Knick fans should be conditioned by now to expect the unexpected. ESPN is reporting that the Knicks have reached a 5 year $30 million deal in principle with Mike D'Antoni. Whether or not this is in fact valid, remains to be seen. There is some speculation that D"Antoni is posturing to perhaps get a more lucrative offer from the Chicago Bulls, who have also expressed interest in the Suns coach. John Paxon, Bulls GM, is said to be interviewing other candidates however. Meanwhile, Suns guard Steve Nash says he expects D'Antoni to be back on the Suns bench at the start of the upcoming season. It just wouldn't be the Knicks if it were not mired in controversy.
Mike D'Antoni is an attractive hire from a fans perspective. His turbo-charged run and gun playground game has made the Phoenix Suns the highest scoring team in the league over the last several years, and certainly one of the most fun to watch, but defense isn't a part of the gameplan. There comes a time in the playoffs when you must make defensive stops and rebound. The Suns have been eliminated, by San Antonio the last 2 years because the Spurs are almost as explosive offensively, and with the game on the line, they are very disciplined at both ends of the floor. Look up, "wait 'til next year," and there should be a picture of the Phoenix Suns.
This brings us to what we can expect from Team Titanic. In a word, nothing. D'Antoni has been successful with his style of play because of Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion. His offense requires rebounding, running the floor, and sharing the ball. Can you imagine Eddy Curry rebounding, or Marbury distributing the ball? Me neither. The Knicks rank 24th in the league in team defense. Defense requires focus and committment. It also requires an athlete to buy into the coach's philosphy. If this group didn't respond to Larry Brown or Isiah Thomas, I don't see them changing now. I don't buy into the theory that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but you need a smart dog to start with--and one that wants to please its owner. There has still been no mention of personnel changes, and with very few exceptions, I don't expect any. This does not bode well for the new coach. D'Antoni would be better served in Chicago, and as for Mark Jackson, I'm sure he is very well paid at ABC, and the coaching carousel hasn't stopped in years.
As always, we appreciate your stopping by. Let us know what you think.
New Orleans Saints Camp
Comments (12)
The Knicks have got to get to playing good D. Bring in both Mark Jackson and Ron Artest and let's start there. Let's get the cap in shape to make a run at some premier free agents next year.
sacked92 | 05/10/08, 10:40 AM
Report Offensive CommentThe other conspiracy theory has D'Antoni going to the Knicks to set the stage in luring LeBron James to NY in 2010.
If the above is true, it would mean that Dolan has to start doing things with logic, which up to this point he has failed to show.
Odenator...I'll be baack! | 05/10/08, 10:49 AM
Report Offensive CommentThis is a good hire......
These players wont be there if he is hired......This means it will be a rebuilding project much like then Mike came to Phoenix with.....who??? Marbury there......Ironic, huh???
Marbury is gone, as will be other players who dont fit the system......
Maybe just maybe Mike plans on slowing it down but not enough to where it is a MikeFratello type offense???
Lets wait and see, I think its a good move
djroxalot | 05/10/08, 12:09 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog, though
Its Paxson
djroxalot | 05/10/08, 12:11 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood stuff hllywd. D'Antoni is Don Nelson 2.0, which still equals out to a career of great regular seasons and disappointments come May. You have to play defense at some point in a 7 game series. I don't see how the Knicks can be an attractive option to anyone from any angle other than the fact that they are the Knicks.
The LeBron theory would be the only answer. BUT.. Here is the problem with that theory. His BOY Jay-Z is part owner in New Jersey. They got a young talented Point in Devin a great sidekick in Richard Jefferson and some decent big bodies. They will rid Carters contract by then and will have money, a more attractive situation and LeBron is in tight with one of the owners (who is in his ear as much as he wants to be). Why would he go to the Knicks with less talent?? He is not in need of the big market dollars ( I don't know if you noticed but he tends to do just fine when it comes to endorsments)
nickb23 | 05/10/08, 12:11 PM
Report Offensive CommentYour right, the personnel isn't there to play his kind of ball. Would need a major overhaul, but which they need anyway.
I wouldn't mind seeing an East team take his approach. Possibly, it could be more successful in the weaker Conference. So many years of the Knicks playing their sludge ball, it would be a breath of fresh air.
But if he were smart, he'll either remain with the Suns or take the Bulls job. The Knicks are still going to lose next year, even if he is the coach.
Thugmeister | 05/10/08, 12:21 PM
Report Offensive CommentD'Antoni has signed with the Knicks. Let's see if he can help the Knicks at all this year.
dyhard is going to Texas! | 05/10/08, 02:45 PM
Report Offensive CommentGreat blog as usual Hllywd. I don't like this move by New York. Unless they have some major personnel changes in the works, I really don't see this working in their favor. As you mentioned, Marbury is no Steve Nash, Curry is no Amare Stoudemire, and Crawford...well, he could potentially be a more versatile version of Raja Bell, but aside from that, none of the other pieces match D'Antoni's system. I had no idea about the Lebron theory though. That would be interesting. He definitely needs to get out of Cleveland if he wants a ring.
pennwjr | 05/10/08, 07:20 PM
Report Offensive CommentIt's a solid hire from a coaching perspective, but I do question just how effective his style and offensive attack will be considering the current Knicks roster.
Time will ultimately tell and if he's not canned in three years, the Knicks might make it back to the playoffs.
Skybill40 | 05/10/08, 08:54 PM
Report Offensive CommentI think D'Antoni will do good for the knicks
Daveita | 05/10/08, 09:49 PM
Report Offensive CommentSince Mark Jackson did not get this job, I am going to start campaigning for him to get another one.
Blog will be up for one of my groups tomorrow. Anyone who knows me, knows where I am going with this.
J. HOVA: ALL FOR THE LOVE | 05/11/08, 11:06 AM
Report Offensive CommentTime will ultimately tell and if he's not canned in three years, the Knicks might make it back to the playoffs.
Skybill40 | 05/10/08, 08:54 PM
I get jokes!
PimpyLooka | 05/11/08, 11:20 AM
Report Offensive CommentAdd a comment
Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines