Knicks News

"Friday was offered as a day of hope for all parties involved to get a resolution on Suns coach Mike D'Antoni's future. There is no deadline, just an expectation that an outline would be provided Friday for just how interested the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are in D'Antoni. The possibilities remain as open as when the week began, when he interviewed in the Valley with both teams."

"Donnie Walsh efuted an Internet report that the Knicks were preparing to make Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni a "staggering" offer to succeed Isiah Thomas. The Knicks president has not given any indication that D'Antoni has supplanted Mark Jackson as the favorite to become his team's next coach. Instead, Walsh is doing what he normally does: playing it close to the vest. Jackson, according to sources, remains Walsh's top choice while D'Antoni could emerge as a candidate as well. "

"If the Knicks wanted to Bogart the pot (Mike D'Antoni) by raising the coaching ante to an unmatchable peak, as alleged by ESPN, what's taking 'em so long? It's not like Camp Cablevision can be outbid for anything or anyone it covets? "

" Sources indicated yesterday Knicks president Donnie Walsh is torn on whether to offer the job to the star coach available, Mike D'Antoni, or take a slight gamble on someone with no head-coaching experience, Mark Jackson. Last night Walsh, through a spokesman, emphatically said he has not offered the job to anybody, contrary to a report. "

"Mike D’Antoni is likely headed elsewhere by this weekend, but not much progress toward his final destination was made Wednesday. That could change quickly today. ESPN.com, citing NBA coaching sources, reported the New York Knicks are prepared to make a “staggering” financial offer to D’Antoni to prove he is the No. 1 choice to lead that once-proud franchise out of the wilderness. The offer, which could top $30 million for five years, would figure to far outdistance any offer D’Antoni’s other suitor, the Chicago Bulls, could muster."

"If Suns coach Mike D'Antoni could get what he wanted for his 57th birthday today, it would be a long-term contract with just compensation from the Chicago Bulls. An NBA source close to the situation said three things could make that happen: "

"Donnie Walsh has interviewed at least five candidates for the Knicks' head coaching job and has reached out to several others. And yet Mark Jackson, who was the favorite last month, remains the odds-on favorite to succeed Isiah Thomas. "I would say that's a pretty good bet," said a Knicks source. "It is still Mark's job to lose." "

"A radio report out of New York late Wednesday said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has an offer from another NBA team, but sources indicated that team is not the Bulls, who still intend to line up an interview with Avery Johnson. Bulls general manager John Paxson remained in town for a second consecutive day Wednesday, and the interview with Johnson has not been scheduled. Johnson, fired by the Dallas Mavericks last week, reportedly met in Houston on Tuesday with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh. Walsh is expected to meet today in New York with Warren LeGarie, the agent for D'Antoni."

"Warren LeGarie, the agent for Mike D'Antoni, told The Post yesterday the Knicks are still in the picture for the Suns coach, and tried to quash the belief the Bulls are clear frontrunners. LeGarie planned to meet with Knick president Donnie Walsh today in New York after flying in from Greece. The Bulls are believed to be D'Antoni's top choice, all things equal, but LeGarie disputed the theory D'Antoni is not a good fit with the Knicks' defense-less, plodding cast. "

"Rick Carlisle is nearly off the market, and Mike D’Antoni — who never officially hit the market — could be the next top-tier N.B.A. coach to land a new job... D’Antoni, who is also represented by LeGarie, is anticipating offers from the Knicks and the Chicago Bulls by the weekend. If that happens, D’Antoni could make a decision by early next week. LeGarie contradicted reports that D’Antoni was already weighing an offer from Chicago."

"Mike D'Antoni is on the short list in both Chicago and New York - but he remains the coach of the Phoenix Suns because there are complications keeping both those lists from shrinking down to just his name. League sources confirm that two meetings with D'Antoni and Chicago general manager John Paxson progressed well enough for D'Antoni to be considered the front-runner for the Bulls' position. "

"Mike D'Antoni may still have a way to go before he becomes the next head coach in Chicago or New York, but he has moved even farther from a possible return to the Suns. Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson and New York Knicks President Donnie Walsh returned from interviews in Phoenix with D'Antoni to talk to their respective owners about him. D'Antoni has not received an offer from either team and no negotiations have begun, but there should be some resolution in each team's interest by Friday."

