New York Knicks: 5 Things Mike Woodson Brings to the Table for the Team

When the Atlanta Hawks decided not to renew Mike Woodson’s contract last May, it was feasible to believe he would soon have another coaching job.

Presently, Woodson is still not employed by the NBA.

He has interviewed with the Minnesota Timberwolves about their current head coaching vacancy. However, reports indicate he probably won’t be chosen.

Woodson recently met with Mike D’Antoni and is the leading candidate for the Knicks defensive assistant position. The 1980 first-round draft pick of the Knicks would seemingly be a good fit with the team. He’s well regarded on defense but not offense, while D’Antoni is well regarded on offense but not defense.

Here are five things Mike Woodson brings to the table for the Knicks.

Valuable Experience

Woodson spent six years as head coach of the Hawks. During that time, the team increased their win total each season and made the playoffs the last two seasons.

Woodson coached All-Star-caliber players in Atlanta—Antoine Walker, Al Harrington, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Jamal Crawford—and that would help with a team featuring Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Woodson played 11 seasons in the NBA and had some success statistically, averaging 14 points per game for his career. Typically, players show greater respect towards coaches who have played professionally.

If the Knicks hire Woodson, his playing experience could pay dividends on defense because the coach can yell and scream all he wants, but the players still have to listen.

Help for the Knicks’ Defensive Woes

Almost anybody who has followed the NBA over the past few seasons knows that the Knicks' defense has been bad like Kobe Bryant’s rap skills. Last season, they had the league’s third worst scoring defense.

The Knicks have players who are good individual defenders when motivated, but collectively they struggle to prevent opponents from scoring.

Woodson could help change that.

He spent years as Larry Brown’s assistant coach and was a key assistant when the Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals, thanks to their stifling defense against a team that featured four Hall of Fame-level players—Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Shaquille O’ Neal and Gary Payton.

Mike D’Antoni Can Focus Solely on What He Does Best

Mike D’Antoni has never been a defensive minded coach.

It could even be argued that D’Antoni doesn’t know what the definition of defense is.

If the Knicks hire Woodson, his role would likely be similar to that of an NFL defensive coordinator. This would allow D’Antoni to direct his full attention towards offense, assuming that’s not already the case.

Better Sleep for Knick Fans

It should come as no surprise that numerous Knick fans don’t like Mike D’Antoni being their favorite team’s head coach. Their biggest gripe towards him is his perceived lack of defensive commitment. However, if Woodson joins his staff, maybe some of those negative feelings would subside.

New York’s sports fans are an enthusiastic and emotionally attached group of people. There’s no doubting that some have gotten so infuriated with the team’s bad defense under D’Antoni that it has caused restless nights. Hopefully, for the sake of their health, Woodson’s hire would quell that.

While there’s no guarantee Woodson will improve the Knicks’ defense, hiring him could at least generate some hope that it might.

A Good Possible Replacement for Mike D’Antoni

D’Antoni is entering the final season of his four-year, $24 million contract. He’s expressed his desire to return as the Knicks’ head coach, but with Donnie Walsh—who hired D’Antoni in New York—taking a new, less powerful role in the organization, that may not end up happening.

In the event that the Knicks’ next general manager either doesn’t offer D’Antoni a contract extension or fires him during the season, Woodson could immediately step in and do a solid job, regardless of whether he has an interim tag in front his name.

Who knows, maybe Woodson would hire D’Antoni to be his assistant?