D'Antoni to the Knicks

by Phoenix Stan on May 10, 2008 1:34 PM MDT in Commentary Comment 35 comments

Multiple sources are reporting that D'Antoni accepted the Knicks offer. Here's the link and key details:

Sports Illustrated reported on its web site Saturday that Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni had accepted a job offer from the New York Knicks.

The New York Post also reported that D'Antoni had accepted the job. D'Antoni's four-year contract with the Knicks will pay $6 million per year.

I say more power to him. If he's going to go why not to the Big Apple where he will get paid and have a few years worth of honeymoon to rebuild that team with Donnie Walsh. The owner seems like a nut job but at least he's not cheap. Mike will do great with the New York media for at least a few years until they start winning but can't get over the hump. This buys him time and of course is a nice pay day.

For the Suns, the sooner this is over the better so we can move on to finding the next coach.

For the record, I love New York City and would gladly accept a position for much less then $6m/yr if anyone is offering.

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SSOL Knicks?

Awesome.

by rsavaj on May 10, 2008 2:01 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Now it begins...

2 predictions:
i) Mike D will have the Knicks in the playoffs in 2 years
ii) There are going to be some big roster changes in Phoenix, but it will all depend on who the new coach is.

"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".

by Pliny the Elder on May 10, 2008 2:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

New Coach

So who are we looking at for next season? Any news from Kerr on his thoughts for a replacement?

-nash

by nash on May 10, 2008 2:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

No word from Kerr

and we’ve had some discussion around Michael Cooper over here.

Its been reported on local radio from a guy w/ good sources that JVG and Avery are not in the mix at all. Beyond that, I don’t think anyone’s heard much but I expect that to change quickly now that Mike is gone for sure.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on May 10, 2008 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should look at Ty Corbin of the Utah Jazz.

He’s a solid assistant coach, who learned under Jerry Sloan and I think he could bring that defensive intensity the Suns are sorely lacking.

by JazzyUte on May 10, 2008 3:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or Phil Johnson

He’s Sloan’s right-hand man.
Though I don’t know if you guys want an offense than runs like the Jazz.
It’s been described as “boring”... aka the exact opposite of what you guys had been running.

The Utah Jazz
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on May 10, 2008 4:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Johnson is going out with Sloan.

Well not out like a date, haha, but he’ll leave when Sloan leaves. He’s had a few chances to become a head coach and passed on every one of them (last was Denver, I believe).

by JazzyUte on May 10, 2008 5:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting...

I bet we make a big move on our roster, I’d bet one of the top 3-4 players is gone. As far as our run and gun (entertaining), that’s gone. It will be interesting following the knicks for 2-3 years

by be-the-ball on May 10, 2008 8:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mad Genius

D’Antoni not only gets all the money in the world and a nice honeymoon period, but if things go as prognosticated by the media, he could also have lebron coming down the line.

by calphxfan on May 10, 2008 3:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

LeBron?

Teamed up with a coach that encourages shooting as much as possible.

If he works on his jumper, everyone outside of NY is in trouble.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 10, 2008 3:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

really?

if lebron went anywhere, it would be to the nets, because of the Jay-Z connection. what makes you think the knicks would get him?

-nash

by nash on May 11, 2008 5:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm very disappointed that he's leaving PHX.

But, as a New Yorker, I am PUMPED to have him. Now win a top 2 lottery and dump Marbury. Things are looking up!

by davidvangorp on May 10, 2008 4:13 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Uhh...

A young team lacking discipline that doesn’t play any defense…7SOL in NY? I don’t think Z-Bo and Curry can even make it end to end in 7 seconds.

by hcblankscreen on May 10, 2008 4:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

But D’Antoni doesn’t play people that can’t be in his system. That will be tough in NY. But you figure he plays Lee, Crawford, Lil’ Nate, Q, Balkman, Chandler, and their lottery pick. I’m thinking 30-35 wins. The next year, draft well and let some contracts come off the books. See more improvement and then make the BIG push in 2010. You gotta remember the Knicks have been so bad that even if they keep losing the fans will just be glad to see some exciting basketball. Add that to the fact that Dolan is not afraid to spend money put together with Donnie Walsh and D’Antoni, two who actually know basketball. Like I said the Knicks future is bright. One more thing, I’ve heard some on ESPN say they don’t think this will work because Knick fans won’t be patient enough to wait it out. Let me tell you this is wrong. We have been through the quick-fix era of Isaiah Thomas, and we all saw how well that worked. We are more than pleased to be patient with great basketball minds running the show.

by davidvangorp on May 10, 2008 8:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

All cashed up...

