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D'Antoni a possibility?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by cocoloco, Jul 22, 2012.

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cocoloco Member

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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/mike-antoni-biggest-believer-jeremy-lin-insane-ll-reunited-houston-2013-14-article-1.1119328

Mike D'Antoni is still the biggest believer in Jeremy Lin and it's not insane to think that they'll be reunited in Houston in 2013-14
Even if Lin is successful in Kevin McHale's pick-and-roll offense, the Rockets might be wise to keep D'Antoni's number handy.

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 21, 2012, 5:24 PM

Mike D’Antoni will take the coming NBA season off, but we can see him returning the following season and landing in Houston to reunite with Jeremy Lin.

In fact, it makes all the sense in the world. Now that the Rockets are committed to going with Lin as their top playmaker, they should have D’Antoni’s phone number handy. Nothing against their current coach, Kevin McHale, but if the Rockets really believe that the former Knick sensation can be a crucial part of their renaissance, then there's no better system to put him in than the one used exclusively by D’Antoni, as the sporting world saw much to its amazement last season.

“For 20 games, he was one of the best in the league and he was dominating from the headlines to even the basketball court,” D’Antoni said in England, where the former Knick coach is assisting Mike Krzyzewski with the U.S. Olympic team. “So you can’t discount that he’ll never be able to do it, because not only did he do it, he did it at the highest level possible.”

When Linsanity was at its all-time high, it came when one or both of the Knicks’ stars, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, were sidelined by injuries or personal issues. Have you checked the Rockets roster lately? It’s about as unimposing as the Knicks’ lineup when Lin dominated the ball and had the entire spotlight to himself.

Lin made his greatest impact with D’Antoni allowing him all of the freedom he gave to Steve Nash, a two-time MVP, in Phoenix. True, he had his ups and downs, but the Rockets should remember that they’ll get Lin at his best when he’s playing in D’Antoni’s offense.

Content to sit out this coming season, D'Antoni is looking to get another head coaching job in 2013-14, according to several league sources. In the meantime, the league will be watching what McHale gets out of Lin with his pick-and-roll offense. Whatever happens, remember that while many other coaches and GMs view Lin as no more than a solid backup, D’Antoni is still a big believer, maybe the biggest in the NBA, in his development into a major player.

“Houston could find themselves a very, very, very good basketball player,” he said. “At least he’s going to be a good player. The guy’s got quickness and determination, so he’s going to be good. Now it depends on what level, nobody knows that, but I wouldn’t bet against him.”

It will never be Linsanity in Houston, not the way it was in New York. But the Rockets are expecting their new $25 million player to generate the same appeal for their brand in Asian markets that Yao Ming gave them when he came to the team as the No. 1 pick in 2002 and developed into a five-time (second- and third-team combined) All-NBA center. Clearly, the Rockets have bought into Linsanity, starting at the very top with owner Les Alexander.

“I think we are going to be on national TV now because of Jeremy,” Alexander said. “Free agents want to be on a team that is in the national spotlight. So I think from a basketball standpoint, we will really improve our negotiations with many, many free agents.”

Can Lin do that? If so, he’d become the first player with a limited resume who served as a magnet for attracting quality talent. Then again, it could all blow up for the Rockets if he doesn’t play up to his new team’s grandiose plans, a point that Alexander did not dispute when asked about the risk in tying the team’s off-court financial fortunes to Lin.

“If you don’t win, what difference does it make?” he admitted. “If you get him, and he’s not a very good player, you look like a fool. How does that help you in any way?”

It doesn’t help, which is why the Rockets should have Mike D’Antoni’s phone number nearby, just in case.
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don't know if this has been posted, but was wondering what you all thought about this.

#1 cocoloco, Jul 22, 2012

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I hope not. The guy can run a team that can score, but will never win a chip cuz he can't coach defense.

#2 rocketman84, Jul 22, 2012
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yes, why not try other options since McHale can not coach well.

