A league source who had access to the closed-circuit airing of last night’s Celtics-Cavaliers game has told TheKnicksBlog.com that when asked about discussing the Knicks’ hiring of Mike D’Antoni on air, Jackson said “He did not mind,” but that he appeared to be a little peeved.

Obviously, we don’t blame him. He grew up in Queens, played for the Knicks, and is probably still a Knick fan, and if he isn’t himself, all of his friends and family probably still are. (Including, Escalade.)

With that being said, in the last few weeks many Knick fans expressed a desire to hire Jackson as the head coach because of his connections with the Knick organization and the fact that he was born and raised in New York City. On the other hand, Mike D’Antoni was born in West Virginia, played collegiately at Marshall, professionally in Italy, and his only experience as a head coach comes in the Western Conference.

So, we ask you….

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Mike Vaccaro NY Post-

“It is a good day to be Mike D’Antoni, who has the kind of monetary-compensation-for-life unique to the men who coach the Knicks; it is a better day for Knicks fans, left wandering in the desert for far too long, left to seek sustenance with free hamburgers and Coke. Any one of them will tell you: This is better. This is much better.”

Pete Vescey NY Post-

“Let’s face it Walsh blew this call.”

Mitch Lawrence Daily News-

“Wrong Move”

Marc Stein, ESPN

“Here’s another reason: All D’Antoni has been hearing for days is how ill-matched New York’s roster is for his system and how he has no shot to win there for the foreseeable future. As Howard Beck of the New York Times notes in his story for Sunday’s editions, one former colleague calls D’Antoni “the world’s greatest contrarian.” It’s one of my favorite things about one of my favorite coaches.”

…Andrew Smith writes….

There is no doubt that D’Antoni is a very good coach and that his style lends you to believe that he is well-liked by the players. That is not the issue though, the issue is that this franchise continues to make decisions that add unnecessary expectations that this group has no possible chance of meeting. A best-case scenario next season for this group of players can’t realistically be more than 35 wins. So, why spend six million dollars a season on a coach who could end up becoming like Larry Brown and shaking his head most nights thinking to himself, “How are these players in the NBA?”

Mark Jackson or Tom Thibodeau, or any first-time head coach, was the right fit for this team as a symbol of starting anew. The hiring of D’Antoni will just give the fans and media another reason to expect more from a roster that is incapable of being successful.

Alan Hahn has posted the offical Knicks statement.

“The New York Knicks have agreed in principle with Mike D’Antoni to become the next head coach of the team. A press conference will be scheduled upon the completion of the contract.”

There is early word that a press conference could come as early as Monday — there is only one playoff game that night (Boston at Cleveland) — but nothing has been officially set as of yet.

Alan, whom TKB respects tremendously does a great job of holding himself accountable, and throw us in with this sentiment as well.

Frank Isola, who like us thought Mark Jackson was the destined hire, quotes a rival head coach who says the Knicks/D’Antoni situation is a “terrible match.”

When Walsh was hired last month, he talked of the importance of re-establishing the team’s defensive culture. Instead, he hired a coach who angered his bosses in Phoenix because the team wouldn’t defend enough. Under D’Antoni, the Suns went 26-25 in the postseason, including a first-round loss to San Antonio in five games this year.

“I think it is a terrible match,” said one rival head coach. “I don’t get it. Two of the biggest problems with the Knicks are that they don’t practice and they don’t play defense. I don’t know if that changes now.”

Mark Jackson was perceived to be the frontrunner for the job, but Walsh did not speak to Jackson after their initial interview two weeks ago. According to sources, however, Walsh led Jackson to believe that he was the leading candidate.

Kudos to Marc Berman and Ric Bucher for having the ins, although Berman said Walsh played this way too close to the vest, against promises of the new “media friendly” MSG. Listen to Berman on WFAN with Steve Somers. Honestly, I think this is a move to be questioned, but this isn’t the same roster we’ll see in a few years so we just have to be patient. It’s a long term solution. I just hope Walsh can aquire defensive-minded players that fit D’Antoni’s system.

