The future is now for the New York Knicks
Not too much news to discuss when it comes to our favorite basketball team right about now.
Walsh has already met with both Avery Johnson and Mike D’Antoni, so only a few other remaining candidates have yet to get a sit-down with the new president of basketball operations.
What is apparent is this: much of the climate of the 2008-2009 Knick season will be determined this month. A new head coach will be announced, also possibly a new GM (because Grunwald CAN’T stay), and exactly where the Knicks pick in the 2008 NBA Draft lottery will be determined during the month of May. The rest of the summer will be full of trade rumors and buy-out possibilities (take your pick on who goes, but we just can’t have the same exact team come back no matter who comes in to coach). There will probably be very little free agent activity this summer since Walsh has indicated he wants to reduce payroll for the 2010 free agent market.
Speaking of LeBron, lets see tomorrow night how he bounces back from that bad first game against the Celtics. And when I say bad game keep in mind he just missed a triple double by one assist and one rebound. I don’t expect James to stay locked down for too long, he’s just too powerful.
$30 Million rumors have begun for the services of Mike D’Antoni in New York. I think if it somehow comes true, Stephon will be gone faster than Walsh can get rid of one of the two big men Isiah brought over (sounded like he wanted Randolph gone during that first press conference).
Comment by knicksdefense — May 8, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Yo KnicksD
Heard the word that Mike D’antoni, was being offered a deal by the Knicks at about 6 million per year for 5 years. I’ve heard on ESPN that his talks with Walsh have born good results and he is seriously considering accepting the offer (if the report on the offer is true). The Bulls are supposedly mulling a counter offer to D’antoni about 5 million per year for 5 years. People believe that the Bulls are a better fit for D’antoni at this juncture b/c they have already had regular season success, and some playoff success. It is possible that the reports from a “source” close to D’antoni, that he, D’antoni, is heavily considering the Knicks offer, is merely a way to up the ante on an offer from the Bulls who also have genuine interest in the former Euroleague coach.
Comment by Orange and Blue — May 9, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Good Morning
I like the idea of hiring Thibideau with Jackson ,Herb and Ewing as assistants
and perhaps throw in a reknowed shooting coach,lastly I am not saying Greg Brittenham needs to go
but the Knicks need to firm up their support of that position so that kats are in shape period
Comment by saipanknickster — May 9, 2008 @ 11:12 am
It’s pretty ridiculous that the Knicks are putting so much time into figuring out the coaching situation. This coach is probably the least important in tea history. It’s this coach’s successor that matters. Because this coach is guaranteed to lose a lot and will eventually be fired.
I say hire Jackson and work on getting the best free agents in a few years, and then grab a solid coach. Walsh seems like he is going to just do whatever Dolan wants - which is throw money at anything that makes the team look good off the court.
Be prepared for a few more years of hell
Comment by PC — May 9, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
If Mike D’Antoni can’t get far in the playoffs with the Suns, what’s he going to do with a far less talented Knicks team? And the same can be said of Avery Johnson in Dallas. Neither coach can “coach” defense. I’d take Tom Thibodeau over both of them.
Comment by ed drossman — May 9, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
I concurr with Drossman (huh?) and Saipan Knickster. Good to read you back on the blogosphere.
Comment by Orange and Blue — May 9, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Orange and Blue Thanks for the welcome. More than the No D aspect of D’Antoni game plan I am concerned about his non confrontational style and that fact that even his offensive system seems to require very disciplined players
Comment by SaipanKnickster — May 10, 2008 @ 12:08 am
the problem with d’antoni is we dont have a Steve nash or an amare we have eddy curry and zbo …. Imagine them trying to play a high speed offense welcome to the same exact situation NEXT year if we get d’antoni
Comment by Banpeaceman — May 10, 2008 @ 12:28 am
And d’antoni had those guys and still couldn’t do a thing.
Comment by ed drossman — May 10, 2008 @ 10:29 am
BREAKING NEWS!
D’antoni has accepted an offer to coach the NY Knicks for 4 years at 24 million dollars a year.
This is according to an ESPN report at 1050 ESPN
Comment by Orange and Blue — May 10, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
Holy crap!
Thanks orange and blue for the 411.
Hope this helps the knicks be competitive again.
Comment by Edward — May 10, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
D’Antoni couldn’t get the Suns out of the first round, now what will he do for a team with far less talent. Bad move Knicks.
Comment by ed drossman — May 10, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
This is not good news Knick fans. The current team doesn’t fit D’Antoni’s style. Even with the best players for that type of system, he couldn’t win in the playoffs. Offense wins games, defense wins championships ! Thibidau was the best choice out of all the available coaches but once again the Knicks blow smoke at us in the form of the “big name” coach. How the hell is this the smart move ?
Comment by JohnQ — May 11, 2008 @ 1:54 am
Think of it this way any coach is better than isiah
Comment by Banpeaceman — May 11, 2008 @ 10:31 am
I would have preferred peaceman b/c I would have preferred the Knicks rebuilding around a defensive oriented foundation, which could have later been supplemented with a more adept offensive coach or coaching staff.
I certainly was against this move at the outset but am trying to reconsider it.
I also thought this matter to be a major marketing move, get the big name coach with players that don’t fit his style of play, and then preach how exciting the Knicks will play next year.
Some positive possibilities are that the Knicks with a European coach might be opening back up to the possibility of culling European players, and incorporating that going foward.
Comment by Orange and Blue — May 11, 2008 @ 7:27 pm
I meant thibodeau. Not peaceman. I was replying to another blog. Mindmeld whoops!
Comment by Orange and Blue — May 11, 2008 @ 7:28 pm