Prior to his resignation earlier today, Mike D’Antoni reached out to James Dolan in a last ditch attempt to save his job and rid the Knicks of Carmelo Anthony;
A source with knowledge of the discussions says D’Antoni and Knicks chairman James Dolan mutually agreed to terminate D’Antoni’s job with New York after the two met this morning.
D’Antoni, the source said, had been advocating that the Knicks attempt to trade Anthony to the New Jersey Nets for guard Deron Williams, a deal D’Antoni believed would be beneficial for both franchises. But Dolan categorically declined that request, and the “conflicting visions” between the owner and head coach about Anthony meant there was no way forward.
D’Antoni had hoped the Knicks’ inspired and winning play with Lin as the centerpiece — while Anthony and Stoudemire were injured — would convince Dolan the Knicks could win without Anthony. Bringing Williams from the Nets would also have eases the burden on Lin, D’Antoni believed, allowing Lin to settle into a three-guard rotation.
D’Antoni asked for the meeting with Dolan after his relationship with Anthony had deteriorated sharply in recent days. He will be paid the remainder of the $6 million he’s due in this fourth and final year of his $24 million contract.
If this was Broussard or any other schmuck I wouldn’t believe this at all. But with David Aldridge, a well respected and highly regarded reporter, you take his words for what they’re worth. Luckily for Melo, Dolan loves him too much and this deal never materialized. Even better for Melo, interim coach Mike Woodson loves ISO plays. Whether we like it or not, the changing of the guard is here and James Dolan is back to his old ways. This is officially Carmelo’s team, for better or worse.
