Tweet
When the frontman for JD and the Straight Shot performs the song "Fix the Knicks" he sings that the team scores "a lot of points but where's the defense?"
The lead singer, of course, is James Dolan and his question about defense is something the Chairman of Madison Square Garden has posed to the Knicks' coach, Mike D'Antoni. As the Daily News reported in May, D'Antoni was encouraged - some would say ordered - to focus more on defense, which would include hiring a defensive coach.
Although in previous years D'Antoni has dismissed such suggestions, he is resigned to altering his staff in order to hire a defensive assistant coach. According to reports, D'Antoni met with former Atlanta Hawks head coach and one-time Knicks first-round pick Mike Woodson about joining the club. Lawrence Frank was also considered a candidate until he was named coach of the Detroit Pistons.
Woodson's possible hiring is interesting on several levels, beginning with the fact that he has strong ties to former Knicks president Isiah Thomas, whom Dolan tried to rehire last summer as a consultant. Woodson helped recruit Thomas to Indiana University more than 30 years ago and they remain friends. They also consider themselves disciples of Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight.
Thomas does not have an official title with the Knicks but Dolan has publicly stated that he continues to solicit Thomas' views. It also doesn't hurt that Woodson has a former teammate who is in a public position of power for the Knicks - interim general manager Glen Grunwald. Grunwald was originally brought to the Knicks by Thomas.
True, one of Woodson's coaching mentors is Larry Brown, who sits atop the list of Dolan's sworn enemies. But according to a Knicks source, Woodson wouldn't have a chance with the Knicks if he didn't have a connection to both Thomas and Grunwald. The same source indicated that Celtics coach Doc Rivers also gave Woodson a strong recommendation.
Woodson is represented by Brown's agent, Joe Glass, which is also interesting since the Knicks' entire staff is represented by Warren LeGarie, who has been pushing some of his top clients for the job. LeGarie was able to secure one-year contract extensions for D'Antoni's current assistants. D'Antoni is also in the last year of his contract.
It is unclear if the Knicks will offer Woodson a contract or for how long. But if Woodson joins the Knicks, he immediately becomes the early favorite to succeed D'Antoni. That is unless Dolan can coax Phil Jackson out of retirement or persuade John Calipari to leave Kentucky.
The lead singer, of course, is James Dolan and his question about defense is something the Chairman of Madison Square Garden has posed to the Knicks' coach, Mike D'Antoni. As the Daily News reported in May, D'Antoni was encouraged - some would say ordered - to focus more on defense, which would include hiring a defensive coach.
Although in previous years D'Antoni has dismissed such suggestions, he is resigned to altering his staff in order to hire a defensive assistant coach. According to reports, D'Antoni met with former Atlanta Hawks head coach and one-time Knicks first-round pick Mike Woodson about joining the club. Lawrence Frank was also considered a candidate until he was named coach of the Detroit Pistons.
Woodson's possible hiring is interesting on several levels, beginning with the fact that he has strong ties to former Knicks president Isiah Thomas, whom Dolan tried to rehire last summer as a consultant. Woodson helped recruit Thomas to Indiana University more than 30 years ago and they remain friends. They also consider themselves disciples of Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight.
Thomas does not have an official title with the Knicks but Dolan has publicly stated that he continues to solicit Thomas' views. It also doesn't hurt that Woodson has a former teammate who is in a public position of power for the Knicks - interim general manager Glen Grunwald. Grunwald was originally brought to the Knicks by Thomas.
True, one of Woodson's coaching mentors is Larry Brown, who sits atop the list of Dolan's sworn enemies. But according to a Knicks source, Woodson wouldn't have a chance with the Knicks if he didn't have a connection to both Thomas and Grunwald. The same source indicated that Celtics coach Doc Rivers also gave Woodson a strong recommendation.
Woodson is represented by Brown's agent, Joe Glass, which is also interesting since the Knicks' entire staff is represented by Warren LeGarie, who has been pushing some of his top clients for the job. LeGarie was able to secure one-year contract extensions for D'Antoni's current assistants. D'Antoni is also in the last year of his contract.
It is unclear if the Knicks will offer Woodson a contract or for how long. But if Woodson joins the Knicks, he immediately becomes the early favorite to succeed D'Antoni. That is unless Dolan can coax Phil Jackson out of retirement or persuade John Calipari to leave Kentucky.
Comment