The New York Knicks interviewed Mike Budenholzer for the vacancy at head coach. DeMarre Carroll offered a ringing endorsement for coach Bud.
The New York Knicks have completed the interview process for the vacancy at head coach. Time isn’t an ally, but the organization has been thorough in its preparation for what can only be described as one of the most important decisions in franchise history.
As the Knicks weigh the pros and cons of the 11 candidates they met with, one name truly stands out from the rest: Mike Budenholzer.
Budenholzer is widely regarded as one of the top 10 coaches in the NBA today. He’s won as both a head coach and an assistant, is revered for his ability to develop talent, and severely overachieved based on the roster he fielded in Atlanta.
According to Brian Lewis of The New York Post, former Atlanta Hawks and current Brooklyn Nets small forward DeMarre Carroll offered a ringing endorsement for Budenholzer’s most underrated strength: Building relationships.
"“The biggest thing is he’d kind of similar to Kenny [Atkinson, Nets coach] in his communication skills, how he can talk to his players, talk about life situations, what’s going on with family, what’s going on outside basketball,” Carroll said. “He gives you that respect, and you know he genuinely cares about you not just on the court but off the court, too.”"
From a player’s perspective, Budenholzer is essentially the perfect coach in the way he develops relationships both on and off the court.
Budenholzer won the 2015 Coach of the Year award as head coach of the Hawks, and secured four championships as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs. He led Atlanta to the only 60-win season in franchise history and its first Conference Finals appearance since 1970.
Budenholzer also helped Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, and Jeff Teague make the only All-Star Game appearances of their respective careers, and stabilize Tim Hardaway Jr.’s path.
While most point to Budenholzer’s strategical brilliance as the driving force behind that success, there’s a human element to it, as well.
Budenholzer’s ability to connect with his players on a personal level plays a critical role in his ability to coach them on the court. They learn to trust their head coach instead of dismissing what he says, knowing in their hearts that any form of criticism comes from a place of genuine care.
One could also describe Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in that way, which should come as no surprise. Budenholzer was his most trusted assistant for 17 years.
Must Read: Five reasons to end the search and hire Mike Budenholzer
The question is: Will the New York Knicks make the obvious choice and hire Mike Budenholzer to check every box imaginable and lead the team back to relevance?