[OhCanada-Participant]

With the New York Knicks on the verge of being swept by the Boston Celtics today and the complete effort from those inside the organization, and outside of it (WorldWideWes) to acquire Anthony and Billups, one must wonder what will happen to Mike Dantoni since those two players don’t really fit his style of play.

Earlier in the season Mike Dantoni made this Knicks team very good despite some holes within the roster. The Knicks played Dantoni basketball, they had versatile players that could run, shoot the 3, score well, and no Center. Then the trade happened. Mike has resented the fact that the players he worked so hard with developing, scouting, acquiring, and building a relationship with would be shipped off for a superstar. He could feel his impact on this teams path slipping away, and his frustration has been  noticeable throughout the rest of the year.

Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups have really struggled to play Mike Dantoni basketball. They slow down the feel off the game, and really don’t respect the system. When they do take quick shots they are making the offense look like its run by Don Nelson in Golden States old Warriors teams. After working so hard to acquire Anthony they will get him what he wants, and have him playing the type of basketball that is suited for him. It has been obvious Dantoni and Anthony does not work In hindsight it does take alot of getting into shape to effectively be able to run at this level and maybe they were aloud to coast a bit in Denver, but I doubt the direction New York wants to go is with Dantoni, although I maybe wrong and it wouldn’t be the first time.

If Mike Dantoni hits the open market I have little doubt in my mind that he will become a Toronto Raptor and replace Jay Triano. The team is already perfect for Mike Dantoni’s style, and actually one could argue it is better then New York’s was at the beginning of the season for the style. Jerryd Bayless, and Jose Calderon would really benefit by being coached by Dantoni, Demar Derozan would definitely gain the confidence he needs to add the three point shot to his arsenal, and just imagine what he would do with Bargnani. Although that is all speculation lets get into could hard facts.

As we all know Mike Dantoni spent a good portion of his playing and coaching career in Italy. The last team he coached for in Italy was Benetton Treviso where he won the Italian league Championship, and made a Euro league Final Four appearance in 2002. After that great display of his Coaching skills Dantoni decided to pursue the NBA where he was hired by the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash was eventually acquired by the Suns and Dantoni and the Suns were a Championship threat to win it all. Why is this important?

Maurizio Gherardini the Raptors vice president and assistant general manager was Mike’s boss in Benetton Treviso. When Dantoni was winning there in the early 90’s and in the year before going pro it was Maurizio who hired him, and their combined efforts within a team concept to win. After, the Colengelo family ended up hiring Dantoni and creating that Phoenix Suns team we all know and love that made Dantoni such a highly rated Coach, and Steve Nash a potential Hall of Famer. This formidable team has unfinished business, and now have a shot to do it in the biggest of basketball stages. The two executives that basically created Dantoni’s career are currently with the Toronto Raptors. Not to mention Andrea Bargnani also played for Benetton Treviso.

Hopefully we keep Colengelo as GM, I think we are undermining his value.

You heard it here first.

 

 

[the I in winParticipant]

Carmelo isn’t going to listen to any coach, you need to surround him with coachable players.  If you do that every time he acts like an ass it will be magnified so he won’t do it.

[ghrghrParticipant]

Anthony and Amare are great players, but their styles don’t work well together. Melo wants the ball in his hand and Amare likes to play the pick and roll game. Thats a problem the NY coaching staff will have to solve.

D’antoni in Toronto is not that bad an idea. Their defense is terrible already. If he can get them to score more maybe they’ll improve a little.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Carmelo isnt going to listen to any coach that maybe true. To make Dantnoi’s offense successful everyone has to buy into his philosophy and be built around him, not Carmelo.

[BKKnicksfanParticipant]

First off, Carmelo wanted to leave Denver, and now’s he uncoachable? ALRIGHT bruh. Looks like you don’t remember old Melo. He’s developed and "Got It" from his old days, so do your homework. He never complained once publically about playing in Denver. He wanted everything in house.

