i have to disagree. i think having chaney is good. your comment about mcdyess is pure specualtion. whose to say that it would'nt have happened in the beginning of the next game or during the regular season? the mere fact that he had this team competitive is an accomplishment itself. if you told me that the knicks would be competing for the playoffs well into the season, they would sweep the best team in the league and be one of the few east coast teams with a decent record against the elite western teams in the beginning of the season, i would not believe you. the players finally bought into his philosophy. i think he had the patience and calm demeanor to over accomplish with this undersized and under talented team. now i am not saying that van gundy could'nt do the same thing but i know that van gundy is a " playoff" coach. where i think chaney is a " transitional" coach for a team that is in between rebuilding and playoff contenders. next year, though, he will have no excuses and must produce in the playoffs.

good point. Now I remember heavingly critizing him for playing dice that late in the game. but just the fact that they were in contention is a nice accomplishment.

I have to agree.. it was a bonehead move... Suppose a good coach suddenly becomes available and shows interest in coming to NY after next season. At which point one of two things will happen:
1 - We pass up on the good coach for Chaney
2 - We get the good coach and owe Chaney the money still due on his contract extension.

Stupid move for a club that has the sudden interest in saving money and hopefully a desire to improve.