Knicks Rumors: David Blatt Willing To Run Triangle Offense
The New York Knicks view David Blatt as a legitimate option for the head coaching vacancy. Blatt’s willingness to run the Triangle Offense should help his case.
The New York Knicks have reportedly cut the coaching search down to two candidates: David Blatt and Kurt Rambis. This is a classic battle of an outsider with potential battling an incumbent with a close personal relationship with the team president.
Phil Jackson‘s decision becomes that much harder with the latest news release.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Blatt has told those close to him that he believes the Knicks are interested in hiring him. This supports the series of reports from a number of different news outlets which state the same.
Per Berman, an anonymous NBA personnel director believes that Blatt would be willing and able to run the Triangle Offense.
"“He’d be absolutely willing to run the triangle,’’ the NBA personnel director said. “There’s not great similarities between the two, but it is in the fundamental notion of ball movement, taking what the defense gives you.”One NBA scout said: “All indications were he is an excellent coach. He got a bad break in Cleveland.”"
Indeed he did.
Blatt did as much in his year-and-a-half with the Cleveland Cavaliers as one could’ve realistically asked him to. He led the Cavaliers to 53 wins and the NBA Finals in 2014-15, and had the team off to a 30-11 start to the 2015-16 season—a record that was good for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
As a hire who predated LeBron James‘ return to Cleveland, however, Blatt appeared to be doomed from the moment he took over.
Despite his early firing from his position as head coach of the Cavaliers, Blatt holds the respect of the masses in the NBA. He’s one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of European basketball, and has already achieved more in his year-and-a-half in the Association than most do in a full career.
What intrigues the NBA community most about Blatt is his adaptability.
"“He didn’t come in and say, ‘We’re going to run what I did in Europe,’ ” one NBA personnel director who has spoken to the Cavaliers told The Post. “He was adaptable. He knew he had to adapt to the NBA, not the other way around, and adapt to LeBron, cater to LeBron. I don’t think he got enough credit for his adaptability. He’s not the bullheaded my-way-or-fire-me guy.’’"
If Blatt is indeed willing to run the Triangle Offense, he could be the man who leads New York out of the dark ages.
Blatt’s most recent claims to fame include a 2015 NBA Finals appearance, the 2014 Euroleague Championship, and a bronze medal from the 2012 Olympics. He was head coach for all of those teams—Cleveland in the NBA, Maccabi Tel Aviv in Europe, and Russia in the Olympics—and earned universal respect in each of the endeavors.
Rounding out Blatt’s resume are accolades such as 2014 Euroleague Coach of the Year, five Israeli League championships, six Israeli Cup titles, and the 2012 Adriatic League championship.
For as accomplished as Blatt is, his shocking firing by the Cavaliers is his legacy in the eyes of many who are unfamiliar with his past success. In the near future, Jackson’s theory on how well Blatt would fit the Knicks will be revealed.
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Blatt’s willingness to run the Triangle Offense should only help his cause.