After an underwhelming one and half season under Rick Carlisle with the Dallas Mavericks, Dennis Smith Jr. seems to have found the perfect situation and ideal coach with David Fizdale and the New York Knicks.
In an interview with Ian Begley of SNY TV, Smith Jr. is full of praise for Fizdale, whom he called the most genuine coach in the NBA. The incoming third-year guard said the 45-year-old tactician treats his players with respect and communicates his expectations from players well.
“You interact with all the coaches, and it's not shade to any other coach, but I think Fizdale is probably the best guy in the whole business as far as being a real, genuine dude,” DSJ explained.
“If you ever speak to him he'll speak to you like he's talking to one of the other coaches. He's just that real. Me and him, we talk a lot and he tells me about the things I need to do, what he needs from me. And I try to meet every expectation he sets for me, if not exceed it. So we've got a really good relationship right now.”
To recall, Smith had a falling out with Carlisle last season before he was traded to the Knicks. The 21-year-old high flyer was reportedly frustrated with his role with the Mavs back then and has had friction with Carlisle, as Luka Doncic completely took the reins of the offense.
Smith is now expected to be one of the focal points of New York's offense. Fortunately for him, he has the perfect opportunity to show what he's truly capable of with a coach that trusts him and a team looking for a star.
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