Mike D'Antoni is out as the head coach of the Knicks, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). One source cited "conflicting visions of the club's future" and called the move a mutual decision, adds Wojnarowski (via Twitter). Sam Amick of SI.com confirms that the decision was mutual, rather than D'Antoni resigning or being fired (Twitter link).
The coaching change comes in the midst of a six-game losing streak, and on the heels of multiple reports that suggested D'Antoni, Carmelo Anthony, and the Knicks were at odds. ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported last night that D'Antoni had lost the Knicks' locker room, while Marc Berman of the New York Post suggested that either Anthony's or D'Antoni's days in New York were numbered.
Assistant coach Mike Woodson will take over as the interim coach, says Wojnarowski (via Twitter). However, the position figures to draw interest from big-name coaching candidates as well. SI.com's Sam Amick reported earlier today that former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan may be interested in returning to the bench for New York.
Whoever ends up coaching the Knicks long-term will have to figure out a way to maximize the talents of Anthony, Jeremy Lin, Amare Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler, who figure to make up the team's core for the next few years. The coaching change means that the Knicks almost certainly won't make a major trade before the deadline, preferring instead to give Woodson a chance to work things out with the current roster.
Assistant coaches Dan D'Antoni and Phil Weber have also parted ways with the Knicks, tweets Wojnarowski.
gloria in excelsis deo
I hate Mike Woodson….I hate everything…..
LoL!
They really should entertain trading mello. I know it’s mello but his game style does not at all fit with the the rest of the team. Amre and Lin are at their best in pick and roll. A package of mello- Chandler for
Dwight and hedo would work well for both teams.
Please get rid of Carmelo, he will tear your team apart just like he did to Denver. Guess what, Denver ended up getting the better side of the deal!
Ah, The New York Knick
Ah, The New York Knicks. Come as a savior. Leave a scapegoat.