NBA Rumors: Is David Blatt close to a deal with the New York Knicks?

Will Phil Jackson go away from coaches he’s worked with and hire David Blatt for the New York Knicks?

The New York Knicks are many things, but right now they are a team without a coach. Tom Thibodeau wanted the job, but Phil Jackson wouldn’t speak with him. He tried to get Luke Walton, but Luke will stay out west and coach the Los Angles Lakers.

The other name being rumored, besides interim coach Kurt Rambis, is former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt. It’s looked like the Knicks’ choice has been to keep Rambis, but they may be thinking outside the box.

According to SNY.tv’s Tommy Dee, the Knicks are in talks with Blatt. The question appears to be … in what role?

"The capacity of Blatt’s potential role is unclear, but the notion that he’d join the organization as an assistant to Kurt Rambis may not be of interest to Blatt, which would seem to be the missing piece here.Rambis could assume his role as a coordinator to Blatt, a role that he mastered under Jackson in Los Angeles, and work with Blatt in instilling the “system of basketball” that Jackson envisions, But it’s uncertain if Blatt would be willing to accept an assistant role to Rambis. Blatt, I’m told, would certainly be receptive to Jackson’s input and his adaptability is reportedly one of his strengths, if he were, indeed, named head coach."

If the Knicks are going to hire Blatt, it should not be as an assistant to Rambis. It doesn’t matter if Blatt doesn’t know the triangle. He helped get the Cavs to the finals last year and has an oustanding record overseas. Rambis as a coach is 65-164.

Rambis can be a guy who can help teach the system and Blatt can learn from Rambis and Jackson, and include his own principles. If Rambis falters as head coach with Blatt there sitting next to him, it’ll just be one more headache for the club and fans.

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