NBA Rumors: According to a report, a handful of Knicks players don’t believe Derek Fisher is up to date wit the team’s Xs and Os
It’s easy for a team to unravel when losing becomes common. It’s even easier when the team doesn’t have a strong presence as their head coach. And that could be where the New York Knicks could be headed, if they don’t tread carefully.
According to the New York Post, there’s a growing thought in the Knicks locker room that Fisher is not up to date with the team’s Xs and Os, which could be viewed as an issue for some.
But is it really an issue for this Knicks team?
"[via New York Post]According to a source, there’s a growing sense among some players in the locker room Fisher is viewed more as a “preacher’’ and “motivator’’ than an expert in-game tactician or Xs-and-Os master…."
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"According to the source, Fisher’s assistant coaches, including Brian Keefe, Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons, are more versed in the strategic concepts. The source said Carmelo Anthony has come to Fisher recently to lobby for rookie Kristaps Porzingis to be more involved in the offense late in games to take the burden off him. Indeed, Porzingis had plays run for him down the stretch in Boston on Sunday."
I’m not sure where, if, this actually leads to anything. For one, does Fisher look like an Xs and Os guy, no. If you thought otherwise, you haven’t been paying attention. And if you think he’s anything more than a “bridge” coach, you’re not paying attention, either.
When Phil Jackson took over, it was clear that this was going to be a process, and that they wouldn’t be competing for anything more than a bottom seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture for a while. Fisher was hired to bridge the gap from an OK team to a contending team, if they ever get there.
He may not even see the next step in this team’s progression. He may not even see next season. And if players aren’t sold on him being a legitimate head coach, which hasn’t exactly been rumored but could be a group thought forming in the locker room as the team’s losses continue to rack up, Jackson could look to make a move to a more accomplished – and respected – coach.
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And, conveniently, there could be one on the market after this season: Luke Walton. Who also has a connection to Jackson’s teams in Los Angeles.
If he wanted to make a change, that’s one that would actually make sense. Though, how much of Walton’s (short) success is because of the supremely talented team that he’s “coaching” vs his actual coaching ability?
Even if the Knicks would pull the trigger for such a move, they could be in this same exact position again.