Instead of reflecting on the team’s frustrating Eastern Conference Finals exit, the big topic with the New York Knicks is on the uncertainty over the head coach.
The New York Knicks acted decisively following their 4-2 series defeat to the Indiana Pacers, firing head coach Tom Thibodeau days after the team’s exit.
What has followed has been far more indecisive. The Knicks approached rival teams to request permission to speak with five different coaches, and were immediately rejected.
Two available coaches are being interviewed. ESPN report Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins will begin the ‘first stage of formal interviews’.
One man who is fading from the race is Johnnie Bryant, a hotly tipped candidate at the start of the process.
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesJohnnie Bryant expected to return to Cleveland
Johnnie Bryant featured high on our list of the six top candidates for the New York Knicks job, a week ago.
SI.com had tipped Bryant as a possible successor for Tom Thibodeau in the wake of his Knicks firing.
Bryant had interviewed for the Phoenix Suns job, losing out to their chosen successor, Jordan Ott.
And for now, he appears to be out of the running for the New York Knicks post, as he prepares to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
HoopsHype report Johnnie Bryant is expected to resume his associate head coach position with the Cavaliers, where he is part of Kenny Atkinson’s staff.
Johnnie Bryant has strong New York Knicks connection
Johnnie Bryant worked on the New York Knicks between 2020 and 2024 as an assistant on Tom Thibodeau’s staff.
He is familiar with the Knicks’ system, and many of their star players, and their limitations. Likewise the Knicks’ brass are also aware of his strengths.
But with the Knicks conducting interviews, and Bryant yet to get a call, it appears the front office are keen to move in a different direction.
While this stance is subject to change, it makes sense for the Knicks if they do not want to speak with Bryant.
As they seek to move on from the Tom Thibodeau era, hiring one of his former assistants to replace him, risks being seen as not enough of a substantial change.