When pressed, a cautious D'Antoni added, "I feel Donnie has done everything he can do. But I don't have opinions. I've got to focus on what I'm doing. I'm not an opinion-maker. You guys [in the media] do that."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/antoni_treads_lightly_on_stalemate_gBJuINGlKVbMOOQNHoH4vL#ixzz1D54qfnLi

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

I totally agree Crush, D'Antoni should back Walsh in every way possible (great post too btw)..He knows damn well his boss is in the hot seat right now and he should be doing & saying everything possible to make sure everyone knows he's firmly in his corner..I tend to feel as you do somewhat -- this doesn't appear to be the case..He's definitely not outwardly campaigning for Donnie to stay, that's for sure (I know I would be)..Not from what I've seen or heard..There's not saying the wrong thing and then there's going out of your way to say the right thing and show your loyalty--little bit of a difference..Not to mention he never even bothered to incorporate Anthony Randolph into the mix and you know that's gotta irk Donnie to some degree (we all know Donnie's a big AR guy having made the deal to bring him here). Yet Donnie never made a stink about it whatsoever, instead leaving it up to his coach to make those decisions (I bet with at least half the GMs in the league, more than half probably, this would've presented a big problem early on. Not with Donnie though and that's a testament to the man's professionalism and loyalty to a coach he hired and brought here). Orange, you're out to lunch on this one buddy, sorry to say.

Finestrg wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

I totally agree Crush, D'Antoni should back Walsh in every way possible (great post too btw)..He knows damn well his boss is in the hot seat right now and he should be doing & saying everything possible to make sure everyone knows he's firmly in his corner..I tend to feel as you do somewhat -- this doesn't appear to be the case..He's definitely not outwardly campaigning for Donnie to stay, that's for sure (I know I would be)..Not from what I've seen or heard..There's not saying the wrong thing and then there's going out of your way to say the right thing and show your loyalty--little bit of a difference..Not to mention he never even bothered to incorporate Anthony Randolph into the mix and you know that's gotta irk Donnie to some degree (we all know Donnie's a big AR guy having made the deal to bring him here). Yet Donnie never made a stink about it whatsoever, instead leaving it up to his coach to make those decisions (I bet with at least half the GMs in the league, more than half probably, this would've presented a big problem early on. Not with Donnie though and that's a testament to the man's professionalism and loyalty to a coach he hired and brought here). Orange, you're out to lunch on this one buddy, sorry to say.

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

MDA has consistently proven his character. His character is not in question here, not by a long shot.

MDA supports Donnie where it matters, behind the tabloid sensationalism.

There is nothing MDA can add to the situation by discussing it publicly. He knows his place, which is to coach, and I think this, his consciousness of his role and purpose, says a lot about the integrity of his character.

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

MDA has consistently proven his character. His character is not in question here, not by a long shot.

MDA supports Donnie where it matters, behind the tabloid sensationalism.

There is nothing MDA can add to the situation by discussing it publicly. He knows his place, which is to coach, and I think this, his consciousness of his role and purpose, says a lot about the integrity of his character.

Sometimes you need to go above your place for someone who has repeatedly stuck their neck out for you. Walsh has been loyal without question despite the not playing of guys he acquired, drafted or that might have trade value. He has never questioned his coach and while D'Antoni has not always had a great roster, his methods, communication and rotation definitely could be questioned as could his results. He has always taken the blow for his coach and has gotten rid of any player that D'Antoni struggled with or didn't want to deal with. My guess is D'Antoni will never work for a guy that is as good to him as Walsh has been.

No, that's highly sentimental and idealistic.

MDA is playing this the way it's supposed to be played, it's the proper way to act.

"Going above his place" would only serve to complicate the matter and make life more difficult for both MDA and Donnie.

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

MDA has consistently proven his character. His character is not in question here, not by a long shot.

MDA supports Donnie where it matters, behind the tabloid sensationalism.

There is nothing MDA can add to the situation by discussing it publicly. He knows his place, which is to coach, and I think this, his consciousness of his role and purpose, says a lot about the integrity of his character.

Sometimes you need to go above your place for someone who has repeatedly stuck their neck out for you. Walsh has been loyal without question despite the not playing of guys he acquired, drafted or that might have trade value. He has never questioned his coach and while D'Antoni has not always had a great roster, his methods, communication and rotation definitely could be questioned as could his results. He has always taken the blow for his coach and has gotten rid of any player that D'Antoni struggled with or didn't want to deal with. My guess is D'Antoni will never work for a guy that is as good to him as Walsh has been.

No, that's highly sentimental and idealistic.

MDA is playing this the way it's supposed to be played, it's the proper way to act.

"Going above his place" would only serve to complicate the matter and make life more difficult for both MDA and Donnie.

I don't really think it is above his place. He answered the question in a way that makes it seem that way but that is because of who he is as a person in my opinion. He came to NY because the other two places he could work wanted him to change. Walsh said he would take him as he was and support him and he has never done anything but despite his handling of things putting Walsh in a compromised position on numerous occasions. He had a chance to pay Walsh back and chose to protect and possibly save himself for another day if things get ugly.

