TORONTO — The morning after Karl-Anthony Cities was traded from the one NBA group he’d ever identified, the middle obtained recommendation from a coach who was equally managing the feelings of a high-profile job relocation.
“First of all you’re surprised when you’re an All-Star and you’re traded. And then the second thing is, you’re going to be hurt,” John Calipari, the top coach at Arkansas, stated in an interview with The Publish. “Why did they do it? Why would they do it? And in the long run, that’s why I informed him, ‘Please, (the Knicks) are perfect for you. Don’t fear about all the opposite stuff. Transfer on.’
“It’s kind of like what I’m doing coaching here (at Arkansas). It’s the first page I’m writing in the first chapter in a new book, a new adventure. Let’s go. No looking back. You’re not bitter. You’re on to the next thing. And that’s where he is. And that’s where I am.”
Calipari had guided Cities for one season at Kentucky, 9 years earlier than the coach left the Wildcats program for this maiden marketing campaign with the Razorbacks. They remained shut sufficient for necessary conversations like after Cities was swapped by the Timberwolves for Julius Randle, coincidentally one other former Calipari participant.
“(Randle) was also hurt. And he was also confused,” Calipari stated. “They both were like, ‘Wait a minute, what happened here?’ But it ended up being terrific for both of them.”
From Minnesota’s perspective, the deal was largely motivated by wage dumping. Possession wished to keep away from a future in luxurious tax hell. Randle is taking part in nicely, although not at his All-Star ranges from New York, whereas the Timberwolves (12-11) are underwhelming out of the gate. Cities is flourishing however the Knicks (14-9 earlier than Monday towards the Raptors) are inconsistent.
Calipari stated he wasn’t stunned by the commerce — “I knew they were trying to get it done” — and he ought to have good Knicks sources lately given longstanding relationships with Leon Rose and William Wesley.
In a distinct world, these connections would possibly’ve resulted in Calipari teaching the Knicks. He was among the many rumored candidates when the present entrance workplace took over in 2020.
Requested if he gave the job some thought earlier than the Knicks employed Tom Thibodeau, Calipari, who was nonetheless with Kentucky on the time, stated, “To begin with, you’re speaking household whenever you’re speaking Leon and Wes.
“And they picked the right coach (in Thibodeau). An absolute grinder. A truth teller that understands players and defenses and schemes and putting players in the right situation. And his history. I just think he’s doing an unbelievable job. I really do. And he’s taken over the New York Knicks and he’s getting it done. That ain’t easy.”
Calipari settled for liaison since, at one level, 5 of his former gamers had been on New York’s roster. They had been the Kentucky Knicks. Now they’re the ‘Nova Knicks.
“It’s just the Wildcats,” Calipari laughed. “Wildcat U.”
Regardless, Calipari, whose NBA try with the Nets within the late ’90s was a misadventure, will nonetheless coach at MSG on Tuesday on the Jimmy V Basic. His Razorbacks (7-2) face Michigan at 9 p.m., lower than 24 hours earlier than the Knicks host the Hawks in the identical constructing for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
It’s the third group Calipari is bringing to the enduring Jimmy V Basic, following his appearances a few years in the past with UMass and Memphis. And if he sticks round for the Knicks recreation, Calipari would possibly see first-hand the way in which Cities is prospering below Thibodeau after a rocky finish to their partnership in Minnesota roughly six years prior.
Calipari isn’t stunned it’s working so nicely.
“That league is business. It ain’t the emotions of this. And let me say this, you could be in the guy’s wedding, and he’ll trade you,” Calipari stated. “It’s enterprise. Karl understood that. And Thibs might be – when Thibs had him in Minnesota, take into consideration who he was, and the way younger he was (Cities was solely 20 when Thibs took over). Now you’re speaking a few veteran All-Star.
“You treat All-Stars slightly different than you would a first- or second-year player. And you probably listen more to things Karl is saying, like, ‘Where do you want the ball?’ I imagine they’re working together. And the way Karl is playing, there’s no question he’s feeling good. Not only about being in New York and the Garden, but also about Thibs. He’s feeling good about it.”
