SORTA BREAKING: D'Antoni is our coach.

by Seth on May 10, 2008 3:41 PM EDT in News Comment 20 comments

Pringles_logo_3_medium

From ESPN:

Mike D'Antoni has accepted an offer to coach the New York Knicks, according to a media reports.

The former Phoenix Suns coach, who was also sought by the Chicago Bulls, has accepted a four-year, $24 million deal to take over the Knicks, according to reports by Sports Illustrated and The Boston Globe, both citing a league source.

The Knicks did not immediately confirm that D'Antoni is New York-bound.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith had previously reported that the Knicks had outlined a four-year, $24 million offer for D'Antoni.

First of all, you think the Knicks would show me some courtesy after over a year of blogging about them. I was on the road home from school when I got a call from a friend that D'Antoni had been hired. Sorry for the lateness and thanks to JoshL for jumping on the news.

Anyway...that escalated quickly, no? I barely had time to ponder D'Antoni coaching the Knicks before he was named our man. I'm picking up a lot of discontent here and around the blogosphere and that's perfectly understandable. D'Antoni comes across as an easy-going, offensive-minded coach not exactly suited for turning around a flimsy, defensively inept squad. I understand that.

As the optimist, I'd like everyone to remember a few things before we write off Donnie Walsh and the hiring and the future of this team:

1. NBA Coach of the Year 2004-2005.

2. D'Antoni's hiring might mean a roster overhaul that transforms the Knicks into a faster, sleeker, more visually palatable offensive machine. We could be cool again. Imagine that.

3. Conversely, D'Antoni might very well be willing to change his pace a little, surround himself with a good staff, and inspire the Knicks to play defense. He's not that old, not that experienced, and not necessarily dead-set on a certain coaching method. Isn't it possible that he's just a smart guy who knows how to work with his roster?

4. Mustache.

5. D'Antoni's presence and personal background (Italizan citizenship, time scouting for the Spurs) might inspire the Knicks to finally catch up in overseas scouting. We might have our first meaningful foreign draft pick of my lifetime.

6. In the wake of Isiah, it'll be nice to have a guy who's relatively straightforward and likable and is a good face for the franchise.

7. Seriously, have you seen that mustache?

In short, I understand the displeasure with the move, but why don't we let things take their course before we attack the franchise? I'm as wary as you are, but let's not embody the stereotype of New York fans by being bitchy and fatalistic. Have faith, brethren.

0 recs | Comment 20 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Thank you god

Mark Jackson was sorta the guy on the top of my list cuz a young, rebuilding team should have a young coach preaching D and such, but I will not stand outside the Garden in shackles in protest of D’Antoni

The Four-Point Play, read it bitches

by Arichmix on May 10, 2008 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

run and no d?

sounds like the kind of style our guys can actually play.

balkman, morris, chandler, nate, craw, lee, jefferies…

these are guys that can move quickly down the court and like the idea of scoring.They should be happy with MD as our coach, and it will be good to see players enjoying themselves again.

If Curry gets into shape (I have heard MD values conditioning and may be able to get through to Eddie) he can thrive in this system… as he is a good, quick finisher.

by gbaked99 on May 10, 2008 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"a good, quick finisher?"

that must be in reference to the buffet line and not basketball.

i’ve never heard the word “quick” associated with curry, unless we’re talking about chocolate milk.

i’m full of them today…

Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on May 12, 2008 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well... maybe not quick

but when he has the ball right near the basket, he does have good moves to get it in. and often (well, not often), he gives the illusion of being quick

by gbaked99 on May 12, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

four years 24 mill?

that’s jerome james money!
In other news, I think this is a really stupid move, stupid, stupid fucking move. after the carnage of zeke, I’d think our management would’ve figured that bringing in big name coaches isn’t wise if you don’t give them their own players. So we better go out and remake our roster to cope with dantoniism, or else this is no help.
Hey, it could be worse. We could be Suns fans.

