The Knicks should be applauded. Their head coaching search has been incredibly thorough with 10 different candidates having been interview by the team. The candidates have been varied with current broadcasters (Mark Jackson – also a former head coach - and Kenny Smith), former head coaches (David Fizdale, David Blatt, Mike Budenholzer and Mike Woodson), top assistants (Jay Larranaga, Juwan Howard, and James Borrego – once an interim head coach) and even a D-League head coach (Jerry Stackhouse). There have also been almost no leaks as to how those interviews have gone. It has been as professional a search as could be imagined. It's a low bar, but still a victory for the Knicks front office.
It is time, however, for the search to end. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported over the weekend that the three favorites in the search are three candidates with experience and success as head coaches: Mike Budenholzer, David Blatt, and David Fizdale. I wouldn't be surprised if Jerry Stackhouse is in the final group as well. Whoever the finalists are, the Knicks would be wise to choose one and make an offer.
There is competition for many of these coaches. David Fizdale was reported to be interviewed by the Suns for their job. Jerry Stackhouse is considered a candidate for the open job in Orlando. The Milwaukee Bucks might have an opening, which would likely be the most attractive open job thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker. Mike Budenholzer was interviewed by the Suns before pulling himself out of consideration.
David Blatt, former coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Mark Jackson, former coach of the Golden State Warriors, haven't been reported to be interviewed by anyone else. None of the other candidates have been connected to other teams either.
The longer the Knicks dither, the better chance their top choice chooses to go somewhere else. The search has been through enough with Steve Mills and Scott Perry absorbing enough information from different people. The time for a decision is now.
>>MORE: Schmeelk: Budenholzer Emerges As Best Choice For Knicks
Mike Budenholzer has the best history of any of the candidates. No one else can boast a sixty-win season or a trip to the Conference Finals. He has also learned from Gregg Popovich, developed young players, coached defense well, and runs a motion based passing offense. The team would also no longer have to give up compensation to get him. No one else can check all those boxes.
David Fizdale had one successful year with the Grizzlies before being fired due to a disagreement with his star player, Marc Gasol. He was trained by Pat Riley, coaches defense well, and is widely respected around the league as a smart and hard-working young coach. Before Budenholzer became available, he might have been the top choice.
David Blatt got the Cavaliers to the Finals in his lone full season there, before getting fired the following year despite leading the Eastern Conference with a 30-11 record. He is one of the most decorated international coaches of all-time with multiple championships in different leagues. There's a question as to whether he connects well with NBA players, or if the issue was specific to LeBron James.
Finally, there's Jerry Stackhouse, who was an assistant coach in Brooklyn and Toronto before leading the Raptors 905 (Toronto's D-League affiliate) to back-to-back Finals appearances despite massive roster turnover. He is an up-and-coming coach who compared his focus on defense to Tom Thibodeau's, while favoring three-point shots offensively.
Mark Jackson's issues have been well publicized. The other candidates were worthwhile interviews, but their histories do not suggest they are better qualified than the above top four, or ready for a high profile job like the Knicks.
Mike Budenholzer remains the no-brainer, easy decision given his pedigree. David Fizdale, Jerry Stackhouse or David Blatt would be fine hires as well, but with Budenholzer now free and available, they would ultimately feel like disappointments. Whoever the Knicks want, they should make the hire now, before that person decides to go somewhere else.
Follow John on twitter for everything Knicks, Giants and the world of sports @Schmeelk.
