Walsh Isn't Ready To Judge D'Antoni

via newyorktimes.com


They Knicks lost seven of their first 10 games, a slightly better mark than last year’s 1-10 beginning. After Sunday’s loss to Houston, Amar’e Stoudemire, the team’s marquee free agent signee, bemoaned the team’s attitude and lack of urgency. But Walsh said he had l not made any opinions on D’Antoni as the Knicks departed for a four-game trip that begins Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets.
“I’ve made no judgment on Mike in the first few years, basically because I didn’t think he had the personnel to compete because of what we were doing,” said, Walsh, who is expected to be away from the team as he recovers from hip-replacement surgery this week.
“This team is a young team that has to be brought along a certain way. He’s trying to do that. In the first 10 games, I expected that we would be up and down, and we have. So I don’t think it’s time for me to make judgments on Mike.”
At Monday’s practice, Stoudemire said he is confident in his teammates, but that they need to buy into D’Antoni’s system. Both D’Antoni and Walsh said the players are not in the mindset to run on every possession — a key component to D’Antoni’s offense. And so, the Knicks have been blown out, they’ve fumbled leads big and small and have been outhustled and outplayed.
“It takes a while for guys to really get comfortable and really have confidence in the system,” Stoudemire said. “Everybody’s used to playing a different way, so it takes a little time. But I think now we understand that we have no choice. It definitely wasn’t a great start to the year, but we have a long season and we’ve got a chance to turn things around.”
D’Antoni said he did not expect to alter his starting lineup in Denver. Against Houston on Sunday, D’Antoni started Timofey Mozgov and sent Wilson Chandler to the bench to serve as a spark plug. But he started the second half with Chandler in for Mozgov. Ronny Turiaf, who is expected to return from a sprained knee against Denver, may soon evolve into the starting center.
“I’m always concerned, when you’re 3-7,” D’Antoni said. “And again, we could have won a couple games and then you’re 5-5, you’re a little less concerned. But I do think these guys will get it. I hate it that we’re in this spot.
“I’m not pushing the panic button. I’ve got my juices flowing, and we’re trying to get this thing solved.”

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