The Son of Dippin.

by Barnesgasm on May 10, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

two quick thoughts i forgot to put in the last one

the pringles guy is pretty accurate, still would’ve gone with Mario. And if we get his depressing older brother the assistant coach Dan D’antoni to ride pine with us, he’s Luigi.
Also, my friend pointed out yesterday that Q was an integral part in Phoenix, and Nate Robinson was a Suns pick, but I’m not sure how much if any pull D’antoni had in acquiring and trading those players.

The Son of Dippin.

by Barnesgasm on May 10, 2008 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i figure

knicks that will specifically benefit:
balkman, nate rob, chandler, crawford, fred jones, derrick rose

knicks that will not:
curry, z-bo

knicks with the biggest egos:
curry, z-bo

by SamH on May 10, 2008 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's WTF I'm talking about!

LOVE that list of Knicks who’ll benefit! If you believe you can achieve!

by HUSTLE HARDER on May 10, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love it...

I would have preferred Avery Johnson, but Mike D’Antoni is the real.

And Mark Jackson – I like him, but his media manipulation (If I read one more Frank Isola column writing off D’Antoni, or Avery Johnson, and pushing for Mark Jackson…) grated on me. He would have been too much like Larry Brown, using his old school connections to make himself look better, like Doc Rivers does in Boston (according to Bill Simmons, anyway).

And the Knicks roster is built for D’Antoni… Zeke used lineups that included the four-guard, small offense (Balkman and Lee both got burn at center), so Mike will use similar sets for running and gunning. This is a good situation for D’Antoni – no pressure to win… any improvement would be met with compliments; the offense is perfect for building around the young guys (Chandler, Nate, Jamal, Balkman, Lee). The older guys are slowly getting fazed out. Unless Curry can learn to hit a three, he might be on his way out….

by stopmikelupica on May 10, 2008 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Curry

Well he drilled that one in Milwaukee to send a game into OT.

But seriously, I love the hire, (although I would’ve been fine with Jackson since even a cardboard cutout of a man in a suit would be better than IT,) we’re getting one of the best in the biz. So many players wanted to come to Phoenix, now they’ll want to come here like they used to want to before we became the laughingstock of the league. Keep Herb around and bring in Ewing and some other defensive-minded assistant coaches and it’ll be fantastic.

As for Randolph, 7 seconds or less? Damn, he needs 10 just to dribble down on the block.

Also, mustache.

by Dachs on May 11, 2008 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

D'Antoni

Thank you for not kowtowing to the conventional wisdom a la virtually every analysis I’ve heard or read. If you look at the Knicks’ roster as currently constructed, they wouldn’t fit into any coach’s style. Also, I am totally dumbfounded with the infatuation with Mark Jackson. As far as I can see, the only benefit for him to be the Knicks’ coach is that we wouldn’t have to listen to his insufferable analysis as a commentator.

by Skycat on May 10, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't understand

(Suns fan here)

I don’t understand the angst. I figured you guys would be excited to have anybody but Zeke. Really. I don’t get it.

Your team is going to be around .500 and in the playoffs next year (well, maybe not the playoffs). He’s a smart offensive coach and his weaknesses won’t catch up with him until the Knicks start contending. Trust me. He did the all-out offense thing (7 seconds or less) to suit his players. Boris Diaw was the starting center that year. Think about that. He’s good at getting his players to over-achieve and then get cocky and forgot to play defnse and rebound.

Slowly, his “type” of players will start coming in. The Knicks have the cash to dump players and get new ones.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 10, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There's no way

they’ll be around .500 and they should not aim that either.
I also think there’s a good chance they’ll not be a fast break team this year. D’Antoni may try to increase Zbo’s and Curry trade values, he’s smart enough in the offensive end to be able to do that.

The one player that I think has the most chance to benefit in the long run is Nate Robinson. The guy has a world of talent but no brains. If the Knicks draft Mayo, a Nate-Mayo backcourt could be the future of the knicks.

Anyway, good luck from a blazer fan and than you for taking Zbo from us. I hope you guys get better because I watch a lot of knicks game during the season.

by Falcao on May 12, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be a pessimist...

