D'Antoni accepts offer to coach Knicks, by Peter Vecsey, New York Post
The Mike D'Antoni Era has begun.
The former coach of the run-and-gun Suns has accepted a four-year deal at around $6 million per year to coach the Knicks.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh chose D'Antoni over Mark Jackson.
The D'Antoni saga began Monday, when Suns general manager Steve Kerr confirmed that the coach had permission to speak to other teams about their head coaching vacancies.
Kerr acknowledged some differences with D'Antoni but repeatedly said he wanted the coach to stay.
"It's been well documented we have some different ideas and different approaches," Kerr said the day after the season ended. "And what we have to do is talk and communicate and make sure we can get on the same page in terms of how this organization can get better, how this team can get better."
D'Antoni has led the Suns to three Pacific Division titles and two trips to the Western Conference finals in his four full seasons as coach. He has compiled a 232-96 record, including 55-27 last season. But Phoenix has lost three times in the playoffs to San Antonio, including dropping a first-round series in five games to the Spurs this year.
The team had to adjust D'Antoni's full-tilt style to fit the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal, a process that was evolving at season's end. D'Antoni fully supported the trade that sent Shawn Marion to Miami for O'Neal because it was supposed to add interior toughness needed to get past the Spurs.
Instead, Phoenix blew one game, was soundly beaten at home and lost two more close ones against San Antonio. That left D'Antoni's situation in limbo and open to criticism about his short rotation, defensive philosophy and coaching staff.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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