Assistant coach Bliss headed back to Thunder

Former New York Knicks assistant coach Dave Bliss is heading back to Oklahoma City as an assistant coach, according to a report by Michael Scotto of The Athletic.

Former New York Knicks assistant coach Dave Bliss is returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder as an assistant coach, a league source told The Athletic. Bliss is highly regarded around the league for his work developing players.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 11, 2018

Bliss spent five seasons with the Thunder on coach Scott Brooks' staff, working as a video analyst and in player development. He joined the Knicks on coach Derek Fisher's staff in 2015 and worked with the players on the court, aiding in development by facilitating drills and individual instruction, working for three different head coaches. Here's Bliss working with Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis during the 2016-17 season:

Pregame sky hook... #Knicks #NYKvsMEM pic.twitter.com/stGp9xBQwo
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 29, 2016

Bliss was a four-year starter during his collegiate days at Georgia (2004-08). The 6-foot-10, 255-pound big man finished his career with averages of 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was a volunteer coach for the Bulldogs during the 2008-09 season for coach Dennis Felton and was a graduate assistant at Virginia Commonwealth for coach Shaka Smart in 2009-10.

He has also served as an assistant coach for Germany's senior national team.