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5 reasons John Calipari won’t leave Kentucky for the Knicks

By David Austin Bumpus

Jan 31, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Georgia 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Georgia 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Devin Booker (Kentucky) hugs head coach John Calipari after being selected as the number thirteen overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Devin Booker (Kentucky) hugs head coach John Calipari after being selected as the number thirteen overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3. If he wanted an NBA job, Calipari would have one by now

Calipari is arguably the best coach out there in the college game, alongside Mike Krzyzewski, Bill Self, and Tom Izzo if you were to make a Mount Rushmore of the top college basketball coaches out there today.

There have been rumors in the past of these types of guys transitioning to the NBA and taking head coaching jobs as each one opens up during and after the season. Krzyzewski might get them the most given his Olympic experience and time spent with NBA players while he does that, but Calipari is up there as a close second.

Calipari has been in the NBA before with the Nets back when they were in New Jersey, and the stint didn’t go so well. He went 72-112 over a span of two seasons and some change, and got fired shortly into his third year with the team. However, we’ve seen Pete Carroll hop back into the pro game after he showcased success in the college game, and Calipari could easily hop back if he wanted to.

Now, the question is, why would Calipari want a job with the Knicks as a president, of all the jobs out there, when he likely could’ve been a better team’s head coach far earlier (such as in New Orleans with the Pelicans like some rumors suggested he could be), and had a better chance at succeeding?

Again, for a very simple answer to all of this, this big question all comes back around to the fact that this is the Knicks we are talking about.