Tag Archives: Mike D’Antoni
“I’m leaning heavily towards coming back,” Rivers said Wednesday after the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs by the Miami Heat. “I haven’t made that decision. But I can tell you that I probably will. I’ve kind of come to that over the last couple of weeks. I’m a Celtic and I love our guys.
“I want to win again here. I do. And I’m competitive as hell. I have a competitive group, and so we’ll see. But I can tell you that’s where I’m at today. Tomorrow, I may change my mind, but that’s where I’m at today.”
I guess we’ll just wait until tomorrow then…unless?
“Listen, there’s been a contract for basically three months there. Danny (Ainge) and [Celtics owner] Wyc Grousbeck have been on the other side of patient,” he said after the Game 5 loss in Miami. “It gave us a long time to talk about it as a family. I haven’t signed anything or done anything but it’s there and I probably will sign it.”
For him to go that far and not sign would be out of character for Rivers, who is one of the most stand-up, genuine and honest guys you’ll ever meet in this league. And you can’t overlook how much respect Rivers showed D’Antoni during the first-round series. Rivers, well-aware of the criticism surrounding his counterpart, regularly gave credit to D’Antoni’s coaching acumen.
Something to monitor for sure…
Tagged Doc Rivers, Mike D'Antoni |
Frank Isola reports that Mike D’Antoni has hired development coach Kenny Atkinson to round out his coaching staff. Atkinson, a Long Island native, worked for the Houston Rockets last season following an extensive playing and coaching career in Europe
Tagged Kenny Atkinson, Mike D'Antoni |During yesterday’s Olympic function Mike D’Antoni addressed David Lee and his perceived “dislike” for the forwards game. In this morning’s NY Post article by Marc Berman D’Antoni is quoted as saying he “would love to coach him next season but admitted Lee is the subject of trade talks”. He did point out that one of the issues surrounding Lee is his contractual situation, but that he would never turn down a player “who can score 10 points and grab 10 rebounds”. D’Antoni admitted that the backcourt is thin and help is needed which could potentially lead to Lee’s departure.
I think we are all resigned to the fact that David Lee is going to be the sacrificial lamb of this rebuilding effort. Whether it be to obtain a point guard or package with another player to pare down the cap, Lee is probably a goner. I agree with Alan Hahn who has pointed out that you should not just trade Lee for the sake of it. If you could acquire a point guard like a Raymond Felton fine, but I would not be in favor of trading Lee for a second tier type of guard that you could get via the mid level exception and free agency.
Tagged David Lee, Mike D'Antoni |Rumors swirling about the Knicks talk of selecting Danilo Gallinari. Fans are already booing the pick the Knicks haven’t even selected yet. With countless undesirable draft picks over the years, Knicks fan fear another Fredric Weiss. Gallinari has talent and size but like another other potential pick their move to the NBA cannot be guaranteed. The Knicks have been weak in finding International talent which can transform their game to the NBA. The booing is ringing through the Garden from images of past draft blunders that Knicks fans are still haunted by.
Tagged Danilo Gallinari, Knicks, Mike D'Antoni |Alan Hahn’s Knicks Fix as has some interesting tidbits over at Newsday:
Jerryd Bayless was told by coach D’Antoni on Monday at dinner that roster “has all the tools” but an “engine” is needed to make them run.
There is still speculation that the Knicks will deal the number six pick, which is something I have heard from my sources.
It appears Eric Gordon was not healthy during the final month of the season. Some experts are comparing his game to Chauncey Billups.
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN 1050, Kevin Love has a private workout scheduled with the Knicks on Friday.
Mike Dougherty of the Journal News reports on some of these topics, but gives an update on this thoughts about the possible Za
ch Randolph to Philly rumors.
Wow the blogs this morning are chock full of interesting information. Its been a dry few days as we hit that lull a few weeks before the draft. I have said many times over the last year that the Knicks, although flawed, are not as bad as people think. This team doesn’t know how to win. They also lack consistent focus and toughness. D’Antoni needs a point guard very badly, but he will need to instill the aforementioned if he expects this “engine to run smoothly.” My gut tells me that some of the hype around other talents like Bayless, Gorden, Love, etc. is being used to excite other teams into dealing for the pick. If you could move the Randolph contract, get back a live body, and still maintain a first round pick in the top 20, you would have to consider this proposition. The one word of caution, Donnie Walsh better be sure passing up on some of the names mentioned today will not come back to haunt him.
Tagged Eric Gordan, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Love, Mike D'Antoni, zach randolph |Marc Berman of the Daily News cites sources that believe Phoenix assistant coaches Bill Webber and Alvin Gentry have been given permission to interview with the Knicks. Mike D’Antoni could finalize these deals as soon as tomorrow. Gentry has spoken to the Suns and there is a chance he could remain as a part of new head coach Terry Porter’s staff.
Tagged Alvin Gentry, Bill Webber, Mike D'Antoni, Terry Porter |Greg Hutchins of The Garden Grasp outlines “4 points” that need to be addressed before training camp. He believes a solid number six pick, roster balance, coaching, and the atmosphere of the locker room are essential for the team to move forward.
I agree with Greg on every one of these statements. I believe that points three and four which discuss coaching and team chemistry are two of the biggest failures of the Isiah Thomas regime. The team in 2008, although not of championship quality, should not have been as bad as their record. If you look at the teams from the early nineties they didn’t have the most collective talent in the league. What did they have is the ability to know their roles, roster balance, and of course Patrick Ewing. I believe the 1991 to 1994 teams were average teams that became very good due to their hard work. Defense cures all ills so hopefully Mike D’Antoni looks at some tape from those Knicks teams. At the very least an atmosphere of winning and a focused plan should do wonders.
The first two points are far more complicated. No one really knows what they are going to do with the draft pick. At this point its an asset and hopefully Donnie Walsh maximizes its by the night of June 26th. Roster balance very well might come with time and patience. New York fans are not known for either of those traits but unfortunately that is what its going to take to turn this thing around.
Tagged Donnie Walsh, Mike D'Antoni |Alan Hahn of Newsday talks about Eddy Curry‘s summer workout regiment at Tim Grover’s Attack Athletics facility in Chicago. Grover’s comment sums up Curry best when he is asked he is capable of being a part of D’Antoni’s run and gun system. “It’s never that he can’t, it’s does he want to?” said Grover. Quentin Richardson is also working at Attack on getting back to the “catch and shoot” offensive player he was with the Suns in 2004-2005. Hahn also discusses the Knicks plans to bring in 20 potential draftees for workouts as well as Stephan Marbury’s trade value.
The great Pat Riley use to talk about how conditioning was paramount to success. You use to hear stories about how tough training camp was and, if you were out of shape coming in, it things would be even tougher. “Winning Time” was the term used for the fourth quarter during his tenure and, more times then not, the Knicks wore down an opponent. If Curry gets into shape and finally dedicates himself to the game we all might be surprised at how well he does. Let’s not forget that during the 2006-2007 season he played some of his best basketball freelancing on the court. A mobile Curry is big and hard to defend. I would much rather give him a second chance and trade Randolph.
Tommy Dee says… Obviously it’s in a trainer’s best interest to say guys are working out hard, he does want to keep his job. Let’s hope Curry is learning how to increase his bounce, so he can block a shot for once and grab a rebound. At the end of the day, Curry doesn’t fit in this system, so get used to 15 minutes a game.
Tagged Eddy Curry, Mike D'Antoni, Quentin Richardson |Marc Berman reports, in what should be viewed as a positive turn of events, that the days of Stephan Marbury dividing the Knicks appear to be over. Team president Donnie Walsh responded to questions about Marbury’s “coach killing” history with “I know one thing. Mike’s not going to be the problem,” Walsh said edgily. “Let’s put it that way. If that’s what you want me to say, I just said it.”. For what it’s worth reports are that Marbury is working out and plans to be in the best shape of his career.
Those that have listened to me on the radio this year know my thoughts about Stephan Marbury. Although an immensely talented player, he has never shown he could lead a team like a point guard should. When Isiah Thomas described his criteria for a point guard to be “one that leads and plays defense” I laughed because neither of those have been strengths of Marbury. The only value Steph has left, in my opinion, is that expiring contract. My concern is that a “leopard doesn’t change his stripes”and having Marbury around this team will continue to poison any progress going forward. Its a tough situation because, until the contract expires , you basically have to find a role that doesn’t harm the team for Stephan. The last thing you want to do is allow his bad karma to force a trade of the contract that hurts the team financially against the cap. I doubt Donnie Walsh will do this because he has been so adamant about his stance against the exact opposite. I will tell you one thing, Donnie Walsh doesn’t mince words and play games like a certain former GM/coach.
Tagged Donnie Walsh, Mike D'Antoni, Stephan Marbury |Danilo Gallinari got another vote of confidence. This time former St. John’s basketball coach, and current international draft expert at ESPN, Fran Fraschilla gave Marc Berman of the Post a thumbs up. Fraschilla also believes that no point guard will be worth a pick at number six, unless you are talking about combo guard OJ Mayo. Berman also discusses the buzz about D’Antoni “not liking” Gallinari.
First, great work by Marc Berman who has been one of the most active beat reporters at the pre-draft camp. Since I am an alumni of St. John’s I admired the job he did while I was there recruiting Ron Artest, Eric Barkley, and Lavar Postell for that team. Mike Jarvis was the one that coached that group to the elite eight in 1999, but it was with the talent that Fraschilla recruited. With that being said I am very leery of anyone deemed a “international expert”. If all you do is analyze European talent you might become a bit bias in your analysis. However, it is another piece of information to chew on until the draft next month.
Once again I hear the name OJ Mayo. There has been lots of debate on this site from the fans about Mayo. I have a feeling if the Knicks pass on him that it might bring on some of the same frustration that happened in ’99 when Ron Artest was overlooked. I have confidence that Donnie Walsh will do the right thing, but according to someone I talked to he really does like Eric Gordon. Wow, with all the buzz at pre-draft camp I can’t wait to see the rumors fly as we approach the draft in late June.
Tagged Danilo Gallinar, Mike D'Antoni, O.J. Mayo | ← Older posts
