You have to admit that that’s an awesome headline by the New York Post.
Since this is Marc Berman, this is almost assuredly coming directly from Steve Mills as the “unnamed NBA source” in Berman’s latest article about the Knicks’ coaching situation:
If David Fizdale is going to be made the scapegoat by Knicks president Steve Mills for his hodgepodge roster, it’s going to take a little while longer.
According to an NBA source, Monday’s 44-point blowout loss in Milwaukee did not put the Knicks coach in any immediate danger, as bad as the optics were. Fizdale, though, must still show a modicum of progress as the winter deepens.
The Knicks host Denver on Thursday and Indiana on Saturday before a grueling four-game western trip that begins with Carmelo Anthony’s Blazers in Portland.
There could be plenty of embarrassment ahead — as if their worst 21-game start in team history (4-17) isn’t bad enough.
With a seven-game losing streak, Fizdale is far from safe to make it to the All-Star break. But management was encouraged by the Knicks showing progress during that second 10-game stretch during which they recorded a 2-8 mark after also going 2-8 in the first 10.
I love the “We were encouraged by the 2-8 record in the last 10 games following the dismal…2-8 record in the previous 10 games.” Really, this is precisely what we have all been discussing for some time now. Mills and Perry can’t fire Fizdale too soon or else they can no longer use him as a scapegoat.
I like this bit…
The Post has already reported the major deterrent to make a coaching change this early is the alternative is unappetizing. Plus, Fizdale has two years left on his pact.
An interim replacement of either Jud Buechler, Caleb Kanales or Mike Miller, their former G-League head coach, would be hard pressed to make this convoluted roster sparkle. If Fizdale goes, he likely will take his top assistant, Keith Smart, with him.
Wait, you mean they can get rid of Keith Smart just by firing Fizdale?! You have to love how badly you are playing your hand if you think, “Well, if I go, then Keith Smart goes, too,” is a threat.
And the capper…
“Fiz needs a point guard to really be successful — the way he wants to play,’’ one NBA assistant coach said.
I mean, would they look better if Payton was there? Of course, but come on.