Questions Surround Futures Of Knicks' Walsh, D'Antoni
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- There has been much written regarding Donnie Walsh's fate with the Knicks. James Dolan hasn't picked up the option on the Knicks president's contract for next season, even after his moves over the first two years have the Knicks in position for their first playoff appearance since 2004.
Now there is growing speculation surrounding Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's future with the club.
D'Antoni's trademark is the fast-paced run-and-gun offense, a style New York seems to be moving away from with the additions of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.
"I think the question for next season will be," one league executive told the NY Post, "is D'Antoni the right guy to lead a team with a halfcourt star in Anthony and a 35-year-old point guard?"
Before the Knicks' 92-79 win over Atlanta, D'Antoni compared the addition of Carmelo to the Miami Heat's "big three" of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
"It's hard," said D'Antoni. "It's hard because they have a bunch of guys that have come together and they've got to figure things out. It takes awhile. When your main core is together for a few years and you add pieces and change pieces it doesn't change that much."
"But when you change your identity ... I feel it's tough. And Erick (Spoelstra) is right in the firestorm. It's not easy. People need to give everybody time to get through it. A little bit like us now."
D'Antoni admitted that the team needs time to gel.
"For us right now it's a tough time," he said. "We have to go through this and get to the other side. Miami is the same way."
Whether he'll be in New York to see it happen is another story.
Should the Knicks consider dumping D'Antoni? Sound off in the comments below...
