Report: Knicks to give Woodson long-term deal
By AL IANNAZZONE
The Knicks officially are expected to remove the interim label from Mike Woodson's title this week, according to multiple sources. The two sides are working on a long-term deal, the sources said, and something could be done within the next couple of days.
The Knicks were 18-6 under Woodson in the regular season after going 18-24 under Mike D'Antoni, who resigned March 14. They made the playoffs for the second straight season, losing to the Heat, four games to one.
There was speculation throughout the season that the Knicks would pursue Phil Jackson or John Calipari as their next coach.
Woodson, who had discussions about a contract extension with Knicks management during the playoffs, received strong endorsements from general manager and former Indiana University teammate Glen Grunwald toward the end of the season. Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler all backed Woodson's return.
Woodson, who was drafted by the Knicks with the 12th pick in 1980, won an NBA title as an assistant coach on Larry Brown's staff with the 2004 Pistons. The next season, Woodson became head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
He spent six years with Atlanta and reached the playoffs the last three years there, and the second round twice. The Hawks went 53-29 in 2009-10, Woodson's last season in Atlanta. His career record is 224-292 and 12-22 in the playoffs.
@ pringles callin stat a "post-up player." i fukkin wish.
