The New York Knicks’ seek for Tom Thibodeau’s alternative is effectively underway. After a calamitous stretch that noticed the Knicks get rejected of their requests to talk with a number of under-contract coaches, the entrance workplace seems to be again on observe.
The franchise reportedly met with Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown in the course of the week commencing June 16. Whereas Jason Kidd remains a potential sleeper within the Knicks teaching search, it seems a brand new candidate has emerged.
According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the Knicks have begun discussing hiring James Borrego. The previous Charlotte Hornets head coach spent this previous season as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.
“Borrego, a CAA consumer, is understood across the league for his offensive creativity and analytics-forward method,” Edwards III wrote. “Borrego spent final season as an assistant coach on Willie Inexperienced’s workers in New Orleans and was final a head coach for the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-22. His report in these 4 seasons doesn’t pop off the display, however Borrego led the struggling franchise to a 43-win season simply earlier than he was let go.”
Borrego can be a daring selection to interchange Thibodeau. In some ways, he is the “anti-Thibs.” New York would pivot away from a defense-first mindset and embrace a modernized offense as its calling card. It could look towards Borrego to unlock the undoubted potential throughout the roster.
Nonetheless, if the Knicks did choose to rent Borrego, they would wish to discover a defensive-minded assistant coach. That is the one approach they may generate the steadiness wanted to be a contending staff. We noticed the Los Angeles Lakers do one thing comparable final season after hiring JJ Redick.
Borrego could also be a shock candidate, however he is earned his probability at one other head teaching gig. He did an admirable job with a horrendous Hornets staff and there is no telling how far he might take New York. The one main stumbling block will seemingly be questions surrounding his potential to deal with the pressure-cooker setting that comes with the Knicks.
Nonetheless, after a tough begin to their teaching search, the Knicks lastly seem like shifting in the suitable course. Borrego might or might not get the job, however no less than the entrance workplace is knocking on the suitable doorways now.
