D’Antoni Nabbed As Knicks Coach

$New York Knicks coach Mike D\'Antoni$

The soap opera otherwise known as The Courtship Of Mike D’Antoni is finally over; according to Sports Illustrated, D’Antoni accepted the New York Knicks 4-year, $24 million offer to coach the team. As expected, the team is declining comment on the transaction. D’Antoni, prior to the signing, had 2 years remaining on his contract with the Phoenix Suns and was also mulling an offer to coach the Chicago Bulls.

D’Antoni had a 253-136 record in 4 years as coach of the Suns; he will inherit a Knicks squad that is without question the NBA’s most dysfunctional, so to say the task he has at hand is tall is probably an understatement. He will also attempt to end the Knicks’ current 7-year playoff drought; his laid-back approach and up-tempo basketball style, depending on what next season’s Knicks look like, will without a doubt be a work in progress. The hiring of D’Antoni also leaves into question whether former favorite to coach the team Mark Jackson will find a coaching job in the league. The Bulls still have an opening, so anything is possible.