NEW OUTLOOK O'Quinn & Co. happy with Knicks' hire
Center Kyle O’Quinn did nothing to dispel the notion the Knicks have hired a head coach who will have a stronger connection to the players than Jeff Hornacek did. That was a requirement mandated by team management.
O’Quinn was one of four Knicks players to attend new coach David Fizdale’s introductory press conference Tuesday.
“For a first impression, he left a real good one,’’ O’Quinn said. “The respect he gets around the league from NBA MVP-caliber players and champions. ... they speak highly of him. For a player to speak highly of a coach, it says a lot. It means you really have had to do something for that player to speak like that — things he did behind close doors.”
When Hornacek became the fall guy 3 ½ weeks ago, Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry indicated Hornacek didn’t relate well enough to today’s player. Owner James Dolan backed up the claim in slamming Hornacek and Phil Jackson to The Post last month.
Asked directly about Hornacek, O’Quinn gave a telling remark when he said he didn’t really know Hornacek despite playing for him for two seasons.
“I wasn’t close enough to either [Hornacek or Jackson] to understand if they understood me or not, or any other player,’’ O’Quinn said. “I never got close to either one on the basketball side, but [Fizdale] is a younger coach, championship coach and he’s done it recently. That speaks about the relationship he may have with the players more than the relationship coach Hornacek and Phil had with the players.’’
Fizdale, 43, won two NBA championships as a Miami assistant dur- ing the LeBron James era.
“He checks a lot of boxes that may have been in question [for a Knicks coach] in prior years,’’ O’Quinn said. “His comment to take on the challenge speaks volumes because of a lot of things he may be facing.”
It’s unclear if O’Quinn will ever play for Fizdale as he has an opt-out clause in his contract which he figures to use.
The Post has learned O’Quinn has left the ASM Sports agency to hook up with respected agent, Mark Bartelstein, who also recently signed Enes Kanter. O’Quinn had been with Andy Miller, who gave up his agent certification after being linked to an NCAA probe regarding improper payments to players.
O’Quinn had an infamous shouting match with Hornacek late in the season after being pulled from the game for his tardiness defending the 3-point line.
O’Quinn was a sturdy backup to Kanter and had his career year. He is set to make $4.26 million next season. Indications are he is seeking a long-term deal and the Knicks could give it to him if the price is a reasonable raise over his current salary, especially if they lose Kanter. The Queens native said he wants to stay a Knick regardless of Fizdale.
“It doesn’t affect me at all,’’ O’Quinn said. “I want to play here no matter who they brought in. I trust the front office to bring in the right guy. Guys are excited. He doesn’t want to put the words on the wall, he wants to put it in action.”
Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and Lance Thomas also attended the press conference
“I’ve heard great things about him,’’ Burke said. “When you hear word of mouth from multiple people, there has to be some truth to it.”