Hopla said the firm's influence led to decisions like not having coaches watch film with playersNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Former Knicks assistant coach Dave Hopla said that consulting firm McKinsey & Co., hired by MSG to work with the Knicks and Rangers, had a "negative impact on the coaching staff and was the source of confusion and paranoia among some players" during the Knicks' non-playoff season in '13-14, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. The Knicks that year "took a step back" following their 54-win season in '12-13 under coach Mike Woodson and had Carmelo Anthony as the team's centerpiece. Hopla, who was with the team from '12-14, said that the firm's influence "led to decisions like not having coaches watch film with players and filling out seemingly endless amounts of paperwork." Hopla said, "The players were like, 'Why aren't we watching film?' (We said), 'The McKinsey group told us.'" He added, "We got so fed up with them." Members of the consulting firm "attended practices and games at home and on the road." Hopla said players were "worried about maybe [McKinsey & Co.] were writing reports about them," adding players "were paranoid." Hopla "questioned why a firm without significant experience in pro basketball was allowed to influence how Knicks coaches approached aspects of their jobs." Hopla: "If the McKinsey group came in and it was Hubie Brown, Bob Knight and John Thompson, you'd listen to them" (SNY.tv, 8/2).
