Mike D'Antoni Resigns: Twitter Reacts to Knicks Coach's Shocking Resignation

The basketball world was shocked on Wednesday by a single tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski:

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Mike D'Antoni has resigned as New York Knicks coach, a source tells Y! Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 14, 2012"

The former New York Knicks head coach had been with the team since 2008 and had one playoff appearance to show for his efforts. A recent six-game losing streak and multiple clashes with superstar Carmelo Anthony sealed his fate.

Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick confirms that D’Antoni didn’t resign, but it was a mutual decision between the two groups:

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Source confirms New York coach Mike D'Antoni is out: "Didn't resign. Mutual decision."

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 14, 2012"

So why did the two parties come to this decision? It was a complete difference of opinion in terms of the future of the team according to Wojnarowski:

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Another source confirms D'Antoni ouster with Knicks, tells Y!: "Conflicting visions of club's future...Mutual decision to no longer coach."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 14, 2012"

So what does it all mean?

The instant reaction on Twitter was heavy on the anti-Melo sentiment. They blame his return to the lineup for the offensive woes and declining play of Jeremy Lin.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News provides us with the troubling records of the Knicks with and without Melo:

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In the last 2 years, the Knicks have played 128 games, inc playoffs. They're 26-37 with Carmelo Anthony in uniform, and 34-31 without him.

— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) March 14, 2012"

Denver sports anchor Vic Lombardi believes D’Antoni is a good coach that got stuck with a hopeless cause in Melo:

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Mike D'Antoni out as the Knicks head coach. Shame. One of the nicest guys to come thru town. Pretty good coach, when not coaching Melo.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 14, 2012"

What’s next?

Now that D’Antoni is gone, an assistant will be taking over for the rest of the season, according to  Wojnarowski:

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Assistant coach Mike Woodson will take over as the Knicks interim coach, a source tells Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 14, 2012"

CBS Sports' Ken Berger reports that the locker room was stunned to hear the news but have little time to think about it:

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Mike Woodson era begins tnite vs. Portland. Key team leaders were stunned to learn of D'Antoni's resignation a short time ago, source says.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) March 14, 2012"

With an interim coach for the rest of the year, let the speculation begin on who will be the next coach. ESPN’s Mike Wilbon already has an idea of their main target:

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So how soon does the recruitment of Phil Jackson begin? And would Phil want 'Melo and Amare? Don't all moves have to have Phil in mind?

— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) March 14, 2012"

On the other hand, Kurt Helin of CBS Sports believes there is no way the team can convince Jackson to unretire yet again:

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Knicks fans, if you think Phil Jackson is leaving the beach life in So Cal to save you from this dysfunctional mess your are delusional.

— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) March 14, 2012"

While Knick fans have already been beaten over the head with bad news, I’ll leave you with this brutal stat from CNBC Sports reporter Darren Rovell: 

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% of games won by last 3 Knicks coaches: L. Brown 28%, I. Thomas 34%, M. D'Antoni 42%.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) March 14, 2012"

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