Interim Head Coach Mike Woodson Denies Talking Contract Extension With Knicks
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- It seemed that the Knicks believed they have already found their man, but interim head coach Mike Woodson said that's just not the case.
Woodson denied reports that he was in contract talks with the Knicks
"No, I have not. No, I have not. You guys write the articles," Woodson said Tuesday. "That's not true, not at all."
Kentucky coach John Calipari and NBA legend Phil Jackson were thought to be on New York's short list after the abrupt resignation of Mike D'Antoni in mid-March. But the Knicks finished out the regular season with an 18-6 record under Woodson, and star forward Carmelo Anthony has called for his temporary coach to get the full-time job.
"Just to see what he's brought to our team, the confidence that he's instilled into everybody, the belief that he has in everybody," Anthony said of Woodson in April. "Just his coaching style, the way he's coached, kind of a hard-nosed coach. Hold everybody accountable out there, saying that everybody is responsible for their own actions. I would love to see him back around here."
According to the Daily News, Knicks brass appear "convinced Woodson is the right man" and "will not pursue" Calipari or Jackson.
Fresh off his first NCAA championship, Calipari hasn't seemed even slightly interested in resurrecting his NBA career. The Knicks and owner James Dolan were rumored to be interested in Jackson, especially if the team had to endure another first-round sweep.
Well, New York may be faced with another early ouster, but their NBA-record 13-game playoff losing streak is now a thing of the past. And it seems Woodson is the man of their foreseeable future.
The promotion of Glen Grunwald could strengthen Woodson's hopes of returning. Two two are close, as the now-full-time general manager was a college teammate of Woodson's at Indiana University.
"I would love to come back," Woodson said last month. "I think when you've been given an opportunity to start something you'd love to finish it. But again that's not my call. And I think when that time comes I'll probably have an opportunity to sit down and talk to (owner James) Dolan and management about it and hopefully it will work in my favor."
Knicks fans, do you think Woodson is the right man for the job? Sound off below...
