Metta Sandiford-Artest has made a direct pitch to become the next head coach of the New York Knicks, declaring himself the “number one guy for the job” on social media.
The former NBA champion and Queens native expressed his desire to lead the franchise in a tweet posted Tuesday, just hours after the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau.
“Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks,” he wrote. “Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I’ve never ran from the city… I’m built to challenge the city.”
The 45-year-old, who played 17 seasons in the NBA under the names Ron Artest and Metta World Peace, cited his roots and broad experience as qualifications.
He pointed to his time at St. John’s University and his desire to be drafted by the Knicks as evidence of his long-standing connection to New York basketball.
Thibodeau’s departure comes after five seasons at the helm, with New York reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
Despite finishing the regular season with a 51–31 record and knocking off Detroit and Boston in the playoffs, the team was eliminated by Indiana in six games.
Sandiford-Artest emphasized his “360degree experience,” referencing his career as a player, development consultant, and assistant coach in multiple leagues.
While the franchise has not publicly named any candidates, league insiders expect New York to target proven coaches with deep postseason backgrounds.
Sandiford-Artest has not coached in the NBA but previously held a player development role with the Lakers and head coaching duties in the BIG3.
The Knicks have not won an NBA title since 1973 and remain one of the league’s most scrutinized franchises.
