Earlier today, the Knicks made the move that we’ve long expected when they fired coach Mike Woodson. Pending free agent Carmelo Anthony threw his support behind Woodson last week, which some thought would give him a puncher’s chance, but it wasn’t enough to save his job. The latest from MSG..
- J.R. Smith knew that Woodson would lose his job, but that didn’t make it any easier for him to digest, the Knicks guard told ESPN’s Josina Anderson (via ESPNNewYork.com’s Ian Begley). “It is sad,” Smith said. “He was great to me. I think I got a fair shake for the first time in awhile under him. He treated me how he wanted to be treated. It sucks, but there is nothing I can do about it.”
- The dismissal of Woodson is just the beginning of the offseason overhaul for the Knicks, writes Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. The change will begin with dissolving the marriage between the Garden and Creative Artists Agency. CAA represents two key members of the front office, Allan Houston and Mark Warkentien, and has close ties to GM Steve Mills. All three are likely to be cut loose or pushed into new roles. Meanwhile, while Steve Kerr is being talked about as the frontrunner to get Woodson’s old job, Beck suggests that Fred Hoiberg and Kevin Ollie, who have both made quick impressions in the college ranks, could put themselves in the mix.
- Steve Kerr reportedly wants the Knicks’ head coaching job, but he should be careful what he wishes for, cautions Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com. “New York is famous for chants, and you know you’ll hear ‘We want Phil’ in the Garden after they lose four in a row,” said one longtime league official with ties to the Knicks. “If the head coach is Steve Kerr or someone else, he’ll have to be strong and understand that something like that is going to happen. He’ll have to understand that it’s not a knock on him, but a testament to Phil’s greatness. And then it’s up to Phil to protect his coach from that.“
- More from Begley, who handicapped the field of candidates to become the next coach of the Knicks. Kerr leads the way with 2-1 odds. Brian Shaw is a 15-1 pick and Jackson himself is at 50-1 odds.