"General manager John Paxson has declined to comment, but ESPN.com is reporting, citing NBA front-office sources, that the Bulls and Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni are close to agreeing on a deal. But a Phoenix radio station reports that D'Antoni is closer to a deal with the New York Knicks because money is getting in the way of a Bulls' deal."

"D'Antoni has made it clear to general manager John Paxson that he covets the Bulls' job. But D'Antoni also interviewed for the Knicks' job, and talk in league circles centered on D'Antoni's camp using the Knicks as leverage to drive up the Bulls' price tag... The cat-and-mouse game of musical chairs should end soon, with D'Antoni's camp telling both franchises it expects a conclusion by the end of this week. Despite several reports to the contrary, neither the Knicks nor the Bulls had presented D'Antoni with a formal offer as of late Tuesday."

"After interviewing with Knicks president Donnie Walsh in the Phoenix area on Monday, D'Antoni reportedly is headed to Chicago to succeed Scott Skiles as soon as the two sides can agree on a contract, according to NBA sources. Walsh traveled from Arizona to the Houston area Tuesday and met with former Mavs coach Avery Johnson to continue his "due-diligence tour." But Jackson is still regarded as the overwhelming favorite to replace Isiah Thomas. Before Walsh talked to D'Antoni, the Bulls interviewed him on Sunday, apparently coming away thinking that his prolific offensive system will be a good fit for Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and other players who underachieved this season. "

"THIS is what you would call the collateral damage of the last four years of mismanagement at Madison Square Garden, the true measure of just how woefully Isiah Thomas ran the basketball operation, just how completely he ran it into the ground and into complete disrepair. These are all the bills coming due, in a big balloon payment. There was a time, not so long ago, when the job of head coach of the New York Knicks was the most coveted coaching trophy in the entire sport. You had everything you could possibly want in a job description: the greatest stage in basketball, working the most passionate room in basketball, commanding the most lucrative salary in basketball. "

"The Knicks and Bulls may lock horns in a bidding war for Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. According to a source close to the Suns coach, D'Antoni is expecting to receive formal proposals from the Knicks and Bulls by week's end. At least that's what he hopes. The imminent nature of these two offers likely was urged by D'Antoni, who has been told by Suns GM Steve Kerr the club wants a decision by Friday."

"Fire up shots early and often like Mike D'Antoni's Suns, or focus far more on defense like Avery Johnson did in Dallas. As the plot of the Knicks' coaching search thickened Monday, Donnie Walsh's decision could come down to that, perhaps even a tug of war with the Bulls over one of the two high-profile candidates."

"Mike D'Antoni isn't wasting any time in his search for new employment. The Tribune confirmed a report from SI.com Monday that both Chicago general manager John Paxson and New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh have flown to the Valley to interview D'Antoni. He is still technically the head coach of the Suns, but was given permission to seek other employment after Friday's meeting with GM Steve Kerr and team owner Robert Sarver produced little common ground for moving forward together."

"A day after a lengthy meeting to discuss ways to mend the relationship with his bosses, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni was ready to move on - elsewhere. D'Antoni met with Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson on Sunday night and New York Knicks President Donnie Walsh on Monday about each team's head-coaching vacancy."

"By tomorrow, Knicks president Donnie Walsh will have interviewed Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson as his decision on whom to offer the coaching job of the moribund franchise takes shape. Walsh had a reservation last night at a Phoenix hotel and was expected to have dinner with D'Antoni. A source said Bulls president John Paxson met with D'Antoni Sunday night, and Chicago appears to be the favorite. "

"KTAR (620 AM), the Suns flagship station, reported late Sunday night that general manager Steve Kerr had granted D’Antoni permission to speak with both the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks about their vacant head coaching positions. That’s a sign Friday’s initial two-hour meeting between D’Antoni, Kerr and Suns managing partner Robert Sarver may have revealed too big of a disconnect for coach and GM to continue working together."

