D'Antoni offers a load of Bull
As we expected, Mike D'Antoni prefers the Chicago Bulls over the Knicks, according to a report in Newsday's parent newspaper, the Chicago Tribune.
KC Johnson says sources told him that D'Antoni expressed to Bulls executive John Paxson an interest in coming to Chicago to coach the Bulls, who, as we've written here (and has been written everywhere else), have a roster that best fits D'Antoni's uptempo system. D'Antoni and Paxson met Sunday night in Phoenix.
We reported in today's Newsday that Donnie Walsh flew out to Phoenix on Monday to meet with D'Antoni. Walsh went with the intention of interviewing one of the most accomplished coaches available, but there was little doubt that D'Antoni would have a greater interest in coaching the Bulls and that Walsh would prefer a more disciplined, defensive-minded coach.
I talked to a team executive from the West who said Walsh has often debated style philosophies with other team executives around the league over the years.
"He has had numerous philosophical conversations regarding the new Suns style versus the classic style -- the Heat with Riley and the Spurs and Boston," the executive said. "We usually ended up in the same place: the classic-style teams seem to be sizing for rings."
So if you remove D'Antoni from the equation, that brings us back to Avery Johnson and Mark Jackson.
Walsh is meeting with Johnson this week, perhaps as soon as today. We may be finally in the homestretch.
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Comments (39)
Any thoughts on Thibodeau? Think Donnie's gonna wait around for the Celtics to be eliminated? He still in the running?
why are they after D'Antoni, Carlisle, Avery, Van Gundy?
how come no one wants to interview me?
i have the best basketball mind out there.
dolan & walsh will work with any GM on my pay but still, no one is calling
hello, i'm a basketball genius.
call me and i'll lead your team to the Finals.
Tom Thibodeau is still my first option but I'd take Avery Johnson over Mark Jackson. I still cannot understand why Jackson is even being considered. He's so unqualified for the job on so many levels. The only reason I think Jackson is being considered is because he's friends with Donnie Walsh and he's a former Knick. That's it. It has little to do with Jackson as an X's and O's coach.
Donnie needs to get the staff in place soon because the new coach and GM would have to discuss the Knicks new system and style of play. Mike D is perfect for Chicago. Mark is perfect for the Knicks. The quicker we announce a coach the quicker we can start to plan and build a new nucleus of players both on and to be traded or drafted to the Knicks. Mike D is a defenseless coach. We seen that with Isiah. The only problem was Mike D's players are better than ours.
Donnie needs to get the staff in place soon because the new coach and GM would have to discuss the Knicks new system and style of play. Mike D is perfect for Chicago. Mark is perfect for the Knicks. The quicker we announce a coach the quicker we can start to plan and build a new nucleus of players both on and to be traded or drafted to the Knicks. Mike D is a defenseless coach. We seen that with Isiah. The only problem was Mike D's players are better than ours.
Why can't Avery Johnson be an assistant to Mark Jackson. Johnson as an assistant will make sense because he could assist Mark Jackson with the ins and outs of being a head coach in the NBA. Also we could finally beat the Mavericks when they come to the garden knowing all their plays. ;)
AR, how is Mark Jackson perfect for New York? Sell him to me because I do not see it. And if anything Jackson should be Avery Johnson's assistant, not the only way around.
I agree both ways. If Avery Johnson does become head coach then Mark Jackson should be his assistant. Whether they will agree to both being on the Knicks is any ones guess. Either way you get the best of both worlds and two knowledgeable basketball minds. The only knock I have with Avery is how can develop Knick talent and bring the D back in New York basketball. Mark is a huge gamble other than the respect Donnie has for him and his past play as a knick, Pacer.
The guy is refusing to teach more D. that's scary. Kerr is scarier though Watch Phoenix sink Just hire Lou Carneseca
i like avery aka 'jimmity cricket' for tha job too but i prefer mark jax. this ny media will EAT avery alive when he makes his first big mistake...and we all know he likes to shoot his mouth off alot and bad mouth the team IN THE MEDIA when things go bad after a game or a bad stretch. plus that damn annoying voice i know sooner or later, he will be the new public enemy #1. at least jackson has the personality and is a ny boy. the media will cut him some slack i believe but will wait for the first screwup to POUNCE on jimmity cricket.
