Despite the New York Knicks' woeful season, the front office says head coach David Fizdale did a remarkable job.
No less than Knicks president Steve Mills said Fizdale exceeded expectations, per The New York Post's Marc Berman.
We were really satisfied with his first year. A big part of what we were hiring him to do was connect with our players, develop accountability, make sure they were getting better, establish an identity of working. He did a really good job of it.
The hardest thing for coaches when they're going through a losing season like this is let the record get in the way of what you are asked from the front office to do.
Seventeen wins and 65 losses, they're his. He owns those for the rest of his career. He can't walk away from it. To buy in is a testament to him.
Mills also told Berman on Wednesday he's excited about the prospect of luring several big-name free agents to the Big Apple.
We're hopeful and we're excited. We're excited because now we're in position. There's a lot of noise and a lot of guys are interested in New York. They like Fiz. They like some of the changes we made in the organization. We hear that from the agents.
We read it from guys getting interviewed about what guys feel about the Knicks. We hear that from other players. At least we're in the game, and hopeful something really good happens. But we won't know until it happens.
What is David Fizdale's pitch to big-time free agents to come to the #Knicks? pic.twitter.com/6BEsxX11Sd
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) April 17, 2019
Even if the Knicks won just 17 games this season, the sky is the limit for Mills and Co.
Berman says the Knicks' estimated $74 million in cap space should allow them to sign a big-name free agent or two. Among the names which crop up include Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Kemba Walker.
Plus, New York has a great chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft in June. Zion Williamson decked out in Knicks Blue and Orange isn't a far-fetched possibility.
In Steve Mills' opinion, David Fizdale has exceeded his expectations. The Knicks should have a better and more competitive lineup in the 2019-20 NBA season.
If Fizdale helps New York win at least 35 games next year, he's on the right track.
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