By MIKE SLANE
Special to ZAGSBLOG
NEW YORK — Mike D’Antoni left his team following Wednesday’s shootaround just as he normally would.
“I’ll see you tonight,” the coach told his players.
Shortly after, the players’ phones were blowing up with text messages telling them that D’Antoni had resigned. Then it became clear that D’Antoni – along with his brother Dan D’Antoni and longtime assistant Phil Weber – had called it quits when a team meeting was called for 5 p.m. ET.
“It was a surprise to us, especially after shootaround this morning,” Shumpert said before the team’s 121-79 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. “But it’s something we have to deal with.”
D’Antoni’s run of over three years ended on his own terms. He first spoke to interim general manager Glen Grunweld before meeting with team owner James Dolan after practice. Dolan said they had a “very honest” conversation late in the morning.
“He clearly felt it was best for the organization if he were not to continue as coach of the team. He did offer to stay,” Dolan said. “After a long discussion, we did agree it was best for the organization to have a new voice moving forward.”
That new voice is assistant coach Mike Woodson, at least for the time being. Woodson, who was hired by the Knicks over the offseason to serve as a defensive specialist, is guaranteed the interim coaching position through the remainder of the season. He will be reevaluated next summer.
In the meantime, Woodson has his hands full as he looks to help the Knicks rebound from a rough stretch that included six straight losses leading to D’Antoni’s resignation. Along the way, he’ll have to deal with rumors about Phil Jackson or John Calipari taking over next season.
“Coach Woody is a great coach and we just have to follow in his direction and we’re just going to try to win these games,” Shumpert said.
So far so good.
Woodson was at his best on the sidelines in his first game in charge.
“It was an emotional day losing your head coach,” Woodson said. “They stepped up. They made plays on both ends of the floor. What I was very impressed about is that htey defended and shared the ball offensively.”
It was getting to the point where the Knicks had to make a decision of either keeping D’Antoni or superstar Carmelo Anthony. Despite ridiculous trade rumors, it was clear D’Antoni would be the guy to go first. It just turned out Grunweld and Dolan didn’t have to make the tough decision.
Anthony had a strong performance against the Blazers. He came out on fire, scoring 10 of his 16 points in the first quarter. After the game, Woodson praised the forward for guiding the team on what Anthony referred to as “an unfortunate day.”
“He came out ready and pushed himself I thought,” Woodson said. “I tried to utilize him early in the game, help him get going, and he responded. I thought everybody rallied around him and responded. It was a good team effort.”
Anthony said he doesn’t hold any responsibility for D’Antoni leaving.
“I didn’t have anything to do with that,” he said. “That was coach’s decision.”
Still, he doesn’t sound too unhappy D’Antoni’s decision.
“In life there are times change can be for the better,” Anthony added. “It is an unfortunate situation with coach Mike. He said he stepped down for the sake of the team. He felt like the team needed change. I wish it was under better circumstances but it is what it is.”
Photo: AP
