Kentucky head coach John Calipari sees big things ahead for the New York Knicks. The hiring of Kenny Payne as assistant coach to Tom Thibodeau has everyone intrigued, including Calipari.
Payne was Calipari’s top assistant at Kentucky, he was their lead recruiter and top developmental coach. It’s a who’s who of Kentucky players, taken in the NBA Draft Lottery, that Payne has worked with. The addition of Payne to the Knicks is being lauded as a brilliant hire by those in the know, specifically Calipari.
The hiring of Payne projects as an integral piece to the development of New York’s younger talent. Forwards Julius Randle and Kevin Knox were recruited by Payne.
“What I’m happy about is the two that know him well, Julius and Kevin, I think you’ll see a change for the better,” Calipari said in a video news conference. “Obviously Julius has done well, but now, I’m saying that next step up. And Kevin is what I told you guys would happen, it was going to take a year or two for him to get going because of his age, he’s so young. I think that’ll help those two.”
Calipari is correct about both players. Randle, also the highest paid player on the roster, has moments where he’s great. He has posted solid numbers throughout his career; however, he can frustrate fans with erratic decision making. Knox, meanwhile, regressed last season after an inconsistent rookie year. Both players will benefit from having a familiar voice on the sidelines from their time at Kentucky.
Relationships have become a common theme running through the new-look management of the Knicks.
Team president Leon Rose and executive vice president William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley have longtime relationships with Thibodeau and Calipari. However, it was Thibodeau, Calipari noted, that did the legwork which ultimately led to adding Payne to his staff.
“Thibs has been to a bunch of our games, he’s been at practices, so he’s watched Kenny,” Calipari said. “Thibs is thinking, ‘What would I want my staff to look like going forward?’ He and I had a long conversation about Kenny.”
Payne’s not coming to New York because it will look nice on his coaching resume. He’s leaving a stable, and lucrative, situation at Kentucky where he was a trusted lieutenant for one of the top head coaches in the country. He’s joining a well-respected NBA coach to help overhaul what was once a proud franchise.
“I want the Knicks to win a championship. But my overriding concern is Kenny Payne. That’s like my brother,” Calipari added. “So it was: ‘Here’s who he is. Here’s his strengths. How are you going to utilize him? I wanted to make sure that he understood Payne is leaving a great situation here – the highest paid assistant in college basketball. All of a sudden, he’s coming to the Knicks, and it’s going to be a build.
“Thibs was on point. He knew why he wanted Payne on his staff with him. He wanted him by his shoulder. It wasn’t like, ‘I don’t know Kenny. Tell me about Kenny.’ That’s not what it was.”
