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The New York Knicks’ list of coaching candidates gets narrower by the day as according to Marc Berman?of the New York Post and verified by sources familiar with the Knicks’ situation, the list of candidates has been narrowed down to two – Mark Jackson and Mike D’Antoni; Walsh has the pleasant dilemma of whether to go with the more seasoned D’Antoni or the new kid on the block (although very familiar to Knicks fans) Jackson.? Walsh has said that despite reports floating around saying otherwise, he has not offered the position to any candidate.

There’s some pros and cons to?Jackson being the next Knicks coach; first the pros: Jackson is a players’ coach.? Because he has played the game and obviously knows the game, that is to his benefit.? Assuming that Knicks guard Stephon Marbury is re-signed, Marbury will benefit under Jackson as they have a good relationship.? But there’s the very real possibility that Marbury will not be re-signed by the team, so that is a factor.? Now the cons: Jackson has never coached at the professional level.? That doesn’t mean that he will be unsuccessful at that level – it is just a fact that deserves to be pointed out.?

Now the good and bad in D’Antoni’s case: D’Antoni is a proven commodity; he utilizes the fast-break offense which worked for the Phoenix Suns for a number of years (before the trade for Shaquille O’Neal).? The Knicks have the deep pockets to nab D’Antoni as it looks like his asking price is in the $5 million a year or so range, so money isn’t the issue here.? And Dolan has said on more than one occasion that he will spend what it takes to help the Knicks lose the “laughingstock” label that’s been tagged on them.? Also working in D’Antoni’s favor with his situation with the Knicks is the fact that the Chicago Bulls probably will not spend what D’Antoni is demanding to hire their next coach.

So in essence, it is a 2-horse race: Jackson and D’Antoni.? The Knicks are waiting to see what the Bulls will offer D’Antoni before proceeding further; in the meantime, Jackson waits.? I think the Knicks can put this all to rest if they hire Jackson, and here’s why: while Jackson is brand new, he has the New York connection, he knows his basketball and is by and large a players’ coach.? The Knicks, no matter who they choose as coach, are not going to be sniffing the playoffs immediately, so why not give the shot to Jackson?? The head coach doesn’t make the personnel decisions, and personally, I do not see how even D’Antoni can right the Knicks’ ship, even with his pedigree.? When you weigh the pros and cons and also factor in the Knicks’ current roster, I feel that Jackson is the better fit – at a better price.