Donnie Walsh has a difficult choice to make: does he hire Mike D'Antoni, who has a high-profile and a proven track record, or does he roll the dice on Mark Jackson, who has zero head coaching experience but is a local legend? According to multiple reports out of New York, Walsh is still undecided, which is somewhat baffling to me.I like D'Antoni a lot, but both his coaching style and personality would be a disaster in New York. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News spoke with an unnamed coach who agrees with me:
"He doesn't emphasize defense and he's non-confrontational," said a coach who has worked with D'Antoni. "In New York you've got to have someone who is confrontational and can stand up to these guys. Scott Skiles would have been that guy. And I think Jackson is that guy as well. Mike is an innovative offensive mind but to me he just doesn't fit in New York."Not only that, but the Knicks simply don't have the personnel to run D'Antoni's system. Sure, they have some athletic spare parts here and there, but so long as Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry are on the floor, no one will ever confuse the Knicks with the Phoenix Suns.
And besides, D'Antoni already tried and failed to connect with Stephon Marbury, ultimately prompting the Suns to trade him to the Knicks back in 2003 -- and Marbury has only gotten crazier in the years since.
D'Antoni has to realize that going to New York is setting himself up for failure, but I can't blame him for giving it a go if Walsh comes through with the rumored offer of $30 million over five years that's been reported. He made a good impression when he interviewed with the Bulls earlier this week, but Chicago doesn't seem interested in getting into a bidding war, especially considering they're still paying Scott Skiles. (Granted, the Knicks are still paying Isiah Thomas and Larry Brown, but money has never been a deciding factor for anything for James Dolan.)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Instead of looking for a new coach knicks better replace 80% ( personnel) of the roster;
What coach is going to make them better?
A miracle worker that is.
Knicks still have Isiah in the payroll as a consultant ? Go figure.
Posted at 9:52AM on May 9th 2008 by frank
2. Frank, I agree with you whole-heartedly, this team needs talent more than anything else. With this current group of basketball misfits, I doubt if they could beat a strong college team. With that being said, I doubt D'antoni's style would succeed with the roster they currently have. Besides, why would he even want to coach this team anyway?
Posted at 1:41PM on May 9th 2008 by Xavier
3. 4 MORE YEARS!! 4 MORE YEARS!! 4 MORE YEARS!!
ISIAH SHOULD BE BROUGHT BACK
Posted at 5:42PM on May 9th 2008 by sal cunningham
4. Whatever their differences, I hope Kerr and d'Antoni can work it out and he stays in Phoenix. They've had trouble in the post season but have the makings of a good team. Suns management usually seems too stupid to let a core of guys work for a few years with a coach as one sees in the case of Popovich, Sloan and Jackson. Just quite trading every good young player for guys going downhill, let a defensive assistant help out and have a little faith!
Posted at 6:05PM on May 9th 2008 by Antoine