D'Antoni's job appears to be safe - for now

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Knicks' four-game western swing, which continued last night against the Kings at Arco Arena, already has gotten off to a rough start with Tuesday's defeat in Denver that extended the team's losing streak to six. Mike D'Antoni's team had three games left to salvage the trip and, perhaps, the coach's standing with the franchise.

"It's early,'' D'Antoni said. "But there's always a sense of urgency . . . Urgency is, yeah, we've got to do it right now, tonight would be great and if not tonight, then tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. You always have to have that sense of urgency.''

And while some fans already may be calling for D'Antoni's firing - there is actually a Facebook movement pushing for the return of Jeff Van Gundy - an in-season move, especially this early, has not been discussed internally, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

Though there is a growing frustration within the organization about the poor start, there hasn't been any added pressure applied to D'Antoni as a result of the Knicks' 3-8 record entering last night. "Mike always feels heat about winning,'' a person close to the Knicks coach said. "It's self-imposed.''

Team president Donnie Walsh on Monday told reporters that it wasn't the right time to judge D'Antoni's performance. It should be noted that Walsh has only once in his executive career fired a coach in midseason: Jack Ramsay in the 1988-89 season.

But if Walsh decides to make such an out-of-character move, he'd first have to find a suitable replacement available to take over the team (after, of course, convincing ownership to eat the final two seasons of D'Antoni's contract). Van Gundy is a nostalgic option, but unlikely. Van Gundy's ESPN broadcast partner, former Knick Marc Jackson, was a candidate in 2008, before D'Antoni was hired. His connection to New York and as a former Knick would be an easy sell to fans. Jackson's lack of coaching experience, however, would be a major concern.

A more plausible scenario to consider if D'Antoni can't get the team turned around and into the playoffs is starting fresh next season, which might be shortened because of a possible lockout, with a new voice. By then the Knicks could try to lure Doc Rivers from Boston or consider a top college coach, such as John Calipari. There would likely be some consideration to at least give Patrick Ewing an interview.

Still, what generally comes before a coaching change is a roster move, which, though Walsh is still in a Manhattan hospital recovering from hip surgery, is very much on the front burner. The trade market usually gets active in mid-December, especially after the Dec. 15 date when the summer free agents are eligible to be traded.

One obvious need is shooting. The Knicks entered last night's game as the third-worst shooting team in the NBA at 43.6 percent. They were fifth worst from three-point range (32.1 percent). Much of this falls on the shoulders of Danilo Gallinari, whom D'Antoni and the Knicks were relying on to provide the perimeter attack. But his shot has been alarmingly off target as far back as preseason. Toney Douglas and Wilson Chandler also have shot poorly. And as the bricks pile up, the confidence has gone down.

"We do have a couple of guys that are questioning [their] shooting,'' D'Antoni said. "And that's why New York's tough because everybody has their opinion and we have guys down on themselves. And they have to overcome that and they will.''

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