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David Fizdale on being Knicks’ coach: ‘I probably needed to crack the whip a little more’

New York Knicks v Detroit Pistons

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach David Fizdale of the New York Knicks reacts while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 06, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 122-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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David Fizdale was not the reason the Knicks were terrible to start the season. This was a poorly constructed roster and that eventually cost team president Steve Mills his job, with Leon Rose stepping in to take over the big chair soon.

Fizdale also was not blameless. The Knicks were 4-18 under him to start the season, while interim coach Mike Miller has coached them to a 13-19 record on his watch.

Looking back, Fizdale thinks he was too patient with the team’s young players, he told Brian Custer, Joel Meyers, and Will Perdue on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

As for the job ahead of Rose and the new management team for the Knicks, Fizdale said that the team “is set up to be built right.” As in, there’s a foundation but little else.

Fizdale should get his share of the blame for that, but with the Knicks there is plenty of blame to go around.