The New York Knicks have a problem they likely didn’t expect to be still dealing with several weeks after firing their head coach: not having a new head coach by now. Tom Thibodeau was let go almost immediately following the Knicks loss to the Indiana Pacers. Since then, the coaching chase has fallen flat. That said, New York’s unique searching method hasn’t helped their public perception, given the handful of “available” candidates out there waiting for a phone call. As they continue their search, not everyone is convinced that the names available are the best options available. Instead, there is one name out there many are overlooking; according to one NBA analyst, the Knicks should pursue Jeff Van Gundy.
NBA Analyst Tags Past Knicks HC as Best Option For Future
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins isn’t sold on head coaches available to the New York Knicks; wants franchise to bring back Jeff Van Gundy
Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, Mike Malone—these are the popular names on the market that should eventually find another head coaching opportunity in the near future. Yet, according to Kendrick Perkins, neither Malone, Jenkins, or Brown upgrade the Knicks. Perkins appeared on Gilbert Arenas‘ podcast, Gil’s Arena, this week and discussed the Knicks situation in finding the next bench boss, among other topics. It was there he pushed for Van Gundy as the Knicks best option available.
“You gotta go upgrade, you can’t fire Thibs and go backwards. All of a sudden you talk about interviewing Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown. You [are] going backwards,” Perkins said on Gil’s Arena. “You gotta have a _______ in there who gonna be able to handle the New York media. They don’t want no action with Michael Malone for whatever the past, or whatever didn’t happen. I don’t even know. But the only coach to me that’s right for that job right now is Jeff Van Gundy. Bring Jeff Van Gundy back.”
Van Gundy, of course, is no stranger to the Knicks, having coached there from 1996 to 2001. In that time, Van Gundy took the Knicks to the ’99 NBA finals and a 420-248 overall record.
Van Gundy’s post-broadcast career setting him up for a return to coaching
There’s no denying that one of the best (and most fun) voices in NBA broadcasting for many years was Van Gundy alongside Mark Jackson and the great Mike Green. Since ESPN broke up the legendary trio, Van Gundy returned to a team atmosphere, first as a consultant with the Boston Celtics. He followed that up by becoming one of Ty Lue’s assistants in Los Angeles with the Clippers. His impact on the Clippers did not go unnoticed last season, and everyone, from Lue to the players, has had nothing but amazing things to say about Van Gundy’s influence.
Whether Van Gundy wants to coach again is seemingly unknown. From the looks of it, he looks right at home with the Clippers. That said, one team that could lure him back into a head coaching capacity could be his former team in New York.
He clearly hasn’t lost his basketball touch, smarts, or ability to lead and coach. His first season in LA is evidence of that. Should he take another role, whether in New York or elsewhere, there shouldn’t be any doubt that Van Gundy can coach again. Everything we’ve heard from him over the last several years and seen from him since leaving the booth speaks for itself. If the Knicks do come calling and he accepts, what a return that would be, and what a pickup by New York. Or, as Perkins would call it, an upgrade.
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