New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale says that management has been supportive of him, according to SNY's Ian Begley — all amid rumors that the front office had already been lining up his potential dismissal.
An ESPN report by Adrian Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews presented how president Steve Mills had told owner James Dolan that he had given him the canvas for a team that should be more competitive than what it has been through the first few games of the season, communicating this prior to a catastrophic 21-point loss to a young Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.
Fizdale has been rumored to be in the hot seat and has received no assurance that his job is safe, but when prompted with the question, the second-year coach was quick to point to the 2.5 years left in his four-year deal, reportedly worth $22 million.
Though millions left in a contract have never been a reason to feel safe in The Big Apple. Recent coaches like Mike Woodson, Derek Fisher, and Jeff Hornacek have all been fired after two seasons — all with years and millions left in their contract.
The young coach talked to Mills and general manager Scott Perry as customary, noting the three of them share the blame for the Knicks' 2-8 start to the season.
Steve Mills, Scott Perry and David Fizdale talking after practice today. Fizdale said he met with Mills and Perry this morning, as he does almost every morning. When asked about it, Fizdale said he feels he, Mills and Perry are together in sharing blame for Knicks’ bad start. pic.twitter.com/0yi21paf5s
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 11, 2019
The ESPN report comes as no surprise, given the roster construction was poor from the start after Mills and company struck out of potential star signings in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard. The duo instead signed a slew of power forwards, who have been playing musical chairs since the start of the season, unable to gain consistency of clarity on their role.
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