Since Red Holzman is not available for whatever reason, my first choice for the Knicks job will always be Jeff Van Gundy. However, that's not going to happen this time either, so here are my more realistic favorites.
Former Knicks Head Coach and current Clippers assist Mike Woodson would be a great choice. He did a terrific job in Atlanta and during his first go-round with the Knicks. His Hawks improved in each of his six years there. Woodson had far and away the most success of any Knicks coach since Van Gundy left. He was fired because Phil Jackson decided to ruin the franchise and firing Woodson was a good way to go to achieve that aim.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach David Blatt is another excellent choice. He had a very talented team that didn't like him too much in Cleveland, but his success can't be questioned. He led the Cavs to the Finals and the team was even up 2-1 despite numerous injuries. When he was fired in the middle of the next season, he was in line to coach the East All Stars. His replacement, Ty Lue, did win a championship that year, but it was in spite of himself. He's proved to be incompetent, taking the success that Blatt built and turning into a middling playoff team in the East. Blatt's firing was extremely unfair. This is a guy who has success wherever he goes.
Former Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer would be another good choice. It makes you wonder why the Hawks keep firing good coaches. His Spurs-style offense turned Kyle Korver into an All-Star. He led the Hawks to 60 wins in his second season, but his teams have won fewer games in each of the past three seasons. However, the lack of success is due more to losing talent than bad coaching.
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