With Mike D’Antoni officially being named to replace Isiah Thomas, TKB poses the question:

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UPDATE-

SI.com’s Jack McCallum is reporting the Knicks have come to terms with D’Antoni. McCallum was accurate relatively speaking on the Mavs-carlisle situation so stay tuned as TKB awaits confirmation.

ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting on 1050 ESPN Radio saying that he expects D’Antoni to end up with the Bulls and the two sides had a “great” conversation last night.Rumors of Stephen A. Smith reporting a 4 year 24 million dollar offer were not mentioned on ESPN Radio and have not been confirmed by TKB.

Scott Ferrall and BT discuss the “supposed” offer for D’Antoni and, to me, have the situation read perfectly.

With Donnie Walsh on record saying that the team’s head coach will be in place before June’s draft, who do you think is the best fit at this point in time?

Note- Yes, we realize that Tom Thibodeau’s name has been omitted, as he apparently hasn’t been contacted. Once we hear that he is being considered, we will run another poll. - TD

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Continuing conflicting reports are a buzz this morning as the NY Post is reporting the offer for Mike D’Antoni could come today.

Signs continue to point toward the Knicks landing Mike D’Antoni as coach, and he could receive an offer from Knick president Donnie Walsh as early as today, according to a league source.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are either cooling off or not prepared to come close to matching the Knicks financially, despite a report that Chicago would make an offer by tomorrow. The Bulls are talking about interviewing more candidates, and may not make an offer this weekend, putting the Knicks in good shape.

However, the Daily News is reporting D’Antoni is not on the verge of becoming the head coach.

The Knicks continue to deny reports that they are on the verge of offering Mike D’Antoni a contract to become their next coach.

Donnie Walsh, the team’s new president, sent word Friday through the Knicks’ media relations department that reports of D’Antoni receiving a five-year deal are “inaccurate.” For the second straight day, ESPN.com said that D’Antoni is the Knicks “No. 1 coaching target” and that Walsh and D’Antoni’s representatives have “outlined the lucrative parameters of a five-year deal” which, translated into English, apparently means that the two sides are in contract negotiations.

Alah Hahn of Newsday reports (and we love the ESPN knock) that truth of the situation dedpends on who you believe. He also notes that D’Antoni will be in Chicago for a meeting this weekend.

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 preaches 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.

To read the rest of “From Dee to Z”, click here. 

Update (7 pm)

ESPN is reporting the team is preparing a deal worth $30 million.

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Update (4 pm)

A source close to the Knicks has informed TKB that the two parties informally have discussed numbers, but stressed that no serious negotiations are taking place and at this time there is no offer on the table.

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Marc Berman is reporting that prelimary discussions have begun regarding a contract with Mike D’Antoni according to a league source and that “if” Walsh makes an offer it will be “one (D’Antoni) won’t have to think about.”.

“Knicks president Donnie Walsh has denied a formal offer has been made to any candidate. D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LeGarie, spoke numbers with Walsh over the phone yesterday during his New York stopover on his flight from Greece to San Francisco.

The two sides are far from a deal. The D’Antoni camp was looking for a package in the five-year, $30 million range - one James Dolan can easily afford after lavishing a five-year, $50 million contract on Larry Brown.

Mark Jackson was projected as the frontrunner until D’Antoni was given permission to speak to the Knicks and Bulls last weekend. When it appeared the Bulls weren’t ready to step up to the plate financially, the D’Antoni camp considered the Knicks the more viable option.

D’Antoni’s availability was no shock to Walsh, who placed him on a four-coach list last month of guys he felt would be let go if their teams lost in the first round. The former Coach of the Year posted a 267-172 record since being promoted as the Suns head coach. Walsh interviewed D’Antoni Monday night in Phoenix.

We have our ears open so check back in for updates…