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New York Knicks: Top 10 candidates to replace Jeff Hornacek as head coach

By Maxwell Ogden

New York Knicks (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Knicks (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: Ettore Messina of the San Antonio Spurs before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 17, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: Ettore Messina of the San Antonio Spurs before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 17, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

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.

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