Knicks tab Mike Woodson as coach
Updated: May 25, 2012, 5:33 PM ET
By Ian Begley | Special to ESPNNewYork.com
The New York Knicks on Friday named Mike Woodson their next coach, removing the interim tag from his job title.
Woodson took over as coach of the Knicks an interim basis when Mike D'Antoni stepped down March 14. Under Woodson, the Knicks finished the regular season 18-6 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
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He coached the team to a win in Game 4 of its first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, which snapped the franchise's NBArecord 13-game postseason losing streak.
When D'Antoni first stepped down, Phil Jackson, the former Knicks player and Bulls and Lakers coach, and Kentucky coach John Calipari were mentioned as potential replacements.
But there was no indication that the 66-year-old Jackson would come out of retirement -- one team source said the Knicks did not reach out to Jackson -- and Calipari repeatedly has denied interest in leaving Kentucky. New York was hesitant to reach out to Jackson because of his age and the hefty contract offer that it would likely take to entice him to take the job.
Woodson previously coached the Atlanta Hawks for six seasons, leading the team to the playoffs three times.
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7972933/new-york-knicks-name-mike-woodson-next-coach-remove-interim-tag
50+ wins....here we come!
Alan Hahn Twitter
Knicks statement on Woodson: “Mike took over the team under challenging circumstances and made it clear, starting on day one, that he was going to hold every player on our roster accountable. We saw a significant improvement since Mike took over and believe our team will only keep improving under Mike’s direction.” -- MSG executive chairman James Dolan
8 minutes ago
Any news on the financials?
gunsnewing wrote:Alan Hahn Twitter
Knicks statement on Woodson: “Mike took over the team under challenging circumstances and made it clear, starting on day one, that he was going to hold every player on our roster accountable. We saw a significant improvement since Mike took over and believe our team will only keep improving under Mike’s direction.” -- MSG executive chairman James Dolan
8 minutes ago
"significant improvement"...Dolan's favorite phrase.
Good move. He's a solid coach who's expertise is defense. I'd like to see him take a page out of Phil Jackson's book and hire a good offensively minded coach.
Ira wrote:Good move. He's a solid coach who's expertise is defense. I'd like to see him take a page out of Phil Jackson's book and hire a good offensively minded coach.
Certainly would not be a bad idea. I was never a fan of bringing in Woodson as defensive coordinator because I didn't see how the defense would improve when system and offensive philosophy was still going to be Dantoni's SSOL. It improved somewhat but under Woodson's system once he finally took over the Knicks became a defensively oriented team of 12 guys buying in. New York and Playoff basketball,
In this case bringing in a good offensive coach who's system fits with Woodson's defense and the personnel would be great for Woodson & Knicks
CashMoney wrote:Any news on the financials?
Will be disclosed later. Right now they are getting ready for the Rangers
Alan Hahn @alanhahn
"@nykyg: @alanhahn Simmons says he knows for a fact Phil wanted to coach NYK...Can you confirm?" Hahn: Bradley, Monroe and Frazier say he didn't.
gunsnewing wrote:Alan Hahn @alanhahn
"@nykyg: @alanhahn Simmons says he knows for a fact Phil wanted to coach NYK...Can you confirm?" Hahn: Bradley, Monroe and Frazier say he didn't.
I actually hope Phil didn't want the job so if for any reason things don't work out with Woody we don't have to deal with the "woulda coulda shoulda". Woodson's a great regular season coach, no reason he can't figure things out and become at least a good playoff coach. Hoping anyway. Glad its settled, I know Mike's anxious to get started.
CashMoney wrote:50+ wins....here we come!
Agree. Can't wait until next year.
Good move by the franchise. I agree with this times article: [url="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/sports/basketball/harvey-araton-hiring-mike-woodson-the-logical-move-for-knicks.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"]Hiring Woodson, the Knicks Make the Logical Move[/url]
Here we come to the most instructive example of less ending up as more and by extension the case for Woodson. Van Gundy succeeded in continuing what Riley started, with the Knicks contending for several more seasons. Unlike Woodson, a moderately successful head coach in Atlanta, Van Gundy had been only an assistant. Like Woodson, he got the job by default and without the brand recognition the Knicks habitually sought — until his identity as the everyman coach became an appealing marketing spiel in itself.Post Van Gundy, Dolan resumed chasing names in the Hall of Famers Lenny Wilkens and Brown to coach his failing team, along with Thomas, but Woodson has the only playoff victory to show since Van Gundy.
Well, Mike Woodson, congratulations! You have become the permanent head coach of what is supposed to be the best Knicks team since 1999.
I truly do wish you well but you have a very tall and very steep mountain to climb.
If during the course of your new contract you become tired of the mismanagement, Dolan's lack of vision or Melo's sticky hands, you are more than welcome to pull a 
.
Lets all raise our glasses to usher in a new era of NYC basketball!
Is it too early to call for Woody to be fired? Should wait until after Memorial Day?
Why wait? Fire Woodson now promote Herb
Can someone please poison Dolan?
loweyecue wrote:Can someone please poison Dolan?
I heard that he left ownership of the team to Isiah Thomas in his will.
2 year deal with an team option for a 3rd season at $4 million per year.
Bonn1997 wrote:loweyecue wrote:Can someone please poison Dolan?
I heard that he left ownership of the team to Isiah Thomas in his will.
Maybe they can poison each other? Dolan to get out of whatever the Snake is holding over him, and then Isiah to speed up the transition of ownership?
loweyecue wrote:Bonn1997 wrote:loweyecue wrote:Can someone please poison Dolan?
I heard that he left ownership of the team to Isiah Thomas in his will.
Maybe they can poison each other? Dolan to get out of whatever the Snake is holding over him, and then Isiah to speed up the transition of ownership?
Next in line to inherit the team is MDA!
