Mike D’Antoni resigned as head coach of the Knicks Wednesday, answering the season-long request of some fans who had been chanting for him to be fired. Though it’s being reported that D’Antoni shocked the Knicks with his resignation, it’s not a surprise that he’s no longer the team’s coach.
The Knicks had lost six in a row and 8 of their last 10. D’Antoni was absolutely buried by an ESPN report saying the players were tuning him out. There was also an apparent conflict between him and Carmelo Anthony that may have been the dividing factor on the team.
A few reports said Melo wasn’t getting along with D’Antoni and wanted assurances the coach would not be back next season, otherwise he wanted to be traded. Conversely, TNT’s David Aldridge reports that D’Antoni wanted to trade Melo after seeing the team win without him.
It’s crazy how quickly things can change in sports, particularly in New York. Only a few weeks ago it looked like the rise of Jeremy Lin was saving D’Antoni and the Knicks’ season. But since Melo returned and J.R. Smith was signed, the team has struggled, and now D’Antoni is gone. Former Hawks coach Mike Woodson will take over the team.
D’Antoni will still be paid $6 million for the season and will have made $24 million over four painful season in New York. I still believe he’s a good offensive coach who has a system that works. The problem is Carmelo Anthony, who is a good offensive player, was a horrible fit for the team’s offense, and their massive trade worked out terribly. I think the recent downfall of the team is on the front office more than the coaching.
