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New York Knicks: Kevin Durant shocked about Derek Fisher being fired

By Nick Ziegler

Apr 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Derek Fisher (6) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 101-89. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Derek Fisher (6) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 101-89. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks recently fired their head coach, Derek Fisher, which came as a surprise to many including Kevin Durant.

“I was shocked,’’ Durant said Friday to Marc Berman of the New York Post. “I thought he was doing a great job. Melo missed [seven] games. It’s tough losing your best player. I thought he was doing a great job, man.

Durant was teammates with the Fisher on the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the thought was that Fisher would be able to possibly help land the Thunder’s star in free agency.

The Knicks have been struggling lately, and despite winning more games this season than last, Fisher was fired by Phil Jackson.

“This league, it don’t matter what your record is nowadays. You still get fired. I don’t know who’s doing it deep in the organization internally. Record doesn’t matter anymore if you’re a coach. Fish did a great job. It’s tough to turn an organization around in a year-and-a-half. He did the best he could do. I‘m sure he walked out with a lot of peace.’’

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Durant has already spoken to his former teammate, as they do appear to have a good relationship.

“I talked to Fish,’’ Durant said to Berman. “I just told him I love him, man. He knows the business. People go through all the time. I told him he did a great job and know he can walk away from that job at peace, knowing he gave 110 percent.’’

Durant is going to be the most desired free agent this offseason, and in addition to the Knicks, Durant has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Golden State Warriors.

“It’s great to feel wanted,’’ Durant said to Berman. “I put myself in a position where I play basketball at a high level. You hear so many rumors. It’s cool to hear this team, that team wants you. That’s what you want as a player — for everybody to respect you and admire how you play basketball.

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“[At] the same time, it’s being the best for my teammates. I’m the big brother and leader of that team. It’s tough, but also cool you know you’re an elite level and everyone’s talking about your future.’’

The Thunder have a very good team this year, as the combination of Durant and Russell Westbrook is a very good one, and could be a team that challenges the Warriors in the Western Conference.

Landing Durant will certainly be part of the plan for Jackson this offseason as there have also been rumors about the Knicks possibly bringing in Durant’s former coach Scott Brooks.

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Free agency is still a while away for the Knicks, as recent talk has been about the upcoming trade deadline. The possibility of the Knicks moving Carmelo Anthony has been the biggest talk in the past few days, but moving Anthony would certainly open the door for Durant to join the Knicks.

It will be interesting to see who the Knicks hire as their next head coach, as it could either help or hurt them in free agency to land stars like Durant.

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