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Knicks Rumors: Howard Eisley expected to stay on coaching staff

By Maxwell Ogden

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 22: Former member of the Utah Jazz, Howard Eisley is honored during halftime of the New York Knicks game against the Utah Jazz at vivint.SmartHome Arena on March 22, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 22: Former member of the Utah Jazz, Howard Eisley is honored during halftime of the New York Knicks game against the Utah Jazz at vivint.SmartHome Arena on March 22, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have yet to make it official, but assistant coach Howard Eisley is expected to survive the change from Jeff Hornacek to David Fizdale.

The New York Knicks are making a significant change along the sidelines—again. David Fizdale will be the Knicks’ fourth head coach since selecting Kristaps Porzingis in the 2015 NBA Draft, which is all one needs to know in order to understand there’s instability in New York.

As Fizdale prepares for his first season at the helm, however, he appears to be valuing the principle of stability.

The Knicks parted ways with head coach Jeff Hornacek mere hours after the conclusion of the 2017-18 regular season. The general expectation was that Hornacek’s coaching staff will depart with him as Fizdale builds a group of his own.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, there’s a current Knicks assistant coach who’s expected to join Fizdale’s staff: Howard Eisley.

"Among current Knicks assistants, Howard Eisley is being ‘strongly considered’ for David Fizdale’s coaching staff, per league sources. One source described it as ‘highly likely’ that Eisley would be retained but cautioned that no final decision had been made."

It’s somewhat rare that coaches stay on from one tenure to another, but Eisley has earned the reputation of one of the better assistants in the NBA.

Eisley, 45, experienced a 12-year career as a player in the NBA, including a three-year stint with the Knicks. He’s held positions as an assistant coach since 2010, including stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards.

Eisley has been with New York since 2016, when he joined Hornacek’s staff as one of his most trusted assistants.

It’s also worth noting that Eisley produced a career-year for the Knicks in 2003-04, averaging 9.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per game.

Now a coach, Eisley has nearly 10 years of experience to support the belief that he can help Fizdale build something promising. The fact that he’s already built relationships with the current core certainly helps his case.

It’s also worth noting that Fizdale listed Eisley in an article published on The Undefeated as a black assistant coach who could become a head coach.

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With an assistant coach who already has playing and coaching experience with the New York Knicks, David Fizdale could simplify his transition period.

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