He basically said the team lost the game before it started. Nobody was taking the game seriously, a lot of joking around and goofing off. He specifically said "it shows in our layup line".

It's funny because this is a point I have brought up over and OVER again. When the Knicks take the floor, especially at MSG, there is not an ounce of professionalism out there. Backwards shots, lefthanded jumpers, ridiculous ****. They don't take preparation seriously. It's no wonder they get off to slow starts, they don't focus on the task at hand even 5 minutes before the game. As human beings we are FOCUS based. If one team is focused before the game and the other is not, guess who has the upper hand?

This is on D'Antoni. He needs to change the culture. Set up a routine for the layup line and warmups, and take it seriously. Give fines for players jerking off.

This might not seem like much, but Duhan finally spoke on something I have seen go on here for YEARS now.

Let's see if he does something about it.

PS He played horrible. But at least he's saying something to try and make a change.

Elite wrote:Another thing that bothered me, as the Knicks came out Flat.. in a really important game where was D'Antoni ? Why was he not up on the sidelines IMMEDIATELY gettin into the guys? I felt like he waited til halftime or the 3rd to start coaching.. He needs to realize at this point he is babysitting and if he wants to win hes got to COACH the WHOLE game

if you have to do this on a team in game #2 of the season after a HUGE loss, then you have a problem at the player level.

martin wrote:

Elite wrote:Another thing that bothered me, as the Knicks came out Flat.. in a really important game where was D'Antoni ? Why was he not up on the sidelines IMMEDIATELY gettin into the guys? I felt like he waited til halftime or the 3rd to start coaching.. He needs to realize at this point he is babysitting and if he wants to win hes got to COACH the WHOLE game

if you have to do this on a team in game #2 of the season after a HUGE loss, then you have a problem at the player level.

If you have a bunch of vets and are trying to win a championship, yes. But we got young kids on this team, D'Antoni needs to motivate and get these guys headed in the right direction

CrushAlot wrote:I think you have a problem at the coaches level. Training camp just ended. If a coach cannot motivate, teach, and structure a training camp so that his players come out prepared, motivated, and ready to compete there is a problem. I think if you have a team that is laid back, joking and not focused after a huge loss in their opening game there is a problem with the coaching staff. The players on the team are all professionals and have all won at a high level prior to being on this team. They are playing for a very unique coach who has a very unique approach to basketball. Part of that approach involves players being responsible for playing like professionals (MDA's words). Part of that approach involves playing in a system that does not fit all of the players but is not compromised to fit their abilities. Part of that approach involves playing a prevent style defense that is only effective if you have an incredibly talented offensive team. MDA coaches like a permissive parent who wants his kids to behave like adults and make the right decisions. That is an effective approach if your kids are gifted and talented, goal oriented, sober chased and virtuous. But if the kids are like 90% of the kids on the planet they need guidance, structure, discipline, and to be told what to do. I want MDA to have bags under his eyes, look stressed, and not just react after his team misses 8 three pointers and the other team ends their 12 point scoring run with a three.

Larry Brown is the same coach he was with Detroit as he was with the Knicks. How come his Knicks team was lazy and unmotivated?

CrushAlot wrote:I totally agree about it being on D'Antoni. I think that the canceling of morning shoot around on game days at home needs to be changed because these guys need to be working to improve constantly. One of the criticisms of D'Antoni coming from Phoenix was that he relied on veterans to police the team, set the tone, control the locker room etc. This team needs the marquee coach to do that. They also need to be held accountable, required to practice hard, and they need him to adjust his system to suit his players. He has been getting a pass for along time. I am sure that if the Knicks sign LeBron he will win 50 plus games. But there probably isn't a coach in the NBA that couldn't do that. He needs to do something now with this team. Training camp just ended. He had the eyes and ears of these guys for along time and they should have come out prepared and playing with passion.

The coach is the boss of the players and the GM is the boss of the coach. There should be a professionalism in place where if something is going wrong--i.e the players are fcking around right before the game and not taking it seriously--that is on the coach and GM for LETTING it get there.
How about you fck around and you get suspended for two games without pay. There is no accountability with the Knicks--Dolan doesnt give a rats arse Donnie Walsh is 68 and Mike D is a carefree player's coach. I think the coach who is making 6mm per should be mortified that Duhon said that.

Also martin, re: Larry Brown was the same coach in Detroit as NYC, I'm not sure that's true. How about the fact that he used 90 different starting lineups in NY. And yes, we know that Larry can be a prima donna and a headache personality wise, but I think that he was even worse in this regard in NY given that he had chief idiot in charge (Isiah). Larry seemed obsessed with being right, and making his point, often by making less than optimal basketball coaching moves and being stubborn in how he coached the team.