As the New York Knicks conduct their head coaching search, there appears to be momentum gaining for former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, there is "legitimate internal support within the organization to name Kenny Atkinson as its next head coach."
Atkinson is among the candidates the Knicks plan to interview for head coach, which currently includes Tom Thibodeau, Mike Woodson and interim head coach Mike Miller.
Whomever the Knicks hire will be tasked with a rebuild project and be asked to develop talent such as RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
Thibodeau has been regarded as the favorite for the job due to his success developing those kinds of young players with the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Plus, Thibodeau has a strong relationship with new Knicks president Leon Rose.
Yet, Atkinson also has a strong reputation as developing talent during his time with the Nets – leading Brooklyn to the playoffs last season.
His ouster in March came as a surprise, but was reportedly player-driven as the dynamic of the team changed with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant signing in Brooklyn as free agents last summer.
Thibodeau has been away from the game for a year and has question marks on whether or not he can adapt to the modern offense, whereas Atkinson does not, WFAN's John Schmeelk recently explained.
Meanwhile, multiple reports suggest that Rose liked the job Miller had done in the interim and he remains a darkhorse. Per Begley, Miller could even possibly stay on as an assistant if he does not get the job with the Knicks or elsewhere.
The Knicks will be among the eight teams who will not return when the NBA season resumes on July 30, which could give them a leg up in their coaching search. But, as Begley noted, there is no timetable for the Knicks on when they may make a final hire.