Report: Andrew Marchand of ESPN Radio reports Mark Jackson will be named Knicks coach within the nextx few days.
Personally, I think this is the right move.
They are going to hire Jax even though thibidau hasnt even been interviewed ? I thought Walsh was going to interview ALL available candidates ?
@Tha_Prowler - Amen.
Jax is sufficient for the job at hand. The new coach will be babysitting a roster with no immediate plans of success as Walsh works on the cap situation. The most important thing will be to draft players who will have important roles in the new incarnation. Other than draft picks, there will be very little change as any players who would have immediate impact will have contracts that are either too expensive or too long in duration to fit the rebuilding schedule. Rookies are cheap. The biggest need right now in my opinion is to get more draft picks for this year and years to come. Seattle has a ton, but likely won't trade for long term contracts, or large contracts. Portland has a ton.
For all Fixer GM's out there: how do we pry draft picks away from these teams?
@ Willis - Why don't they just get Mr. Doh'lan to pay for a couple??
Is that even a possibility...cash considerations? That may be a way to get a late 1st/2nd round rugged shot-blocker (don't forget: w/ an positive up-side).
Jeff - I hope you're not right.
I'm with kc knicks and sergio... They gotta at least give Thibedou an interview before coming to a final decision.
And I think Thibedou is a much better fit than Jax.
I'll root for Jax, and I'll be excited about the regime change, but I'd rather they go for an experienced guy.
Anyone here interested in splitting season tickets next year? Sec 309, front row. 2 seats. you could come in at 5 or 10 games...
might have to give em up. we had em for 15 years. too expensive, especially when they're impossible to sell on stub hub when the garden offers $10 tickets that include a free meal and chance to start at point guard....
If Donnie hires Jackson and he winds up being in over his head and we have to start all over again, we should picket the garden for Donnie's head on a plate.
We are in no position to take a gamble on a guy who considers the Knick fans rats when the ship is sinking. He better come in and proves he knows what he's doing.
He better get a defense implemented that Eddy and Zach can play. Because neither one of them are going anywhere, no one is going to take them. And he better have an offense the doesn't require Jamal or Nate going one on five or Zach pulling up for three or Eddy charging into someone.
This is a big move and to give it to a guy with no experience, none, is a very daring move at the Knick fans expense. I don't care if he was born on the garden's roof. He better produce.
@ WIllis.
A team like Phx or SA is always looking to trade away low round draft picks along with salaries to not go over the salary cap. That is one route to go in getting draft picks. Teams like Portland, Memphis, and Atlanta are already young and need a few more experienced players to put them over the top, they should be willing to trade their late round picks (Atlanta would have to be next years).
The tougher question is what we give up to get those picks. I think Nate or Marburry (if we are willing to take back the contracts) in Atlanta or Portland makes a lot of sense on some level. David Lee or Curry or Zach (if they are willing to take the Contract) in Memphis makes some sense. Curry next to Duncan or David Lee in Phx makes a lot of sense for those teams as well. If Miami falls to #3 or Brand walks away from the Clips, I don't think they will get a player who is better than Curry so maybe they would consider that trade.
DONNIE WALSH IS HAS SOME SERIOUSLY WORK TO DO...
i am not surprised d'antoni would choose the bulls roster over the knick roster...
the bulls have a young athletic roster that fits more with his style.
THE KNICKS NEED TO DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO GET ADDITIONAL DRAFT PICKS....
i hope we can remake this travesty of roster that isiah has created.
maybe they can bring some european players too...
NO EUROPEAN PLAYERS !!! don't some of you ppl get it??
aside from pau gasol, they don't make an immediate impact. it takes them at least 3 yrs to either finally decide to come to tha US or make real noise w/ tha team tha year they are taken. we don't have that type of time to wait.
1. weis 2. lampe 3. vujacic ...need more evidence 4. bargnani 5. bellinelli 6. darko 7. tskishtvilli 8 potapenko and on and on.....
Hey Fixer Nation,
Just wanted to give everyone a shout: this is the most thoughtful reader comment space of any basketball blog I visit. Seriously, read back; all 20 comments are on point. Props to Alan for running a tight ship, and props to everyone who posts for respecting this space.
