Tuesday morning, a new era started for the New York Knicks franchise, as the storied NYC basketball club announced Derek Fisher as its 26th head coach.
Welcome to the 26th coach in #Knicks history, @derekfisher! #NYMADE pic.twitter.com/uhnJnwrxhY
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2014
#Knicks Name Derek Fisher Head Coach. READ: http://t.co/N6h5let6Pp pic.twitter.com/WScBY0PI8a
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2014
Your new Knicks coach. pic.twitter.com/xDPbi0lahU
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) June 10, 2014
.@derekfisher introduced as head coach of @nyknicks. Live press conference right now on @NBATV & @NBAcom pic.twitter.com/N1YHJJdO4E
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 10, 2014
It's official. pic.twitter.com/MjbpWargU3
— Posting and Toasting (@ptknicksblog) June 10, 2014
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE
Coach Fisher spoke with conviction at the introductory press conference, establishing his objectives and expectations for the team going forward.
Derek Fisher says he wants to re-establish the Knicks as the best team in the city of New York.
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) June 10, 2014
Derek Fisher: "Everybody in this organization, we will be committed to being the best."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) June 10, 2014
Fisher: "We want to add more banners to this ceiling in here."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) June 10, 2014
Fisher says he wants to help "reestablish the championship DNA" that exists within Knicks.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) June 10, 2014
Fisher on wanting to turn NYK around: "This is not for ceremony. This is not for PR. This is not for Phil and I to hang out as friends"
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 10, 2014
A VETERAN MENTALITY
Just days ago, D-Fish was wearing the No. 6 jersey for the Oklahoma City Thunder during their playoff run. As he prepares to make the transition from playing the game to coaching it, Derek faced questions regarding his lack of experience.
In response, he affirmed that, despite entering his first year as a coach, he has a wealth of experience in the game, and has carried a coach’s mentality through much of his career.
New @nyknicks Head Coach @derekfisher: pic.twitter.com/t3QSEQutfW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 10, 2014
Fisher: "Every experience I've had in the sport of basketball all leads to this moment."
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) June 10, 2014
New #KNicks coach Derek Fisher address his perceived lack of experience "I am experienced in playing the game … and being a champion."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 10, 2014
'Being an NBA head coach is something that started when I was six years old' – Derek Fisher on always wanting to be an NBA coach.
— FSLive: #JayAndDan (@foxsportslive) June 10, 2014
Fisher says only reason why he has been around for 18 years as a player is because he approached and thought the game like a coach.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 10, 2014
"I look forward to this as much as I did anything in life as a professional." — @derekfisher
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2014
FISH ON MELO
A pressing issue for the Knicks this offseason is the status of their star Carmelo Anthony, who can opt out of his contract with the Knicks and become free agent. Derek said that the Knicks will do whatever they can to keep the dynamic scorer in Manhattan, though the choice will ultimately rest on Anthony’s shoulders.
Derek Fisher: "We want Carmelo to be here…obviously he has a choice…we'll do everything we can to keep him."
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) June 10, 2014
Fisher on Melo: "We will do everything to give him confidence… That we can get the job done."
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 10, 2014
Phil on Fisher's influence on Melo: "I think I'll have Derek wear all five of his rings the first time he comes in and talks to Carmelo."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 10, 2014
D-FISH AND THE ZEN MASTER
As he settles into his new role, Derek will once again join forces with his former coach Phil Jackson, who is now the president of the Knicks franchise. Fish and the “Zen Master” won five NBA titles together while in Los Angeles.
"There's no question that @PhilJackson11's presence here was a huge part of this decision." — @derekfisher
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2014
Fisher on the Triangle: "I've enjoyed tremendous success in the Triangle system. I love the Triangle system….I believe in the system."
— LaPunso Ellis (@NekiasNBA) June 10, 2014
Fisher says the triangle "isn't necessarily the only way to play basketball." Says he loves the triangle and can utilize it.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) June 10, 2014
.@derekfisher on @PhilJackson11: "I learned a great deal from one of the greatest coaches in the game."
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2014
KNICKS BRASS PRAISES DEREK
Jackson and general manager Steve Mills both gave their thoughts on D-Fish, lauding their new coach as the right man for the job.
#Knicks GM Steve Mills: "Phil and I have a great relationship with Derek and think he's the right guy for the job." pic.twitter.com/5gEV8kebVi
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2014
Phil Jackson: "I like the fact he's current with the players. This is a generation that's a little different than the one I grew up with."
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) June 10, 2014
Jackson praised "The ability of Derek to speak the truth from what the sense of the group was. A coach can't always do that."
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) June 10, 2014
TESTIMONIALS
As Derek spoke about the challenges that lie ahead in his new career path, journalists, players and fans were all quick to testify to his great potential as a head coach in the NBA.
Derek Fisher is the perfect example of maximizing your career. Extended his playing career as long as possible by being a PRO…
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) June 10, 2014
…now he’s the head coach of the Knicks. And almost all of it is due to the way he carried himself as a leader and a pro.
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) June 10, 2014
It's fairly obvious that Derek Fisher "gets it." And "getting it" is often an important factor for players/coaches achieving success in NYC
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 10, 2014
@derekfisher may have no coaching experience but listening to him he is a MASTER COMMUNICATOR and that is 75% of the deal at this level
— Dave Miller (@coachdavemiller) June 10, 2014
Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher bring a winning aura to the Knicks. If you can't get down with that then go find another team.
— Hämes (@Jay_DBN) June 10, 2014
So happy for @derekfisher. He's going to do great things in NYC.
— Cole Aldrich (@colea45) June 10, 2014
Derek Fisher with an impressive first address meant to the media on @MSGNetworks He is a natural born leader.
— Wally Szczerbiak (@wallyball) June 10, 2014
Trautwig says "I've seen coaches come and go. That was awesome." Fisher definitely is winning the news conference FWIW.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) June 10, 2014
Man, @derekfisher just hyped me up.
— Ryan Punzalan (@ryan_punzalan) June 10, 2014
*runs through 15 brick walls for Derek Fisher, knocks Hulk Hogan out with one punch after the last wall*
— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) June 10, 2014
Fisher coaching the Knicks may have to make me a closet Knicks fan…just gave a stellar speech at Knicks Press Conference. #DerekFisher
— Amy (@runlikeagirl) June 10, 2014
Derek Fisher's opening speech as the new head coach of the @nyknicks may be the best I've ever heard. Sounds so convincing when he speaks.
— Matt Hauswirth (@matthaus_CNY) June 10, 2014
Fisher is exuding the same exact confidence and swag that Phil Jackson did. They are winners, so they expect success. A big change.
— Moke Hamilton (@MokeHamilton) June 10, 2014
