It has been a little while since my last post, and in that time, a lot has happened for my favorite sports franchise. Jalen Brunson has been on an absolute tear this season, and the front office is making moves that have not only made sense, but are actually working out - knock on wood - !! It's been a pleasure watching them this season, and not just because they're winning, but because they are playing good basketball, with Hart! For the first time in a while, it feels like they are a real team again, not just another squad grinding to make the playoffs, but an actual contender that expects too, and is looking to win. And while the talent has come a long way from the days of starting lineups with Damyeann Dotson and Noah Vonleh - thank you for your service - it's my opinion that there is one more upgrade needed for the Knicks to rise to NBA greatness...the Nova Knicks need a Nova coach!
To start, I want to make it clear that I do appreciate what Thibs has done for the team. He brought a defensive mentality back to the Knicks that was desperately needed, and even holds some players accountable for poor play when necessary. Though it took some convincing, from the crowd and the media, he even learned to get the young guys involved, and has allowed our players to find their rhythm within the game plan. He's pushed the limits of his coaching throughout his Knicks tenure, and has no doubt raised the play of the team in that time, but while it is impressive what he has done thus far, I'm afraid that we have reached a point where his ceiling can go no higher. Our talent is better, as is our mindset, but just as the Warriors moved on from Marc Jackson after consecutive playoff appearances in 2014, I believe it is time to bring in a new face to take our boys to the next level, and who better than a championship winning coach with close-personal relationships to our star players...Jay Wright.
Now, I am aware that Jay Wright is currently retired, and has adamantly denied any thoughts of wanting to get back into coaching, but deny as he may, you can't convince me that being the head coach of the New York Knicks isn't something worth coming out of retirement for. On top of that, JB, Donte, and Hart, who all played, and won, championships under him at Villanova, would help to mitigate the shock factor of going from college to the NBA, and would be really helpful in getting the other player's to trust in their new leader. So while I can understand Jay not wanting to go back to Villanova, or even another college program for that matter, an opportunity to take this group to a NBA finals, let alone win it, could be the fairytale ending to an undoubtable hall of fame coaching career.
It is probably pretty unlikely that this will happen, but I thought putting it out into the world would be a good place to start. I'm not even a Nova fan - Go Bonas! - but I really think Jay Wright has what it takes to be a coach at the NBA level, and has proven himself enough in college to at least deserve the chance. Thibs has been great, but I feel that the mistakes he does make are the same ones he has been doing forever, and this team won't get very far if we are banking on guys playing 40min a night. We need creativity, we need adjustments, and we need someone that can connect with the team so that they are all in it together. No matter what happens, I am optimistic with the direction the Knicks are headed, and I will be bleeding blue and orange no matter who is calling the plays.
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