I was gonna post my own thoughts here, but damn -- after reading all the comments, everything's been said! Jeff, thanks for the Andrew Marchard report. Interesting, and disappointing if it's true. (I'm still holding out for Thibideau.)
AR,
Why on earth do you think Avery Johnson, former Coach of the Year, would want to ride sidesaddle to Mark "no coaching experience" Jackson? Is it because he's from NY? Is it because he's an ex-Knick?
I'm sick and tired of these "home grown, NY kid comes home to save the day" stories. Get me the best damn coach.
His name is Avery Johnson.
AR,
Why on earth do you think Avery Johnson, former Coach of the Year, would want to ride sidesaddle to Mark "no coaching experience" Jackson? Is it because he's from NY? Is it because he's an ex-Knick?
I'm sick and tired of these "home grown, NY kid comes home to save the day" stories. Get me the best coach.
His name is Avery Johnson.
Whoever the coach is I'm rich thanks isiah
First, this team is in the perfect place for Mark Jackson to take over. They are not going to stay together. It will take a couple of years to do a make over, during which time Donnie will be able to evaluate how Jax is progressing as coach.
Second, it will be difficult for any seasoned coach to wait two years for a team. It's the nature of the NBA to win NOW. And, if a coach is fired from a good job, he will want to prove that his prior team blew it by letting him go.
Lastly, I wouldn't mind D'Antoni going to Toronto, and us picking up Sam Mitchell. I think he would do well in New York, if he wanted to live through another rebuild.
http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/52373/20080507/knight_resigns_as_hawks_gm/
Billy Knight resigned - another hat in the Knick's GM ring?
@ Oak - damn right - get us a mauler - I want Dorsey!
Look at Maxiel, Powe, guys that had to play Portsmouth and Orlando camps to get noticed, and they are contributing big time to playoff teams. If Rose or Beasley are off the board before we pick, I say we go for potential - hey we've got the time, and find us guys who do basketball things other than score. What about Gallinari for potential, or Anthony Randolph?
@ Prowler: but then there is Parker, Ginobili, Scola, Oberto, Calderon, Diaw, Okur, Torkulu, Nowitzki, Barbosa, Yao, Yi... You have a good point in that the knicks haven't picked a FIBA player worth anything, but there are good players out there. The problem has been Scott Layden and others who don't know the players, D'Antoni and Buford don't seem to have a problem picking good ones. The Pacers haven't done much with FIBA players under Walsh, so your prohibition might make sense here too, but its ridiculous in this era, if you are an NBA team, not to have a scouting presence in the international game. Doubly ridiculous that New York, the globe's second home, doesn't have a handle on the international game.
Glad to see others jumping on the Dorsey bandwagon. Now Alan convince Donnie!!
"NO EUROPEAN PLAYERS !!! don't some of you ppl get it??
aside from pau gasol, they don't make an immediate impact."
You're forgetting about Sarunas Marciulionis, Ginobili, Oberto, Scola, Okur...
These guys made immediate impact or contributions to their teams.
@ Alan - Isn't the guy on the Lakers Sasha Vuja-whatever a Knicks pick that got traded around to a couple different teams while he decided to keep playing in Europe?
If not, whatever happened to that guy? He was supposed be a really great Euro-guard prospect.
I answered my own question (sort of): where is this guy now?
2002 NY Knicks
Draft#:36
Milos Vujanic
Ht/Wt: 6-3
Position:PG
Drafted From:Yogoslavia 1980
They call me Mr. Thibs!
From YAHOO Sports:
James shrugged and sighed, “They’re a great shrink-the-floor team.” No one has done it better in the NBA this season, and so much of that comes out of the magnificent defensive mind of Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau. Doc Rivers was willing to turn the defensive side of the ball over to Thibodeau upon his arrival this summer, and those within the organization – officials, staff and players – call him the most painstakingly prepared coach they’ve ever worked with.
For nine years, Thibodeau had been Jeff Van Gundy’s top assistant with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. Those were always the best-rated defenses in the sport, but it was natural for people to pass most of the credit onto Van Gundy. For how much was Thibodeau responsible? No one could tell – until now.
