What Was Mike D'Antoni Doing

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

on campus (or near campus) today? I ran into him at the SMU Bookstore next to campus, where the old Tom Thumb (back in my day) was located. He told me he was looking for some SMU stuff for some freinds and was in town for a meeting. I asked him what type of business he was in and he said "consulting". I did not press him, we talked about Lin for a second and off I went. Would he be in line as a possible Doh replacement?

[bubba pony]

that would be a big time hire if it was to be.

[hoopmanx]

I can't wrap my head around something like that. On the one hand, its Mike D'antoni, on the other, he knows nothing of recruiting or playing defense lol

[couch 'em]

Didn't he resign his last gig?

[Mitch McConnell]

Heads up - captain random lives in Florida and is there as we speak. The word is he posted this from the 19th hole.

[Digetydog]

Didn't he resign his last gig?

While it was announced that he "resigned," he was actually fired by the NY Knicks this week. I am pretty sure the Knicks will be paying him millions over the next couple of years. After his experience with Melo's ego, he might be willing to throw himself into the college game. SMU would need to back him up with a defensive guru and make sure all the assistants were great recruiters. Having seen D'Antoni work, I would be shocked if he couldn't sell the program to recruits. He has "it."

BTWW - normally, recently fired coaches are not ideal candidates b/c they reek of failure. In his case, the failure sits squarely on the Knicks and the worst owner in basketball (and maybe sports) James Dolan. Their ownership is so bad, Tom Hicks and the Mets owners make jokes about the Dolans. D'Antoni never wanted Melo and Melo never intended to play D'Antoni's offense the way it was meant to be played. When Melo was hurt, Lin became a phenom and the Knicks won games. When he returned, not so much.

To the horror of Knicks fans, there are plenty of rumors that Dolan is going to let Isiah Thomas back into the front office. Thomas ruined the team, spent money like a drunken sailor, couldn't coach, and cause the Knicks to pay millions after he sexually harassed a team exec. There are Knick fans in my office who are about to hang themselves.

[mrydel]

He has never coached college ball as either a head coach or an assistant. Seems like it would be a reach to me. Recruiting vs. Drafting is a big difference.

And I also doubt he was buying beanies at the bookstore.

[Mexmustang]

I wonder if he ends up living in Dallas, still has a multi year settlement coming from the Knicks, does he still have to pay NY State and NYC taxes on the income?

[hoopmanx]

I don't want a guy who doesn't know recruiting, and is too old to teach. Engaged head coaches, not figureheads. Oh yeah, defense wins in the Big East

[03Mustang]

OP makes these posts every time something big is happening...happened during the Jones fiasco too. Ignore....

[couch 'em]

It ha me on the edge of my seat

[East Coast Mustang]

Heads up - captain random lives in Florida and is there as we speak. The word is he posted this from the 19th hole.

Didn't you just tell me not to accuse people of drinking on the board?

HYPOCRITE!

I'm drunk rightnow

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

The LAST thing I need to do is defend a post to MM...I talked to the guy for 1 minute, maybe 2..I thought he was out of coaching, did not know it was so recent...

[Mitch McConnell]

Captain random is full of beans on this. Also east coast, did I say he was drinking? You can have a hamburger at the 19th hole? You interpreted it to meet your less than zero standards.

Thanks.

[EastStang]

Let's not be too harsh on old Mike. First, he has coached in Europe. That means that he is somewhat plugged into the European culture as well as American. He speaks fluent Italian. That means that he could recruit in Europe more easily than any coach we've ever had. He also has NBA coaching experience which means that he can go into a living room and say, I know how to get your kid to the NBA and if not into the NBA into a basketball career overseas if necessary. Also, he coached in the NBA where defense is a dirty word. In college where zones are utilized more along with zone presses, he could find that his high powered offense when blended with some customary college defenses could yield excellent results. Also, his offensive schemes work when he has a true point guard (Lin and Nash come to mind). I wouldn't throw him out as a possibility.