what do you think of miked's coaching job since he's joined the knicks?

im going to ramble for a bit here..

for me, im ambivalent. i feel like miked was solely brouht here to coach the players that are attained after walsh cleared the crap out aka the players that we'll be adding this upcoming summer. when miked was fired as the suns coach and donnie walsh took the job as nyk gm, walsh had found the guy he wanted to coach his 'eventual team' if you want to call it that. walsh was thus in a quandry, do i go after this guy now, knowing full well, we are going to suck the next two years, as well as the fact that miked doesn't have a noted history of developing players (although some might argue that he is directly responsible for steve nash winning 2 mvps, the solid play of leandro barbosa and turning shawn marion into a all-star year in and out, but i digress.) so walsh said, i want this guy and in two years he won't be available to me, because he's going to be signed instantly by a team looking for a coach to run an up-tempo system (bulls and raptors come to mind.) now in miked's mind, going to ny probably sounded like a horrible situation because of the losing, but they were willing to pay him nicely for his 2 years of garbage and then in 2010 he would supposedly have some great player(s) to coach and he would again enjoy success.

now with all that said, d'antoni did have to coach these two years, even though it was a situation that was NOT desirable to him (both player wise and personality wise.) if i had to grade d'antoni, i'd probably give him a C+] job for what he's done so far in his 1.5 years in ny. personally, i have no problems with the way he treated both nate robinson and larry hughes.. larry hughes has been a problem everywhere he's been in his career and it's no different here. nate robinson is a firecracker, but to his credit he didn't have the veteran presence here to keep him in check. i don't fault miked for this, it's a product of the players and personalities that were on this team. miked's offense hasn't really worked here, obviously a main problem is not having the PG he feels he needs to run it, which is probably a detriment on d'antoni since he couldn't coach up nate to do the job, but then again, nate is nate. so miked has blindly trotted out duhon nite-in and nite-out and its seriously hurt the team, but i don't think he's had many other options. it's not like we had darren collison waiting on the bench or something.

actual in-game coaching i think d'antoni gets a C for me. he hasn't adjusted well when it comes to what other teams are doing to them, but at the same time i don't think d'antoni has necessarily had the personnel to really do anything great. im not absolving him, but i don't think he should be tarred and feathered over the fact when you're best offensive player is david lee.

alot of people are saying that d'antoni can only coach all-stars. that may be true and it doesn't really bother me. i understand that these past two years have been a struggle for alot of people, but if we get 2 of these possible guys that are available this summer then i honestly just don't care if miked did a bad job coaching lesser players the 2 previous years. i know the guy can coach good players and thats the reason he was brought here and that's the reason alot of players around the league want to play for him. d'antoni coaching good players from this point on is really all that matters. believe me, if when/if we get these guys and miked is still doing some of the same things and we aren't seeing results, i will be the first person lambasting him for not getting the results that we should be getting. i just think that the guy was hired for a specific job and that specific job hasn't started yet, so im not going to get on the guy until he actually starts doing what he was brought here to do. i dont know some may see that as stupid, but i don't.

anyways, that's the way i feel.

Well I think most people know my thoughts on MDA. I think he has been lumped into 2010 plan with Walsh. To me those are two separate issues. Coaches are suppose to manage their roster from day one. That doesn't necessarily mean that you must win but I think as a coach you must be accountable for execution of plays, player development and overall game strategy. I think he has failed at all three aspects these last few months.

Without going into detail, there have been too instances of plays breaking down after time outs, whether to foul or not foul guys and etc. for me to say that he has been done an adequate job. I remember Riley saying something about coaching years ago. He said it is up to player to execute but it is up to the coach to put them in a position to execute. I think D'Antoni relies on his players to much to put themselves in that position.

Player development is another issue with me. I seen posters point out how he has guys like Chandler and Gallo improving under him. Well to me I don't buy it. Chandler and Gallo seem to be using their natural abilities without little input from the coach. Both seem to be capable scorers without much help from the coaching staff but where is their improvement in the post? Did the coach set up plays to maximize their abilities or did he just leave it up to them to figure things out. I point to Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas as further evidence of this issue. I can go back to Balkman. I read reports where he just gave up on him last year. Lee seems to have improved each year offensively since Brown was coaching. So I find it hard to give D'Antoni credit in this regard. Where has he helped him on the defensive side of the ball. Al is doing the same thing that I saw him do in Atlanta, chucking shot after shot. Where is the discipline? Duhon learned one trick, the pick and roll and nothing else. Now that teams have adjusted to the pick and roll, how has he helped him?

Game strategy is major issue with me as well. Where are the in-game adjustments. Why does he not recognize and take advantage mismatches sooner? Why does he not adjust to deficiencies with any sense of urgency? Why does he not relate to his point guard the need to penetrate and distribute the ball to all teammates? Why does he not relate to his players the need to move the ball? To move without the ball? To defend the post? When to switch and when not switch?

