Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

NBA.com’s David Aldridge reports that what lead to Mike D’Antoni’s departure from New York was a disagreement with owner James Dolan involving a trade. D’Antoni wanted to move Carmelo Anthony, who struggled inside D’Antoni’s system, for the Nets’ Deron Williams. That trade would have given the Nets the star they wanted last year when he forced his way out of Denver in a contract year to New York. The Nets tried furiously to convince Anthony to force a trade to New Jersey instead, but were rebuffed, at which point they acquired Williams. From NBA.com:

‘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.

via NBA.com | Hang Time Blog.

WRITTEN BY Matt Moore | Senior NBA Blogger & FULL STORY HERE