Mike D’Antoni’s entourage signs on for the New York Knicks – NBA Rumour Mill
Sources close to the New York Knicks management have revealed that the team of assistant coaches to Mike D’Antoni have all agreed contract extensions with the Knicks. The announcement has not yet been made publically, but there
is reason to believe that the deals are already in place.
The coaches that have reportedly signed on the dotted line include Mike’s brother Dan D’Antoni as well as Herb Williams and Kenny Atkinson. All three will now feature on the sidelines for the Knicks next season.
If the deals are indeed done, they would also indicate that Mike D’Antoni is guaranteed to be the head coach of the New York Knicks for at least another season. Mike D’Antoni had a productive first year at the New York franchise
as he guided a revamped outfit.
D’Antoni introduced a fast paced style of play, something that had made him famous back when he coached Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns and produced great results, although the Suns still failed to win an NBA World Championship.
New York made major changes to playing personnel last season which made D’Antoni’s job a little tougher than he would have wanted it to be. Things started off great as the Knicks signed free agent super star Amar’e Stoudemire at
the beginning of the season but there was a turbulent period around February due to the franchise’s chase of star forward Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets only parted with Anthony and veteran point guard Chauncey Billups in return for a whole host of talented players which left the Knicks woefully short of depth. However, D’Antoni still managed to get the side into the
playoffs where they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round.
The sweep raised some questions over Mike D’Antoni’s ability as he was perceived to have been outcoached by the Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers on a few occasions.
D’Antoni’s future was shrouded further when Donnie Walsh, the team’s President of Basketball Operations was unexpectedly fired by the ownership. Walsh had done a great job since coming over. His brought in some serious star power
to the club and reduced the wage will by half of what it was when he started.
Walsh was also the chief supporter of Mike D’Antoni at the franchise; therefore his dismissal was immediately seen as proof that Mike’s job wasn’t safe as well.
D’Antoni himself allayed such fears and now with the reported contract extensions of his assistants, there is enough reason to believe that the former Phoenix coach won’t be going anywhere for the foreseeable future.
However, it is believed that D’Antoni is still on the lookout for a defensive specialist in his backroom staff.
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