I don't think people are hating on D'Antoni because of his record, but rather because of the way in which we lose (ie playing small lineups against the Lakers, etc.)
It's tough because I don't know if any coaches could do better. I think D'Antoni's system probably suits this roster better than, say, Larry Brown's system, or anything like that, but I still do think we need to address certain issues. I think as they grow and mesh together and practice defense, they'll really improve on that - like the Cavs did, they hadn't ALWAYS been good on defense, but they really improved in LeBron's MVP years to the years prior (the first MVP LeBron won IIRC the Cavs only gave up like 91 PPG)
All one needs to know to determine the success (or failure) with coach is this...
2nd in PPG
29th in OPG
In a league where 1/2 make the playoffs its not saying much to get in... not when
*our coach is the highest paid
*our team is one of the most valuable
*our team is still worse defensively than half the league
We can debate the "right fit" for our city, the nuances of this system including the flaws and limitations, even the ancillary effects and byproducts of MDA coaching style and decisions. From acquiring one dimensional players, to burning players out, to unrealized assets, to inflated offensive numbers, etc...
But me, I like to keep it simple. I don't mke excuses. Dantoni lost in PHX because he wasn't good enough to win.
Not because of Horry or Stat getting suspended or whatever (and that was the wcf, not the nba finals)
Those are speculative excuses.
MDA hasn't won at all because of a myriad of reasons, but ultimately because he's not good enough, his approach wasn't good enough, his teams weren't good enough. That simple.
If he or they were he would've won. The better teams did.
Now does that mean he will never, or he can't because he hasn't?
Of course not, every winner has to start somewhere. But again its simple, as Einstein stated, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.
MDA's approach and stubborness which has been well documented and on full display is his weakness and his downfall. Downfall meaning is what will be most preventing from being a champion, the best. With an unwillingness to change and adapt, he will be trumped by better coaches with better game plans. Like he has. Simple.
Does that mean he can't produce results? No, it means he will be right there next to 31 other coaches who produced results of varying outcomes, but to be the best, you've got to beat the best. His strategy, I don't care who you are, his cousin, his favorite supporter, can't compete with the elite.
No matter how you slice it, dig up any stat you want, it can't compete. Sure fill the team up with 5 allstars and they can compete but who needs a coach for that? A coach uses limited resources to produce favorable outcomes. MDA has actually done that, just not as good as those better than him.
He's limited. My aspirations for my beloved Knicks aren't.
Agree or not, I'm not satisfied and won't be until the Knicks have a coach that I am confident with has the right approach and puts our players in aposition to win.
Till then I don't want to hear about which players we want (melo cp3 d12 etc...). When we get a coach with a gameplan that rivals the best, and IF our players can't execute, then talk about which upgrades are available.
Getting more players to incorporate into this limited system, with this limited but well paid coach will be futile.
Its like adding a turbo charger to your factory Honda engine, with factory exhaust and factory everything else. It might be a bit faster, but you risk destroying everything else including the engine for a .001 second increase, ultimately putting you back to square one. Its just not worth it.
Actually its more like adding performance tires, carbon hood, brakes and a bunch of other sh*t, but still have the same limited engine. Futile.
