Add Mike D’Antoni’s name to the list of candidates to become the Knicks’ coach.
The Suns have given the Knicks permission to talk to D’Antoni, Phoenix sports radio station KTAR is reporting Monday. If Phoenix and D’Antoni announce a split, the coach doesn’t figure to be out of work long. (The Bulls also have reportedly received the OK to contact D’Antoni.)
D’Antoni has a 267-172 career record in six years as a NBA coach, leading the Suns to the playoffs the last four years and to the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006.
Former Knick Mark Jackson, ex-Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, fired Mavs coach Avery Johnson and Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau are also up for the Knicks’ job, with Jackson rumored to be the front-runner. But considering Jackson has also attracted some attention from the Bulls, why are the Knicks moving so slowly to strike a deal, if not that they are waiting to see if a proven winner, like D’Antoni, becomes available?
Our friend, Alan Hahn of Newsday, has more on the possibility of D’Antoni coming to the Garden.
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