The New York Knicks fired head coach David Fizdale Friday, continuing the revolving door of coaches for the franchise in recent years. While assistant Mike Miller (not that one) will take over in the interim, one former Knicks player has already begun his campaign to get the full-time job: Metta World Peace.
World Peace, who was known as Ron Artest when he played at St. John's, was a favorite of Knicks fans, who were heartbroken when the team passed on him in the 1999 NBA draft. Fourteen years and a name change later he finally played a single season for the Knicks in 2013-14. He retired after a final two-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he'd won an NBA title earlier in his career.
Friday, after the news of Fizdale's firing broke, World Peace took to Twitter to throw his name into the ring as a possible Knicks coaching candidate.
If the @nyknicks is available, I definitely want to head coach there. I will absolutely bring that street mentality to the garden. Red brick , hard nose , let's get it popping. QB . This would be epic for all people like me. Straight from the jungles to win a title in NYC. Blaat
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) December 6, 2019
Actually. Wanna give a shoutout to coach fiz. Good job. Definitely deserved the opportunity. Whoever gets the @nyknicks , good luck. It's one of the best jobs in sports. Block out the fans . They act hard , but really , they just want to win. They absolutely pose no pressure.
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) December 6, 2019
If I ever got the @nyknicks job , my first message would be direct to fans and media. It wouldn't be nice.But I'm a straight shooter.Pinpoint straight. I'm not happy how you guys put pressure on every coach and star.Shut up and enjoy the game. Be supportive and let's win a title
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) December 6, 2019
People can say I'm not ready. I tell them eat 50 rocks without water. I'm 40 years old. Caught in to triangle in my first year as a laker. Adjusted from averaging 22 points in playoffs with @HoustonRockets to 8points as a role player with @Lakers . This ball stuff is fun. Easy
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) December 6, 2019
Mic check!! @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/MGfwUCrmwD
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) December 6, 2019
World Peace does have some coaching experience. After his retirement, he worked as a player development coach with the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. He also has tweeted his interest in coaching in the past, campaigning for the St. John's job this past April after Chris Mullin stepped down.