Another huge with this coach is his overall communication skills. Now I don't know if it is something ingrain in him from his upbringing or what. But I think it obvious to anyone that he has serious communication skills with apparently not only his players but it seems at time with his boss. How often did I read where Walsh was hearing something about a player for the first time from a reporter. It gives the appearance that both men or not on the same page. His relationship with individual players is disgusting. You can't pick and choose to have dialogue with guys you like and don't like. Can you imagine that type of attitude in your workplace. Your superior doesn't like you so he is not going to talk to you about work. He is not going to communicate to you your need for improvement in certain areas. That isn't acceptable. I don't care if Lebron is playing here next year or not.

Thanks for letting me rant, nyk

Pharzeone wrote:Yeah, Nash was just some guy they got. smh. Where does it end?

come on man, everyone knows he was a cast off... the Mavs didn't want him anymore. LOL!

CrushAlot wrote:Isola on Daily News live talking about McGrady learning D'Antoni's 'system' get the ball and shoot it, don't play defense. Other reporter on D'Antoni, "He has alienated every guy in that locker room. Nobody wants to play for him." I agree with both statements. I have alot of issues with D'Antoni. I see him as a very arrogant guy who totally distances himself from the team and its struggles because he believes that these are not the guys he is destined to coach in the future. His rotation appears to be based on guys compliance and character verses potential or talent. The fact that D'Antoni didn't play the rookies despite his team being not competitive with a roster full of expirings and marginally talented vets is a reflection on his ability to teach and coach. Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas needed coaching and playing experience but both have youth and talent. D'Antoni chose to play Bender, Jeffries and Duhon who have no upside but don't need coaching. That says alot to me. D'Antoni's playoff mantra was almost immediately irrational after his team came out of training camp and went 1-9. The team coming out of training camp had all played for D'Antoni the previous season except for Hill, Douglas and Darko and he would not play them anyway. D'Antoni's veteran team that he had coached the previous year came out and lost 9 out of 10 wtf?. D'Antoni's benching of Nate, Hughes, and Curry brings up another issue. Nate and Hughes play better and are more talented than the guys they got benched for. D'Antoni never communicated with them regarding this and another drama issue came up similar to his handling of the Marbury issue. D'Antoni's struggles with communication with guys that might need him to set a limit or state an expectation more than once are very concerning. It appears that he banishes these guys without communicating and waits for Walsh to buy them out or trade them. I was shocked that Harrington wasn't traded because it appears D'Antoni has the juice to get guys moved that make him uncomfortable despite their talent. The fact that Jordan Hill was included in the trade is just another failure of D'Antoni as a coach. Hill should have gotten at least 20 minutes a game on a lottery bound team but instead he was stripped of his value by D'Antoni. I also am not sure how much D'Antoni coaches at all. In his defense the Knicks sometimes move the ball well on offense, especially in his first season. However, it appears that the offense this year is just a high pick and roll and then react. I know there was talk of his coaching defense but I think that is based on individual players and when Hughes and Chandler both got minutes and the offense slowed down the team was better on defense. What makes me mad is that despite not adapting and coaching the guys he has he is not held accountable. Despite not preparing his team in training camp he is not held accountable. Despite winning at a rate of 36% he will not play the rookies because his team is not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Despite failing miserably at the job he has he appears smug. I believe he thinks his destiny is to coach the best players in the league and that he is just bidding his time right now. Unfortunately if Walsh can pull off getting Lebron, another marquee free agent, and keep Lee he will have the magic formula of an mvp and two all stars. In my opinion if Walsh can pull off that miracle with the roster the Knicks will win despite D'Antoni and his ineffective training camp, coaching and lack of coaching defense. D'Antoni needs players that have a level of competence and ability so high that they don't need to be coached to win and be successful at a high level.

holy crap, i'm going blind just looking at this... u & Finestrg are killin me!

