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Notes on D’Antoni, as promised:

Good morning Defenders, after a tumultuous previous season, a questionable draft, a forward looking summer league performance and a promising training camp, the regular season is upon us. It is still hard to tell exactly what Knicks fans should expect this season, but there is one keyword which fits as certainly as who will be Knicks coach on October 29th, when the season starts: “exciting.” We know this upcoming season will be exciting, if for no other reason than Walsh’s best move of the summer – the hiring of Mike D’Antoni as coach.

This team, with all its warts and promises, is D’Antoni’s team even as the MSM continues to use words like “garbage” and “refuse” to describe the collection of players the Isiah Thomas management team left behind. D’Antoni brings with him an attitude and philosophy that promises the make the game more fun than the last few years for both the fans and the players. This is an easy point to agree upon on. What we have yet to learn is how this excitement will ultimately play out and how much excitement, without winning a championship, Knick fans are willing to tolerate.

To help us get a better understanding of the coach, and perhaps how the fans will ultimately settle on his efforts, I’ve decided to examine who D’Antoni is and what he brings to the Knicks that will have us going home happy almost as often as we go home frustrated for the next couple of years.

Enjoy and Holler Back.

DISCOVERING D’ANTONI

Introduction

Fun, exciting and stubborn. Those are the two words used most by those who have interacted with D’Antoni or watched a D’Antoni led team. Recent Hall of Famer, Pat Riley calls him a “great, great coach.” Chris Bosh called him an “offensive genius.” Some members of the MSM are also ready to throw the “genius” label at him because he has a system which is so old school the press can’t remember that it is a variation on a theme in Naismith’s Kansas, John McClendon’s Tennessee State, Westhead’s Loyola Marymount, Showtime Los Angeles, Rainbow Uni Denver and Auerbach B.C.

Most interestingly, the man who studied D’Antoni up close for an entire season and wrote the definitive book on the up-tempo Phoenix Suns, Jack McCallum, refused to label D’Antoni a genius. Recently, on MSG he was asked to identify one major characteristic he learned about D’Antoni during the season he spent in the Suns’ locker room. The essence of McAllum’s response was that D’Antoni is stubbornly wedded to his belief that an up-tempo offense is a championship winning offense. This Taurean stubbornness is at the core of his success and failure; it is a strength and a weakness for it can represent both inflexibility and persistence.

In Europe, as a player and a coach, D’Antoni was a champion and he won championships. Stateside he has been a winner for the most part, but the only thing he champions here is style of basketball which is action-filled and fun to watch. But he de-emphasizes D-fense and fails to produce championships.

Today, D’Antoni remains unapologetic about championing this cause, because as far as he is concerned he has not been proven wrong. But for influences, like a crooked ref and poor judgment by the NBA front office, D’Antoni may actually have had his team involved in a couple of NBA finals. Maybe. He has been close enough to the O’Brien shiny stuff to keep alive hope that he can produce a champion without an emphasis on defense.

While his stubbornness/persistence is at the core of his performance, it comes to us through a filter of maturity, humor and positive energy. This is how New York fans prefer to have their bullheadedness/persistence served – as opposed to the prism of mistrust and misdirection shared by the MSM and the previous management team. Still, one must wonder how long will fans accept a dish that tastes of as much promise as frustration; how long will fans accept the D’Antoni they will discover in the upcoming season?

By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Oct 27, 2008 at 6:47 am

Opps, “three words.” Couldn’t catch is fast enough.

By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Oct 27, 2008 at 6:48 am

Orange & Blue,
Dr. Peaceman is mentally challenged and emotionally unstable. He’s also a fat slob if that was him that I saw on some sort of a whack job video.

And you believe Dr. Peaceman? Where’s your credibility.

I hope that Ewing jr. makes it. I can imagine seeing floor burns all over his body when he plays. You can’t teach that.

By KFFL on Oct 27, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Ewing Jr. cut, Roberson kept as Knicks finalize roster
By Andrew Marchand
Updated: October 27, 2008, 2:46 PM ET

The New York Knicks reached the mandatory 15-man roster limit Monday at the expense of a Ewing.

Patrick Ewing Jr., who lit up Madison Square Garden in the Knicks’ final preseason game Friday, was involved in the team’s final roster move as the Knicks chose to keep shooting guard Anthony Roberson and cut Ewing.

