach without a double-double), but things improved, and he is not picking sides in the coaching search.
Blatt could be a good fit in New York. He had a reputation as a terrific coach in Europe, and it wasn’t like the Cavs were struggling to win games with him at the helm; most believed that firing Blatt was a mistake. Blatt should be receiving heavy consideration. Despite his lack of NBA experience, he was considered one of the best coaches in the world during his time in Europe.
UPDATE:
Contrary to previous reports, it has been learned by Ian Begley of ESPN that Carmelo Anthony has not endorsed anyone as the Knicks next head coach.
The veteran forward didn’t address the coaching search Wednesday, but league sources with knowledge of Anthony’s thinking said a report that stated he “likes” the idea of the Knicks hiring David Blatt is a gross exaggeration.
This isn’t to say that Anthony wouldn’t support a Blatt hire if the Knicks choose to go that route. But the league sources say Anthony hadn’t expressed his opinion on Blatt to anyone.