MDA's public endorsement is meaningless to the man in charge. MDA's support is a given. In a functional relationship, it's implicitly understood that the coach supports the GM. By all accounts Donnie and MDA have a positive and supportive relationship. There is nothing MDA can influence for the better by stating his position to the sensationalist media.

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

MDA has consistently proven his character. His character is not in question here, not by a long shot.

MDA supports Donnie where it matters, behind the tabloid sensationalism.

There is nothing MDA can add to the situation by discussing it publicly. He knows his place, which is to coach, and I think this, his consciousness of his role and purpose, says a lot about the integrity of his character.

Sometimes you need to go above your place for someone who has repeatedly stuck their neck out for you. Walsh has been loyal without question despite the not playing of guys he acquired, drafted or that might have trade value. He has never questioned his coach and while D'Antoni has not always had a great roster, his methods, communication and rotation definitely could be questioned as could his results. He has always taken the blow for his coach and has gotten rid of any player that D'Antoni struggled with or didn't want to deal with. My guess is D'Antoni will never work for a guy that is as good to him as Walsh has been.

No, that's highly sentimental and idealistic.

MDA is playing this the way it's supposed to be played, it's the proper way to act.

"Going above his place" would only serve to complicate the matter and make life more difficult for both MDA and Donnie.

I don't really think it is above his place. He answered the question in a way that makes it seem that way but that is because of who he is as a person in my opinion. He came to NY because the other two places he could work wanted him to change. Walsh said he would take him as he was and support him and he has never done anything but despite his handling of things putting Walsh in a compromised position on numerous occasions. He had a chance to pay Walsh back and chose to protect and possibly save himself for another day if things get ugly.

MDA's public endorsement is meaningless to the man in charge. MDA's support is a given. In a functional relationship, it's implicitly understood that the coach supports the GM. By all accounts Donnie and MDA have a positive and supportive relationship. There is nothing MDA can influence for the better by stating his position to the sensationalist media.

I disagree. He is being portrayed as taking a neutral position in this situation. That is not an endorsement and he has been defended and protected by Walsh his entire time in NY. He needed to step up here and do what was right.

The way he's portrayed has no influence on Donnie's future with the team.

There are two realities. There is the media reality, which is fodder for discussion like this, and then there is the reality of the Knicks workplace, where these guys work together daily and function in a world that is hidden to the fans.

Just like we don't know what goes on in the trade process, we don't know what's going on with the hiring and firing of Knicks employees.

MDA's 'defense' in the media reality would have no bearing in the reality of the workplace. But his outspoken discussion of the subject could negatively influence his standing with the organization. There is nothing to be gained by publicly defending Donnie and there is everything to be lost by getting caught in the fray of a public sensation.

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

MDA has consistently proven his character. His character is not in question here, not by a long shot.

MDA supports Donnie where it matters, behind the tabloid sensationalism.

There is nothing MDA can add to the situation by discussing it publicly. He knows his place, which is to coach, and I think this, his consciousness of his role and purpose, says a lot about the integrity of his character.

Sometimes you need to go above your place for someone who has repeatedly stuck their neck out for you. Walsh has been loyal without question despite the not playing of guys he acquired, drafted or that might have trade value. He has never questioned his coach and while D'Antoni has not always had a great roster, his methods, communication and rotation definitely could be questioned as could his results. He has always taken the blow for his coach and has gotten rid of any player that D'Antoni struggled with or didn't want to deal with. My guess is D'Antoni will never work for a guy that is as good to him as Walsh has been.

No, that's highly sentimental and idealistic.

MDA is playing this the way it's supposed to be played, it's the proper way to act.

"Going above his place" would only serve to complicate the matter and make life more difficult for both MDA and Donnie.

I don't really think it is above his place. He answered the question in a way that makes it seem that way but that is because of who he is as a person in my opinion. He came to NY because the other two places he could work wanted him to change. Walsh said he would take him as he was and support him and he has never done anything but despite his handling of things putting Walsh in a compromised position on numerous occasions. He had a chance to pay Walsh back and chose to protect and possibly save himself for another day if things get ugly.

MDA's public endorsement is meaningless to the man in charge. MDA's support is a given. In a functional relationship, it's implicitly understood that the coach supports the GM. By all accounts Donnie and MDA have a positive and supportive relationship. There is nothing MDA can influence for the better by stating his position to the sensationalist media.

I disagree. He is being portrayed as taking a neutral position in this situation. That is not an endorsement and he has been defended and protected by Walsh his entire time in NY. He needed to step up here and do what was right.

The way he's portrayed has no influence on Donnie's future with the team.

There are two realities. There is the media reality, which is fodder for discussion like this, and then there is the reality of the Knicks workplace, where these guys work together daily and function in a world that is hidden to the fans.

