From the New York Times

Asked about an extension, D’Antoni said, “It’s way too early to even comment on it.”

Again, that decision is likely to rest with Walsh’s replacement. The search could take some time as the Knicks transition from Walsh to Glen Grunwald, who will serve as interim general manager. The prospect of a lockout — which would delay free agency — may remove any urgency to make a quick hire.

Candidates could include Kevin Pritchard, the former Portland Trail Blazers general manager; Jeff Bower, the former New Orleans Hornets general manager; and Kiki Vandeweghe, the former Nets and Denver Nuggets general manager. Walsh, who will move into a consulting role July 1, will have a voice in the search, but Dolan alone is expected to choose his successor.

The possibility of a delayed, truncated season also makes it unlikely that Dolan would make a coaching change and pay two people.

The more immediate concern is with D’Antoni’s assistants, all of whom have contracts that expire June 30. D’Antoni said he hoped their status would be resolved in the next two to three weeks.

D’Antoni is expected to add a defensive specialist to the staff, at the behest of the front office. D’Antoni called it “an option we will look at.” It would not be a new concept. In Phoenix, Marc Iavaroni served as D’Antoni’s defensive coach for three and a half seasons.

s3231 wrote:It's funny because people seem to think that replacing D'Antoni with a defensive specialist (e.g. Tom Thibs) automatically ensures a top defensive squad.

I don't care who you get to run this team, we're not going to be a top defensive team until we have the proper tools in place (e.g. size, rebounding, guys that can guard the perimeter).

We didn't get swept in the playoffs because of lack of D (hell after games 1 and 2, people were saying D'Antoni deserves an extension). If refs don't rob us in game 1 and we have a healthy Amare, it's a different series and people are praising Mike instead of calling for his head.

So we need to do a better job of paying off the officials to make some calls for us.

Nalod wrote:Mark Ivoroni was a defensive bench coach in PHX for 3.5 seasons.

BasketballJones wrote:

s3231 wrote:It's funny because people seem to think that replacing D'Antoni with a defensive specialist (e.g. Tom Thibs) automatically ensures a top defensive squad.

I don't care who you get to run this team, we're not going to be a top defensive team until we have the proper tools in place (e.g. size, rebounding, guys that can guard the perimeter).

We didn't get swept in the playoffs because of lack of D (hell after games 1 and 2, people were saying D'Antoni deserves an extension). If refs don't rob us in game 1 and we have a healthy Amare, it's a different series and people are praising Mike instead of calling for his head.

So we need to do a better job of paying off the officials to make some calls for us.

Well....yeah, pretty much

Nalod wrote:Mark Ivoroni was a defensive bench coach in PHX for 3.5 seasons.

Didn't he coach the Grizzlies and get FIRED after only 1 season?

holfresh wrote:
LB was in regime overthrow mode...Not basketball mode...

Have to agree with Holfresh there. LB thought his coaching pedigree would win out over Thomas's mgmt skills, but he underestimated the undying man love between Dolan and Isiah. LB starting guys in their hometown was a joke. No sympathy for him either.