D'Antoni Open To Adding a Defensive coach?

[dez]

According to a source, one issue Donnie Walsh had with Mike D'Antoni was addressed at the end of the season.

It involved a need for more of a defensive mind-set, which was something veteran point guard Chauncey Billups stressed with Walsh in his exit interview, the source said. According to several sources, D'Antoni is expected to follow through on something that has been widely discussed: the hiring of an assistant coach to oversee the defense.

Lawrence Frank , who spent some time around the Knicks' organization before he joined the Celtics this past season, would be considered a strong candidate

Good news, and first smart move by the organization since Walsh has stepped down.

 

[playmaker7]

They're making this seem like an ingenious plan now lmao

 

[The Lone Granger]

He's a great offensive coach, but in terms of defense, the dude sucks bad. If he adds a good defensive minded coach, then they very well might be able to keep him around. I mean seriously though, they are in dire need of some defensive help.

 

[RipCity32]

Why just open? lol
He should be doing everything in his power to get one.

 

[elcheato]

As if he's going to be the coach next year lol

 

[Mexi]

Why just open? lol
He should be doing everything in his power to get one.

bingo

 

[dez]

If your looking at it from his view, why put me on the hot seat? and hire the only on def coach in the league?

I could see why he would be opposed, but its obvious he wants to stay in NY and looks as if he's going to do all he can to stay, and he knows this is needed.

 

[Pugz]

dude should have had one with him his whole career.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

There are a lot of defensive minds out there, this is something D'Antoni should have done years ago. I wouldn't be shocked to see New York look at a older name instead of a young guy like Frank. What's PJ Carlesimo doing? lol

 

[Elite]

I don't think a defensive assistant coach is really going to help, they need a defensive minded head coach, their offensive system needs to change to accommodate the players defensively.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Well until they get a defensive minded head coach they need to at least get a defensive assistant coach.

There's coaches who run the show by themselves and theres coaches who actually listen to their assistants. D'Antoni has always been a "im the coach, it's my day" type of guy, so I'd be shocked if he actually listened to the coach.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I don't think a defensive assistant coach is really going to help, they need a defensive minded head coach, their offensive system needs to change to accommodate the players defensively.

Their offensive system doesn't need to change, just a change in their offensive philosophies. Don't take shots early in the shot clock, make the extra pass, moving without the ball, that sort of thing.

 

[DJT]

Mike D'Antoni could hire a defensive specialist depending on what happens with the Pistons head coaching search, where the finalists appear to be Mike Woodson and Lawrence Frank.

D'Antoni personally likes Frank and there is a strong mutual interest there for many reasons.

First of all, whomever the Knicks hire would have to accept a one-year deal because D'Antoni is going into the final year of his contract and there is some uncertainty about his future. Frank, unlike most, would likely be amenable to accepting a one-year contract because it gives him the freedom to continue to look for head coaching jobs.

Frank might also prefer New York over returning to Boston for proximity reasons, as well, because he could be home full-time in New Jersey, where his wife and two daughters remained last season when he worked for the Celtics.

Sounds like it could be a good deal for Frank.

 

[$tunna]

Knowing D'Antoni's rep, he prolly needs a defensive coach sidekick lol

 

[Pugz]

id rather frank come to detroit. but the whole family thing in NJ makes me think we'll go with woodson and frank will go to NY. =/

 

[BwareDWare94]

This is exactly what tarnishes Don Nelson's legacy. The fact that he's not any kind of defensive coach. D'Antoni needs to learn from that and prevent the same tarnish from appearing on his own resume. Then again, the fact that he couldn't win a title with those great Suns teams is a big enough blemish.