Not even a week after being hired as the New York Knicks new Head Coach, David Fizdale is bringing along some familiar faces of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Late on Friday evening, a rumor broke regarding the New York Knicks’ coaching staff.
Three days after being introduced via press conference at Madison Square Garden, David Fizdale — formerly the Head Coach of the Memphis Grizzlies — has decided on his suited supporting cast.
Fizdale did not take much time to extend offers and it would not be a surprise to see them leave Tennessee to join the Knicks organization.
Al Iannazzone of Newsday had the first report:
Knicks have requested and received permission to speak to Memphis assistant Keith Smart, a league source said. Smart is expected to join David Fizdale’s staff. Nick Van Exel also.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) May 11, 2018
It seems as if it will be a done deal for both Keith Smart and Nick Van Exel to rejoin forces with Fizdale inside the huddle in the Big Apple.
Beale Street Bears recently discussed J.B. Bickerstaff’s first hire to his coaching staff.
Prior to the hire of Chad Forcier, Bickerstaff mentioned the possibility of losing members of the team’s current coaching staff. His quote from the presser was as follows:
"“I expect some of the guys on our staff to get opportunities to elevate themselves. Whenever a guy gets an opportunity to take that step and direction that he’s looking for, we’re open to alllowing guys to make that.”"
As far as the players on the Knicks’ roster are concerned, all eyes should definitely be on small forward Troy Williams, assuming New York re-signs the unrestricted free-agent.
Williams thrived under Fizdale’s coaching during a 24-game cumulative span, which included 13 starts. Though the box score may not show the real impact Troy Williams was making, his hustle and effort placed marks in the Grizzlies’ win column.
Behind the scenes, a lot of the credit for the development of the Memphis Grizzlies’ youngsters goes to Keith Smart and Nick Van Exel. Both coaches made an immediate impact with Troy Williams while he donned a Grizzly uniform.
Williams was on his way to being something special in Memphis. After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, he latched on to the Grizzlies’ training camp roster. He led all scorers in points per game during the team’s preseason schedule and landed the final guaranteed roster spot over University of Memphis alum D.J. Stephens.
Most Grizzlies fans remember Troy Williams for his highlight plays versus the Golden State Warriors.
Perhaps Fizdale, Smart, and Van Exel can provide the boost Williams – and other New York Knicks youth — needs in order to become a starting-caliber small forward once again in his young NBA career.
Some may think Fizdale would prefer to bring in players and personnel from his championship-winning tenure with the Miami Heat first and foremost. However, it looks as if he will quickly scoop those closest to him from his Memphis days.
Will players be next?
It will be very interesting to see how quickly Fizdale change the New York Knicks franchise for the better. The ex-Grizzlies coach holds a 50-51 record while at the helm, including an ongoing eight-game losing streak when he was released by the Grizzlies following an 88-98 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets in late-November.
His success — or the alternative — could also help Grizz Nation determine the real truth behind the rumored beef between Fiz and Memphis center Marc Gasol.
Go Grizz!
Next: The nightmare that Grizzlies fans do not want to experience again