NBA Report: Mike D'Antoni to Coach New York Knicks

Can't say it wasn't coming... (Former) Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has reportedly accepted an offer to coach the New York Knicks.  New York GM Donnie Walsh had narrowed his choices to Mark Jackson and D'Antoni, w/ the former being the favorite until the Suns were excused from the NBA playoffs.

The former coach of the run-and-gun Suns has accepted a four-year deal at around $6 million per year to coach the Knicks.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh chose D'Antoni over Mark Jackson.

The D'Antoni saga began Monday, when Suns general manager Steve Kerr confirmed that the coach had permission to speak to other teams about their head coaching vacancies.

Kerr acknowledged some differences with D'Antoni but repeatedly said he wanted the coach to stay. (More)

Now the pressure falls on Suns' GM Steve Kerr and owner Robert Sarver to find a replacement for Mike in Phoenix.  There have been some coaches suggested (Van Gundy, Rambis, Harris, A. Johnson, Fratello, etc.), but it's hard to argue that any of those are a better choice that D'Antoni would've been.  Sure, the Suns couldn't play defense consistently, but w/out offensive guidance as well, they'll be a .500 team - and in the Western Conference, that just won't cut it.

My personal choice would probably be Jeff Van Gundy, but I don't see the Suns locker room getting along w/ him too well - especially Amare & Shaq.  With VG, the defense would improve immediately, but as fans, we'd be forced to watch Knicks/Rockets style of basketball, instead of what we've been accustomed to the past few years.  Last time I checked also, the Knicks and Rockets (under VG), haven't won any titles.

We can only hope that Kerr and Sarver find a suitable replacement for D'Antoni - and soon.  Several other teams are also in the hunt for a head coach, including the Chicago Bulls.  If we don't find someone quick, they're going to be signed by another team (like Rick Carlisle signing w/ the Mavs).

Published Saturday, May 10, 2008 3:19 PM by chowell
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Comments

Monday, May 12, 2008 1:58 PM by Scott Mitchell

# re: NBA Report: Mike D'Antoni to Coach New York Knicks

It's unfortunately that the Suns lost D'Antoni - he's a great coach. The only upside here is that it happened sooner rather than later. Better to know you need to find a replacement now, then have three to five months of on again, off again agreements, only to have to find a coach at the last minute (which was the recipe for the San Diego Chargers last year when the fired Marty AFTER all of the available "top prospect" coaches had already joined other teams). I wonder what will happen in NYC. I can't see the Knicks escaping the crushing pressure of their salary cap issues anytime soon. I think Mike's just taking the money here, and will have a few miserable years. If he's smart, he'll pull a Larry Brown, coach for just a year, get the hell out of Dodge, and then demand the rest of his contract money.
Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:23 PM by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy

# re: NBA Report: Mike D'Antoni to Coach New York Knicks

I think it really is a shame that D'Antoni is out. I do think that it would have been possible to win one championship playing their style of basketball, but to do so they would have needed to make all of the right moves in free agency and with their trades. Unfortunately, I just don't think they did that and now they are in a bit of trouble. Also, I heard that Marc Jackson could be the next coach. Thoughts?