About having a “proven winner” as coach, but anyone look at D’Antoni’s record with the Suns, without a guy named Steve Nash on the court? The Suns started winning big when Nash arrived, not D’Antoni. When Nash has missed games over the last few years, the Suns dynamic offense has been pedestrian at best. I REALLY hope Walsh’s instincts are correct here, but I’m a bit skeptical. Regardless of the sport, I’ve always been a believer in strong defense as a foundation for winning, which is the opposite of MD’s reputation. I hope I’m as wrong as can be about this…

by HUSTLE HARDER on May 10, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big Suns fan from Brooklyn

And I’m PUMPED D’Antoni is coming to the Knicks. Anyone who thinks this is a bad does not understand basketball. D’Antoni will install a SSOL offense here and the Garden will once again be rocking!!! As for Marbury, Curry, Z-Bo…PEACE!!!! Mike doesn’t play more than an 8 deep roster. Cut the fat, Donnie!

by davidvangorp on May 10, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well

This is my take…

i think it’s a knicks 4 year PR move. As much as we would wish too as hardcore fans, we cannot simply dump and overhaul the roster in one year because of the horrendous contracts. Second, it’s basically a fact that we will not be a title contender for 4,5 years, if not more.

so, i beleive they hired Dantoni to make the best use of the players we have, which are offensive minded, no-defense playing players…i.e. his type. Along the lines of, “were stuck with these guys, s o how can we wring the most out of them while eventually stockpiling picks and cap room over the long term?”

waaaay 2 serious about the yanks and knicks? maybe... oh well

by Prezs2ReprsntMe on May 11, 2008 2:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you hit the nail on the head...

This team isn’t going to be a serious contender for 3-4 years. Sure, they may make the playoffs as an 8 seed in the east, but is that really “contending?” You figure they bring in D’Antoni, don’t make anymore ridiculous signings, and at least be an entertaining, free-wheeling team for the next 4 years… like Nuggets East (a guy can dream.) Then, when we finally have some cap space, that is when the real building to become a contender begins.

by SQUAD on May 11, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

roster

am i the only one who thinks this could help marburys career. I mean his best years were in jersey and minnesota where they sort of let him run free. (if d-rose joins knicks, completely forget about that last 2 sentences) I also think this will effect the draft if we do get like the 5th which i believe is projected. This would also mean either curry or zbo has to leave like its not even a question. id say right after draft night when the dust settles one will be gone for a athletic role player that will fit the need they have after the draft. Im a huge curry fan b4 zbo got here but i sort of get that feeling that zach would do better in a d’antoni system. tho eddy may be a bit quicker (which is scary to think)

by antnyk on May 11, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

I don’t mind D’Antoni as long as he is willing to suck for the next couple of years.

You all did love him once. - The New York Knicks.
http://vramb.blogspot.com/

by THEWILLY on May 12, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Garden as Sandbox.

I like the hire. Think about it this way:

1) The fans love the 2nd string and don’t really like the 3 big contracts. The contract guys might become malcontents, but they’re being phased out anyway, so the new regime doesn’t have to care. The new regime can go to them and say: you can buy into the Tim Thomas program (build your value and we’ll help you move on), ride pine and lose future earnings (beyond this contract), or accept buyouts (someone’s getting bought out). Fans will go to the games to watch most minutes go to: 08 Lottery Pick, Craw, Chandler, Lee, Jeffries (who will be able to play in this system).

2) If the team is more watchable today, they build value for tomorrow. Think of everything that happens between now and 2010 as signals to potential FA’s. D’Antoni can do whatever he wants, provided that these conditions are met: hardworking players enjoy playing for him, win totals increase, he plays to the strengths of those on the team. If he does those three things, we’ll be fine.

3) D’Antoni plays mad scientist until 2010 because that’s why he was hired. Walsh must have sold D’Antoni on letting him further develop his philosophy. (Aside—I actually think Randolph can play in some version of this system because he can board and ignite the fast break. So what if we play 4 on 5 for the first 7 seconds.) He really only needs to concern himself with two contracts: Zach and Eddy. Marbury needs the Knicks more than the Knicks need him.

So it’s a great hire, long term, and a fun one, short term. The bad players have NO leverage over this coach. The good players are cheap roleplayer types that will endure and grow, perhaps becoming stars, perhaps becoming 2nd bananas for whomever ends up a Knick in 2010.

by OTP on May 12, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs