KNICKS TURN Former Cavs coach will be consultant
Steve Mills brought aboard another member of his Princeton crew. David Blatt, the former Cavaliers coach with impressive international credentials, was named a consultant for the Knicks, the team announced Wednesday.
Blatt, who was teammates with Mills at Princeton in the early ’80s, will be working with the front office and scouting department. In the Knicks’ press release, Blatt also announced his retirement from coach- ing. The 60year-old was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis earlier this year.
According to a source, Blatt is not expected to travel with the team on the road.
“I look forward to the next step in my career as I officially retire from coaching and pursue other opportunities in basketball,” Blatt said. “I’ve been long intrigued by working in a front office and thank Steve and [Knicks GM Scott Perry] for the opportunity to be a resource to the basketball operations staff.”
Blatt was among the final coaching candidates during the Knicks’ last search in 2018. Mills and Perry instead chose David Fizdale, who was fired this month less than halfway through his second season. Assistant Mike Miller took over as the interim coach and the team responded with three wins in their last six games.
Blatt, from Israel, is considered among the greatest overseas coaches in history. In the NBA, however, he couldn’t earn LeBron James’ respect and lasted less than two seasons in Cleveland. He never got another opportunity despite advancing to the NBA Finals in 2015.
If nothing else, Blatt’s hiring symbolizes that Mills still has power despite being on the hot seat. According to The Athletic, Mills, who has been the Knicks GM or president through unprecedented losing since 2014, will either be fired or reassigned after the season.
Mills already had hired a different former Princeton teammate — Craig Robinson — to run the Knicks’ player development. Robinson, Mills and Blatt all played under legendary Princeton coach Pete Carril, who told the Daily News last year that Mills wouldn’t allow nepotism to rule his judgment.
“Dave and Craig and Stevie were definitely close and I’m sure they’re giving (Blatt) every consideration. But in the end, their judgment will be on how well he’ll do,” Carril said. “Stevie’s on the spot and Craig is on the spot — but how can you hire your best friend if you’re not sure if he can succeed or not?”
When the Knicks were interviewing for the coaching vacancy in 2018, sources said Perry was not as high on Blatt and preferred Fizdale. There was discussion even back then about Blatt taking on a different role — whether in the front office or as an assistant — but Blatt was committed to remaining a head coach and returned overseas.
Blatt was coaching Olympiacos in Greece when he publicly revealed the multiple sclerosis diagnosis. He and Olympiacos parted ways in October.
On Wednesday, Mills and Perry released a joint statement about Blatt’s hiring.
“David Blatt is a great basketball mind and we look forward to adding him to the organization,” it read. “He will be a great asset to our front office, G League and international scouting.”