Metta Sandiford-Artest wants to 'bring a title to New York City'
The New York Knicks are looking for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau just days ago. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals after toppling the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs, and although they fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games, they may be ready to win it all if they hire the right coach.
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward and Queens native Metta Sandiford-Artest made it clear in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he would be a "perfect" choice as the Knicks' next head coach. He told Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson his intentions when it comes to getting the job (h/t Lakers Daily).
'I'm trying to bring a title to New York City,' he said, when asked about the Knicks' coaching vacancy.
According to Robinson, Sandiford-Artest has been coaching Division II women's basketball for the last six years. He also had a brief stint as a developmental coach with the G League's South Bay Lakers.
He provided a brief description of how he would aim to take the Knicks to the next level should he be hired.
'Watch my games when we almost beat the Lakers with the Rockets. Watch my closeout games with the Lakers in the Finals,' Sandiford-Artest said. 'From the post, from the perimeter, on defense — I've been in every situation. I know how to put guys in position to win.'
The Knicks haven't been to the NBA Finals since 1999 and haven't won it all since 1973, when they beat the Lakers in the championship series. This year's trip to the Eastern Conference Finals was their first in 25 years.
They have an outstanding starting five in Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and former Lakers guard Josh Hart. They may simply need a better bench and the right bench leader to bring a ticker-tape parade to Manhattan.
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