Charles Barkley: New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni has Jeremy Lin to thank for job – NBA Update
NBA Legend and current TV analyst Charles Barkley believes that New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni wouldn’t currently have a job if it wasn’t for the impact of a certain Asian-American point guard. Jeremy Lin, the man behind Linsanity, has been a blessing
for the Knicks ever since his inclusion in the starting line-up.
The formerly unknown undrafted reserve, has led his side to 9 victories in the last 12 games. Contrast that with the side’s 8 – 15 record before Lin started making a splash; and it becomes clear how much he has helped New York.
In fact, the Knicks were under pressure to relieve Mike D’Antoni of his job as a head coach, and Barkley believes that if it hadn’t been for the explosive impact of Jeremy Lin, the coach could have been out of his job already.
"I think Jeremy Lin did save his job because they were going nowhere fast. They were really going nowhere fast," Barkley said on Monday on ESPN New York 1050's The Mike Lupica Show.
New York Knicks, who had acquired stars such as Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, failed to become the powerhouse their fans had expected. D’Antoni therefore came under criticism for not producing the results even with such extensive resources, and
just when it looked like his job could be in danger; the tactician was thrown a lifeline in the form of Linsanity.
Lin though can only help the team too much. Although Sir Charles is of the view that New York are now on their way to become the a force in the Eastern Conference, he still doesn’t see them at the same level as NBA Championship contenders the Miami Heat
and Chicago Bulls.
"They're probably going to be the third-best team in the East that doesn't mean they're in the conversation with Miami and Chicago," Barkley said.
The reason for it could be the lack of chemistry between New York’s players, who have all been in the side for a very short span of time. Amar’e Stoudemire is perhaps the only key player on the roster who has been at the franchise for more than one season.
Carmelo Anthony arrived midway through last season, Tyson Chandler signed terms before the start of the current NBA season while Lin has only recently become a part of the picture.
Charles Barkley though believes it has to do with D’Antoni’s preference for an attacking system, in which defence often gets neglected. It is a critique that has followed Mike since his Phoenix Suns days.
"They were good enough but he never held them accountable on the defensive end. And I think he's stubborn," Barkley told Lupica.
Tags: