Lol well if htey picked up Merriman he could give the Knicks the roids and the crazy needed to beat the Spurs in a darkalley brawl, not sure about the footkelball part of the game though... perhaps we should simplify it to foothoops lol
Mike D'antoni is an average coach. He just went to Phoenix because they had a mad offensive team, New York don't have a team. The only reason Phoenix won so much is because they could score 120 points a game and had athletes that can run the floor. New York has a terrible offense and their players are not capable of what Phoenix can do. The only similarity between New York and Phoenix is that they can't spell defense, good luck to D'antoni impossible journey to turn New York around his first year (which wouldn't be possible for another few years).
Of the players left with the Knicks the challenge is to name 5 players that can over achieve for any coach. I do not mean to sound mean spirited nor quick to judge but the only hope for the Knicks is high lottery and not sure they shouldn't trade down for more seasoned players. If they get a couple of additional pieces results could improve to around 6th place in the East!
i think there are three factors why d'antoni took the Knicks job. now i am not saying i agree with his decision, i would have went to chicago for half the money he is getting in new york but i think these are the reasons-
1. the money of course- $24 million reasons why
2. low expectations. no one thinks he can win and he will have a talented gm in donnie walsh to work with.
3. ego- d'antoni system would have worked in phoenix if they left the roster alone and not traded away little pieces every year for the last three. d'antoni will take the worst team and rebuild them and be king of ny!
The only thing i agree with is the first reason. I think that he has no shot and randolph and starbury might out last him!
Mike D'antoni is not a magician. If he gets three really good players, two roll players and two guys who can come in off the bench to light it up; the Knicks will win. Genius notion, right? I got it from my 9 year old daughter. And you'll be hardpressed to disagree with the little genius. Why isn't she coaching in the NBA!
D'antoni is not a good coach. If he was, the Suns would have won a championship. However, New York, are you kidding. He will need to rip that team apart and start all over. Then he will still have the problems of 'NO DEFENSE". He should have sucked it up and stayed with the Suns and learned to coach D or he should have gone to the Bulls.
I am a Suns fan and I agree that D'antoni should have sucked it up and coached D. He has a great team in Phoenix and with the right guidance the Suns could win their first championship ever. However, money talks. When you are stubborn and want to play your way on your terms then you are set up for failure again. D'antoni won't be succesfful in New York. He will probably be fired before his contract expires.