Take Mike Woodson off your Most Likely Coach to Be Fired list.
In his first major move since replacing Glen Grunwald, Knicks president and general manager Steve Mills announced today that the team has picked up the option on Woodson’s contract for the 2014-15 season.
Anyone who speculated that Woodson would be a lame duck at the mercy of Carmelo Anthony’s whims? Well, doesn’t look like that’s the case.
Woodson is entering his second full season after being named interim head coach on Mar. 14, 2012, led the franchise to a 54-28 (.659) mark last season and the franchise’s first Atlantic Division crown since 1993-94. He finished third in media balloting for the 2012-13 NBA Coach of the Year award and was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for April. His .679 (72-34) winning percentage is second-best in franchise history.
“I have long respected Mike and think he has done a remarkable job since becoming the head coach of the Knicks,” Mills said. “After spending time with him recently, it is clear that picking up his option is an easy decision.”
Woodson guided the Knicks to an 18-6 mark as interim head coach after beginning the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach under Mike D’Antoni. He served six seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks (2004-05 through 2009-10), amassing a 206-286 (.419) record and improving the Hawks win total in each season.
More background on the inner-workings of the team hierarchy from Howard Beck of Bleacher Report: “Mills is close to William Wesley (aka Worldwide Wes), the ubiquitous NBA power broker whose employer, Creative Artists Agency, has its tentacles deep into the Garden’s executive suites. CAA represents Anthony, as well as J.R. Smith, coach Mike Woodson, assistant general manager Allan Houston and director of player personnel Mark Warkentien. In recent years, Wesley has replaced (Isiah) Thomas as (owner Jim) Dolan’s most trusted basketball advisor, according to numerous sources both inside and outside the Garden. Wesley’s influence is considerable, and it is understood in Garden circles that when he makes a suggestion, it is often at Anthony’s urging.”
Carmelo Anthony is represented by Leon Rose, so yes, you can bet that he is also tight with worldwide Wes. I don’t understand how Worldwide Wes is allowed to be around high school athletes with his affiliations with Creative Artists Agency.