You request, we response. The Write-up is fielding concerns from readers about New York’s largest pro athletics teams and having our beat writers to respond to them in a series of consistently printed mailbags. In today’s installment: the Knicks.
What is your look at of [Mike] Woodson as a coach? My individual impression is that he is extremely overrated. During his stint as a Knicks coach, he was relying a great deal on [Jason] Kidd and [Rasheed] Wallace in finish-activity predicaments. What do you think? — Jean
Woodson did his most effective function with the Knicks (109-79). His functionality was not overrated in the the very least.
Ahead of going 54-28 and achieving the second round of the playoffs in 2012-13, Woodson took in excess of midstream for Mike D’Antoni, who could not locate a way to connect with Carmelo Anthony. Woodson arrived at Anthony more than any head coach at any time has and the Knicks romped to an 18-6 complete in 2011-12.
Knicks president Leon Rose saw it firsthand as his agent — a clue to why he obtained this interview and perhaps will sign up for the coaching employees. Woodson’s departure was only simply because new president Phil Jackson experienced to bring in his individual team.
“He received the most out of Carmelo and Amar’e [Stoudemire] by keeping them accountable,’’ claimed one individual who has worked along with Woodson.
The Publish noted very last month David Fizdale wanted Woodson on his personnel, but the front office environment imagined he was too higher profile with Knicks supporters to be his assistant.
Right after 4 seasons with the Clippers, Doc Rivers surprisingly didn’t bring him back for the 2018-19 marketing campaign but 1 source felt Rivers’ employees was in need to have of a shake-up.
Woodson has explained to good friends he desperately needs again in New York in any position and could even reunite with Anthony.
It is previously set up the Knicks shouldn’t draft Cole Anthony if they want a “real” position guard. Is it attainable he has it in his DNA to develop into a inadequate man’s Damian Lillard or an equal [of] Lou Williams? — Cee Fitz
Final thirty day period, Sports Illustrated weaved a prolonged takeout on Anthony that harped on psychological quirks escalating up. His ultracompetitiveness on the court docket led to, as one particular of his youth league coaches said, “The Cole Tantrum.’’
I listen to the Cole camp was significantly less than thrilled with the aspect. Leon Rose mentioned a whole lot of gamers in this draft are viewed by scouts with greatly different views. Anthony falls into that group.
Some scouts believe he’s a pure-born scorer who suits into an era wherever the issue guard requires to score much more. Anthony’s supporters also consider getting a previous NBA veteran as a father (Greg Anthony) will confirm a enormous bonus.
But UNC completed 14–19, tied for previous in the ACC. Anthony dedicated six turnovers in his finale — an 81–53 loss to Syracuse. It’s incredibly much a risk-reward choose. If the Knicks slide back again to the 7-to-10 range right after the lottery on Aug. 25, it’s almost certainly a no-brainer.
Need to the Knicks consider to give a max agreement to a new soaring superstar, such as Brandon Ingram? With him, [RJ] Barrett and [Mitchell] Robinson, do you assume the Knicks could be interesting appropriate away? — Henrique
The answer to the question is indeed. They should really offer a 22-yr-aged All-Star ahead who averaged job highs in the key groups a max offer.
Post your Knicks inquiries to be answered in an future mailbag
But this isn’t Julius Randle leaving New Orleans for New York. Sad to say, Ingram is a restricted free of charge agent and the Pelicans can — and will — match the offer. GM David Griffin is setting up some thing unique on Bourbon Avenue close to Zion Williamson and the two have revealed chemistry. Fingers crossed Williamson returns for the restart.
In your earlier mailbag you explained Damyean Dotson is as fantastic as gone mainly because he doesn’t have an attachment to [Leon] Rose or [GM Scott] Perry. Is the very same explained for Frank Ntilikina? — Akiva
Au contraire. Rose was Ntilikina’s initial agent. Even though they parted strategies right after his second season amid bruised emotions, the feeling is Rose wants to transform the Frenchman into a valuable piece. Rose claimed of Ntilikina on MSG Network that, “Given the correct situations, I feel [he] can really prosper.’’ Rose was probable referring to a regular purpose and structured offense. If Tom Thibodeau is employed as mentor, he tends to favor defensive-1st ballplayers these types of as the 6-foot-4 point guard.
Why has not the identify Byron Scott been introduced to the table? He is in my estimation a practical candidate. — Michael Whittaker
When he led the Nets to two Finals, there ended up rumblings assistant Eddie Jordan was the Xs and Os mastermind. When Scott was fired, conflicting reviews existed on Jason Kidd greasing the skids. Scott past coached the Lakers for the duration of their down interval from 2014 to 2016. His 38–126 (.232) document is the worst of any of the 16 Lakers coaches with two seasons. A single source suggests Scott wasn’t the hardest worker nor a fan of movie examine.
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