Most Knicks have came to the conclusion that Mike D'Antoni is not the coach for this team anymore. With nine games left in the regular season and most likely and first round match-up with either the Celtics, Heat, or Bulls Coach D'Antoni's tenure in NYC should be coming to a early end. Technically he has another year left on is original 4 year 24 million dollar deal, but in recent years we've seen James Dolan eat conrtacts with more money and years than that.
The general feeling is that the Knicks need a defensive minded coach to lead this team to elite status. While this maybe true, most blogs,fans, writers,and experts believe that person should be a veteran or big name New York guy i.e Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson etc. I think most including Donnie Walsh are overlooking a great candidate in there own backyard, Herb Williams.
Herb joined the Knicks’ staff as an assistant coach on Dec. 29, 2001. Since then he's lasted within the organization through many coaching changes, Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas, and Mike D'Antoni. He's picked up a little bit of everything from each of the guys, as well as a short stint at head coaching going 17-27 during the remainder of the 2004-05 season. Herb has earned the respect of his colleagues as well as the players. He comes from the hard nose, gritty, rugged defensive 90's Knicks teams.
Promoting Herb to the head coach wouldn't be a popular one but it may be the right one. A growing trend in the NBA with successful teams is building from within with young coaches. Monty Williams(Hornets), Larry Drew(Hawks), Tyrone Corbin(Jazz), Lionel Hollins(Grizzlies) etc. The Lakers and Phil Jackson are contemplating handing over the job to Brian Shaw as well. Knicks fans demand a coach that can get the best out the team and Mike D'Antoni seems to be too stubborn to adapt to his new team make-up. We may be jumping the gun somewhat with D'Antoni's coaching of this team but like everything else in New York good results are expected quickly.
MDA may still be able to salvage his future in New York with a playoff series win, but that outcome seems extremely far fetched with the teams recent play. Maybe its time for the big guy sitting next to him to stand up and take over. We'll see...
3 comments:
It's within, not with in. And you used the wrong to(o) when you said to stubborn.
@Dustin So you don't like Herb as a coaching candidate? Gotcha...
I'm not sure if Herb is right. I'd like to see the Knicks hire a college coach.
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