Don't Overreact to Knicks Coaching Search

No need to panic about Knicks getting denied interview requests

The whole premise of this newsletter is to cut through the noise—the fake controversy, the hot takes, the manufactured drama you get from WFAN and ESPN. And the Knicks’ head coaching search is the perfect moment to put that into practice.

Yes, the Knicks were denied permission to interview five current head coaches—Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Quin Snyder, and Billy Donovan.

That might sound bad. It’s not. The Knicks still have options—and time.

The Knicks are doing their homework—making sure they know exactly who’s available, and who isn’t.

One thing’s clear: the Knicks didn’t have a definitive replacement lined up when they moved on from Tom Thibodeau. And that’s okay—there are still quality coaches out there.

The two candidates getting the most buzz at the moment are Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins, both very good options.

What intrigues me about Brown is how he built an effective offense around De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis—a duo that’s not all that different from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. He also managed to get respectable defense out of both, which isn’t easy.

Jenkins found ways to win in Memphis despite constant injuries to key players—and multiple suspensions to his star, Ja Morant.

If you listen to Stephen A. Smith or some WFAN hosts, you’d think the Knicks are completely incompetent. Don’t buy into that. The Knicks’ front office deserves the benefit of the doubt—they’ve made mostly smart moves and have guided the team to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.

The Knicks reporter I trust most is Ian Begley. He’s ahead of the pack and delivers calm, clear updates on what’s really going on. He was one of the first to hint at Thibodeau’s firing and has made it clear this coaching search is part of the Knicks’ plan. They want to know exactly who’s available and who’s not. As the only team with an open coaching job, they have the luxury to take their time exploring every option.

While I wasn’t a fan of firing Thibodeau, I understand the reasoning behind it. Thibs tends to wear down organizations, and it seems his effectiveness has a limited shelf life. Given that the Knicks likely won’t make major roster changes, the simplest move was to let Thibs go and hope a new voice can get more out of the Brunson/Towns pairing—building a more modern, adaptable offense in the process.

Now, it’s just a matter of waiting to see who the Knicks will choose as their next head coach. Whether it’s Brown, Jenkins, or any experienced coach with a proven track record, I’d be satisfied. The Knicks have one of the most talented rosters in the league and are positioned for long-term success. Things are looking up—so don’t buy into the noise from WFAN or ESPN.