Home Delivery

D'Antoni awaits offer from Knicks or Bulls

BY KEN BERGER | ken.berger@newsday.com

9:33 PM EDT, May 6, 2008

Article tools

E-mail

Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Facebook
- Fark
- Google
- Newsvine
- Reddit
- Yahoo

Donnie Walsh worked behind the scenes in a failed attempt to get Mike D'Antoni added to Isiah Thomas' coaching staff in Indiana eight years ago. Now, he has a chance to hire D'Antoni to replace Thomas as coach of the Knicks.

D'Antoni has met with the Knicks and Bulls and is waiting for either club to offer him its coaching job, which could happen in the next 48 hours, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Having received permission from Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver and president Steve Kerr to speak with other teams, D'Antoni has wasted no time lining up two potential jobs.

Despite reports to the contrary, neither the Knicks nor the Bulls have made D'Antoni a formal offer, the person familiar with the discussions said. And counter to widespread belief, the person said, D'Antoni hasn't ruled out the Knicks despite the better short-term prospects presented by the Bulls' roster.

It's true that D'Antoni is intrigued by the Bulls' roster, but he also is intrigued at the possibility of working with Walsh -- not to mention the allure of New York and the earning potential of working for James Dolan.

D'Antoni feels burned after having his personnel power usurped by Kerr, and his clashes with management during and after the Suns' second consecutive postseason loss to the Spurs have been well documented. As a result, D'Antoni would welcome the opportunity to partner with Walsh, one of the league's most respected and trustworthy executives.

Walsh, who did not respond to requests for comment, already has met with former Knicks point guard Mark Jackson, who remains a strong candidate for the job. Walsh has specified that he isn't necessarily looking for the best tactician, but rather the best coach for the job. That bodes well for Jackson's New York roots, thick skin, and comfort level with media scrutiny.

Having traveled to Phoenix Monday to meet with D'Antoni, Walsh stayed out West to meet with fired Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, a second person familiar with the situation said Tuesday. Johnson's style -- emphasizing defense and halfcourt execution -- appears to be a better fit for the Knicks' rugged past than D'Antoni's. But Johnson's recent postseason shortcomings, and his unwillingness to unleash Dallas' offense after the Jason Kidd trade, also were the primary factors in his firing.

It is a question of style when it comes to D'Antoni, architect of the freewheeling offensive approach that has made the Suns one of the most successful and exciting regular season teams but also a postseason disappointment. Walsh has often debated that very dynamic with his many friends and colleagues in the league. What's better? Wide-open offense, three-point shooting, and outrunning your opponent? Or the traditional, halfcourt, disciplined approach that has always worked in the playoffs?

While Walsh is perceived as a traditionalist, he signed off on Indiana's hiring of Jim O'Brien, a disciple of Rick Pitino's wide-open offense. Now, Walsh appears to be in the running for one of the most unorthodox and successful coaches in the league.

Get breaking news | Most popular stories | Dining and Travel deals all via e-mail!

Would you recommend this?

Rate it: