New York Knicks: Mike D'Antoni Project Has Failed for the Knicks
The Knicks are not looking good. They are lacking identity, as they are playing a different kind of basketball in every quarter and every situation of the game. D’Antoni’s system, which allows players to roam freely and gives them the freedom to make decisions, seems to be backfiring.
There seems to be a lack of control from Mike D’Antoni’s side. Shumpert, a rookie guard, shooting 20 times in one game is clear evidence of this matter. Depending on the point guard who is in the game, the Knicks do not know if they need to run a fast break or run a half-court game. The constant changes of pace makes the play on the court inconsistent because the mainstay players are shifting gears regularly.
The players have done a good job of keeping positive and not getting in each other’s faces, but management should worry that a negative culture is on the horizon. It is only a matter of time before the players begin pointing fingers because, if they do not start winning, frustration will mount. As any native New Yorker knows, the media is fierce and will pick and prod until the information comes out. Just look at the New York Jets' recent media reports.
Mike D’Antoni seems to be waiting on Baron Davis, but it is becoming clear that D'Antoni has developed a system that worked well for a specific player, Steve Nash. Prior to Steve Nash coming to the Suns in ‘04-’05, Phoenix had gone 21-40 under the coaching of Mike D’Antoni. His previous coaching stint was with Denver in the ‘98-‘99 season. In 50 games, the Suns went 14-36 while he was head coach.
With the exception of his four years with Steve Nash and last year’s mediocre Knicks finish, D'Antoni has had all losing seasons as a head coach. It does not seem to be headed in the right direction this season either. The Knicks have only six wins this season after playing 15 games. If they continue at this rate, the season will be the biggest bust—especially after starting the season with a victory against Boston that showed a lot of promise.
Even if the Knicks were to go after Steve Nash, he is near the end of his career. Would he really be able to duplicate his efforts from '04 -'05. Besides, even when Steve Nash had an MVP season, the D’Antoni system failed to bring in a championship.
I am not saying that D'Antoni is not an offensive-minded genius, because his system is very effective when run correctly. However, I am saying that it is clear that his system has failed in New York, and it is time to move on, especially if the goal is to win a championship.
The Knicks have a lot of pieces that can help them to be successful. The only thing that seems to be lacking to me is structure and discipline. Even the Orange and Blue scrimmage looked as if it was just a bunch of players running around without sets. It is time for a change in New York.