“In a lot of ways,” Van Gundy told me this season, “it helped Tom to get away from me.”
The Queen Bricked 16 of 18. Reminded one of Break A Backboard Crawford.
The Queen fumbled 10 times. Reminded one of Little Man Nate.
Choke City in the playoffs. Reminded one of Stephon "Loser" Marbury - except Marc Berman's Master never makes it to the playoffs.
The Rapist stole the MVP. Ahead of Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, and Dwight Howard. Wonder what The Rapist will give his Missus to keep her quiet this time?
Don't expect the second-rate hockey writer to answer these questions. He's busy at Home Depot, keeping the Missus at bay.
Da Knix roster stinks, Jax has no coaching experience and da most pressure-packed joint in da NBA is da Gahden. Sounds like a recipe for mo disaster. Avery is no coaching genius and it's likely da NYC scene will chase him and his pouty face out after 1 season.
If Walsh and Dolan are serious they should back up the truck for JVG and welcome a new era with a real coach who can win in da Big Apple. If they don't get him, I'll be telling yas I told ya so next year at this time.
DTR
Alan,
Here's some help you need! I hope it works!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVdrvGZpPI4
Guy's
12 days before Ping Pong Balls! I believe if we don't get Rose
we should trade down for LOWER picks! Those being
DeAndre Jordan C
19 years old; 7'0"; 260 lbs.
Texas A&M, Freshman.......Who is a legit 7 footer and is a
High Risk/Reward pick! He is believed to picked @ 12 in the First round.
As far as Raw talent, strength and running the floor....there's
NO big man in the draft that comes close to his potenial
Best case-KG......worst case- Jerome James...High Risk/Reward!
From the trade down I'd take the projected 2nd rounder;
76ers Joey Dorsey PF
24 years old; 6'9"; 260 lbs.
Memphis, Senior .....NY will have it's enforcer again!
Because of his age and Game...he will make an impact
right away as he does all the dirty work...that's his Game!
This is my Personal Draft plan B. I hope we get Plan A....and
get "Kissed by a ROSE"
What Atlanta thinks of Billy King:
http://hawks.realgm.com/articles/575/20080507/goodbye_b.k./
Almost makes Kenny Smith palatable.
But seriously, who is gong to be making the decisions about talent under Walsh? Forget coach, that's the issue. With Doh'lans money we can discard coaches like kleenex, the issue in this whole rebuilding thing is who you draft and who comes back in the salary dumps. Those players will be the destiny of this team. Look at Cleveland. Have they done anything right in getting talent with LeBron? How's Ben Wallace working out for them?
The coach question is sexier, but I'm scared of the Billys that keep getting brought up, and the GM selection will be the one that ultimately matters the most. And remember, there is still a snake in the Garden. Who knows who he's whispering to.
Who's going to GM this team?
want to read something interesting KD? Check out Alan’s blog and how the entire blog focusses on knocking Peaceman off his reverse-racist soap box. You were so right about that dude it aint even funny.
Comment by johnQ — May 1, 2008 @ 9:25 am
Peaceman,
Hard to say what's more amusing: your desire for the Knicks to add two more lumbering bigs to a team that already includes lumbering bigs Lazy Eddy, Fat Zach, Jerome James, and Randi Morris?
OR
How interesting your mother looked on that YouTube video to which you linked above?
Personally, I believe Peaceman's mama never looked better, but the options seem to be a wash.
Back to the street corner drawing board you go, Peaceman.
Guys ... Tom Thib is the man for the job. He is the best coach for the Knicks right now. Why isn't he being interviewed??? And say no to Avery ... he's not the right fit for this team. I'm lukewarm on Jax ... the only good reasoning behind bringing on Action Jackson is that the Knicks will more than likely be a mess for 2 more years and this will be good on the job training for him ... come the 2010-2011 season (when most of these ridiculous contracts are off the books) the Knicks can try and reel in LeBron and Jackson will have 2 years of experience and should be fine by then.
Who knows? Best bet would probably be to hire Herb to babysit for 2 years and then grab someone else once we get LeBron or Bosh in free agency in summer 2010