As you might recall, I am a pretty big Phoenix Suns fan.  And as much as I hate seeing them eliminated in the playoffs year after year, I hate to see D’Antoni go.  Eveidently Mike D’Antoni has agreed to coach the New York Knicks, bringing his entertaining offensive style from the Phoenix Suns to a team coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

The Knicks released a statement Saturday night saying they had agreed in principle with D’Antoni and that a press conference would be held once the contract had been completed.

D’Antoni had two years and $8.5 million left on his Phoenix contract. Suns owner Robert Sarver wouldn’t confirm that D’Antoni had taken the New York job earlier Saturday, but said, “Mike called me this morning to thank me, so I figured this was up.”

The offer is reportedly for $24 million over four years, making him one of the NBA’s highest-paid coaches. The Chicago Bulls also interviewed D’Antoni for their coaching job.

D’Antoni replaces Isiah Thomas, who was fired in April after the Knicks went 23-59, tying the franchise record for losses in a season. D’Antoni will become the Knicks’ sixth different coach since the start of the 2002-03 season.

The 57-year-old D’Antoni led the Suns to a 55-27 record last season and was coach of the year in 2005. He had a 232-96 regular-season record the past four years, but the Suns were eliminated in the first round by San Antonio last month. The Suns then gave D’Antoni permission to pursue other openings.

D’Antoni quickly made Phoenix a winner after becoming their coach 21 games into the 2003-04 season. A short time later, the Suns traded Marbury and Penny Hardaway to the Knicks, clearing the way for the offseason blockbuster signing of Steve Nash.

Nash was a perfect fit for D’Antoni, and the Suns quickly became NBA darlings, their refreshing style far more entertaining than the plodding game of most teams. In the 2004-05 season, the Suns won 62 games, tying a franchise record, leading to coach of the year honors for D’Antoni and the first of two MVP awards for Nash.

But the Suns never made it to the finals under D’Antoni, losing to San Antonio three times and Dallas once. The acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal in February was designed to toughen the team and a better match for the Spurs. But after the Suns’ five-game loss, D’Antoni’s future with the organization became a subject of speculation.

President and general manager Steve Kerr, hired a year ago, acknowledged differences in philosophy, and eventually gave D’Antoni permission to speak with other teams.

Nash said Friday he believed D’Antoni would stay in Phoenix, and it’s unclear where the Suns look now. But Kerr most likely will go after a more defensive-minded coach since defense was the biggest weakness under D’Antoni.

Technorati Tags: Mike D’Antoni, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Steve Kerr, Robert Sarver

Related posts:

1. Stephon Marbury leaves New York Knicks
2. Jon Kitna ‘Naked Coach’ Halloween Costume
3. Shawn Marion Leaving The Phoenix Suns?
4. The Phoenix Suns Lose to the Spurs – Again
5. Isiah Thomas Should Just “Fade Away”

(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...