The New York Knicks were struggling until the end of Fizdale’s short-lived era at Madison Square Garden. Mike Miller is now at the helm for the Knicks. The Knicks are moving in the wrong direction early, similar to the 2016-17 Miami Heat.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, before Fizdale got fired, former Knick Coach Fizdale urged Wayne Ellington to tell the Florida tale to his teammates. Wayne Ellington stated:
“I see a lot of similarities to that [Miami] team,’’ Ellington said. “We were 11-30, flipped the whole thing and went 30-11 to finish the season. I don’t plan on going 11-30, but I think we’ll have breakthrough sooner or later.’’
Now there are questions about interim coach Mike Miller, trade deadline, and the front office including Steve Mills, Scott Perry, and the infamous owner James Dolan. Faith amongst the faithless Knick fans has dwindled down even further. A string of hope is left for fans as they brace themselves for the trade deadline.
During the 2016-17 NBA Season, the Miami Heat started off with a record of 11-30 then went on to win their next 13-straight games taking them to a record of 24-30. The Miami Heat went on to finish the season with a .500 percentage record at 41-41. Wayne Ellington and Fizdale witnessed that experience first hand together. Can Wayne Ellington’s miraculous experience rub off on the younger Knicks? Only time will tell. Everything is up in the air however, Mike Miller is definitely ready for this moment. Mike Miller making the most of this interim coach opportunity is crucial for both himself and for the organization. Knicks should not chase the big name any longer. Build and groom by building relationships and by operating in a critical, strategic manner.