"Suns coach Mike D'Antoni will interview with Chicago and New York about their head coaching vacancies in a sign that he and the Suns brass may have irreconcilable differences. D'Antoni and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr were not available for comment but a franchise source confirmed a KTAR-AM report that Suns management had given D'Antoni permission to interview with other teams."

"Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has been granted permission to speak with NBA teams, including the Bulls and Knicks, according to KTAR-AM 620 in Phoenix. D'Antoni was previously denied permission to speak with any team, Suns GM Steve Kerr told the radio station last week."

"If Avery Johnson listens to his longtime mentor, legendary black-college coach Ben Jobe, he will be beating down Donnie Walsh's door to coach the Knicks. If Walsh listens to his longtime friend and confidant, Ben Jobe, Walsh will be beating down Johnson's door. Jobe, Avery's college coach at Southern University and the main character in Dan Klores' "Black Magic" documentary, told The Post he had been in Walsh's ear Thursday and Friday, singing Avery's praises. "

"Kenny Smith took the first step toward ditching Charles Barkley as a sidekick and becoming Donnie Walsh's righthand man when the TNT analyst interviewed for the Knicks' general manager job on Friday. "It was a great meeting," Smith said Saturday. "I'm happy I got the opportunity to talk to Donnie. We both knew each other, but it was the first time we got a chance to sit down, talk and really get to know one another." "

"Toronto President Bryan Colangelo ran off to scout in Spain this weekend, insisting that Sam Mitchell will coach the Raptors next season. Mitchell has been mentioned as a candidate for the Knicks' coaching job because of his ties to team president Donnie Walsh. "

"Rick Carlisle won't be reunited with former boss Donnie Walsh with the Knicks. Sources told The Post last night that the former Pacer and Piston coach, who interviewed with Walsh for the Knick coaching job Wednesday, has agreed to terms with the Mavericks to replace Avery Johnson. "

"Knicks president Donnie Walsh made preliminary contact with Avery Johnson yesterday to express interest in interviewing the fired Mavericks coach and is also monitoring the Suns' situation with Mike D'Antoni that could be resolved by the weekend, according to sources."

"With first-round fallout starting to land in the NBA's coaching candidates' pool, Knicks president Donnie Walsh faces a dilemma in his search for Isiah Thomas' replacement. Hurry up? Or wait? Waiting could cost the Knicks a shot at Dallas' Avery Johnson, fired Wednesday less than 24 hours after Byron Scott's Hornets punctuated the Mavericks' second straight one-and-done postseason. Reports out of Chicago already suggest he could become the Bulls' top candidate."

"Avery Johnson's name has been added to the Knicks' ever-growing list of coaching candidates. A source close to Donnie Walsh said the Knicks' president is targeting several head coaches and assistant coaches of playoff teams to interview but that he will not make contact with any of them until their respective seasons end. Johnson, though, became available yesterday, when he was fired less than 24 hours after the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated by New Orleans in five games. "

"This is what Knick president Donnie Walsh was waiting for. The Knick coaching search revved up yesterday as Dallas fired Avery Johnson and the Suns reportedly planned to ax Mike D'Antoni. The developments gave lead candidate Mark Jackson serious competition, with Walsh interested in talking to Johnson and D'Antoni, if the latter becomes available, according to sources. The news justifies Walsh's decision not to rush into hiring Jackson, with three Coach of the Year winners, including Raptor coach Sam Mitchell, possibly on the market, too. "

"Avery Johnson was fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, and Mike D’Antoni clung loosely to his job in Phoenix — their fates underscoring that success is no guarantee of security for N.B.A. head coaches. The Mavericks fired Johnson a day after his team was eliminated from the playoffs by the New Orleans Hornets. The Suns also lost their first-round series, to the San Antonio Spurs, amid widespread reports that D’Antoni would be replaced."