#3 caneks, Jul 22, 2012
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D'Antoni was overrated.

#4 b2bizchina, Jul 22, 2012
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I'd rather have McHale 10 times out of 10, and I don't even like McHale that much.

#5 OremLK, Jul 22, 2012
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OremLK said: ↑

I'd rather have McHale 10 times out of 10, and I don't even like McHale that much.
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Agreed.

#6 JayGoogle, Jul 22, 2012
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We will build a team that is ready to win a championship and then bring in Phil jackson

#7 rocketman84, Jul 22, 2012

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rocketman84 said: ↑

I hope not. The guy can run a team that can score, but will never win a chip cuz he can't coach defense.
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Is that not something that 3-4 assistant coaches could help with?

I know that even offensive-minded coaches are not anti-defense... but our offense under JVG was boring as hell.

I guess these head coaches are control-freaks!

#8 giddyup, Jul 22, 2012
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Think I just threw up in my mouth a bit. Do not want mr. pringles here....

#9 Rox>Mavs, Jul 22, 2012
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The NY media is at it again.

#10 roxxy, Jul 22, 2012
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Chris Finch is the next coach...

/thread

#11 Grape_Swisha281, Jul 22, 2012
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pringles for assistant coach?

#12 jayhow92, Jul 22, 2012
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D'Antoni played Lin when every single other of his horrendous PGs became injured. D'Antoni was ready to cut Lin in 24 hours had he not become an instant sensation. D'Antoni believed in Lin before Linsanity as much as I believe in the Easter Bunny. D'Antoni's ability to judge talent had Toney Douglas in front of Lin until Douglas showed that he was the worst PG in the NBA.

At least the Rockets chose Dragic and Lowry over Lin, not some of the crappiest PGs the NBA has ever seen.

#13 meh, Jul 22, 2012

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meh said: ↑

D'Antoni played Lin when every single other of his horrendous PGs became injured. D'Antoni was ready to cut Lin in 24 hours had he not become an instant sensation. D'Antoni believed in Lin before Linsanity as much as I believe in the Easter Bunny. D'Antoni's ability to judge talent had Toney Douglas in front of Lin until Douglas showed that he was the worst PG in the NBA.

At least the Rockets chose Dragic and Lowry over Lin, not some of the crappiest PGs the NBA has ever seen.
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I was going to say D'Antoni couldn't see talent if it slapped him in the face, but you summed that up and some.

#14 davidio840, Jul 22, 2012
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All for it. Let D'Antoni be the offensive mastermind and let Sampson continue being the defensive coach. McHale should get out of coaching, or if he's going to stay, he should be willing to be more creative with the offense. He's always harping on how we're just going to have to outwork the other team and just play really hard. That's all good and dandy, but how about playing smart too. How about out-smarting the other team?

#15 OpportunityCost, Jul 22, 2012
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cocoloco said: ↑

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/mike-antoni-biggest-believer-jeremy-lin-insane-ll-reunited-houston-2013-14-article-1.1119328
don't know if this has been posted, but was wondering what you all thought about this.
Click to expand...

While I guess Chris Finch will be the next coach, it doesn't hurt to bring in D'Antoni just to show Chris his offense. I think Finch also believes in less control for the offense.

#16 RockingRox, Jul 22, 2012
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BTW i jus noticed... We have the Knicks Pgs from last season.. lol

#17 Grape_Swisha281, Jul 22, 2012
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lin on team now..pringles coached Lin...pringles to Rockets (mind blown)!

brilliant " journalism".

#18 conquistador#11, Jul 22, 2012

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Think I would rather wipe my a$$ with Razor Blades!!!!

#19 Mav-Hater, Jul 22, 2012
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conquistador#11 said: ↑

lin on team now..pringles coached Lin...pringles to Rockets (mind blown)!

brilliant " journalism".
Click to expand...

Lol. For real. The NY media's deductive reasoning.

#20 roxxy, Jul 22, 2012

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