With the Knicks announcing their next head coach on Tuesday, here are the important things to keep your ears open for when David Fizdale meets the New York media:
- The Marc Gasol Feud: We've seen reports of what happened between Fizdale and Gasol, including a detailed one from Stefan Bondy of the Daily News, but it would be nice to hear Fizdale's side of the story. He's had a chance to get into detail about it during his analyst appearances on ESPN, but has resisted thus far. A desire to not attack Gasol publicly is likely the reason he has not delved into it more, which was probably a wise decision on his part. I would not be surprised if he took a similar tactic at the press conference, and frankly, as long as Fizdale had a more frank conversation with Scott Perry and Steve Mills about it and they are satisfied, that's what matters most. Keeping drama to the minimum should be atop Fizdale's priority list, and putting the Gasol stuff behind him would be the best way to do it. I'm curious to see how he will answer the media's questions on the topic.
Analytics and Team Construction: How much does Fizdale believe in modern analytics? From his background, it appears he does but to what extent? Given the importance the front office put on sharing a philosophy with their new head coach, whatever Fizdale says about his belief in analytics and team construction should be instructive of the prevailing organizational view of the same things. How much does he believe in the three point shot and playing three or four players out of the paint off the ball? How essential is a playmaking, penetrating point guard that can create for himself and teammates in the pick and roll to him? In his ideal world, what does a good possession for his team look like? He was forced to coach a certain type of team with certain players in Memphis, but was does a roster Fizdale wants to coach look like? Does Enes Kanter fit it? Trey Burke? He won't say much of it outright but you can figure it out based on what he focuses on.
Kristaps Porzingis: How does Fizdale envision Porzingis being used long-term? Jeff Hornacek used him far too much as an isolation scorer in the mid-post, which drove down his shooting efficiency. Fizdale was the coach that convinced Marc Gasol to push his range back and shoot more threes, so I imagine he would take a similar strategy with Porzingis. Using him as an on-ball screener more that pops out for open jumpers or dives to the basket would also be a good role for him. I would also like to see Fizdale let other players set some down screens for him, forcing big defenders to navigate picks or give up open catch-and-shoot jumpers. Porzingis is one of the more uniquely talented and versatile players in the league, and Fizdale should use him as such.
Frank Ntilikina: This is also an essential question, given Ntilikina is the other, young lottery pick on his rookie contract that's on the roster. He was drafted as a point guard, but found himself playing off the ball a lot after the trade deadline when the Knicks traded for Emmanuel Mudiay and increased Trey Burke's playing time. Ntilikina has always looked like a point guard to me. He isn't aggressive by nature and struggles shooting/finishing, so I'm not sure why he should play shooting guard long-term other than his height. He has flashed excellent passing, good court vision and solid basketball intelligence. He screams point guard, but we'll see what David Fizdale thinks about that. It was a question asked of all coaching candidates, so the front office and Fizdale are undoubtedly of one mind on the topic.
Franchise Direction: As I mentioned in bullet point #2, it is essential that Fizdale and the front office is on the same page in all important matters. With Porzingis still out for at least several months of the 2018-2019 season, it is still a building one for the Knicks. It needs to be about playing young players and developing them so the Knicks can make important decisions next summer with as much information as possible. That means playing Frank Ntilikina starter's minutes. That means playing whoever the Knicks select in the 2018 Draft big minutes. That means playing Damyean Dotson minutes. This is a learning year for the organization about Fizdale, the way he coaches, and the players on the roster. The 2019-2020 season might look completely different than it does now, and getting the younger players playing time will be essential in making these decisions as well informed as possible.
The other important job for Fizdale in his first year is establishing a culture and identity. Combining this with what I mentioned in the last paragraph can be tough, but it is possible. The Knicks don't have a calling card or identity. There isn't a culture that has dominated the locker room. Fizdale can install that exactly the way he pleases since the locker room is so young. It was tough for him in Memphis with a bunch of entrenched veterans already there. The Knicks, however, are a clean slate that Fizdale can imprint his culture on. It will be fun to see him do it, whatever it might be.
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