Mike D’Antoni: A Justified Cynic
31 October 2009
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The man has had enough, and it’s only two games into the season.
In the final seconds of the Knicks 102-100 double-overtime loss to the Bobcats in Charlotte, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni shows a combination of frustration and sarcasm.
After dealing with a flat out horrible season last year, the Knicks coach certainly cannot hold it in any longer. But really, who could blame D’Antoni for being a cynic? Anyone who was or is the Knicks coach through the last 6 seasons has the worst job in the NBA. Yes, even worse than the people who have to cover Clippers games.
Then again, he’s making $6 million/year. So I’d say he’s being rewarded for his suffering.
Do you agree?
-Shooter
Yes and no:
Yes because last year the Knicks started 6-5 and looked promising before Donnie Walsh traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford away. The team had chemistry and Mike D’Antoni had the players respect, but the front office ruined all that to try and get Lebron in two years. The Basher’s article about Charles Barkley ripping the Knicks is well justified and right on the money. Teams should not plan their future around free agency, its a crap shoot, and Walsh should know that. Now, D’Antoni had to pick up the pieces and work with what he can. He did a hell of the job. The Knicks were fun to watch last year, and even though they finished 32-50, I don’t think they could have done much better with the squad he put out there day in and day out.
Walsh has not supported D’Antoni at all, well correction, a false assumption that the best player in the league will dare play on a abominable “professional” basketball team known as the New York Bricks. Smart move.
No: He makes 6 million dollars a year.
In my opinion, there isn’t much for Lebron to do in New York that he can’t do in Cleveland. First, he is big enough of a superstar that he could market his brand on the Memphis Grizzlies or the Charlotte Bobcats. We live in an age now where a superstar doesn’t have to play in a big market to market himself. You can thank Al Gore and the internet for that one.
From a talent standpoint, I can’t imagine how the supporting cast in New York will take Lebron any farther than the supporting cast in Cleveland. I don’t even have to explain that one – there isn’t much left. David Lee’s and Nate Robinson’s contract are for 1 year anyway. Do we assume they come back?
Here’s Lebron’s lineup in 2010 if the Knicks get rid of Lee and Robinson (which I assume was the reason for the 1 year deal).
G- Chandler
G- Duhon
SF- Leeeebron
PF- Harrington/Jeffries/Gallinari (I have no idea who will play the 4)
C – Darko (Assume Lee gone)
That’s not a playoff team (maybe, just maybe an 8 seed). If they manage to keep Lee, and perhaps afford an upgrade at the guard position, then Lebron would have a decent supporting cast.
Thirdly, Lebron hates Braylon Edwards, why would they want to clash again in a different city?
I give it a 5% chance of happening.
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