Former New York Knicks assistant D’Antoni spending time off mulling future - Sports on day true story



Dan D'Antoni admits he's getting a little bored.

The longtime Socastee High School basketball coach has been without a job for a little more than three months since he resigned from his post as a New York Knicks assistant coach after his brother, Mike D'Antoni, resigned from the head coaching position.

So far, he's not too fond of semi-retirement.

"This is the first time I've not had a job since I was 16. I don't think I like it," D'Antoni quipped via phone Saturday.

D'Antoni, 61, is unsure what his future holds. He said he would consider coaching alongside his brother should another NBA team come calling, but retirement also is an option.

D'Antoni said he plans on moving to Charlotte, N.C., where he will be closer to some of his family. Then, perhaps, he can put more thought into his professional future.

"I don't know. I just figured I've got to get where I'm going first to see where I'm going. I'm just going to wait and see," he said. "Don't know what Mike's going to do, don't know what I'm going to do. You'd think I've had three months to think about it, but I don't know."

Mike D'Antoni stepped down from his post on March 14 upon the Knicks having lost eight of 10 games to fall to 18-24. While there were reports of growing tension within the Knicks organization, Dan D'Antoni said he was shocked when he heard the news.

"I can't speak for Mike. I didn't even know it was coming," he said. "It was just one of those things he had to deal with. That's the way the game goes sometimes. I've enjoyed the opportunities I've had. I've got nothing bad to say."

D'Antoni said the lengthy lockout that pushed opening day to Christmas didn't help the team's plight. The Knicks had less time in training camp to build chemistry among a roster that included superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire and a host of new roster additions and rookies.

"We really didn't have a chance. It hurt us especially," D'Antoni said. "We were trying to put a high-expectation team together without enough practices. It didn't go the way we wanted it to."

Overall, D'Antoni said, being a part of the famed Knicks organization was a unique experience.

"The overall atmosphere … that's a big-time tent. Just how it's run and how many things are going on," D'Antoni said of the ambience at games. "It was just an experience you appreciate. You've seen it and you've done it. Spike Lee and Whoopi Goldberg … all the different stars that show up. It was just fun. It was enjoyable to go [to the game] every night."

D'Antoni said he enjoyed teaching the game and also learning from the players during his time in the Big Apple.

"Watching Chris Duhon and David Lee … just watching their development. Working close with them. Working with players like Jared Jeffries, Landy Fields … watching their development," D'Antoni said, naming former and current Knicks he worked closely with. "Just the individual players I got to work with. I think they got better and I got better as a coach. They taught me a lot of things. It was rewarding for me to see them be successful."

Another player D'Antoni has watched from afar has been Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions, who played for the coach's Beach Ball Select team while in high school.

Sessions just finished his fifth year in the NBA, ending the season with the Los Angeles Lakers with whom he earned his first playoff experience. Sessions, who has played for four teams, declined his player option with the Lakers on Tuesday, making him a free agent.

Wherever Sessions winds up, D'Antoni expects him to continue to be successful. He saw it coming a long time ago.

"I felt like when he came out of college he was an NBA player. I had no doubts in my mind," D'Antoni said. "His progression as a player … if he's in the right situation and gets right experience [he'll prosper]. He's a great player. He understands the game and has a great attitude and mind-set for the game. I'm just happy for him. It's going to go good for him.

"He's the type of teammate people want to have around."

As for what's next for the D'Antonis, well, stay tuned.

"Time will see on that one. To be honest with you, I think [Mike] likes sitting out for a little while. Right now there's no push in any direction," Dan D'Antoni said. "One thing being in the NBA is that it'll push you. It's a wonderful atmosphere, but it's very tense. Sometimes you need to recharge your batteries."




Share your views...

0 Respones to "Former New York Knicks assistant D’Antoni spending time off mulling future - Sports on day true story"

Posting Komentar

 

© 2010 day true story