Mike D'Antoni Appreciation Thread

[Go7enKs]

Hollinger just wrote a FANTASTIC article about Mike D'Antoni saying exactly what I think.

You should all read it because it's very good:
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/in ... inger_john

[BurningHeart]

I hate John Hollinger with an unspeakable passion but he's right here. The only thing I wish people would mention was being screwed by a CONVICTED CORRUPTED OFFICIAL in Game 3 last year, which was worse than Amare & Diaw's suspensions.

[tsherkin]

Right, positive things about D'Antoni.

Entertaining style of basketball, great person, actually a pretty good coach in general. Not elite or anything but good enough to bring several years of serious contention to Phoenix and make it fun to watch in the process. His up-tempo style reversed the Riley-ball trend, which has its pluses and minuses but it was all fun as far as the ride. But for a couple of questionable incidents out of his control, the Suns could have won a title.

Hollinger's article was pretty apt, too; it doesn't address some of the things that were Mike's fault but those are generally outweighed by some rather momentous events that swayed things out of Phoenix's favor and it's good that his article reflects that because it's a nice counterbalance to the overall impression that D'Antoni's style doesn't work. I think he was really an athletic rebounder/shot-blocker away from a title in general but it's totally legitimate to believe that a healthy JJ in '05 or no suspensions (or crazy Nash injury) might have otherwise led to a title.

I'd wish him luck in New York, because he's going to desperately need it, but it'd be futile. Walsh is going to spend the entirety of D'Antoni's contract fixing that team unless he gets really lucky or ingenious.

So appreciating D'Antoni now is important because his legacy will be tarnished by his stay in the Big Apple.

D'Antoni was definitely an important step forward for the league, he brought the fun back a little.

Thanks for the wild ride, Mike.

[albasuna]

It'll suck for D'Ant if we somehow win the championship next season. He'll will essientially be 'proved wrong' by the haters and doubters. I say we ship him a ring if we win next year hahaha.

[Go7enKs]

Well for what Kerr has said these last days, we are still going to be an offensive team, so it won't be because Mike wasn't here...

[JohnVancouver]

Nice Mike article in the Times today -


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/sport ... ref=slogin

[don't panac]

2001-2 .....36-46 .....skiles-johnson
2002-3 .....44-38 .....johnson
2003-4 .....29-53 .....johnson-d

[lakerboy]

i'm watching pti right now with d antoni on the show,man he a class act.

[The Diesel]

I agree; Mike is a great guy and I was sad to see him leave.

[toucansma]

Yeah he is a class act. He truly seems hurt by the Suns though, you can see it. Apparently Game 1 was the final nail in the coffin for him. I guess Steve and Robert did something or didn't do something then.

[Orange_Blooded]

Will definitely miss Coach D, not only do I love the style of play he re-introduced to the league but he just seemed like a good guy to have in the community. Always was plenty candid with the media but never came off as a bad guy.

This seems like as good a place as any to share some old game thread memories of coach D.




That last one is especially relevant as it seems as if he is still a Bull fighter. But now hes stuck with these stooges.

[TASTIC]

haha did you even edit the Nate pic or did it come like that?

[Orange_Blooded]

Lol, yup thats life size. Cute little bugger ain't he?