NY Knicks: The Knicks made it official on Friday, signing Mike Woodson to a multi-year contract. Putting an end to the Phil Jackson rumors, now the team can focus on player signing. Woodson was the obvious choice for this team. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire both gave their approval of Woodson coming back as the head man next season. Woodson received a 3 year deal at 4 million per year.
Mike Woodson took over the head-coaching job after Mike D’Antoni resigned during a seven game losing streak last March. The Knicks were several games below .500 prior to Woodson taking over head-coaching duties. The team was revived after Woodson took over, leading the Knicks on a seven game winning streak, putting the team in position to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
The Knicks did not consider other candidates and never reached out to Phil Jackson, the Hall of Fame coach and former Knicks forward. Grunwald acknowledged Jackson’s standing as ‘the most successful coach in N.B.A. history’ but said “we felt Woody was our guy.” He said that Woodson sealed the deal during the interview process, and we now have a regime here in NY.
Vernon McKenzie: PureSportsNY