New York Knicks: 10 Candidates To Be Next Coach After Mike D' Antoni Is Fired

To be fair, Mike D' Antoni probably shouldn't be fired by the New York Knicks.

Since taking over the reigns of the Knicks in 2008, D' Antoni has compiled just a 103-147 record.  However, much of his struggles and the team's struggles could be attributed to the fact that they have been in rebuilding mode since D' Antoni arrived.

Soon after D' Antoni took over in 2008, Donnie Walsh and the rest of the organization decided to strip down the roster in attempt to clear cap space, hoping that the end result would be LeBron James coming to New York in the summer of 2010.  The team traded players such as Al Harrington, Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph, leaving the coach with a depleted roster.

Over the course of the next two seasons, D' Antoni led the Knicks to only 61 victories, but received a pass from the organization and fans alike because everyone knew they were holding out for a bigger prize: landing multiple superstar free agents.

Such a prize arrived this past summer when the Knicks signed Amar'e Stoudemire.  After signing with the team, he proclaimed, "The Knicks are back!", and he did not disappoint.  The organization was also able to land fellow superstar Carmelo Anthony via a mid-season trade, and looked poised to make a run at a title this season.

Things didn't work out that way, however.  The Knicks were wildly inconsistent after the trade for 'Melo, and were swept away by the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.

Suddenly, the heat is back on D' Antoni.

Financially, it doesn't make a ton of sense to fire the coach.  With next year's season in jeopardy with the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, there is a very real possibility that there will be a shortened season, or even no season at all.  Should the Knicks fire D' Antoni and hire another big name, they would be paying two coaches while having no games being played.  There is still one year left on D'Antoni's current contract.

A person could also argue that D' Antoni deserves a full season to work with the combination of STAT and 'Melo, as it takes time to develop championship-style chemistry.

However, for arguments sake, let's say the Knicks decide to part ways with D' Antoni.  Here are 10 potential replacements.

Mike Fratello

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MILWAUKEE - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Fratello of the Memphis Grizzlies coaches against the Milwaukee Bucks December 8, 2006 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and o

Fratello, a former Coach of the Year award winner, hasn't coached an NBA team since the 2006-2007 season when the Memphis Grizzlies decided to part way with the coach during the middle of the season.

Although Fratello doesn't have the greatest postseason track record (his playoff record stands at 20-42), he is known for his emphasis on defense and execution in the halfcourt offense.

Both of those attributes were seen few and far between at MSG this season. 

Patrick Ewing

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SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 11: Patrick Ewing of the Orlando Magic during play against the San Antonio Spurs on January 11, 2009 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this

Ewing, who played with the Knicks for 15 years en route to the Hall of Fame, has put in his time and deserves some serious consideration for a head coaching job. 

Ewing has been an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and now the Orlando Magic, but has never been given opportunity to be the lead man.  When the Knicks were searching for a head coach three years ago, they didn't even offer Ewing a chance to interview.

Knicks fans would surely love to see Ewing roam the sidelines, and he would instill the same defensive tenacity that he played with into this team.  He could also help improve Amar'e Stoudemire defensively, as he has shown how well he can work with big men and make them better.

John Calipari

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts from the sidelines against the Connecticut Huskies during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2

One of the hottest rumors this season was that New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan was eyeing Kentucky head coach John Calipari to not only take over the head coach position, but also take over for Donnie Walsh as general manager as well.

Calipari would love to get a second chance in the NBA again, as his first stint in the league was an absolute disaster.  He coached the New Jersey Nets from 1996-1999, and compiled just a 72-112 record and never reached the postseason.

Calipari is a great motivator, but it is remained to be seen if he can command the respect needed in a NBA locker room.

Jerry Sloan

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 12, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, U

This one is an absolute long shot, but it also would make a ton of sense.

If you are looking for a guy that would preach defense, hold his players accountable and not take any extra nonsense from his star players, Sloan is your man.

Sloan has had a remarkable career, winning 1221 games since he first started coaching in 1979.  Despite all of those wins, however, he has never won a championship.

Sloan has expressed very little interest in returning to coaching, and also is unlikely to be compelled to coach in New York.  He is a small-town guy who likes to keep things simple, and that isn't exactly New York.

Doc Rivers

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics directs his players in the second half against the New York Knicks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachu

This season is likely Rivers last in Boston, as many people expect that he will walk away from the Celtics and take a year off to watch his son, Austin, play his freshmen year at Duke.

As a result, if the Knicks really wanted Rivers, they would probably be forced to wait a year.

However, after watching the coaching clinic Rivers put on during the C's series with the Knicks, the wait would almost certainly be worth it.

Rivers also has ties with the Knicks, and he played with the team for three years during his playing career.

Lawrence Frank

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Assistant coach Lawrence Frank of the Boston Celtics coaches after Doc Rivers (not pictured) was ejected from the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated

Frank, another defensive minded coach, is currently serving as one of Doc Rivers assistants in Boston, but could be ready to take on another head coaching opportunity.

Frank had a successful tenure with the New Jersey Nets, so he knows how to handle the market.  From 2003-2010, Frank won 225 games with the Nets, while also accumulating 18 playoff victories.

Mike Brown

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CLEVELAND - MAY 01: Head coach Mike Brown of the Cleveland Cavaliers calls out instructions while playing the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 1, 2010 in Clevela

I know, I know.  It's easy to have coaching success when you have LeBron James on your roster.

Still, it's hard to ignore the success Mike Brown had in Cleveland.  From 2005-2010, Brown had two seasons where he won over 50 games and two other seasons where he won over 60 games.  He turned around the culture in Cleveland, transforming them into one of the best defensive teams in the league.

Another defensive-minded coach.  You see a theme here?

Ultimately, Brown failed to get the job done in the postseason which led to his firing.  He also didn't have the greatest relationship with LeBron, which didn't help matters either.

Brown wouldn't be a flashy hire, but has the tools to succeed in New York.

Mark Jackson

According to reports, Jackson almost landed the Knicks head coaching job three years ago.  While New York ultimately decided to hire D' Antoni instead, they might decide to hire Jackson this time around.

Jackson, much like Ewing, has never been a head coach in the NBA, but had an outstanding playing career.  His attitude and toughness will allow him to command the respect of his players the moment he steps into a NBA locker room.

He would also be another popular choice among the Knicks faithful. 

Jeff Van Gundy

Van Gundy, who coached the Knicks from 1995-2002 and led the team to the NBA Finals in 1999, would be a natural fit with the Knicks.

He has the experience, mental toughness and defensive mind to get the most out of this group of Knickerbockers.  It is unknown whether Van Gundy would be interested in leaving his current position as an analyst for ESPN, but would draw interest from not only the Knicks but several other teams as well if he desired to return to the sidelines.

Phil Jackson

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 03: Coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers argues a call by referee Ron Garretson during the game against Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

The Los Angeles Lakers have begun to prepare for life without Phil Jackson and have started to search for possible candidates to replace "The Zen Master" at seasons end.

Jackson already has won 11 NBA championships, Coach of the Year and has been named one of Ten Greatest Coaches of All Time, meaning he has very little left to prove.

But the Knicks could be prepared to throw a bunch of money his way, which may intrigue Jackson if he has an itch to coach again after some time away from the game.