Just like we don't know what goes on in the trade process, we don't know what's going on with the hiring and firing of Knicks employees.

MDA's 'defense' in the media reality has no bearing in the reality of the workplace. But his outspoken discussion of the subject could negatively influence his standing with the organization. There is nothing to be gained by publicly defending Donnie and there is everything to be lost by getting caught in the fray of a public sensation.

What would Walsh do for D'Antoni in this situation? What could be lost by D'Antoni strongly endorsing his boss? I think this speaks to D'Antoni's character. Walsh has stepped up and taken the hit for D'Antoni over and over again and on many occasions it has been for situations that Walsh hoped and expected D'Antoni would handle differently.

Again, it's Donnie's role, it's his duty to stand up for MDA because Donnie is responsible for bringing him in.

It's MDA's job to coach and lead the team on the court. It's a given, it's taken for granted that MDA supports his boss, the man responsible for his being with the team in the first place.

Whether or not MDA should publicly endorse Donnie is a question that was created by you with the intention of criticizing MDA. You created a question and then answered it in a way that makes MDA out to be the bad guy. Your signature here exemplifies your bias against MDA. He can't win with you either way. So really this is a pointless discussion.

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:Donnie above MDA in the chain, so it's Donnie's place to defend MDA. It's not MDA's place to defend Walsh. End of story.

If D'Antoni is asked about that situation and he is a stand up guy he defends Walsh. He waffled and that says a lot about his character in my opinion.

MDA has consistently proven his character. His character is not in question here, not by a long shot.

MDA supports Donnie where it matters, behind the tabloid sensationalism.

There is nothing MDA can add to the situation by discussing it publicly. He knows his place, which is to coach, and I think this, his consciousness of his role and purpose, says a lot about the integrity of his character.

Sometimes you need to go above your place for someone who has repeatedly stuck their neck out for you. Walsh has been loyal without question despite the not playing of guys he acquired, drafted or that might have trade value. He has never questioned his coach and while D'Antoni has not always had a great roster, his methods, communication and rotation definitely could be questioned as could his results. He has always taken the blow for his coach and has gotten rid of any player that D'Antoni struggled with or didn't want to deal with. My guess is D'Antoni will never work for a guy that is as good to him as Walsh has been.

No, that's highly sentimental and idealistic.

MDA is playing this the way it's supposed to be played, it's the proper way to act.

"Going above his place" would only serve to complicate the matter and make life more difficult for both MDA and Donnie.

I don't really think it is above his place. He answered the question in a way that makes it seem that way but that is because of who he is as a person in my opinion. He came to NY because the other two places he could work wanted him to change. Walsh said he would take him as he was and support him and he has never done anything but despite his handling of things putting Walsh in a compromised position on numerous occasions. He had a chance to pay Walsh back and chose to protect and possibly save himself for another day if things get ugly.

MDA's public endorsement is meaningless to the man in charge. MDA's support is a given. In a functional relationship, it's implicitly understood that the coach supports the GM. By all accounts Donnie and MDA have a positive and supportive relationship. There is nothing MDA can influence for the better by stating his position to the sensationalist media.

I disagree. He is being portrayed as taking a neutral position in this situation. That is not an endorsement and he has been defended and protected by Walsh his entire time in NY. He needed to step up here and do what was right.

The way he's portrayed has no influence on Donnie's future with the team.

There are two realities. There is the media reality, which is fodder for discussion like this, and then there is the reality of the Knicks workplace, where these guys work together daily and function in a world that is hidden to the fans.

Just like we don't know what goes on in the trade process, we don't know what's going on with the hiring and firing of Knicks employees.

MDA's 'defense' in the media reality has no bearing in the reality of the workplace. But his outspoken discussion of the subject could negatively influence his standing with the organization. There is nothing to be gained by publicly defending Donnie and there is everything to be lost by getting caught in the fray of a public sensation.

What would Walsh do for D'Antoni in this situation? What could be lost by D'Antoni strongly endorsing his boss? I think this speaks to D'Antoni's character. Walsh has stepped up and taken the hit for D'Antoni over and over again and on many occasions it has been for situations that Walsh hoped and expected D'Antoni would handle differently.

Again, it's Donnie's role, it's his duty to stand up for MDA because Donnie is responsible for bringing him in.

It's MDA's job to coach and lead the team on the court. It's a given, it's taken for granted that MDA supports his boss, the man responsible for his being with the team in the first place.

Whether or not MDA should publicly endorse Donnie is a question that was created by you with the purpose of criticizing MDA. You created a question and then answered it.

I didn't create the question. He was asked the question and he chose to protect himself. It was a weak answer and it says a lot about his character and what he is about in my opinion.

You created the question of whether MDA should publicly state his opinions or not. The question he was asked was a pretty standard attempt by the media to get a reaction out of MDA. MDA wisely refused to bite.

That's the media's job and they did it, the coach did his, and you did yours, which is to give your opinion in a forum. But don't expect your opinion to gain traction because it is flawed and rooted in contempt instead of reason.