HIS OWN MAN
Knicks made whiz of a coach choice with Fiz
T HREE cheers for David Fizdale.
As in the Knicks’ 3-0 record so far in the preseason.
If you don’t think the Knicks’ new charismatic coach is excited about his team’s record, think again. Fizdale does things and acts differently than most NBA coaches.
So far, he has done everything right since training camp opened and has been its real star.
It’s more than bonding with players. Finally a Knicks boss is establishing his own culture. Winning — even in early October — can be part of it. It’s the best sign of the Knicks’ motto of “player development.’’
“Absolutely, heck yeah. I want to win everything,’’ Fizdale said after Friday’s 106-100 preseason victory over the Pelicans at the Garden. “I want to win every game. These guys are building habits right now. And winning is a habit. Anytime we step on the court, if they decide to play checkers together, pool, pingpong, I want them competing to win. We have to get that really rooted deeply into who we are.’’
Having Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing lecture the club on what it means to be a Knick before the preseason opener Monday in Washington was brilliant. Having Walt Frazier visit practice Tuesday to talk to players seems obvious, but no Knicks coach had done so previously.
Fizdale gets it. A true extrovert, he has changed the vibe and is trying to change the careers of a series of lottery-pick disappointments, such as forward Noah Vonleh, who has been ferocious.
“A lot of this stuff is psychological for these kids,” Fizdale said. “If it doesn’t work out right away it’s [the] first time they’ve failed in their life. These guys have been great at what they’ve done since the ninth grade, then you’re in the NBA at 19, and you get punched, and that takes a toll. Bringing them back more mentally than physically is probably the biggest part for me, and reassuring them they belong.’’
The man in the trendy black glasses offers a stronger, more distinctive personality than any Knicks coach since Jeff Van Gundy. It’s easy to see now how Fizdale swept away Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry during the hiring process.
No wonder young teams with openings such as the Hawks, Suns, Magic and Hornets likely would have hired Fizdale if the Knicks went with Mike Budenholzer, now the coach of the Bucks.
Preseason victories are looked upon as meaningless as a coach usually rests his main cogs. Fizdale says he will bump up the minutes of his rotation players as the preseason progresses.
The way Knicks are winning is important, too. The young players look promising and the defense is charged up — just like their animated coach on the sidelines.
Van Gundy said on the broadcast Friday, while watching the Kings fall behind 74-44 at halftime to the Warriors, that a lot of teams have young talent. The key is getting the young talent “to guard people.’’
The young Knicks are defending. Fizdale has said 26-year-old center Enes Kanter is his most improved defender.
“It’s not fair to say any guy can’t get better,’’ Fizdale said.
Even the Knicks’ regular season may not be fully judged on victory totals because of Kristaps Porzingis’ uncertain return. The franchise’s marketing slogan is: “Be there for the future of New York.’’
The future can also include a season that looks a lot better than 28 wins — their over-under mark in Las Vegas.
To secure their three preseason wins, the Knicks — in crunch time — relied on Ron Baker and Damyean Dotson, guards who aren’t locks for the 15-man roster. Baker’s defensive grit is winning over Fizdale. Baker and Dotson have made winning plays to preserve lategame leads against the Wizards, Nets and Pelicans.
“I understand it’s the preseason, but I think we need to take every game,’’ Kanter said. “It’s still good seeing guys having fun, playing hard, playing smart. This is gonna translate to the regular season. Everybody says the preseason doesn’t count, but we’re getting better and that’s the most important thing.”
No one knows if this will translate when games start counting Oct. 17 versus the Hawks, but rookie Kevin Knox has looked comfortable, posting a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) Friday on a night when he didn’t shoot well (6of-19). The two other rookies, Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo Trier, have been revelations since summer league.
Kanter is a surefire doubledouble machine. Tim Hardaway Jr. can take on the scoring load without blinking (he had 21 points Friday). Lance Thomas looks more solid on both ends, earning the starting forward slot over Mario Hezonja.
The point-guard roles still need to be ironed out as no one from among Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay has stood out. Mudiay may need to be careful as the Knicks likely will turn Trier’s two-way G-League contract into a 15-man spot at some point.
“I don’t know how it will play out, but the best 15 will be on the roster,’’ Fizdale said. “We have a tough decision at the end.’’
Maybe these Knicks won’t be half-bad without Porzingis. Either way, it has become clear the Knicks hired themselves the perfect head coach.