Mike D'Antoni is the New York Knicks head coach. Yes, ladies and gentleman Mr. D'Antoni is now the proud recipient of a 24 million dollar contract over the next 4 years. Yes, that is 6 million dollars a year. Please forgive me if Deion Sanders' Must Be The Money song is playing in my head when I think of this. With the Bulls, as a better option teamwise, sitting before D'Antoni, he chooses the Knicks. The Knicks have almost nothing that resembles the Suns' roster, and an owner that can't help himself from meddling in his team's business. So, once again Dolan throws money at the problem. 30 Million for Larry Brown, 25 Million to Isiah, and now 24 million to D'Antoni. Money well spent? We shall soon see.
Player-wise, who will improve under D'Antoni and who will suffer? Well, I believe that David Lee, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson should be happy this morning. Lee is the hustler that can rebound. He should be able to hold his own in this system. Crawford can fill the role, that ironically a younger and healther Quentin Richardson was able to hold in Phoenix. He can be that scorer, and shooter, that hangs on the outside. Robinson is basically Leandro Barbosa Jr. He's not a true point guard, and he's not a starter but he is capable of coming off the bench and score a bunch of points. D'Antoni should also benefit Wilson Chandler, and Renaldo Balkman.
The players that will be hurt by this move are Jerome James, Eddy Curry, Jared Jeffries and most importantly Stephon Marbury. Stephon was traded from the Suns in the early days of the D'Antoni era. While the deal was for cap reasons, the Suns acquired some expiring contracts from the Knicks, Marbury isn't exactly Steve Nash, in play and in thought. However, unless Walsh is able to acquire another point guard, he is the best that the Knicks have and D'Antoni is going to have to sink or swim with him. It's my opinion that it won't work out. Jared Jeffries reportedly can play defense. I say reportedly, because we have yet to see it. However, since D'Antoni isn't exactly known for defensive principles, Jeffries will suffer. James and Curry are going to be the biggest losers. Well, Knick fans would be happy if they went on "The Biggest Loser" so that they can both lose the weight that will hold them down from running up and down the court. If D'Antoni thought that Shaq slowed his team down, he will have nightmares of seeing Eddy Curry attempting to run down the court. Unless the Knicks win the draft lottery and get Michael Beasley, D'Antoni has no hopes of recreating an Amare Stoudamire at the Garden.
In conclusion, I do wish D'Antoni well. However, I feel that he has made a mistake. It's a mistake that will increase the size of his wallet but while he will make this current Knick team entertaining to watch, the results will remain the same. Loss after loss after loss awaits.
As always, thanks for reading.
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Comments (13)
The Biggest Loser line cracks me up.
This was my 88th blog. Only 12 until 100.
J. HOVA: CATCH A FIRE | 05/12/08, 10:28 AM
Report Offensive CommentHaha. Good one Hova.
Undefeated- Happy 4th!! | 05/12/08, 10:43 AM
Report Offensive CommentThis was my 88th blog. Only 12 until 100.
J. HOVA: MISTER UNTOUCHABLE | 05/12/08, 10:28 AM
And all of them genuine blogs, too. Not just TD tourney junk. Not many can say that.
Its going to take some time to overhaul that roster. Eventually, they should be fine. But not next year. And if Dolan or the fans get impatient.......
Thugmeister | 05/12/08, 11:12 AM
Report Offensive CommentThat's true Thugmeister. I can admit that they are all genuine. The Knicks will need to be realistic here. D'Antoni may succeed but to hope for championships or at least division titles in the near future is unrealistic.
J. HOVA: CATCH A FIRE | 05/12/08, 11:22 AM
Report Offensive CommentAt least Eddy Curry won't be around much longer.
Hola Escovito | 05/12/08, 11:32 AM
Report Offensive CommentWe hope Eddy isn't around much longer. With that large contract of his, as well as his XXXL waistline there is no guarantee that Walsh can unload him.
J. HOVA: CATCH A FIRE | 05/12/08, 12:39 PM
Report Offensive CommentI agree Hova. It's going to be 3 or 4 years before they can get to .500. D'Antoni is replacing Shaq, Stoudemire, and Nash with Curry, Lee, and Marbury. Not a recipe for success. After banking $24 million however, he can retire quite comfortably.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/12/08, 01:55 PM
Report Offensive CommentSupposedly the Bulls were not prepared to give up that type of money. They still owe Scott Skiles $5 million, and felt that with no experience, they could get Jackson (or someone else) for a lot less.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/12/08, 01:59 PM
Report Offensive CommentJackson should take the Bulls job if it is offered to him. I really want him to coach St. John's but that of course is for my own selfish reasons.
J. HOVA: CATCH A FIRE | 05/12/08, 02:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentI couldn't agree anymore with this blog. When I heard this, I thought it was a bad move. He should have went to Chicago where the money was less but the team was better.
Jamal Crawford is definitely a winner like you said. Good one with the Biggest Loser line. haha
G.O.A.T. | 05/12/08, 04:45 PM
Report Offensive Commentagreed.
"Cleveland" | 05/12/08, 06:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentThe only reason he took this job was for the cash.
dyhard is Juan Nieves | 05/12/08, 10:36 PM
Report Offensive CommentDyhard: The only reason I took my current job was for the cash. Like me, I think D'Antoni may soon regret it. More money doesn't exactly equal job happiness.
J. HOVA: CATCH A FIRE | 05/14/08, 12:20 PM
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