Ewing Jr.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh signed Roberson this summer to a one-year guaranteed contract for about $800,000. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni was a big backer of the signing, even comparing Roberson to Eddie House, whom D’Antoni coached with the Phoenix Suns.

Roberson made only two field goals in 10 attempts in limited minutes in the preseason. Ewing’s contract was only partially guaranteed for the league minimum of $430,000, although Walsh said money was not a factor in the Knicks’ decision to cut him.

D’Antoni had said that the fact that Ewing’s father is a Knicks legend could not be ignored, but it wouldn’t factor into the decision. Patrick Ewing is a Hall of Fame center and the Knicks’ all-time leader in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and steals.

“I think he’s a lot better than what I thought he was, and I think he has a chance to make the NBA,” D’Antoni was quoted as saying in Monday’s New York Times, before Ewing’s release was announced. “I think he’s got work to do. Would he help us on the floor this year? I don’t know.”

On Friday against the Nets, the 6-foot-8 Ewing scored seven points in nine fourth-quarter minutes to lead a near comeback and had the Madison Square Garden crowd on its feet with two monster dunks.

After much speculation this offseason, Stephon Marbury is also still a Knick. However, Marbury is not expected to be in the starting lineup. Chris Duhon will start at the point, with Jamal Crawford at shooting guard.

Andrew Marchand is the managing editor of 1050 ESPN Radio in New York

By D L T Knicks on Oct 27, 2008 at 3:03 pm

Welcome back KD!Hope your journey was successful!Walsh blew a 2 pick for Ewing Jr.That’s not a freebee, so they must have had a reason knowing that they’d still probably have to cut him.All they had to do was count guaranteed contracts.True, they may have felt room via trade might happen.I think something else was in play, perhaps with D.Stern way in the background.These are the new feelgood Knicks and PJ jr. creates good will.Look for a future reachout to Pat Sr.and perhaps other former Knick heros of old to be offered something in the org.Pat certainly could help with Kenny Smith’s radio spot or with the big guys.Even better would be bringing in Captain Willis for a little radio and charity work.That would make my day.Willis or Pat jumping in from time to time on radio with Earl or TV with Clyde can’t hurt sales or goodwill when the losses start coming.And they will bring Pat Jr. back if he doesn’t choose to go with another team.Frankly he needs to get better and I don’t think he’s ready to play anywhere except on the end of someone’s very long bench.If he takes a longer view and works on his game he’s got the inside track on a good look during the season if he chooses the Knick’s developmental team.Eddy and Jerome, even Steph, may be moved eventually.Pat-i-ence Jr. may still work out to be a virtuous Knick.

By Tman on Oct 27, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Hello boyz !!!! As we stand here on the cusp of a brand new season, I hope that all my fellow bloggers are in good health and happy in their lives. I look forward to sharing ideas w/ all of you in the upcoming months. Can’t wait til wednsday !

By JohnQ on Oct 27, 2008 at 6:21 pm

When I hear Ewing Jr. was cut over Anthony Roberson or Jerome James, I was frankly in disbelief and was way too pissed off to put forth any coherent thought on the matter.

To calm down I checked out the internet for what the consensus would be on the choice to can Patrick Ewing Jr. over Anthony “shoot blanks first and ask questions later” Roberson or Jeromes “BIG HEIST” James.

The consensus is pretty overwhelmingly against this latest decision by the entity our very brother DLT dubbed Waltoni. Actually come to think of it this entity is a three headed hydra which once and for all disproves the theory that two-in this instance three- heads are better than one. This monstrosity, the terrifying Manegerial creature I dubbed Waldoltoni, (frightening combination of Senile Donny Walsh, Penny Pinching James Dolan, and Offense First and Last Mike []‘antoni) initiated a Garden coup to exit a young player who represent’s a link to the Franchises defensively inspired fighting spirit of yore. The move also ousted a talent who might be able to help the franchise addresses several possible pressing needs that are more glaring than adding another gun to what many here believed was a pretty fully loaded offensive entity.

