Every day has become a miniature job interview for Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson, and on the one hand you can’t blame him. This is going to be his best shot to ever get another head coaching job in the NBA, and, for the most part, he’s made the most of it.
But this series with the Heat has done the Knicks one favor.
It’s allowed the train to screech the brakes a little bit, cool off for a few moments, and remind the Knicks that there is no law requiring that they rush into a decision, whether the season ends at 6 o’clock or so tonight or not until Wednesday in Miami or whenever.
There has been this belief that since Glen Grunwald already has had the interim removed from his title, it only follows that Woodson should have the same thing done to him. And as much as that may sound nice, one should have absolutely nothing to do with each other.
For one thing, Grunwald has done a lot better job than Woodson has. In fact, you could argue not only that Grunwald was one of the two or three best executives in the NBA this year, but that he actually has done an even better job than his sainted predecessor, Donnie Walsh, did.
Grunwald imported Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak and J.R Smith. He made the necessary moves to sign Tyson Chandler. The one thing, in fact, you could argue: He is too slow to the trigger was in replacing Mike D’Antoni, but Grunwald still was an interim then and likely didn’t have the authority to do it even if he had wanted to.
Woodson? Look, there’s no question the Knicks played better under him than under D’Antoni. But here are a couple of things to ponder.
First: It’s not like the Knicks brought Woodson in from Albuquerque in March when they replaced D’Antoni. He was on D’Antoni’s staff. In fact, he was D’Antoni’s right hand. In fact, he was D’Antoni’s defacto defensive coordinator. So while it’s fine to praise Woodson for the defense the Knicks played the last 24 games, it also must be asked: Where was Woodson for the first 42? And here’s the answer: Sitting right next to D’Antoni.
It also might be time for Woodson to stop mentioning — incessantly — that the Knicks were 18-6 under him because, if you think about it, that turned out to be the worst possible record they could have assembled. Anything 19-5 or better, the Knicks would have been the No. 6 seed and drawn Indiana, and so it is impossible to forget how the Knicks no-showed for the Cleveland game the last Friday of the regular season. And in truth, anything like 17-7, 16-8 or even 15-9 would have been better, too, because it would have meant the eighth seed and the Bulls, and even if that alternate reality means that Derrick Rose doesn’t blow out his knee, it also means the Knicks don’t draw the Heat.
Look, Woodson has done a fine job. If Phil Jackson can be neither persuaded or bought, then Woodson is a better alternative to just about anyone out there, and that includes John Calipari. But there’s no need to rush into this. Woodson isn’t going anywhere. And neither will the Knicks if they don’t make the right choice.
Whack Back at Vac
Chris Freeman: I’m 39 years old, and Mariano Rivera is the most special athlete of my lifetime. In stature, as a player who was a better person than he was a performer, I liken him only to Wayne Gretzky. I cried tonight.
Vac: It’s well that Rivera vows to come back. Rehab is hard. There are not guarantees. But rarely does an athlete get to know how much his fans feel for him. In Rivera’s case, the outpouring has been remarkable. And wholly appropriate.
Richard Siegelman: Given the inhumanity of the Saints’ bounty program, Greg Schiano deserves recognition for his humanity for signing Eric LeGrand, and Eric deserves one for his superhumanity.
Vac: Schiano was a lightning rod at Rutgers, but no matter what, he was one of the select big-time football coaches who was never afraid to show you he head a heart, and a big one. Bravo.
@Tigerdog_1: As much as I’d like to see someone — hell, anyone — beat the Heat, I’m afraid the Knicks are not in the NBA conversation.
MikeVacc: As several readers have been quick to point out, the only other NBA team with zero playoff wins since 2001 is the Bobcats — who didn’t exist in 2001 and won all of seven games this year (one of them at the Garden, of course).
Jordan Donorila: I’m not that upset that Amar’e Stoudemire hit the glass. I’m really upset that Amar’e does not rebound enough, block shots enough, or rotate on defense. He could find ways to fit around Carmelo Anthony.
Vac: Well, someone had to say it. Good for you, Jordan.
Vac’s Whacks
I think the difference between the Garden’s two tenants can be summed up thusly — Rangers: five guys who will plant their faces in front of a puck; Knicks: five guys who amiably observe a rebound falling harmlessly to the court.
* I thoroughly enjoy watching Ruben Tejada play baseball.
* I realize that me, Mark Hale, and only a few dozen others actually watch it, but “Community” really is one of those shows that you wish was on about six times a week.
* Whatever brand of Wheaties Derek Jeter is using these days, he needs to share a few bowls with the rest of his infield mates.
