Ettore Messina
Ettore Messina will be the first to contest the belief that David Blatt is the best current or former European basketball coach for an NBA job. A legend of the sport overseas, Messina has made a wise and successful transition to the San Antonio Spurs’ coaching staff.
If the New York Knicks are looking for a coach who can instantly change the culture, then Messina is as safe a bet as anyone in the field.
Messina is a four-time EuroLeague champion, which is testament enough to his brilliance as a head coach. He won four Italian League championships, five Russian League titles, and a pair of VTB United League crowns to round out his all-time résumé.
Messina now has five years of NBA experience to temper the concerns about his transition, including one as a consultant for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Having worked alongside legendary head coach Gregg Popovich for four seasons, Messina has positioned himself for a job as an NBA head coach. He not only has a wealth of knowledge about how to run an effective system, but has gained perspective from one of the Association’s all-time greats.
If hired by the Knicks, Messina should know exactly how to utilize European prospects turned franchise cornerstones Frank Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis.