Mike D'Antoni - Not the Right Fit

[CelticBalla32]

I just put together a little write-up about my feelings on D'Antoni's fit in New York. You guys can check it out here.

Feedback on my writing and opinions about my statements are appreciated.

[JSD]

Good Piece although I disagree, I Like this move by the Walsh and the Knicks. I think with this roster you need to bring in a "players coach" type of guy with some clout and I thought thats exactly what was done.

What Coach do you think would have been a better fit?

[jaketwice]

Don Nelson would have been better.
Avery Johnson would have been better.
Jeff Van Gundy would have been better.
George Karl might get fired, and he would have been better.
Marc Jackson might not have been better - but he sure would have been less expensive!

David Robinson is a choice no one mentioned anywhere, but somehow he seems like an ideal coach for the largely overweight frontcourt. He was in the Navy, so he knows something about dicipline. But then, he also always seems so friendly. Can't you picture him going for a bicycle ride with Zach Randolph smiling that big cheesy grin as they power up a hill yelling "you can do it Zach!" Or draping a friendly arm around a sweating and morose Eddy Curry after practice?

Robinson was a winner his whole career. He had a variety of random team-mates, some selfish (Sean Elliot) some arrogant (Avery Johnson) and some crazy (Dennis Rodman) and all the time, he was this easy-going, respectable guy.

He's nice and Christian too. A righteous man at Madison Square Garden, just imagine!

[jay_jay54]

Before i set in judgement,i want to see which direction D'Antoni try to direct this NY team in.D'Antoni style has been accustomed to being run/gun offenses,not much defense.He could do a 360,and change his whole philosphy of coaching this group.Ive seen it happen before,with a similar situation in the NBA.Back in the early 70's,Jack Ramsey,was head coach of the now depleted Buffalo Braves,who were lead by high scoring Bob Macadoo,but the team was much like the Suns team before Shaq.Ramsey was very offensive minded in coaching in Buffalo(lack defense)...later Ramsey was hired to coach the Portland Trailblazers,who were a losing franchise in the beginning,with some problems .Ramsey changed his whole philosophy  of coaching in Portland,to become known as one of the great defensive teams of that time.

[cdif911]

They should have the Knicks move somewhere else, like OK City perhaps, take a new name like the umm what is there to do in Oklahoma...the Cow Tippers, and pretend they never existed...then the upset fans can petition and get an expansion franchise in NY, called the NY Knicks of course, and get to effectively hit the reset button... worked for the Browns =)