NEW YORK _ The Knicks would be getting a "a hell of a coach" in Kenny Atkinson.
That's according to one of Atkinson's former players _ Nets center Jarrett Allen _ who acknowledged it'd be strange to see a mentor resurface with a crosstown rival.
"It'd be kind of weird playing against him but it'd kind of make you play harder against your old coach to show him how much you improved," Jarrett said Thursday.
Atkinson interviewed with the Knicks a second time this week and is still in the mix despite Tom Thibodeau's longstanding position as the frontrunner. Atkinson, 53, brings a strong history of player development, which is key for a Knicks roster that has zero combined All-Star appearances and only potential.
In Brooklyn, Atkinson took castoffs and unprovens to the playoffs last year, but was fired in March after failing to connect with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Part of the issue was Atkinson's decision to start Allen over DeAndre Jordan, who is buddies with Durant and Irving. Jordan became the starting center as soon as Atkinson was replaced.
Allen, 22, overachieved as the 22nd overall pick, developing as a rim runner and rim protector in his 2 { seasons under Atkinson.
"I came into the Nets and we weren't making our mark in the NBA and you could see every year I was with him, and every year he coached us we kept getting better and better," Allen said. "And the players under him kept developing and developing, and bringing us more confidence. So whatever team he goes to, they're going to get a hell of a coach."
The Nets have not offered a clear explanation for dismissing Atkinson, although GM Sean Marks has implied it was a mutual decision. Owner Joe Tsai, who gave Atkinson a contract extension at the end of last season, hasn't addressed it at all.
The Nets, currently the seventh seed in the East, have resumed their season inside the Orlando bubble with Jacque Vaughn as the interim coach. Allen said Atkinson and Vaughn are similar in their approach, although the former tends to be more excited.
"Kenny's one of a kind. All the active energy, all that he brought to the team, I don't really need to say any more, we all know," Allen said. "Jacque still has some of the same personalities as the head coach, they're just maybe toned down outwardly."
The Knicks have also interviewed Mike Miller, Jason Kidd and Mike Woodson for their open position, along with several other candidates without head coaching experience. Team president Leon Rose has stated he wants to hire the coach by the end of July.
Multiple candidates for assistant coaches have also emerged, including Woodson and/or Miller if they don't get the head position. Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne is also somebody to keep an eye on because of his relationship with Knicks executive William Wesley.
