The New York Knicks’ biggest move this offseason was the hire of head coach Mike Brown to replace Tom Thibodeau.
Thibodeau was held responsible for the Knicks’ shortcomings in the playoffs despite leading them to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Brown has never won a championship as a head coach, but his Cleveland Cavaliers team did make the NBA Finals in the 2006-07 season.
The 55-year-old will be tasked with doing the same with the Knicks next year, and to do that, he needs an excellent staff.
Well, he is now looking to appoint an assistant who contributed to the Knicks’ playoff exits in the last two seasons.
Ian Begley is reporting that the New York Knicks are in talks with an Indiana Pacers coach about joining the team this offseason.
“Knicks have been in contact with Indiana assistant Mike Weinar to discuss a spot on Mike Brown’s coaching staff, per league sources familiar with the matter,” he wrote.
“Weinar has worked on Rick Carlisle’s staff in Dallas and Indiana and is currently a candidate for an opening.”
An integral part of the Pacers’ backroom team, Weinar would join the Knicks after knocking them out of the playoffs in back-to-back years.
Carlisle previously told HoopsHype: “Mike Weinar has been with me for 17 years and is one of the best detail people you’ll find in this business.”
New York Knicks fans unfamiliar with Weinar will be interested to hear his thoughts on one of the NBA’s most common tactics: 5-out offense.
This involves all five players spacing the floor on the perimeter and an emphasis on ball movement to create open shots.
With Karl-Anthony Towns on the Knicks’ roster, this would certainly be an excellent option for them, but Weinar thinks it can be overused in the modern NBA.
“A must for 48 minutes? I don’t believe that is the case,” he said. “It’s my personal belief that it should be an option for you.
“We’re talking about roster versatility, with 17 players available, including two-ways. With roster composition, the front office in Indiana is well aware of that, and everybody around the league understands that it should be an option for you.
“Do you have to do that for 48 minutes, especially if you have a special talent at the big position? No.”
