The New York Knicks are fine with allowing interim head coach Mike Miller to keep control of the team for the remainder of the NBA season, but the flailing team reportedly has a short list of candidates to take the reins should things get out of control.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania of the Athletic, the Knicks are looking at several candidates, including Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and Tom Thibodeau. This news comes one week after the team dismissed former head coach David Fizdale.
"The Knicks want interim head coach Mike Miller to finish the season in the position, but I’m told they have a short list of potential in-season candidates, including Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Tom Thibodeau, should the team’s faltering season necessitate another move," Charania wrote. "Miller was informed upon taking the job that it is an interim position, and that the Knicks would keep an open mind for a possible permanent hire throughout the remainder of the season."
It is unclear which way the Knicks will go, if they decide to fire a new coach at all. There are some interesting candidates for the role, including former Knicks star Patrick Ewing and ex-New Jersey Nets star Jason Kidd. San Antonio Spurs assistant head coach Becky Hammon was also reportedly a candidate.
Playing for one of the worst teams in the league can take a toll on not only front office staff, but players as well. Carmelo Anthony welcomed the challenge, he said in a recent interview. "I wanted it. It was something I wanted. I wanted to take that challenge on. Whether I failed at it or not I wanted to be able to say that I did it," the now-Portland Trail Blazer said this week. "I took it upon myself to say, ‘Get me there.’ I wanted that challenge. Not everybody has that same mentality."