It seems Mike wasn’t that concerned about the initial quality of play from the Knicks franchise – I think he will turn this team around, but I think roster wise something has to give. I don’t know about them making the playoffs in 2 seasons, but in the East, the amount of wins needed to make the playoffs is significantly less, and I think D’Antoni helps them significantly improve their record starting next season. I guess that isn’t exactly a hard thing to do with the Knicks, or is it?

by dang on May 10, 2008 6:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He must have been scared.

The rats fled the sinking ship.

The captain had no honor, he fled like a rat.

Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer

by ZonaFlash on May 10, 2008 6:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Partly true

The other part is simply that he is selling when he’s high. Despite all the criticisms, he’s still considered a good coach—upper half of the league, easily. He got out when the ship was taking on water, but he was still wanted as the captain of a ship.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 10, 2008 7:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think D'Antoni loves his style of offense

more than he wants to win a title. I think the things Kerr was asking for were very reasonable. If D’antoni really wanted to win, he would’ve learned from all these loses to the Spurs, instead, we’re the same fun to watch, poor decision making team.

by be-the-ball on May 10, 2008 8:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Going forward...

Good for Mike. Now let’s forget about all that and concentrate on the task at hand. In order:

1, Find new coach
2. Determine philosophy
3. Make improvements (draft, FA, trades)

In that order. So it seems the coaching search is in earnest. Is there a timetable? It seems Avery and JVG have been ruled out. Who’s left?

I feel the wrong guy is gone, but now that it is done, I’ll reserve judgement on Kerr’s ability. He is on a short leash in my book, and I hope in one year we are not debating whether Sarver has the guts to fire his buddy who has made such a mess.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 10, 2008 9:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The new coach

There is one coach available that would be perfect for Steve Kerr and I can’t believe Kerr hasn’t snapped him up before someone else does.

Isiah Thomas, who else? They are both conceited, know it all, stubborn and totally incompetent. A perfect match for Phoenix.

by TheTruthSquad on May 11, 2008 12:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

However....

Don’t let your prejudice cloud your analysis. If we are being told correctly and D’A refused to hire a defensive coach, what choice does Kerr have but to let him shop himself? Is that incompetent, or good business?

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 11, 2008 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wojnarowski tears D'Antoni a new one

It’s a tough column, but I think it’s fair. Basically says that D’Antoni can’t make it there…prompting the question, can he make it anywhere? For Coach D critics like me, it’s an enjoyable read.

by beatcal on May 11, 2008 1:45 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He works hard for the money...

I kind of agree with Wojo. If I want to hire D’Antoni, I need straight answers on why he couldn’t make it work in Phoenix, which was a tailor made situation. On the other hand, how many of us wouldn’t jump at the chance to make $24 million?

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 11, 2008 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, What now?

Mike has a fat paycheck but the Knicks are mess. He better be ready, he has a lot of work to do. As for the Suns…this offseason and next season are a huge question mark, most of the times that doesn’t work out too well.
Feeling kind of anxious here. =S

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on May 11, 2008 4:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya...

I’m taking this approach, when you keep losing to an aging spurs team again and again, it’s time for a change. I don’t think D’Antoni’s style of basketball is a hidden secret that we’ve just lost. Everyone in the suns organization knows it very well, they (Kerr, others) simply wanted to add to it. I’m excited about the change.

There’s one thing I want out of this team more than a championship, or anything else, it’s for them to play 48 minutes of tough, determined basketball. Not just a half. For years now this suns team is off and on when talking about intensity. They’ve always been fun to watch.

It’s weird with Mike D’Antoni, he was great with the media, and great (non confrontational) with the players, but blew up at the suggestion of management wanting to improve things everyone sees as weaknesses. I honestly think too much credit is being given to D’Antoni, he came into a loaded team and Nash was hitting his stride. Now, as much as I hate to say it, and I hate the spurs, but they are very, very well coached. To become a truly great team, or coach, you need to be humble, and always open to trying to get better. D’Antoni to me, came off as the opposite of humble.