TMS wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Isola on Daily News live talking about McGrady learning D'Antoni's 'system' get the ball and shoot it, don't play defense. Other reporter on D'Antoni, "He has alienated every guy in that locker room. Nobody wants to play for him." I agree with both statements. I have alot of issues with D'Antoni. I see him as a very arrogant guy who totally distances himself from the team and its struggles because he believes that these are not the guys he is destined to coach in the future. His rotation appears to be based on guys compliance and character verses potential or talent. The fact that D'Antoni didn't play the rookies despite his team being not competitive with a roster full of expirings and marginally talented vets is a reflection on his ability to teach and coach. Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas needed coaching and playing experience but both have youth and talent. D'Antoni chose to play Bender, Jeffries and Duhon who have no upside but don't need coaching. That says alot to me. D'Antoni's playoff mantra was almost immediately irrational after his team came out of training camp and went 1-9. The team coming out of training camp had all played for D'Antoni the previous season except for Hill, Douglas and Darko and he would not play them anyway. D'Antoni's veteran team that he had coached the previous year came out and lost 9 out of 10 wtf?. D'Antoni's benching of Nate, Hughes, and Curry brings up another issue. Nate and Hughes play better and are more talented than the guys they got benched for. D'Antoni never communicated with them regarding this and another drama issue came up similar to his handling of the Marbury issue. D'Antoni's struggles with communication with guys that might need him to set a limit or state an expectation more than once are very concerning. It appears that he banishes these guys without communicating and waits for Walsh to buy them out or trade them. I was shocked that Harrington wasn't traded because it appears D'Antoni has the juice to get guys moved that make him uncomfortable despite their talent. The fact that Jordan Hill was included in the trade is just another failure of D'Antoni as a coach. Hill should have gotten at least 20 minutes a game on a lottery bound team but instead he was stripped of his value by D'Antoni. I also am not sure how much D'Antoni coaches at all. In his defense the Knicks sometimes move the ball well on offense, especially in his first season. However, it appears that the offense this year is just a high pick and roll and then react. I know there was talk of his coaching defense but I think that is based on individual players and when Hughes and Chandler both got minutes and the offense slowed down the team was better on defense. What makes me mad is that despite not adapting and coaching the guys he has he is not held accountable. Despite not preparing his team in training camp he is not held accountable. Despite winning at a rate of 36% he will not play the rookies because his team is not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Despite failing miserably at the job he has he appears smug. I believe he thinks his destiny is to coach the best players in the league and that he is just bidding his time right now. Unfortunately if Walsh can pull off getting Lebron, another marquee free agent, and keep Lee he will have the magic formula of an mvp and two all stars. In my opinion if Walsh can pull off that miracle with the roster the Knicks will win despite D'Antoni and his ineffective training camp, coaching and lack of coaching defense. D'Antoni needs players that have a level of competence and ability so high that they don't need to be coached to win and be successful at a high level.

holy crap, i'm going blind just looking at this... u & Finestrg are killin me!

CrushAlot wrote:Isola on Daily News live talking about McGrady learning D'Antoni's 'system' get the ball and shoot it, don't play defense. Other reporter on D'Antoni, "He has alienated every guy in that locker room. Nobody wants to play for him." I agree with both statements. I have alot of issues with D'Antoni. I see him as a very arrogant guy who totally distances himself from the team and its struggles because he believes that these are not the guys he is destined to coach in the future. His rotation appears to be based on guys compliance and character verses potential or talent. The fact that D'Antoni didn't play the rookies despite his team being not competitive with a roster full of expirings and marginally talented vets is a reflection on his ability to teach and coach. Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas needed coaching and playing experience but both have youth and talent. D'Antoni chose to play Bender, Jeffries and Duhon who have no upside but don't need coaching. That says alot to me. D'Antoni's playoff mantra was almost immediately irrational after his team came out of training camp and went 1-9. The team coming out of training camp had all played for D'Antoni the previous season except for Hill, Douglas and Darko and he would not play them anyway. D'Antoni's veteran team that he had coached the previous year came out and lost 9 out of 10 wtf?. D'Antoni's benching of Nate, Hughes, and Curry brings up another issue. Nate and Hughes play better and are more talented than the guys they got benched for. D'Antoni never communicated with them regarding this and another drama issue came up similar to his handling of the Marbury issue. D'Antoni's struggles with communication with guys that might need him to set a limit or state an expectation more than once are very concerning. It appears that he banishes these guys without communicating and waits for Walsh to buy them out or trade them. I was shocked that Harrington wasn't traded because it appears D'Antoni has the juice to get guys moved that make him uncomfortable despite their talent. The fact that Jordan Hill was included in the trade is just another failure of D'Antoni as a coach. Hill should have gotten at least 20 minutes a game on a lottery bound team but instead he was stripped of his value by D'Antoni. I also am not sure how much D'Antoni coaches at all. In his defense the Knicks sometimes move the ball well on offense, especially in his first season. However, it appears that the offense this year is just a high pick and roll and then react. I know there was talk of his coaching defense but I think that is based on individual players and when Hughes and Chandler both got minutes and the offense slowed down the team was better on defense. What makes me mad is that despite not adapting and coaching the guys he has he is not held accountable. Despite not preparing his team in training camp he is not held accountable. Despite winning at a rate of 36% he will not play the rookies because his team is not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Despite failing miserably at the job he has he appears smug. I believe he thinks his destiny is to coach the best players in the league and that he is just bidding his time right now. Unfortunately if Walsh can pull off getting Lebron, another marquee free agent, and keep Lee he will have the magic formula of an mvp and two all stars. In my opinion if Walsh can pull off that miracle with the roster the Knicks will win despite D'Antoni and his ineffective training camp, coaching and lack of coaching defense. D'Antoni needs players that have a level of competence and ability so high that they don't need to be coached to win and be successful at a high level.

This is a very good post and I agree with you. Use paragraphs to make reading your very cogent points easier please.

oohah