Knicks Fire Head Coach Derek Fisher

[Giantmetfan07]

New York Knicks fire head coach Derek Fisher: Five things to know
By Zach Harper / NBA writer
February 08, 2016 11:02 AM ET

The New York Knicks have fired Derek Fisher just a few days before the All-Star break. Ken Berger confirmed reports of Fisher being ousted from the Knicks' coaching position this morning as Kurt Rambis will take over as interim coach. The team announced the firing Monday morning.

In just his second season as the Knicks coach, Fisher and his staff have coached the Knicks to a 23-31 roster, which was a vast improvement over the disaster that happened at Madison Square Garden on a nightly basis last season. But apparently that's not enough for Phil Jackson and James Dolan, as the Knicks have fallen off course lately and dropped from competing for a spot in the East playoffs to now sitting 12th in the East and five games behind the 8-seed.

- Per CBS

 

[47th oG]

Blatt to NY?

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I really doubt that. Possibly as an assistant?

Phil (assuming he doesnt bolt for LA) is going to look for a coach who is experienced in the Triangle offense. If he ditches that plan since the options out there suck, Thibodeu is the likely candidate.

 

[Cloud 9]

Thibs would turn them around

 

[cavsfan817]

I think that Phil might stick with Kurt as more than just an interim.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

They like Luke Walton.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I think that Phil might stick with Kurt as more than just an interim.

possibly, depending on how we finish the year.

 

[cavsfan817]

Maybe the rumors that he and a player were involved with the same woman had some role in his firing

 

[Giantmetfan07]

That was Matt Barnes, that was a while ago, and it had nothing to do with the firing.

 

[cavsfan817]

That was Matt Barnes, that was a while ago, and it had nothing to do with the firing.

No there were reports out today that Fisher and Hardaway were involved with the same lady

 

[FearLessBeast]

I think the Knicks go after Scott Brooks.

 

[FearLessBeast]

I think the Knicks go after Scott Brooks.

 

[Stray32]

I think the Knicks go after Scott Brooks.

Even though they want somebody committed to the triangle (or at minimum some set form of team offense)?

Imo they go hard after Walton, only way he doesn't take the job is if he gets the feeling Phil will be jumping to LA soon

 

[FearLessBeast]

The triangle offense isn't working.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Because they're not running it properly. The ball stops too much, and they try to post up Afflalo way too much. Fisher had no consistency as a coach.

Also pretty funny about him and hardaway. Fisher is a f'in lunatic.

 

[cavsfan817]

They don't have the pieces for the triangle.

 

[Stray32]

The triangle offense isn't working.

GMF is right, but the triangle has absolutely not been the problem. This is the best Melo has played in years and they're hugely improved from last year

They don't have the pieces for the triangle.

That's completely false, the roster isn't very good but as far as fitting the triangle they're absolutely on the right track and do have the "right pieces". Fit already isn't as much of an issue with the triangle as with other systems, but they absolutely do have pieces that work in the system and with Phil running everything they'll continue to build towards that so it's absolutely not a concern

 

[cavsfan817]

GMF is right, but the triangle has absolutely not been the problem. This is the best Melo has played in years and they're hugely improved from last year


That's completely false, the roster isn't very good but as far as fitting the triangle they're absolutely on the right track and do have the "right pieces". Fit already isn't as much of an issue with the triangle as with other systems, but they absolutely do have pieces that work in the system and with Phil running everything they'll continue to build towards that so it's absolutely not a concern

For the triangle to be run effectively you need two good offensive players. Melo fits the bill, but who is going to be the other? Kristaps? Langston Galloway? They're too young and not there yet. Both times that the triangle has been successful in this league it was centered around a dominant guard that can play the top of the key/cutter role where they can either isolate their guy one-on-one with spacing or create with passing from the cuts that are going on. The Bulls ran it effectively with Jordan and Pippen as their two main offensive pieces and the Lakers ran it effectively with Kobe and Odom as their main offensive pieces (before Odom arrived Kobe ran it with Shaq and they were able to generate space for him to isolate his guy).

Basically, yeah they'd be in the right direction if Melo were like 7 years younger, but an old Melo and guys that aren't quite there yet won't really cut it. Plus the triangle is extremely complex. Hell, Phil once said that there were 35 different play combinations off of a single pass to the spot at the top of the key in one variation. Most of the players on the Knicks aren't really show-stoppers and they're still learning the game, much less a complicated offense like the triangle. They have shown flashes of it in games, but it's not something that can be run effectively over and over for them.

 

[Stray32]

For the triangle to be run effectively you need two good offensive players. Melo fits the bill, but who is going to be the other? Kristaps? Langston Galloway? They're too young and not there yet. Both times that the triangle has been successful in this league it was centered around a dominant guard that can play the top of the key/cutter role where they can either isolate their guy one-on-one with spacing or create with passing from the cuts that are going on. The Bulls ran it effectively with Jordan and Pippen as their two main offensive pieces and the Lakers ran it effectively with Kobe and Odom as their main offensive pieces (before Odom arrived Kobe ran it with Shaq and they were able to generate space for him to isolate his guy).

Basically, yeah they'd be in the right direction if Melo were like 7 years younger, but an old Melo and guys that aren't quite there yet won't really cut it. Plus the triangle is extremely complex. Hell, Phil once said that there were 35 different play combinations off of a single pass to the spot at the top of the key in one variation. Most of the players on the Knicks aren't really show-stoppers and they're still learning the game, much less a complicated offense like the triangle. They have shown flashes of it in games, but it's not something that can be run effectively over and over for them.

Actually if you've read Phil's book (I have and its great, highly recommend) he specifically says first of all that the triangle can be run with any roster and second of all that its not about running set plays or even having set plays but rather on the team growing together and developing a feel for each other so that their "plays" are based on knowing what the others are going to do

As far as roster fit, Melo has bought in and had his best year in a while (actually remembering how to pass) and I think he can have 2-3 more solid years in the triangle. Kristaps can absolutely be a key part of the triangle, he's far from fully developed and he's already an interesting piece and can absolutely play a Lamar-esque role. I also think Afflalo is a good fit, though he shouldn't be the team's 3rd best player - the roster is far from good enough but they're finally headed in the right direction and under Phil's guidance they'll continue to build a team that "fits" the triangle

 

[Giantmetfan07]

The real problem is there aren't many experienced coaches that can run the triangle. I mean, we're looking at Luke Walton and Brian Shaw which is laughable. So if Phil leaving for LA is what gets Thibodeau on our sideline, then bye bye Phil.