Another thing that is very interesting, that the AZRepublic was talking about, was that this suns team hit its peak for fun to watch and highest chemistry while amare was out for a year. I simply am tired of waiting for amare to grow up. I hope we trade him. Having a player who has to be the star has not worked out well for us in general.

I will be interested though in following D’Antoni in New York, and even with my negative comments about him above, his up style offense has been a joy to watch. My simple point though, is I don’t think we’re going to lose that style as much as people think.

by be-the-ball on May 12, 2008 12:16 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the sake of accuracy

D’Antoni was here before Nash

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 12, 2008 6:11 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

I really think that if the knicks are serious about dumping some of their players (which they have the resources $$$ to do), and get a few D’Antoni system type players, especially a great fit at point, NY could be interesting quickly. Not championship interesting, but, fun to watch at the very least.

by be-the-ball on May 12, 2008 9:14 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

defense

For all of D’Antoni’s greatness…..it took him a few months to teach them the offense…..and 4 years to fail miserably at defense…..If he was that good, wouldn’t he have taught us some D? Is D’Antoni’s practice style conducive to learning defense…..defense is hard work, ya know, not laid back…..and furthemore is D’Antoni’s practice style conducive to that group of yahoos in NYC after all the bs thats gone downn…....I would have expected a little more of the iron fist was needed in ny.

"Hes very cerebral when he plays out there"--Hubie

by Snowbird on May 11, 2008 8:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Snowbird,

I couldn’t agree with you more, NY messed up in my opinion. But, with enough roster changes, they could become a fun team to watch, but unlikely to ever be a serious title contender. I’m curious if NY fans will be happy with 40-50 wins in 2-3 years or if only winning the title matters? Personally, I’ve loved watching the last 3 yrs of suns ball, but am excited to see him gone. I really do like Kerr so far, my only negative is with this suns team giving away / selling their draft selections so quickly. On this point…is it sarver and kerr, or all three (including the coach) who make these sort of decisions….selling draft picks…etc.

by be-the-ball on May 12, 2008 12:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am sad that D’Antoni is leaving. I know everyone believes we won’t win a playoff while he’s our coach, but he brought so much fun to the game. I guess I’m just nostalgic.

by Carrie on May 12, 2008 5:45 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Carrie

without question, watching this suns team this last few years has been fantastic. It’ll be interesting to see how much of his offense style we keep. Because of the player changes (especially hill and shaq), I think the 7 seconds or less style will fade.

by be-the-ball on May 12, 2008 9:17 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

SSOL was dead already

Folks – let’s not forget that the Suns gave up the SSOL after losing to the Spurs in 07. Last year’s Suns were about half court execution and they were very good with the best FG% in a decade (or so). The running stopped even before Marion left and Shaq came lumbering along.

Sure – the Suns occasionally ran off rebounds and blocks but the real SSOL Suns ran on makes and relished sucking teams into a fast paced high scoring game. In that system defense didn’t matter because the Suns were also going out-score opponents with 40% 3 point shooting and transition layups.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on May 12, 2008 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I motion that we...

Draft Paul Silas. I loved him as a player. We might have done something with Silas and Hawk at forwards, but Colangelo kept lusting after the mirage that was Charlie Scott.

Paul might be able to teach the Freak some defense and rebounding.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 12, 2008 9:54 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

i second that....

I wonder who’s on that list of Kerr’s, after the shaq surprise, who know’s huh? Not that Kerr lead the charge on the shaq trade…but what I’m saying is…who knows….

thunder dan or e.j. to me would be viewed as sarver trying to save money on the $$$ to pay a coach, and to likely have kerr be able to make comments that our coach actually listens to

What would we have to pay Silas, do you think?

by be-the-ball on May 12, 2008 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Silas as coach

I would think he would jump at the chance to coach the Suns. He is probably still smarting at the way it ended in Cleveland. Maybe 4 years, 15-16 mil. He has earned his coaching spurs, so you have to pay him decently. I am not sure what he is doing now. As of last year, he was working for ESPN. He interviewed for the Bobcat vacancy when Sam Vincent was hired. I don’t think he was considered when Larry Brown was hired, although he made it known he was interested. There was controversy in Cleveland as the PC crowd fried him for using a vulgarity to refer to Carlos Boozer when Boozer left the Cavs for Utah. Silas probably would still be in Cleveland if Boozer hadn’t bolted.

You know something funny? He was born in Prescott.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 12, 2008 1:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs