Mike D'Antoni isn't wasting any time in his search for new employment.
The Tribune confirmed a report from SI.com Monday that both Chicago general manager John Paxson and New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh have flown to the Valley to interview D'Antoni. He is still technically the head coach of the Suns, but was given permission to seek other employment after Friday's meeting with GM Steve Kerr and team owner Robert Sarver produced little common ground for moving forward together.
Sources confirmed that D'Antoni was interviewed by Paxson on Sunday evening during a swing through the West. The Rocky Mountain News reported that Paxson also had talks with Denver Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap on Saturday in Denver.
Walsh, meanwhile, flew to Phoenix on Monday afternoon and was booked into a downtown hotel. His meeting with D'Antoni was expected to take place Monday night.
As late as Friday morning, about an hour before he met with D'Antoni and Sarver, Kerr said he would not grant D'Antoni permission to speak with other teams. Apparently, that changed after the sides talked.Publicly, though, the Suns are still leaving the door open.
"As we have continued to convey, we value Mike D'Antoni as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and would like him to continue leading this basketball team," Kerr said in a statement Monday. "Because he has requested to speak to other teams about their head coaching vacancies, we have granted him permission. We will have no further comment until this process further evolves."
D'Antoni still has two years and $8.5 million left on his deal with the Suns, but Phoenix wouldn't be on the hook for any of that if he signs on with the Bulls, Knicks or any other NBA team before next season.
The relationship between D'Antoni and Kerr, which has been tenuous since an argument over philosophies last November, reached another level with Kerr's refusal to back D'Antoni amid questions about his future before and during the playoffs.
Management also let it be known that it would like to see changes - from a more defensive-minded voice on the coaching staff to seeing more players included in the playing rotation.Kerr was also disappointed that D'Antoni went with Jay Humphries to replace Marc Iavaroni on his coaching staff last summer, instead of pushing for current Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau, who is credited with guiding the Celtics defense to the No. 2 overall ranking in the league (90.2 points per game).
The Bulls fired interim coach Jim Boylan after a disappointing season, and the Knicks fired Isiah Thomas after yet another disastrous season.
Well, i think thats it for d antoni, 2 Eastern Conference Finals, 2 Second Rounds and 1st round lost, thats it for mr d antoni, i believe the suns should register defense next year so they may entert the finals.
well if they can still handle d antoni, i think he should learn defensive adjustments this coming 2009 season.
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