Knicks’ Coaching Search Can Best Be Described As Laughable

Yeah, this is a bad look, bad for business, bad for culture. And it all starts at the very top.

In case you weren’t aware, the Knicks reportedly have reached out to five other teams to see if they can try to pilfer those other teams’ coaches. That list, so far, consists of the Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Chris Finch, Atlanta Hawks’ Quin Snyder, Houston Rockets’ Ime Udoka and Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan.

The Knicks requested permission to interview all. They’ve been rejected like a Patrick Ewing swat in Game 7 each time. So the Knicks are 0-for-5, unless you count their firing of Tom Thibodeau. They may be 0-for-6.

This coaching search can best be described as arrogant and a bit comical — as if people with jobs are lining up to leave so they can coach in this situation. NBA coaches stick together. They were appalled and even angered by the decision to part ways with Thibodeau. 

But forget all that. The Knicks fired the coach and this was their plan? To ask other teams if they can just have their coach? 

It’s hard to know who’s really behind all this. We suspect head of basketball operations Leon Rose, a former NBA agent who is giving agents a bad name. At least, it’s showing they may not know how to run a team, after all.

Or maybe it’s Knicks owner James Dolan. We’ve known for some time that he doesn’t know how to run a team. Whoever is in charge, the Knicks went from an inspiring season to somewhat of a mess in the span of six days.

“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world,” Charles Barkley said on NBA TV before Game 3 of the NBA Finals. “You don’t fire no good coach like that and don’t have a plan. I mean, Thibs did a hell of a job, obviously something’s going on there.

“You don’t have a plan? And now three coaches have turned you down. You’ve gotta have a plan, man. And they don’t have a plan. I don’t know what the hell they’re going to do.”

They also have an assistant coach in Rick Brunson, who just happens to be the father of their best player, Jalen Brunson. Some have described Rick Brunson as the most powerful man in the entire organization. And it makes sense. I mean, you can’t fire him, right?

It could also keep quality coaches — yes, available coaches, if the Knicks ever go that route — from taking the job. 

Now, the Knicks could potentially back their way into hiring the right coach. But at this point, it’s pretty clear that would be by accident. So maybe that’s the plan. Dumb luck.

Not exactly what you’re looking for from the men running the show.