The New York Knicks Could Move on From David Fizdale – CrownHoops
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 08: New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale throws out the first pitch prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on May 8, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
After hyping their offseason moves, the New York Knicks have crashed back down to Earth. Reports surfaced that the Knicks’ front office is laying down the groundwork to fire head coach David Fizdale.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Knicks’ president Steve Mills and General Manager Scott Perry was not happy about the blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It seems the Knicks are already self-destructing early in the season. The impatience of the organization is growing and Fitzdale could fall on the sword.
The Reason Behind the Groundwork
One reason the Knicks’ front office has is the lack of competitiveness through ten games, the Knicks are 2-8. They have not clicked offensively. The Knicks are ranked 29th in scoring (99.2) and last in field goal percentage (41.7). Also, they are ranked in the middle of the NBA in major defensive categories. The Knicks started the season 1-7 before defeating the Dallas Mavericks. However, the 108-87 loss to the Cavaliers ignited the talks. The Knicks only scored 36 points in the first half. They finished the game shooting 36 percent overall. Also, they shot just 29 percent from three and a mere 64 percent from the free-throw line. Fans at Madison Square Garden booed the Knicks during the game. After the game, coach David Fizdale took full responsibility for the loss.
David Fizdale’s at a Disadvantage
Before Fizdale became the head coach in 2018, the Knicks were in disarray. They have not made it to the playoffs since 2013. Also, they have not had a winning season since either. In Fizdale’s first season with the Knicks, they finished 17-65. However, their roster was not expected to be competitive after trading Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks experienced a lot of changes during this past summer. They lost Tim Hardaway Jr., Emmanuel Mudiay, and Enes Kanter to free agency.
All three of those players were the top scorers in the previous season. This season’s roster features a younger core of Julius Randle, Kevin Knox, and RJ Barrett, who is only a rookie. Fizdale, who’s just weeks into his second year with the team, is still learning and adjusting to the new roster. The Knicks’ front office always has high expectations but has failed to build a stable team. The Knicks have gone through five different head coaches the last five years before Fitzdale.
Is Firing Fizdale the Answer?
Firing Fizdale will not solve the Knicks’ issues. With a young roster that has changed dramatically, Fizdale is at a disadvantage and has become a scapegoat. Ironically, the Knicks’ biggest issue is amongst the top of the organization. After Mills took over for Phil Jackson, the Knicks are just 48-126. They have failed to land a superstar in free agency, including purposely passing up Kevin Durant. According to Complex Sports, the Knicks want to bring in current Toronto Raptors’ general manager Masai Ujiri.
That means Knicks’ Owner James Dolan could fire Mills and Perry as well. The Knicks are a mess once again. Fizdale is not the problem, but he is the scapegoat. If the Knicks continue to play poorly, Fizdale will be the first to fall. It would be unfair and unfortunate for him. If the Knicks want to be competitive, Mills and Perry must turn the mirror onto themselves.
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