NY Knicks: Is Mike Woodson the Right Choice for Mike D'Antoni's Assistant Coach?

The Knicks have decided to hire a defensive specialist, and Mike Woodson is being considered as a possible addition to Mike D'Antoni's staff.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Woodson and D'Antoni had a "powwow" on Monday in New York to discuss a potential role for Woodson with the Knicks, as it appears that he is now firmly out of the running to become the next head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although the team has plenty of time to make a decision with the lockout looming largely, they can't wait around forever if the team is serious about bringing aboard an valuable defensive mind that will help the team win next year.

With Lawrence Frank recently leaving the Boston Celtics to pursue a head coaching position with the Detroit Pistons, the Knicks can't afford to take too long in making a decision, or the candidates that they've tabbed as the preferred choices will likely pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Woodson's most recent NBA tenure was as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-10, but he was let go after six seasons on the bench when the club informed him that they wouldn't be renewing his deal.

Now looking to get back onto the bench, Woodson's defense-first mindset would serve to complement D'Antoni's emphasis on offense, as the team really got burned time and time again at that end of the floor last season.

The popular notion is that offense puts fans in the stands, but defense wins championships.

Madison Square Garden has never struggled to fill the building even when the Knicks were at their lowest point during the Isiah Thomas era, but they will not be viewed as a legitimate championship contender until they're able to improve their defensive attack.

Prior to accepting the position with Atlanta, Woodson served as a lead assistant on Larry Brown's staff with the Detroit Pistons when the team won the 2003-04 NBA championship.

Known for getting the most out of his players on the defensive end, Woodson's arrival on the Knicks' bench would finally give the team a presence where they need it most.

New York and Woodson need one another if they're going to succeed moving forward.

A team that is built around its offensive approach needs to learn how to play defense if they want to win when it most matters.