Although Ewing Jr. stands at only about 6′8, he demonstrated during the preseason an ability to be able to play bigger than his stated size as exemplified in his ability to block shots, rebound, and play above the rim where many a shot of our other fowards- Z-Bo, Lee and even Curry often get sent back. Moreover Ewing Jr. comes in at about 240 pounds and possesses a 40 inch verticle leap coupled with a relentless energy that could have only been passed down from a legendary father. Ewing surely played bigger than the two pouting and lazy oaths that will now continue to occupy the Knicks roster and bench while creating pot holes and cracks in the flooring of MSG. Also D’antoni has relied on a small but combative front court lineup of David Lee, and Zach Randolph. In addition D’antoni has suggested that he would utilize the rail thin and brittle Jared Jefferies as a center in his system. Therefore the argument that Ewing is to small to play in the post for the Knicks plainly fails to recognize the coaching staff reliance on smaller but more active players on the front lines and in general.

Ewing Jr. also would have provided young and cheap fronline depth that the knicks could have used and surely lack- Jefferies injury, Chandlers Knee issues, Curry’s and James ineffectiveness in []‘toni’s system, Z-bo & Lee’s possible exit via trade, and Rose age.

Yet, Walsh’s stated reason for keeping Roberson over Ewing Jr. was that he needed to address a need namely shooting.

That excuse is as naked as the Emperors new clothes were to the young child in the crowd telling the emperor he was naked. The Knicks currently have a roster of players capable of shootng the ball- Robinson, Crawford, Gallinari, Richardson, Randolph, Marbury and to a lesser extent Duhon. Yet again the managerial monstrosity of Waldoltoni chooses to pinch pennies and slight the defensive side of the ball. Waldoltoni chose to keep a shooter who shot 20 percent generally and only 25 percent beyond the arch to sure up it’s shooting, when more glaring needs- unstated by either an incompetent, disengenouse or outright senile- Donnie Walsh went unmentioned.

At the end of this day Lives mantra that the mask on the Knicks recievership has come off cannot ring more true.

I strangely get a feeling of a soldier going out to war with an abundant arsenal of weapons but that has failed to even strap on a either a bulletproofvest (defense in general) or a blast shield (shot blocking) in a machine gun laden warzone.

This to me spells TROUBLE

By Orange and Blue on Oct 27, 2008 at 10:49 pm

Waldotoni. I like that. They already have a name. I guess marketing is not a strong suit of the new KNicks regime. Keeping Ewing Junior would have bought some good press and some feel good “tudes” in the support base. He is a New York type dive on the floor, hit em hard type roll player. What we have is a 19 year old who already has a disc problem, a sixth off guard who is not as good as the other five guards we have and shot 20% during pre season and a Whale like twin towers in which both parts may never get off the bench.

Another reason that all eyes are on Missouri the show me state.

By kevin Harewood on Oct 27, 2008 at 11:32 pm

I can’t make it today, but if you’re in NYC the Knicks are doing a media splash type thing at Union Square today. See below.

Union Square Park - south steps area
7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Current Knicks players David Lee, Nate Robinson, Malik Rose, Danilo Gallinari and the Knicks City Dancers are scheduled to appear with NBA and Knicks Legends Walt Clyde Frazier, John Starks, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, Scottie Pippen, Kenny Walker, Kym Hampton, Charles Smith and even Spike Lee! FREE fan festival to get your Knicks tickets, participate in basketball contests and win prizes including tickets to Opening Night and basketball games for all.

Times of appearances:

9am:
Spike Lee, Kareem Abdul Jabaar and Scottie Pippen

9:30am:
Commissioner David Stern

12 - 3 (TBA) pm: John Starks, Charles Smith, Cal Ramsey, Kym Hampton Kenny Walker, Clyde Frazier, Knicks City Dancers

4 - 6 pm:
David Lee, Nate Robinson, Malik Rose, Danilo Gallinari Maddie the Mascot (in Knicks jersey)

By Edward on Oct 28, 2008 at 11:43 am

Here is the latest on Curry.

By D L T Knicks on Oct 28, 2008 at 7:19 pm

KnicksD

I respect your position with regards to Walsh despite many a fan blogger already losing confidence in the good ole boy.

Did you know that This is the last year that GS Warriors GM Chris Mullen wil be under contract with that organization.

I recall you mentioning an article in which the Knicks had already designated a GM or assistant GM but do you think that acquiring Mullen to add IQ points, and fresh ideas to the Knicks’ “braintrust” would be a move for the following offseason?

In the meantime cumbaya!

Tommorow live blogging and a forum to start the upcoming season with extra positive energy.

By Orange and Blue on Oct 28, 2008 at 9:57 pm