Mike D’ Antoni resigns as the coach of New York Knicks – NBA Update
Mike D Antoni has had enough of Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
The man, who led the Phoenix Suns to two Western Conference finals with his offense first style and took over the Knicks when they were nearly ruined by a certain Isiah Thomas, has finally realized that he cannot figure out the
riddle behind the Knicks slump and does not want to be a part of it any more.
After conducting a shootaround on the morning of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers, D’ Antoni met Interim General Manager Glen Grunwald and fellow executive Allan Houston to tell them of his intentions. Consequently
after a meeting with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan, the decision became final.
In a statement later, Dolan said the parting was ‘mutual’.
"He clearly felt it was best for the organization if he were not to continue as coach of the team. He did offer to stay," Dolan said during a press conference. "After a long discussion, we did agree it was best for the organization
to have new voice moving forward."
Mike Woodson, who was serving as an assistant to D’ Antoni, has been promoted as the interim head coach and there is no indication about who will be the permanent man in charge.
With Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler at their disposal, New York have one of the best front court trios in the league. They discovered the sensational Jeremy Lin last month and in Steve Novak, Iman Shumpert,
Baron Davis and J.R. Smith, they have an exquisite selection of white collar players. However, with all the resources available, they just can’t figure out a way to win.
After Lin inspired New York to six consecutive wins in the early part of February, the Knicks have lost 8 of the last 10 games in which Anthony made a comeback after an injury layoff.
D’ Antoni’s sudden exit now has put the star forward, for whom the Knicks traded four of their six best players last season, under the spotlight. To say Anthony has been a disappointment this season will be an understatement and
the reports of a rift between him and D’Antoni will further put him under the cosh. Grunwald however said that the whole team has to take the blame;
"It wasn't just Carmelo," Grunwald said. "I think it was our whole team was not playing up to where we thought they could be and I know Mike was as frustrated as anyone about that and that's what led him to that decision, that
maybe there needs to be a new approach and look at it."
The Knicks are at present battling with the Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference and although they routed the slumping Portland Trail Blazers tonight, with so much uncertainty all around, the Knicks are
in a rather tough spot.
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