Knicks Rumors: Mike Woodson Deserves Contract Extension After NY's Late Charge

The New York Knicks were a talented team trending in the wrong direction before Mike Woodson replaced Mike D'Antoni. Ever since, the Knicks have played a lot better and earned a playoff spot, which should be enough to earn Woodson the full-time job.

New York went 18-6 during the regular season under Woodson and avoided a sweep against the Miami Heat with a victory in Game 4. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports the late charge will be enough to earn Woodson a contract extension:

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The Knicks have initiated talks that would keep Woodson as the team’s head coach for the foreseeable future, the Daily News has learned. The talks are only in the preliminary stages but it is clear that Madison Square Garden management is convinced Woodson is the right man for the job and will not pursue either Phil Jackson or Kentucky head coach John Calipari.

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Woodson has denied contract talks have begun, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Either way, the Knicks should be looking to lock up their interim coach after an impressive run.

When you consider all the things Woodson had to overcome to win 18 of the final 24 games, his record as coach becomes even more impressive. Most notable are the injuries to Jeremy Lin and Amar'e Stoudemire, which forced role players to step up.

It was clear the Knicks had lost their way under D'Antoni. The team was wise to make a move during the season to see if the problem was actually the coach or the players, and it turned out that D'Antoni's system just wasn't working.

Woodson brought a more conventional approach to the table. The more disciplined style forced the Knicks to worry more about defense, helping fuel the late run. If they would have landed the banged-up Chicago Bulls instead of the Heat, a first-round upset would have been possible.

Even though this season will likely end in the opening round, it shouldn't be viewed as a failure despite the sky-high expectations heading into the season. Finding a new head coach without a long, drawn-out process sets them up for a strong offseason.

The Knicks already have the base for a contending team. Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin give them star power, and Tyson Chandler serves as the defensive stopper.

If New York can add another piece or two through the draft and free agency, it will be right up there amongst the East's elite next season—as long as the roster isn't once again decimated by injuries seemingly all season, of course.

Trying to convince a high-profile coach like Jackson or Calipari to take the job isn't worth the headache. The chances are slim either one would be willing to take it, and the Knicks can't afford to alienate Woodson for a long shot.

He's a good enough coach to make the Knicks contenders, and that's all the ownership group can ask. Giving him a contract extension will take some pressure off and allow him to focus on improving the roster.

It's tough to think about the future in the middle of a playoff series, but regardless of the result, Knicks fans should be happy with the direction of the team.