It’s still unclear who will be coaching the New York Knicks next season. Interim head coach Kurt Rambis, who took over after Derek Fisher was let go, was being strongly considered to take the job at one point. As of last week, David Blatt has reportedly met with Knicks president Phil Jackson, and Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has been linked to the Knicks.
The Knicks reportedly plan to keep Rambis on at some capacity even if he’s not the head coach.
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony definitely wants to participate on the process, and wants the team to explore all of their options, as he has not declared a preference for who should be hired.
via Complex:
The Knicks obviously need a coach—if you could have literally anybody be the coach next season regardless of contract situation or anything else, who would you want?
I don’t know. For me, man, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one person. I just want to see the proper procedure gone through, the proper process, we give everybody a shot to come in and say what they have to say and see if you like that person or not. So it’s hard for me to say I want this person or I want that person.Do you want to be part of that process?
Oh yes, for sure. Because you gotta think about it, this is gonna be a long-term journey of playing and you consider me being part of that plan then I would want to know what’s going on.
Carmelo was asked about what stands out to him with a good coach.
I think being able to hold guys accountable, but also having a relationship with the player. Kind of seeing things from a players’ perspective as well as a coach’s perspective. I think if you can build that camaraderie between a coach and a player, I think you’re onto something.
Yeah, you have to be willing to do that, you have to be willing to accept that as a coach. It can be hard being a coach and accepting the fact that sometimes I have to see things from an athlete’s perspective, that can be hard. That’s like an ego play.
Anthony showed favor to Tom Thibodeau for the Knicks head coaching job, but Phil Jackson didn’t aggressively pursue Thibodeau and he took the job in Minnesota.
Vogel might best fit what Anthony described in terms of accountability from a head coach. David Blatt had success in Cleveland but not a great public reputation in that area throughout his tenure. Since Anthony feels he can go at it at a high level for four to five more years, he seems rightfully invested in playing for a coach who can help get things done.
