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Knicks Rumors: Five rumored candidates to replace Jeff Hornacek

By Maxwell Ogden

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 30: Head Coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors coaches against the New York Knicks on March 30, 2014 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 30: Head Coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors coaches against the New York Knicks on March 30, 2014 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MAY 18: David Blatt during the 2017 Euroleague Basketball ANGT Players Educational Session at Sinan Erdem Dome on May 18, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Francesco Richieri/EB via Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MAY 18: David Blatt during the 2017 Euroleague Basketball ANGT Players Educational Session at Sinan Erdem Dome on May 18, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Francesco Richieri/EB via Getty Images) /

David Blatt

The New York Knicks have a long list of options to consider as potential replacements for Jeff Hornacek. One of the names that’s consistently surfaced during both the Phil Jackson and Scott Perry eras is European legend David Blatt.

Blatt may be known to casual fans for his inability to get on the same page as LeBron James, but he remains one of the most respected basketball minds in the world.

Blatt’s ties to the Knicks are based on his relationship with current Knicks president Steve Mills. The two played together at Princeton, where Blatt learned the offense he runs today and built a relationship that could potentially lead to a reunion in New York.

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, Blatt remains a coaching candidate whom the Knicks could be interested in pursuing.

"Another name to file away here: The former Cleveland coach David Blatt has a longstanding relationship with the Knicks’ president Steve Mills dating to their days as Princeton teammates. You wonder if that’ll finally earn Blatt his first meaningful look from an N.B.A. franchise since the Cavaliers fired him in January 2016 while sporting a record of 30-11."

Considering the success that Blatt experienced on both the NBA and European levels, it’s far from surprising that he’s viewed as an option.

Prior to arriving in the NBA, Blatt earned the reputation of the best coach who wasn’t alreadyin the Association. He was fired from his post as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers while the team had the best record in the Eastern Conference, but his reputation in basketball circles was far from tainted.

A brilliant strategist who emphasizes defense and runs a modernized version of the Princeton offense, Blatt could appeal to European franchise players Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina.

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