Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Mike Miller as potential interim head coach?

By Alex Rubinfeld

LAKELAND, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Head Coach Mike Miller instructs Paul Watson #5 of the Westchester Knicks against the Lakeland Magic during the game on November 10, 2018 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Head Coach Mike Miller instructs Paul Watson #5 of the Westchester Knicks against the Lakeland Magic during the game on November 10, 2018 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Just as the New York Knicks looked to be heading on a winning streak after the win over the Dallas Mavericks, they get blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Realistically, everyone should have seen this as the likely scenario after watching the New York Knicks this season. Through 10 games, the Knicks have only won twice. Whether you foresaw this outcome, many believed this season could develop into one like the Detroit Pistons last season, where they beat all expectations and finished eighth in the Western Conference.

The narrative is nice for Knicks fans, but it seems they are on the same path we were on the past few seasons.

The roster does look deep on paper, but with Julius Randle being placed out of his usual role and inconsistent rotations being implemented by David Fizdale, the Knicks have look defeated and ready for change.

After Sunday’s loss to the Cavaliers, president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry have hinted that changes to the coaching staff are realistic options during the season.

Even after Fizdale’s conference and RJ Barrett‘s remarks supporting his coach, fans are not happy with his comments made, with Fizdale’s quote from Ben Pickman of Sports Illustrated.

"“A good friend of mine told me to never overreact to overreactors,” head coach David Fizdale said after the loss. “We’re two games from the eight-seed. The team right now that’s in the eight seed has four wins…We just have to find our consistency and our game so we can start playing better basketball.”"

Too many changes have been made with player’s minutes to no avail. While I agree that making a head coach switch this early to someone outside the organization may make matters worse, could the Knicks’ assistant coach Mike Miller serve as a good option in the meantime?

Miller has had a long span of head coaching and assistant coaching for collegiate and NBA G-League play. While this is his first season as an assistant coach in the NBA, he has had much success coaching the Westchester Knicks over the past four seasons, and even won NBA G-League Coach of the Year in 2018.

The Westchester Knicks have found success developing and revitalizing careers with former players like Trey Burke and Kadeem Allen last season. And while these players aren’t bound to make you drop your jaw, Miller has done an exceptional job and has found trust within the Knicks organization.

At this point, the Knicks still want to remain competitive in a weak Eastern Conference, and if they want to keep some chemistry intact between the coaching staff and the players, Miller might be the best option at this point. As most Knicks fans remember, Mike Woodson faced a similar rise to head coach when he put together a fairly competitive Knicks team from 2012 to 2014.

Next. 25 greatest players in NYK history. dark

Change is imminent, and I believe assistant coach Miller may be our best option is this time of desperation.

Home/Knicks News