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Knicks dismiss Jeff Hornacek; candidates include David Fizdale, David Blatt, Mark Jackson
The New York Knicks dismissed coach Jeff Hornacek early Thursday morning, league sources told ESPN.
Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry informed Hornacek of his firing upon the team's return to suburban New York following a flight back from Cleveland, where the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 110-98.
Hornacek had one year left on his contract. Kurt Rambis, associate head coach under Hornacek, was also dismissed.
The Knicks went 60-104 under Hornacek, the sixth-worst record in the NBA over that stretch, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, former Cavaliers coach David Blatt -- now coaching in Turkey -- and former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson are among the candidates the Knicks are planning to contact, league sources told ESPN. New York also plans to contact Jerry Stackhouse, the head coach of Toronto 905, the Toronto Raptors' G League affiliate, according to sources.
Hornacek was hired by then-team president Phil Jackson and then-GM Mills prior to the 2016-17 season.
New York hasn't reached the playoffs in five seasons and has one playoff series win in the past 18 years. In Hornacek's first season in New York, Jackson requested that Hornacek blend elements of the triangle offense with what the coach preferred to run. The combination hindered the Knicks all season, as New York finished 2016-17 ranked 18th in offensive rating.
This season, Mills and Perry said they would evaluate Hornacek based on the development of younger players and the team's improvement on defense over the course of the season.
Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry informed Hornacek of his firing upon the team's return to suburban New York following a flight back from Cleveland, where the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 110-98.
Hornacek had one year left on his contract. Kurt Rambis, associate head coach under Hornacek, was also dismissed.
The Knicks went 60-104 under Hornacek, the sixth-worst record in the NBA over that stretch, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, former Cavaliers coach David Blatt -- now coaching in Turkey -- and former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson are among the candidates the Knicks are planning to contact, league sources told ESPN. New York also plans to contact Jerry Stackhouse, the head coach of Toronto 905, the Toronto Raptors' G League affiliate, according to sources.
Hornacek was hired by then-team president Phil Jackson and then-GM Mills prior to the 2016-17 season.
New York hasn't reached the playoffs in five seasons and has one playoff series win in the past 18 years. In Hornacek's first season in New York, Jackson requested that Hornacek blend elements of the triangle offense with what the coach preferred to run. The combination hindered the Knicks all season, as New York finished 2016-17 ranked 18th in offensive rating.
This season, Mills and Perry said they would evaluate Hornacek based on the development of younger players and the team's improvement on defense over the course of the season.