Former Knicks head coach David Fizdale (2018-2020) unloaded on the organization in a recent Run It Back (FanDuel) interview, accusing them of forcing a tank for Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, and assuring him Kevin Durant + Kyrie Irving were “for sure” coming.
Fizdale’s key claims:
“You know losing all those damn games, donating my record to get Zion Williamson or Ja.” (Tanking hard to land one in 2019 Draft top-2 – ended up with No. 3 pick RJ Barrett, now with Raptors.)“Then that summer, our people seemed to have thought KD and Kyrie for sure was coming to us. That sh– didn’t work out.” (Summer plan collapsed.)
He also complained the roster didn’t fit – despite talent like Bobby Portis, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson – with RJ Barrett as his most consistent player.
Knicks then vs now:
James Dolan long believed stars want to play in NY – but struggled landing top free agents.Current starters (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, O.G. Anunoby) came via trade + extensions – none initially chose Knicks in FA.Fizdale fired end of 2020 – hasn’t coached head job since.
Knicks today – from mess to contender:
Third in East, third-best offense in league.After ECF last year (similar core), Knicks believe they’re ready for Finals – first since 1999 (lost to Spurs).
Late-2010s failures (tank, missed KD/Kyrie) ironically paved way for current success: young core + vets meshing, healthy = dangerous in wide-open East.
Knicks fans mixed: “Glad the tank failed – now we have Brunson/Towns/Anunoby!” vs “Fizdale right about the chaos back then.” Fizdale torches old Knicks – but those flops led to title contention in 2026.
What do you think? Fizdale fair or excuse-making? Knicks East champs this year? Drop takes below!