D’Antoni’s Hiring Could Mean New Era For The Knicks

The NBA has benefited from the revived states of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Now the league could be getting another shot in the arm with the New York Knicks’ hiring of Mike D’Antoni as its head coach.

The Knicks don’t appear to be a desirable place at which to work because of the haphazard way in which the team is run, but that doesn’t mean playing or coaching there is the death knell for anyone. New York City is still the biggest media market in the league, an enticing bit of information for any player – or, frankly, coach – looking to make money off the court. Furthermore, the added cache of playing in Madison Square Garden, the “basketball mecca,” and all the glitter and glamour that goes with it appeals to many NBAers no matter how awful the team has been recently.

This is to say that D’Antoni’s free-wheeling, player-friendly style of play doesn’t just bring fans to the arena (another added bonus), but it creates a demand from free agents.

Besides the teams of the early-mid ’70s and mid-late ’90s, the Knicks haven’t been among the elite of the NBA as often as many other high-profile teams. However, there is no question there is a certain amount of electricity that flows through Madison Square Garden that has a notable effect on attendance, TV ratings and NBA popularity.

Whether or not the Knicks roster is turned over right away isn’t the most important story line with D’Antoni’s hiring. It’s the sense of optimism and excitement with having a proven coach – one who has averaged 58 wins the past four regular seasons – roaming the sidelines. It’s the level of competency and sound personnel decisions that are expected to be made. And it’s the idea that the Knicks will have a certain identity, even if they don’t run and gun quite as much as the Suns have.

The Knicks have been the laughing stock of the NBA in recent years, but now it’s their turn to shine. A new era is beginning and the possibilities seem endless.