Even big dogs were once little dogs

I am beginning to sway in Herb's direction for future coach. I am very impressed with his rotation and his ability to have his team play hard. I haven't noticed his clock management skills which might be a good thing. If you don't notice it, he might be doing a good job. His end-of-game decisions I have no problem with. They have to be executed.

Posted by diderotn:

I have said it all year long, the problem with the Knicks was very simple, they simply needed a rotational change at the frontcourt. Lenny spent countless of time tweaking the backcourt instead making the changes that would have mattered the most. He was trying to find ways to get either Houston or Crawf in the lineup instead of having Sweetney in the frontcourt...I know that he must be kicking himself right now

Herb has instituted an attitude for this team. An IDENTITY. And in fact, he has tinkered with the guards as he has Craw playing more 1. NY has much more depth in the front now, even without NAZR. In addition, Sweets is getting more time, that is a plus. Rose is a better Defensive player and is bringing that attitude to the club.

I totally agree with your assumption. Isiah should have promoted within, take the rest of the season to truly evaluate who would have been a better fit for the talents that he had acquired. He should have had Herb at that position when he fired Chaney....Perhaps this team would have defeated the Nets, because they played with no balls during the series...

Posted by franco12:

I think that is one mistake isaih made last year was in going for the big name coach- but, perhaps lenny was difference last year between playoffs and not-

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/41699.htm

HERB TAKING ROOT IN KNICK GARDEN

By EVAN GROSSMAN

At this point, it would be foolish, irrational and just plain silly to believe Isiah Thomas and the Knicks aren't going to be wooing Larry Brown or Phil Jackson with all their might. For the time being, though, Herb Williams is the man in charge — and that's just fine with his players.

In recent weeks, the Knicks have displayed a refreshing dose of intensity, attention to detail in the defensive end and a kind of tenacity reminiscent of the way things used to be at the Garden. According to those in uniform, that comes straight from Williams.

"He's been instrumental," Jamal Crawford said, offering a glowing endorsement of the coach. "He's just says to go out there, play hard and leave it all on the floor."

According to the newest Knick and two-time NBA champion Malik Rose: "Herb knows what he's doing. He's a defensive-minded coach. That's one of the things he's preached."

Added Rose, "I just have to try to really strain to hear him. Herb is a like a low-talker. I was coming from [Spurs] Coach [Gregg] Popovich, where everything is yelling and screaming, military tone in your face."

The message may not come at ear-shattering volumes, but Williams has gotten three straight wins out of the Knicks and has tightened up what was a notoriously porous defense. From afar, teams around the NBA recognize the Knicks are not what they used to be, but Williams has them heading back in the right direction.

"Historically, when you came in to play the Knicks, home or on the road, they were a physical team and were going to defend you and it was going to be one of those 70-72 games," Rose said. "And you're going to have to ice up after the game or whatever.

"They've kind of gotten away from that a little bit," Rose said.

But now, even if it was against three average NBA teams in Philly, Indiana and the Lakers, the Knicks have won three straight. Since Williams replaced Lenny Wilkens in December they are playing defense at a much higher level and could be poised to lift themselves out of the Atlantic cellar.

Earlier this week in a radio interview, Thomas praised the job Williams has done. Yesterday the coach was flattered when told of Thomas' comments and admitted being more comfortable running the Knicks bench.

"I think any time you start a new job, you're going to be nervous, you're going to be a little cautious in what you're doing and the more you're there, the more time you spend on the job, the more comfortable you're going to get," Williams said.

"And that's with anything you do. So, yeah, I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable out there and feeling good. Guys are playing hard, and that's the most important thing."

*

Stephon Marbury did not practice yesterday. While the team called it an "upset stomach," Williams said Marbury was fighting flu-like symptoms that generally spread through the league during the winter months.

"He's been a little under the weather," Williams said. "But he's been able to suck it up and give us a good effort every night . . . he's just not feeling well right now."

Marbury is expected to be just fine for tomorrow night's game against Orlando.

Would this be a difficult arrangement? If Jackson was ammenable, the Knicks hire Phil on a two or three year contract with Herb as assistant. Herb learns under Phil while helping him and takes over after Phils contract expires. Phil will be over 60 when his contract is up and will have the option of staying in the front office. He gets to finish his coaching career with the Knicks. Herb will be a better coach after learning from one of the best ever.

Posted by Rich:


Where would that leave Isiah? It's enough hard to imagine Phil and Isiah working together as coach/GM. The idea that they can co-exist in the front office is almost impossible to fathom.

That's a good point. I don't have an answer to that. Isaiah's going to have to learn a little humility if we're going to have any success under his direction. His hiring Wilkens (who he could control) instead of Fratello (who he couldn't control) and his dictating who Wilkens assistants could be shows his biggest weakness as a gm - ego.

When Gone Chaney was hired we missed out on a few coaching opportunities cuz the loyalty Dolan showed to Don. Don, like Herb sat on the becnch a few years. Herb has been here a long time and I like the job he is doing.

Herb should be given every chance to succeed unless we can can land Phil, Flip, or Larry.

Phil has the presence and cred unmatched by any other. Phil is a Knick, and its always been a crime he was never given a chance here way back in the day. Granted, he might never have developed into the zen master under the Garden management, but if we have the ability to reshape this roster Phil and Isiah should put it together and do it. Isiah has a lot of respect for Phil and they are both about improving the person first, then the player in them! Isiah has yet to learn this, and who better than Phil to teach it! It should also pay big in the Starphuch catagory as the team will buzz under Phil.

That damm cap being so high makes it so hard to really make fast changes! We lose flexibilty. IT may be attractive to Phil to incubate a team from the ground up instead of collecting stars. If not, he will go somewhere else. I hope that Isiahs moves are ones that Phil likes.

To some degree, if Isiah cannot land a big name coach, keeps Herb, and if the bad luck/injury/bad drafts and trades don't pan out, its a nightmare job! I don't wish that on anyone!

Again, I like Herb, and if not here I wish him great success in any future endevors! He has been a good soldier, a good coach, and I hope he would stay on as an assistant under Phil. In any event this interm opportunity is good experience and looks good on the resume.

misterearl 1 nalod 0