As Tom Thibodeau and Knicks’ office review the names of the new coaching staff in the coming days, an explosion will emerge from Thibodeau’s past and New York’s past.
According to an NBA source, Ed Pinckney, the former Villanova star who won an NCAA title and is a product of South Bronx projects, is expected to be highly regarded.
Pinckney, who won the PSAL title in 1980 with Stevenson High, wove a 12-year NBA career, became Villanova’s assistant, then spent five seasons with Thibodeau in Chicago before briefly joining him in Minnesota. Pinckney was fired by the Wolves after the 2018-19 season months after Thibodeau was fired.
The former 6-foot-9-foot forward would be brought in to coach the Knicks. Under David Fizdale, assistant Pat Sullivan worked with the greats, got along with center Mitchell Robinson and was chosen by general manager Scott Perry. Sullivan still has one year left on his contract. It is unclear whether Perry will push for Sullivan, a Jersey native, to return.
Meanwhile, there have been internal conversations about Pat Zipfel’s incorporation as an advanced explorer or banking coach. Zipfel, who worked with Daryl Morey in Houston, is considered one of the NBA’s top advanced explorers. Zipfel was Thibodeau’s advanced man for part of his Bulls and Minnesota stints. The advanced explorer is considered part of the coaching staff.
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While Mike Woodson and Mike Miller consider themselves close to locks to join the staff on the recommendation of the front office, Thibodeau, as previously reported here, would push harder for Andy Greer.
Greer is a former Knicks assistant and Manhattan native who became Thibodeau’s top assistant in Chicago and Minnesota. Also, says Yoshimoto, who started out as a video coordinator in Chicago, is considered Thibodeau’s type of smuggler. Larry Greer, Andy’s brother who was on the Minnesota staff, is also a candidate.
Perry said Thursday that Thibodeau will have “autonomy” to hire assistant coaches, but The Post has reported that President Leon Rose and Vice President William Wesley want a big contribution.
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