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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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NEW YORK CITY – 1993: Doc Rivers #25 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers circa 1993 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY – 1993: Doc Rivers #25 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers circa 1993 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Doc Rivers

Prior to becoming a head coach, Doc Rivers was an NBA point guard who experienced a successful 13-year career. That includes a brief stretch with the New York Knicks, during which he helped the team reach the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals.

In the midst of a season that’s repairing what became a fractured reputation, Rivers has emerged as a candidate to take over as head coach of the Knicks.

Rivers entered the 2017-18 campaign with the reputation of a coach who had been exposed by the Clippers’ lackluster success with a high-profile roster. With his stars traded elsewhere, however, Rivers has his undermanned Los Angeles team back in the postseason hunt.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Rivers could be interested in a return to New York if head coach Jeff Hornacek is relieved of his duties.

"But according to a former Rivers associate, it’s not far-fetched for the one-time Knicks guard to have interest in the team’s coaching job if Jeff Hornacek, who has one year left on his contract, is let go after the season. “Doc enjoyed his time there,’’ the former associate said. “He respects the city, he respects the organization.’’"

With Frank Isola of The New York Daily News reporting that Rivers will be a candidate if Hornacek is fired, there may indeed be fire where there’s smoke.

Rivers led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship and took the team back to the 2010 NBA Finals. He has three career Conference Finals appearances and boasts career records of 842-617 in the regular season and 82-79 in the playoffs.

With the seventh-most victories in postseason history, Rivers certainly has a case to make as a coach who may be able to revitalize the Knicks.

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