It’s taking awhile to associate the Knicks with working under the radar. These are, however, new beginnings.
James Dolan is still signing the checks so, understandably, the fans have a right to be hesitant about another mission statement for better days ahead.
But while the NBA continues to navigate through a volatile 2020 season, the Knicks have mostly kept their heads down and gone about their business.
What they’re doing right, for a change, is they’re quietly going about their business of getting ready for next season. It’s, quite honestly, been refreshing to watch.
New team president Leon Rose is asking patience from the fans while he attempts to create a winning organization. He’s strategically assembling a staff to help fulfill his main objective.
William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley, as executive vice president, will be the consigliere Rose will need by his side. “He is one of the most well-connected and respected people in the basketball community and he will be a tremendous asset and resource to both myself and the New York Knicks,” Rose said.
Tom Thibodeau was around, as an assistant coach, the last time the Knicks were consistently successful. He’s the head coach of a team that’s missed the playoffs six straight seasons. But Thibodeau has the resume to develop young players and instill a winning culture.
“Tom Thibodeau is a proven winner who gets the most out of the players and teams that he has coached,” Rose said. “He will bring leadership, accountability, and a hard-working mentality to our organization. We are excited to bring him back to New York and look forward to collaborating with him and his staff toward a successful future.”
Yes, let’s get to the coaching staff Thibodeau is putting together under the Rose umbrella.
Kenny Payne was the first formal addition to Thibodeau’s staff. The former Kentucky associate head coach will play an integral role in player development, specifically the team’s young core.
Johnnie Bryant has made a name for himself with the Utah Jazz as an assistant under Quinn Snyder. His player development expertise has been praised by Donovan Mitchell, Paul Millsap, and Gordon Hayward.
Andy Greer and Dice Yoshimoto are long-time assistants for Thibodeau. They know his style of play.
And there’s the OG, the wartime consigliere.
Mike Woodson isn’t an original gangster. He’s also not Genco Abbandando, the first consigliere of the Corleone family. But Woodson’s experience, toughness, and communication skills makes him a great fit for a return to the Knicks’ organization. The last time the Knicks reached the playoffs was in 2013, Woodson was the team’s head coach.
There’s plenty of work ahead for Rose and his staff. It’s imperative to have the right people at the table. This is a talented staff full of experience and familiarity with one another.
It helps to keep someone in the room that has familiarity with what’s recently gone right and wrong with the team. Scott Perry, as general manager, is more than that for the Knicks. He ran the team’s basketball operations after Steve Mills was fired as team president. Rose decided his first big move as team president was to retain Perry as general manager.
The moves made by Rose are not headline-grabbers. They won’t make national headlines on sports talk television. And it’ll take much more to win over longtime critics of this team. But it’s a start, and a strong one.
This is a staff which will need to operate with Dolan in the background. How they handle the upcoming NBA Draft, with the eighth overall pick, will have everyone’s attention – especially the critics.
Moving forward, we’ll talk more on here about the draft and free agency. Meanwhile, what are your thoughts on the new Knicks’ coaching staff?
Comment below and share your thoughts, let’s discuss them here on the Baseline!
