On WFAN: D'Antoni Talks Knicks' Season-Opening Win
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- New York Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni joined Boomer & Carton on Thursday to talk about his team's impressive 98-93 opening night win against the Toronto Raptors.
Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks' prize free agent acquisition, had 19 points and 10 rebounds in his regular season Knicks debut.
"Amar'e's always been a guy who wants the responsibility, wants it on his shoulders," D'Antoni said. "We have a guy who can deliver in big moments, and you need that in the NBA."
LISTEN: Mike D'Antoni with Boomer & Carton
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Stoudemire is hoping to lead New York back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
"There was never a question about [Amare's] ability to be able to look at a challenge and tackle it 100 percent. He will not back down from the city, and that's huge in New York, as you know."
Wilson Chandler was also impressive. Chandler scored 22 points off the bench, and didn't sulk when coach D'Antoni bumped him from the starting lineup in favor of rookie Landry Fields.
"Wilson is that type of player," said the Knicks' head coach. "He was the best guy to deliver points from the bench. He did his job and did it great."
