Derek Fisher became the second head coach in the NBA to receive his walking papers before the All-Star break, but unlike the David Blatt firing, this one didn’t catch fans by surprise. The New York Knicks and Fisher just weren’t a good fit for each other.
It was clear to everybody that Fisher’s seat was burning hot this season. GM Phil Jackson had assembled a team that could compete for a playoff spot, but thanks to a stretch in which the Knicks are free-falling in the standings, Jackson couldn’t bear to watch the carnage any longer.
Exit Fisher stage left.
Don’t get me wrong, Fisher did try to move this team in the right direction. But inserting the triangle offense into this roster’s offensive mentality was like trying to insert a square peg into a round hole. The way the Knicks are is not the fault of Fisher, but the fault of Jackson, who assembled this mismatched roster of talent that is just having a hard time jelling together.
But in the end, who will always get the blame? That’s the head coach, and unfortunately for Fisher, he was on the short end of a mess that seemingly had no end. In a lot of ways, Fisher should be relieved that he’s not on the bench in New York, as the situation was not a strong one from the start. Fisher wanted to push his own philosophy on the team, while Jackson wanted the triangle.
This was a train wreck many saw coming from day one. Now, Carmelo Anthony will have the pleasure of being coached by interim coach Kurt Rambis, a guy who has no business being on an NBA coaching bench, let alone coaching a team.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are your New York Knicks. Fisher should be happy he got fired.
