If you thought the New York Knicks had this all planned out when they moved on from Tom Thibodeau, you weren’t alone, but according to Ian Begley, that’s just not how things are playing out.
“There was no guarantee in place here for the Knicks, no shoo-in when they fired Tom Thibodeau,” Begley said on Inside Out. “I think the plan now is kind of what you’re seeing. They’re kicking the tires on everything. …”
Which, in classic Knicks fashion, means everything. Jason Kidd’s name is still being thrown around, even though the Mavericks haven’t exactly opened the door.
But, as Begley pointed out, that doesn’t necessarily close it either.
“It was never going to happen without pressure from Kidd or people on his side,” Begley said. “Maybe appealing to their human side… saying, ‘Hey, this is a dream job of mine.’”
If Jason Kidd wants to stir things up behind closed doors, there might still be a shot.
In the meantime, Memphis’ Taylor Jenkins is expected to be one of the first official interviews. And while names like Mike Brown and Frank Vogel are floating around, there’s no clear-cut frontrunner.
Even Knicks assistant Johnny Bryant and reigning champ Mike Malone? Begley isn’t convinced they’re top of the list.
“I don’t think right now either of those guys are in the top tier,” he said.
It’s basically a wide-net operation right now, and no, it’s not just a Knicks Twitter meme.
“They’re turning over every stone,” Begley emphasised. “They don’t want to hire someone like Frank Vogel and find out two weeks later Jason Kidd was available. That would be a big mistake.”
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