Ex-Pistons, Nets Coach Daly May Take A Bite Out Of The Big Apple

Chuck Daly is the apparent frontrunner to become coach of the New York Knicks.

A source confirmed Thursday that Daly and Knicks executives met a day earlier to discuss the job. It has been reported the position is Daly’s for the taking.

Daly, who coached the Detroit Pistons to NBA titles in 1989 and ‘90, did not return a message left on his answering machine. He would replace Pat Riley, who resigned June 15 after four seasons with the team.

While Daly may be the Knicks’ first choice, he is the third coach they have contacted. Knicks general manager Ernie Grunfeld, who has remained mostly silent on the matter, met with ex-Golden State and exMilwaukee coach Don Nelson on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Also, it was reported Wednesday that Grunfeld has contacted the agent of Chris Ford, who was fired last month as coach of the Boston Celtics.

Daly turns 65 next month and would likely agree to coach for a short time. Nelson, 55, and Ford, 46, would be longerterm solutions.

Riley’s first public statement since resigning last week as New York coach was that he would not comment on his contractual status with the Knicks or the Miami Heat’s interest.

When asked about his plans at his hotel in Athens, Greece, Riley said, “I have nothing to say.” On vacation in Europe, Riley said he was unaware the Heat had held a news conference to express interest in his becoming the franchise’s next coach.