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Why Phoenix let D'Antoni go

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In the playoffs, Mark D'Antoni became completely unraveled by the Suns' failure to beat the Spurs. He'd been sarcastic toward opposing coaches for some time and had been condescending to anybody within the organization who disagreed with his philosophy. But in the San Antonio series, he advised fickle fans who were on the ledge to jump. And he got testy with those in the media who questioned his refusal to order fouling at the end of regulation and OT in Game 1. However, the biggest shock was his aversion to make offseason defensive and practice adjustments strongly required by owner Robert Sarver and team president Steve Kerr.

New York Post

Mark D'Antoni , AP Mark D'Antoni , AP
May 13, 2008  05:48 AM ET

who's Mark?

May 13, 2008  06:09 AM ET

Sounds like he wanted to run his own show. That's not bad, considering that he's an experienced coach who knew what he was doing. If it were Pat Riley or Phil Jackson, the management may even let the coach get away with it. Unfortunately, in this case, the management got pissed off.
Hard to tell whether the loss of D'Antoni will lead to the decline of the Suns, or an improvement. Right now, it looks as if the Suns will suffer for it, because so far, there's no other coach who can fill the spot.
- JL

May 13, 2008  07:10 AM ET

The loss of D'Antoni will leas to the short term decline of the Suns, possibly long term.

May 13, 2008  08:26 AM ET

Interesting picture of "Mark" Antoni. His fingers look like they are making the shape of a mouth (leftward-facing mouth), much like his own open mouth.
Also, because he's pointing straight at the camera, it looks as if he has a very short arm - kind of like someone who's had his arm amputated with the hand re-attached to a short limb.
- JL

May 13, 2008  08:29 AM ET

The current Knicks roster is going to fall in love. Light practices and no attention payed to defense? I bet Zach Randolphs and Eddy Currys agents are trying to secure a few more years on their contracts.

May 13, 2008  09:29 AM ET

Wrong coach,knicks! that's why you'll be an eight seed for years

to come.what the knicks needed was a younger coach,maybe someone

with their first head coaching job.because they're going to need

enthusiasm in large amounts and someone who knows they have to

pay their dues and it's going to take time.some people might be

expecting the knicks to be this high scoring machine.could

be,but it the suns were a high scoring machine and couldn't get

to the finals,what makes people think the knicks are going far?

I assume they'll be fun to watch during the regular season and if and when they get to the playoffs they'll do like the suns,flame out.

May 13, 2008  09:32 AM ET

Maybe after he's been in New York for awhile, the Post will learn the guy's name.

May 13, 2008  09:54 AM ET

even the photo caption has the wrong name.. consistency is good.

May 13, 2008  10:07 AM ET

mark is the evil twin.

May 13, 2008  10:16 AM ET

The guy's media spotlight is increasing...but his NBA star is fading.

In the NBA he will be looked down upon as a loser instead of the winner he once was. No great season record, no first round playoff wins (if they even make it that far), no second round playoff appearances, no Championship rings, nadda! He'll be in the playoffs next year as an announcer on TV! But the New York media will get his name right sooner rather than later 'cause about halfway thru next season they'll be blaming him for everything.

The D'Antoni merry-go-round in New Yaaark has started and if you're a basketball fan, you're on the carnival ride whether you like it or not!

Go Spurs Go!

May 13, 2008  10:27 AM ET

That is what happens when you do not have a vote of confidence from your boss.
Kerr and Sarver disagree with D'Antoni and were always second guessing him.

May 13, 2008  10:33 AM ET

He forgot the old saying:
Whether you like it or not...the boss is always right!

May 13, 2008  10:58 AM ET

I thought it name was MIKE?

May 13, 2008  10:59 AM ET

I guess ALL the Guineas look alike to Fannation

May 13, 2008  11:54 AM ET

$24 million should help him retire quite nicely, because he may never get another coaching job after this. I think the fact that he would even board a trainwreck, rather than implement some defense in Phoenix, speaks volumes about the guy's character.

May 13, 2008  12:20 PM ET

He was a dummy for taking the New York job. If he thought the heckling was bad now with a winning team, does he really think it will get better if he doesn't transform the Knicks?

May 13, 2008  12:33 PM ET

I think the Suns window is now shut

May 13, 2008  12:36 PM ET

He's the coach - he shouldn't have to make adjustments from some guy sitting in the front office.

Either way, yes, the Suns window is closed.

May 13, 2008  01:02 PM ET

I really don't believe the Suns' window is closed. Closing maybe, but not closed. You're forgetting they still have the most explosive offense in the NBA. A good draft pick and a coach to inject some defense, and they don't miss a beat.

 
May 13, 2008  01:21 PM ET

How do you get Steve Nash and Shaq to play defense? If they just can't physically do it, then why is all the blame on D'Antoni. Shaq's addition, as everyone pointed out was going to be a subtraction to defense compared to the Matrix.

D'Antoni and the Knicks are onto greener pastures. The Sun's are setting.

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