As for D’Antoni to Toronto, take him. He’s a good coach, but cannot coach defense. It will show you how far you can get. A team without a point guard for D’Antoni is a bad mix. Maybe he boost Calderon? If so, good move for you Toronto guys, just remember: There’s a limit to D’Atntoni’s success.

If the Kncisk move on, I really want either John Calipari or Rick Adelman. Either will do.

 

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

 Not to call you out OhCanada- but I remember you wanting Colangelo gone? But now that he can get D’Antoni to the Raps you want him?

I don’t believe D’Antoni is the answer for the Raps. If we want to get away from the style of play that has burned us Raps fans for the last few years he is not going to help us. He will provide a more polished offense than Triano but this isn’t where I see work needing to be done as of now.

You were up for trading Bargnani as well right? I think growing around DeRozan & Davis with a primarily offensive coach isn’t the right way to go because I believe these two are capable of being above average defenders.  

[R-Dot-13Participant]

Raptors offseason- Get rid of Bargnani and Calderon
Don’t draft another euro.. please.
Start developing around Bayless, Derozan and Davis
 

 

Do those 3 and i’ll be fine as a raptors fan

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

 Agreed with R-Dot-13.

I think we could get some solid pieces for Bargs and get rid of Calderons contract. 

My only concern is if we get the 3rd pick I think Colangelo will pick up Kanter who is the best option at 3 but I’m not sold on him as a C, he would just add to our logjam at PF. 

[PaulsJayhawksParticipant]

All I see with Raptors posts during the season is how terrible they are on D and how they lack toughness. Well thats not gonna improve with D’Antoni.  My off season hopes are much the same and it all starts with getting rid of Bargs!!!!!

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Dantoni did vey well before Melo came along and the Knicks were likely to make the playoffs and do well; though once Melo came, it practically destroyed everything that Dantoni started. Unfortunately though, the Raptors without Dantoni are still worse then the Knicks. The PG, SF and C spots are still questionable at best. Luckily Dantoni’s system favors the fast PG. So Bayless should do well as a "Dantoni" point guard. But the Raptors practically have no Center, none that are even close to Ronny Turiaf. (They have Bargnani and we all know he isn’t a Center.)

If Dantoni does end up going to the Raptors, they will have to do one of two things first. Either draft a Center, like Kanter or Jonas, and trade Bargs for a 3, or draft a 3, like Derrick Williams, and trade Bargs for a Center. Center’s are a lot harder to find in free agency or through trades, so I would suggest drafting a Center and trading Bargs for a 3.

But if the Raptors do not do this than they will struggle with or without Dantoni just like the Knicks did before Amare and Felton came.

[omphalosParticipant]

Am I the only one who thinks D’Antoni would be excellent as an assistant coach, using that brilliant offensive mind but allowing a tough-minded defensive head coach to hold players accountable? Unfortunately, teams will gamble on him even if he hasn’t had success in some time. Imagine if he’d been Lebron’s assistant coach behind Mike Brown in Cleveland, might see a more imaginitive offense, maybe Lebron gets a ring. Oh well.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I have ripped Colengelo in the past but have come to realize that I would rather have Colengelo then Morey, Emery, Gherardini, or just the m,ajority of whasts out there. He is also great rebuilding and drafting so now is his time to shine. Dantoni is a more demanding coach then Triano and I think as long as Bargnani isnt our help defender, or primary rebouner he would be fine. I never said this is the best route for the Raptors,  but its probally the safest.

I would prefer the Raptors trade Bargnani and Calderon while somehow finding a way to replace them with a top tier Center in the Free Agent market, draft Williams to play the 3 and replace Bargnani’s role (to an extent offensively), and do this while keeping Colengelo. Triano’s defense is no better then Dantoni’s and it doesnt seem like Triano is leaving anytime soon unless a higher ranked Coach in Dantoni wants to come over.

 

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