The New York Knicks are still without a true head coach, but former NBA head coach David Blatt will join the staff as a basketball consultant. Blatt previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014-16.
David Blatt Hired by New York Knicks
The Knicks recently fired David Fizdale as their head coach, promoting Mike Miller to interim head coach in the process. Now, they will add a consultant with a plethora of basketball experience.
“I look forward to my next step in my career as I officially retire from coaching and pursue other opportunities in basketball,” Blatt said in a statement. “I’ve long been intrigued by working in a front office and thank Steve Mills and Scott Perry for the opportunity to be a resource to the basketball operations staff.”
Blatt is most known for his stint with the Cavaliers that included the return of LeBron James to his hometown team in 2014. In his first season, the team notched a 53-29 record and made a run to the NBA Finals, but came up short against the Golden State Warriors. Despite starting 41-30 in 2015, the Cavaliers fired Blatt before the conclusion of the regular season. The Cavaliers went on to win their first championship without Blatt at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season.
Prior to his NBA stint, Blatt racked up plenty of accolades in the EuroLeague. He won Coach of the Year in 2014 to go along with a EuroLeague title. He most recently coached Olympiacos B.C. in Greece, going 15-15 in his lone season at the helm. Blatt stepped down this summer after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since leaving the NBA, he also spent a season coaching Darüşşafaka to a 16-14 mark in 2016-17.
Blatt has head coaching experience in spades at all sorts of professional levels. He will surely be of assistance to interim head coach Mike Miller.
