New York Knicks: Will David Fizdale’s tenure break the trend?
Every team needs a core group to build around. The head coach leading that group is as vital to the team’s success as any player, if not more. Will David Fizdale be the man who finally closes the revolving door that is head coach of the New York Knicks?
There’s primarily two different factions of New York Knicks fans with a view on David Fizdale’s hiring. There are fans who believe this is the hiring that will finally turn the franchise around and transform New York into the destination it should be.
There are also the fans who think that they’re just selling hope only to squander any potential it could have and keep stumbling into the same pitfall. Let’s be honest: What it comes down to is if you’re an optimist or pessimist.
Either you keep seeing glimpses of what could be—it’s just a matter of bringing it all together—or you’ve heard it all before, and the only consistency you’ve seen is the inconsistency.
You can’t blame skeptics for feeling that way when results back up their intuition. So why should they believe it’s more than just words this time?
Former Knicks head coach Derek Fisher had an interesting perspective on what the outlook could be.
Since Scott Perry was brought in last summer, the message hasn’t changed.
He’s aware of what this team has been through and why they haven’t been able to stay on course. Much of that is thanks to Steve Mills, who has been witness to it all since 2003.
The press conference after Jeff Hornacek’s firing, Perry mentioned the days when the Knicks were known for their rugged defensive. That’s something every successful team has: An identity.
In order achieve that, you need someone who can sell the philosophy that the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts.
From this interview with Steve Serby of The New York Post, Fizdale will emphasize an approach on defense based on that exact philosophy.
"“I want to really get these guys understanding that effort and physicality and toughness and discipline can all be talents. For whatever we lack in star power right now or in experience, we can surely make it up in being disruptive and tough and disciplined and vocal. Being the loudest, best-communicating team, that can be a talent in itself. That’s something we can take care of now, we don’t have to wait for that. Defense can get to a high level quickly.”"
Aside from the whole not being patient thing, what’s really been lacking in recent years is a unified vision worth giving the necessary time to pursue.
Previous regimes have had trouble being on the same page from the start. This time it appears as though the three men on the dais at MSG on Tuesday morning committed to each; not with the hopes of finding the path forward, but already on it.
Fizdale, along with Perry and Mills, seem to have the compatibility to develop the cohesion that’s necessary to establish the culture that this franchise has been lacking for far too long.
Just like a good defense needs trust and communication to be effective, the same applies to a coach and the front office to have a well-balanced team. In question about the risk/reward factor associated with this position, Fizdale responded by first mentioning that he’s not doing this alone, referring to Perry and Mills.
Fizdale’s communication skills and ability to establish connections is what has garnered the most praise from around the league. Once that level of comfort exists amongst he and the players, it’s time for accountability and commitment.
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Whether you’re the optimist or pessimistic kind, it’s hard to not have a good feeling that this time will be different for the New York Knicks.