Derek Fisher has certainly had his fair share of criticism in two years of coaching. The New York Knicks head coach struggled last season in his first coaching experience at any level. This season, he has done a better job as the Knicks have become a surprise playoff contender. However, that has not completely ended the criticism.
In fact, according to the New York Post’s Marc Berman, that criticism is now coming internally with regards to Fisher’s ability as a tactician:
According to a source, there’s a growing sense among some players in the locker room Fisher is viewed more as a “preacher’’ and “motivator’’ than an expert in-game tactician or Xs-and-Os master….
According to the source, Fisher’s assistant coaches, including Brian Keefe, Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons, are more versed in the strategic concepts. The source said Carmelo Anthony has come to Fisher recently to lobby for rookie Kristaps Porzingis to be more involved in the offense late in games to take the burden off him. Indeed, Porzingis had plays run for him down the stretch in Boston on Sunday
This is not entirely surprising. Fisher is clearly inexperienced and it will take time for him to become accustomed to the play-calling of an NBA head-coaching job. However, it is a little disconcerting that these allegations are coming from inside the Knicks’ locker room. There is no problem with Fisher using his assistants and even his players for help with Xs and Os, but the fact that the players’ views of him are being publicized is a bit disturbing. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as the Knicks attempt to make the playoffs.