"The revolving door between pro teams and TV analysts might be about to get a big spin — opening up two of the top NBA jobs on TV. TNT's Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley's sidekick on the most lively studio show in TV sports, is interested in becoming the New York Knicks general manager. "

"If even flirting with the idea of bringing back Jeff Van Gundy was a test of the autonomy Garden chairman James Dolan bestowed on Donnie Walsh to run the Knicks, including Larry Brown on Walsh's list of candidates might have resulted in seismic tremors felt throughout 2 Penn Plaza."

"On the day Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan resurrected Larry Brown's career, the former Knicks coach looked back on his disastrous season in New York and took full responsibility... Brown likely will pluck Knicks assistant Dave Hanners for his coaching staff and possibly longshot Knicks candidate Herb Williams. Bobcats advisor Bernie Bickerstaff could head to the Knicks as Mark Jackson's top assistant."

"With two years and $8.5 million left on his contract, D'Antoni is unlikely to be fired. If he returns, it could be with concessions to change. But there is also the possibility that he leaves of his own accord, especially with a perceived lack of support - and interest from New York and Chicago, both of which have vacancies. There is also the chance Toronto President Bryan Colangelo fired Sam Mitchell to hire the coach he brought to Phoenix from Italy."

"Despite his reputation as a mediocre defensive coach, Mike D'Antoni is on Donnie Walsh's radar for the Knick opening if D'Antoni is fired by the Suns after the first round, according to a source close to the Knick president. Meanwhile, veteran coach Paul Silas told The Post last night he plans on contacting Walsh in the next few days with interest in interviewing for the Knick job."

"If Donnie Walsh wants to interview Boston Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau for the Knicks' coaching position, he might have to wait until after the NBA Finals."

"The Bulls' coaching search continues with no favorite having emerged and no hiring imminent, according to those close to the situation. General manager John Paxson is set to interview Mark Jackson in Los Angeles, likely Wednesday. Jackson, the longtime NBA point guard and currently a TV analyst, reportedly is the front-runner to land the New York Knicks' vacancy."

"If the Knicks hire him, Jackson would be a job-hopping naif compared with Bill Parcells, Doc Rivers, Mike Ditka, Mike Fratello, Doug Collins, Jimmy Johnson, Pat Riley and Hubie Brown."

"Kenny Smith confirmed Sunday that he will interview for the Knicks general manager job this week. Smith, who attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, is scheduled to meet with Knicks president Donnie Walsh. "

"Kenny Smith, a TNT analyst and 10-year veteran of the N.B.A., confirmed Sunday that he was interested in joining the Knicks’ front office."

"While Mark Jackson is expected to talk to the Bulls Wednesday, Sam Mitchell may soon pose the largest threat to Jackson's lead candidacy for the Knicks' job."

"Proving yet again his open-mindedness to a coach search that is nothing but open-ended, Bulls general manager John Paxson is scheduled to interview former NBA point guard Mark Jackson this week."

"Kenny Smith is looking to make the move from the TNT studio to the highly volatile world of the Knicks' front office, while Larry Brown could resurface in Charlotte. According to a league source, Smith is scheduled to interview this week with Knicks president Donnie Walsh about becoming the team's new general manager."

"President Donnie Walsh, who met with Mark Jackson in Phoenix Friday, should know there are others prominent basketball people who believe Jackson's the right choice to coach the Knicks."

"Rick Pitino, who ran the Knicks from 1987 to 1989, said he's done with coaching in the NBA and would not be interested if Donnie Walsh came calling... With Sam Vincent fired in Charlotte, Knicks assistant Herb Williams could get a crack at the Bobcats head coaching job, if the favorite Larry Brown passes."

"If it were anyone else other than Mark Jackson, another guy with no coaching experience, would there be more media scrutiny - and more questions asked - concerning his qualifications to lead the Knickerbockers out of the toilet?"