Knicks Are a Long Way from Fixed, but David Fizdale Appears to Be a Good Start

NEW YORK — By this point, Knicks fans know the deal. New coach comes in, refers to Madison Square Garden as “The Mecca” and claims working there is a dream come true. He says he’s going to emphasize defense and accountability, that some sort of super-awesome culture is going to be instilled, that he knows it’s been a dark few years but brighter times lay ahead.

Tuesday was no different. The Knicks introduced their new head coach, David Fizdale, the 11th man to hold that position since Jeff Van Gundy left in late 2001 and fifth since 2014 (extra snack for those poor diehards who can name the previous 10). A new head coach, of course, means another introductory press conference, and so here we were again, sitting in a hall at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks’ latest liberator, in this case, Fizdale, took the stage to share the myriad ways he planned to embark on the task that has flummoxed 10 coaches, and even more front office executives, before him:cheap nfl jersey

How to fix the Knicks.

Then again, things are a bit different this time. For one, Fizdale isn’t being billed as some savior; he’s just the latest piece to a puzzle being put together by team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry. He’s also joining a team that, as hapless as things have recently felt, finds itself in decent position moving forward. The Knicks will have cap room next summer. They have a lottery pick this year and likely one next year, too. cheap nfl authentic jerseys Rookie Frank Ntilikina, who won’t turn 20 until late July, is already one of the league’s top defenders.

And there’s Kristaps Porzingis, a talent who has the potential to grow into the type of franchise cornerstone that teams spend years searching for.

“The best way to describe him is he’s the future of the NBA,” Fizdale said Tuesday. “Look around who’s playing right now. They all got guys super-long, super-athletic, super-skilled, super-tough-minded. He fits all of the qualities of a megastar and a guy who can really propel a franchise forward to high places.”cheap authentic nfl jerseys

Which leads us back to Fizdale, and Mills’ and Perry’s decision to entrust him with the team’s future and the question of whether they were smart to do so.

Of course, one press conference, and all the platitudes and performing that come with it, can’t answer this question. And so saying that the Knicks will suddenly morph into a championship-caliber defensive team because Fizdale said he wants a “loud defense that sparks the offense” would be naive.

For one, Fizdale made it clear he is of the modern mindset in basketball, that size should not dictate position. Asked about whether he plans on playing Porzingis predominantly as his lone big man on the floor, or alongside a second one, Fizdale replied:

“Why limit it? Why put a ceiling on it? cheap nfl jerseys from china I just see so many different ways to use him,” Fizdale said. “Obviously, if you play him at some 5, it’s like that super-lineup you’re always seeing from different teams—I don’t even know how you match up with him. He can play some 4. If you have another speed guy at the 4, you might even be able to play positionless.”

This sort of thinking, Perry added later, was one of Fizdale’s attributes that appealed to the Knicks.

“You hear him talk a lot about positionless basketball, not being afraid to try different combinations,” Perry said. “With where the game is going today, that’s a really appealing quality that he nfl cheap jerseys brings.”

Related posts:

Finding Solutions for Biggest Remaining Hole on Every NFL Playoff Contender Arizona Cardinals: CB Deatrick Nichols Kawhi Leonard Trade Rumors: Spurs Worried SF Wants Move to Knicks, Lakers, 76ers Men Tampa Bay Buccaneers 54 David red Nike NFL elite jersey MLB New York Mets 5 David Wright Green Salute to Service Stitched Baseball Jersey 2016-2017 National Colombia Home 1 DAVID OSPINA White AAA+ Soccer Jersey