Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
A day after clinching a playoff berth, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni made it clear that he wants to remain in New York.
“I love what I do. I like my guys so it’s all good,” D’Antoni said after practice on Monday. “Again, I’m not focused on that per se [but] hypothetically … I’d love to.”
D’Antoni is under contract through next season. His agent, Warren LeGarie, was at practice on Monday and was seen chatting with team president and general manager Donnie Walsh.
D’Antoni told reporters on Monday not to read anything into the fact that his agent was at practice.
He also said that he was not worried about his future.
“You do the best you can do. And it usually works out some way,” the coach said. “I’m 60 years old, so it’s not like I have to live and die by it. If I was 40 I’d be a little bit more worried. I’m at an age now where, thank God, I can live for today and try to get this team right.”
Walsh hired D’Antoni after taking over for Isiah Thomas. Walsh has a team option for next season that has yet to be picked up by MSG chairman James Dolan. The deadline to do so is April 30. Dolan said at Carmelo Anthony’s introductory press conference that he and Walsh would discuss the GM’s contract situation after the NBA’s Feb. 24 trade deadline.
Walsh and D’Antoni’s future are believed to be closely tied to one another.
D’Antoni signed a four-year, $24 million contract prior to the 2008-09 season.
Ian Begley is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.
What they need is a defensive minded coach. he was fun to have when they sucked. Made for entertaining basketball. But now we need to WIN! and he’s not going to cut it. Defense wins champions!