AUBURN HILLS – The Knicks figure to be dead ducks once the real season begins tonight against the Pistons. Despite the imminent crash, Don Chaney is no longer a lame duck.
Who says preseason doesn’t mean anything? Owner James Dolan liked the way Chaney managed their preseason crises and installed his new high-tempo system despite the Latrell Sprewell nightmare and Antonio McDyess’ season-ending catastrophe. So yesterday, Dolan granted Chaney another one-year contract extension.
“I’m very happy because the club didn’t have to do it,” Chaney said. “I’m happy they’ve trusted me to run the team and like the direction the team is headed.”
Chaney won’t have to perform a miracle and get this undersized, undermanned team into the playoffs to earn a return next season. While the Knicks are beefing up their front line with the signing 6-foot-9 former Hornets forward Lee Nailon, they still face a season in which expectations are the lowest since before the 1985 Patrick Ewing lottery. They are even a longshot to match last season’s 30 wins. It’s an admission that Chaney can’t be judged without McDyess.
Chaney said he was “in shock” over the extension’s timing.
“It shows they have an understanding of the circumstances, even last year,” said Chaney, working on a one-year deal granted to him last March. “I think they have vision. It shows that – a realization we’ve had serious injuries to key people and it’s going to be a struggle.”
The extension comes a day after Dolan said the Knicks didn’t have to make the playoffs for Chaney and GM Scott Layden to return. The move also enhances Layden’s status.
“Clearly, he’s the guy we want coaching the team,” Layden said. “And his leadership on and off the court, he’s shown he’s the right guy to lead our team. He’s had the opportunity to put his system in and I think our players have done very well in the system.”
The Knicks were 4-4 in preseason, sweeping a three-game western trip in Utah, Sacramento and San Antonio. Now the games count and the losses should mount. As the Knicks spiral, at least the speculation involving Chaney’s job security and potential successor won’t be part of the upcoming disaster.
“We’ll all have more of a comfort and confidence level instead of wondering what’s going to happen in the future,” Allan Houston said. “We can be secure and know this is who we’re going to be as a team.”
Sprewell was right when he said brass likes Chaney’s overall package, not just his basketball acumen. Indeed, Chaney has hit it off with Dolan and is amenable to attending functions to schmooze with sponsors, unlike his predecessor.
“I really think they like Coach,” Sprewell said. “He lets them do things that probably Jeff [Van Gundy] wouldn’t let them do. Stuff they want to try with the team, he’s more open to it.”
During a road trip last season that Dolan attended, management staged a party for the players in the hotel ballroom with racing miniature cars. “I don’t think Jeff would’ve went for that,” Sprewell said.
Chaney believes the increased job security will make him a better coach. Only great coaching this season will make the Knicks competitive.
“You really try not let it bother me but human nature always steps in,” Chaney said. “If you’re fighting for your last year, you do things a little bit different. Your concentration changes. If you know you’re going to be here for a while it gives you an opportunity not to be afraid to try things. It’s not like my last meal. You function much better as a coach.”