The New York Knicks could have looked very different on the sidelines this season. Former NBA star and Knicks player Metta World Peace has revealed he came close to landing the head coaching position before the team ultimately hired Mike Brown.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, the 46-year-old put out his perspective about why things didn’t work out. “Some people were scared” and “some people were hating, actually,” World Peace said, per Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report.
World Peace, who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2003-04, actively campaigned for the job after Tom Thibodeau was fired this past summer. He took to social media in June, calling himself the “perfect choice” for the position. The New York native emphasized his extensive basketball experience and deep connection to the city as reasons he should get the nod. He also told TMZ Sports that he “sent messages everywhere” to make his interest known.
This wasn’t his first attempt at coaching the Knicks. When David Fizdale was let go back in December 2019, World Peace quickly threw his name into the mix and presented his qualifications.
Despite his enthusiasm and public lobbying, reports suggest World Peace wasn’t seriously considered by the organization. The Knicks eventually went with the experienced Mike Brown, who brings a proven track record to Madison Square Garden.
While former players-turned-coaches can succeed, history shows it’s a risky path. Derek Fisher’s 40-96 record with the Knicks serves as a cautionary tale about hiring coaches without extensive experience.
Jayesh Pagar is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He brings four years of experience in sports media coverage. He has contributed extensively to NBA, WNBA, college basketball and college football content, delivering in-depth analysis and breaking news coverage.