TKB’s Tommy Dee and SNY TV’s Rich Zuckerman discuss the possible hiring of
Mike D’Antoni.
Rich Zuckerman: We seem to be in agreement that current Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni may not be the best fit to succeed Isiah Thomas as the next head coach of the New York Knicks. Yet, with each passing day, team president Donnie Walsh seems to inch closer and closer to bringing the biggest coaching name on the market to New York, with the latest reports indicating that Walsh has outlined a contract offer for D’Antoni. The former Italian League star lit up the Western Conference with his “Seven Seconds or Less” offense with the Suns. The question is, can he make the same high-octane offense work in New York?
Tommy Dee: I just can’t see Walsh, a UNC guy and old-school mind, bringing in a prototypical Western Conference guy. The idea that D’Antoni is an innovator is great, but he had some help in Phoenix. He can’t change Eddy Curry into Amare Stoudemire or Nate Robinson into Steve Nash. I just don’t see a fit. Walsh understands that the league has changed to more up-tempo, but the East is still rugged. I mean, look at the Celtics-Cavs series, it’s almost throwback to the 1990s. The Knicks don’t need to model themselves after a high-octane West Coast offense. Knicks fans want defense and the team needs a teacher who preache
s defense and accountability, and that just isn’t D’Antoni.
Rich: I agree with you on all points. As entertaining as D’Antoni’s high-wire act may be, the only circus that belongs in Madison Square Garden’s is Barnum & Bailey’s. Jokes aside though, it is possible to see how some players already on the Knicks roster could thrive in D’Antoni’s system. Wilson Chandler has the length, athleticism and defensive tenacity both in the paint and on the perimeter to potentially grow into Shawn Marion’s old role in Phoenix, or at least Boris Diaw’s before he put on the weight. Robinson’s speed and explosiveness could make him a stronger version of Leandro Barbosa. Renaldo Balkman, arguably the Knicks’ best transition player, was targeted by the Suns in the 2006 NBA draft. David Lee’s prowess on the offensive boards could make him the beneficiary of many easy put-back buckets in D’Antoni’s quick-shot system. It’s not exactly Magic, Worthy and Kareem running the floor of The Forum, but it’s a start.
Tommy: That’s where we need to be careful. Comparing players and searching for fitting parts can be dangerous. I don’t buy into many of the fans assertions that Nate can be this guy or Balkman can be that guy if they can just be coached. Coaching can only do so much. You still have to players understanding what’s expected and if they don’t you have to hold them accountable. Larry Brown tried that and was mocked and had no backing from Isiah. I just think Brown looked at these guys and didn’t see much talent and I tend to agree. I love Lee and Chandler, and Nate can be a great bench spark, but looking at the skill sets of everyone else on the roster and frankly, I’m not sure John Wooden could do anything with them. Ask yourself this. Would you rather spend the next two years watching the team lose 130-115, or 90-85. If you want the former, D’Antoni’s your guy.
Rich: It’s not so much about trying to mold guys into other players’ roles, as it is about trying to understand Walsh’s logic in chasing D’Antoni. Chandler won’t become a clone of Marion, Robinson won’t be a clone of Barbosa, and if by some miracle Derrick Rose finds his way to the Garden, he won’t be a clone of Nash. But there is some talent present, perhaps more than some people realize, that could thrive under D’Antoni. That may be what Walsh sees. No matter who the next head coach is, widespread roster changes will undoubtedly follow over the next two seasons. The immovable objects that are Curry and Zach Randolph may not get in D’Antoni’s way for long, because there’s a decent chance one or both may be gone, perhaps even before D’Antoni coaches a single game. Walsh may just be trying to save himself a few steps in the rebuilding process by hiring a coach who would seem to be able to mesh with several of the central pieces already in place.
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