NBA Rumors: Frank Vogel has interviewed for New York Knicks’ job

Frank Vogel is only the second coaching candidate to interview with the New York Knicks. Will he get the nod from the methodical Knicks organization?

According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, the New York Knicks have interviewed former Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel for their head coaching vacancy. Vogel joins former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt as the only two outside head coaching candidates that team president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills have interviewed thus far.

The Knicks have taken their sweet time in finding a permanent replacement for the departed Derek Fisher, who was fired mid-season. Though Jackson has thrown a ton of support in favor of interim head coach Kurt Rambis keeping the job full-time in 2016-17, at least the two outside candidates he has interviewed are highly qualified.

Vogel did not receive a contract extension from Indiana president Larry Bird after the Pacers lost Game 7 in their first round series to the Toronto Raptors a few weeks ago. Vogel is widely considered one of the best defensive minds in the NBA today and one could argue his spot as a top 10 head coach in the game.

While Vogel has done a great amount of winning in Indianapolis with the Pacers, the Knicks job may not be the best fit for the defensive guru. New York’s roster tends to favor the offensive side of the ball and Vogel may opt to coach a younger team that can be molded into a defensive power house. The Orlando Magic immediately come to mind.

The Knicks have narrowed their search to just Blatt, Rambis, and Vogel. A decision will probably come from the Knicks organization in the coming days. While Vogel is definitely qualified to lead another NBA team, New York is a questionable fit for him.

All that is known is that he won’t be back in Indiana, as his top assistant and former NBA head coach Nate McMillan has been named as his replacement.

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