Mike Woodson not talking about contract with New York Knicks yet- NBA Update
The New York Knicks are down 3 – 1 in their Eastern Conference first round playoffs tie against the Miami Heat. The team though also has other things on mind; like the identity of their head coach for the next NBA season. Mike Woodson is favourite to get
the nod, but the coach has denied entering discussions with the franchise.
New York are currently under the stewardship of Mike Woodson, who is serving as an interim coach after taking over from Mike D’Antoni on March 15th. D’Antoni resigned after a below par season and it was left for Woodson to salvage a playoffs spot.
Mike was able to do it, but the Knicks don’t look like progressing past the first round against a terrific Miami Heat side. Rumours are thus about that the organization is already looking to next season and identifying a permanent head coach is on top of
the agenda.
Sources suggested earlier that the Knicks have indeed starting talking about a contract with Woodson, but the coach has denied it.
"That's not true, not at all," he said after practice Tuesday.
Mike was pressed by reporters on the matter, some even suggesting that he had met Knicks owner James Dolan before game-4 to discuss the matter, but the tactician denied it.
He was also coy not to talk up his chances. His record with the Knicks speaks for itself, but Woodson wouldn’t be drawn on that. He insisted that records are not definitive indicators in matters such as these, something he has learned from his time as head
coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
"I don't look at it like that," he said. "I went 53-29 (in 2009-10) in Atlanta and was out of a job. So I don't look at it that way. What's going to happen will happen. Right now I do have a job and I'm coaching the New York Knicks. They gave me that opportunity
and I'm just trying to make the most of it. Right now the job is not completed."
For their part, the Knicks’ players have thrown their weight behind the interim coach. Mike has restored some balance to the side since taking over, and it has not gone unnoticed in the locker room. Super star forward Carmelo Anthony summarized the take
of Knicks players on the matter, saying Woodson would be welcome back next season.
"Absolutely, absolutely," Anthony said. "If they're going to do it right now, or if they're going to wait until after the season, I would love to see him back.”
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