Foto

Kenny Atkinson reportedly has "internal support" to be next Knicks coach

New York is going to hire Tom Thibodeau as its new head coach… unless Kenny Atkinson becomes the Knicks choice.

Thibodeau wants to return to NBA coaching, and his decades-long friendship with Rose made him the frontrunner from the start. It is likely still his job to lose.

However, former Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson is gaining support in the Knicks' front office, reports Ian Begley of SNY.TV .

What drives the Atkinson support at Madison Square Garden is his success developing young talent and setting a culture in Brooklyn. The Knicks have a young core they like - RJ Barrett , Mitchell Robinson , a high draft pick this year - but as an organization has not been good at identifying and developing talent in recent years. If the Knicks are thinking about a patient rebuild around their youth, Atkinson would be a good choice.

Hiring him is also a shot at the Nets , who let him go.

The Knicks also believe they are well positioned to trade for a star. Dealing with elite players - in this case, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant - proved to be Atkinson's downfall in Brooklyn, as he was seen as inflexible with his system to cater to the new talent. Atkinson didn't connect with the team's imported stars.

Thibodeau has a history as a win-now coach who leans on veterans, but he struggled to relate to young players such as Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. Thibodeau says he has grown and will bring a new perspective to his next job, but is that a bet the Knicks want to make?

Mike Miller and Mike Woodson also are expected to interview for the Knicks' job. There is support in the organization to take a look at Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy as well.

Leon Rose has not tipped his hand much, but the buzz around the league is this is still Thibodeau's job, even if some in the Knicks' organization love Atkinson.

Kenny Atkinson reportedly has "internal support" to be next Knicks coach NBCSports.com