Knicks' D'Antoni lets Woodson do yelling
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson looks up during an NBA playoff basketball game agains the Milwaukee Bucks in Atlanta. (April 28, 2010) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Mike D'Antoni is rarely vocal during his practices. This is something that has been evident since the day he arrived in 2008. It used to be his brother, assistant coach Dan D'Antoni, who handled most of the yelling during practice, but so far this season new assistant coach Mike Woodson has taken on the role.
"I don't have an issue," Mike D'Antoni said of Woodson's vocal presence. "He's talking about the defense and I'm going to talk about the offense. I can't step on his toes too much."
D'Antoni hired Woodson in the offseason under strong prodding from outgoing team president Donnie Walsh, who suggested D'Antoni bring in an experienced coach to run the defense. Woodson was coach of the Atlanta Hawks for six seasons and was in charge of the defense under Larry Brown with the Detroit Pistons, who won the NBA title in 2004.
Some view Woodson as a possible in-house successor to D'Antoni if the Knicks get off to a poor start. But D'Antoni, who is in the final season of a four-year contract, can't worry about failure or think about his future right now.
"I think every coach wants to stay where he is," D'Antoni said. "You get close to the players. And if things work out, it'll take care of itself. That's why coaching is always a one-year thing. You get to a certain point where, I'll be OK one way or the other, but coaching is always year-to-year. You've got to perform, the team's got to perform and if it does then all things work out."
Melo sits out
Carmelo Anthony did not participate in Tuesday's practice because of a hyperextended right knee, which he suffered in Monday's practice. He is listed as day-to-day and D'Antoni believes he will be available for Saturday's preseason game against the Nets.
"It's just being sure that he's OK," D'Antoni said, "but I don't see anything more than a day or two, hopefully."
Bill Walker also missed practice with a sore groin.
Shump taking his lumps
Rookie Iman Shumpert has already shown off his impressive athleticism and confidence in going hard to the basket. But during Monday's scrimmage, Shumpert learned the difference between the college and NBA games -- size -- when he went strong against 6-11 journeyman center Chris Hunter.
"It was a wake-up call," the rookie said with a grin. "I tried to dunk on Chris and he threw it. So it was a wake-up call. But it's fun."
