New York Knicks: Herb Williams to Replace Mike Woodson?

Jan 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson gestures during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Rumors have begun flying that Mike Woodson could be out as the New York Knicks’ head coach soon. Assistant coach Herb Williams may be next in line, according to reports, a move spurred by the Knicks’ recent loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, which supposedly angered James Dolan.

Via Steve Popper:

"The Knicks have plotted ending the tenure of head coach Mike Woodson and nearly his entire staff of assistants. With no high-profile coach interested in stepping into this situation right now, the source said that the team has discussed a plan to keep assistant coach Herb Williams and elevate him to the top spot in an interim, reaching out to a number of candidates to fill the staff out."

Woodson’s job is now in serious jeopardy. It appears the recent loss to Milwaukee and the subsequent complaints by Amar’e Stoudemire, may have finally proven to management that he has lost the team. According to Ian Begley, Woodson stated that this eason is “kind of a disaster.” Sources say some Knicks have grown tired of Woody questioning effort.

Is Woodson losing faith, throwing in the towel? When a coach makes these type of public comments, even he sees the writing on the wall. Clearly this team is not the same team that won 54 games last year. Woodson’s shortcomings were hidden by Jason Kidd. With Kidd gone and Raymond Felton running the show, the Knicks have collapsed, especially late in games.

I have met and spent time with Woodson. He is a great guy, a likable guy. He was one of nine children, he has his high school coach on the Knicks current roster as an assistant. However, sometimes in the NBA, nice guys do finish last. Lately, it appears Woodson has lost the team. Once you lose the veterans, you lose your job. I. for one, am grateful for the good he has done, but his stubbornness to stick with Felton and not develop young players, like in Atlanta, will lead to his demise.

Over the past few weeks, months, Woodson has been challenged by many Knicks, including Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler. Woodson and Beno Udrih do not see eye to eye and some believe Metta World Peace is also not happy. However, in Woodson’s defense, no bonafide NBA head coach will step in, here and now, especially not knowing the plight or flight of Anthony. Many believe Anthony and his Power Agency, CAA, calls the shots in the organization. Anthony, who already ran Mike D’Antoni out of town, will not render an opinion on Woodson, as not to tarnish his image. However, with New York and Dolan desperate to keep him, his input is germane into any move the Knicks make from this point forward. If Anthony remains a Knick, he will have input in the forthcoming coach. If Williams is chosen, it will come with only the interim tag.

Herb Williams is a company man; both Steve Mills and James Dolan obviously like him.

In an organization that has had so much turnover of coaches, players, and executives, Williams has somehow survived. Formerly a player, a backup to Patrick Ewing, Williams has worked under Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas, and Mike D’Antoni. Fact is, Williams has technically had three separate stints as Knicks head coach. However, only one of them was official. He coached the Knicks to a win in between Chaney’s firing and Wilkens’s arrival. He finished out the season as an official interim head coach when Wilkens got fired and he took over for Larry Brown when he got sick, which was right before he got fired. Dolan must like him for him to have lasted this long. Herb is a company guy, but that is not what the Knicks need, they need a leader, someone to get the respect from Anthony and his teammates. Is Williams the man, I just don’t know, only time will tell. Alan Houston is another possibility as he has been being groomed for the GM position. With the trade deadline approaching, CAA and Dolan will make their decision soon.

Dr. Eric Kaplan is a Bestselling Author www.5minutemotivator.com
Follow him on Twitter@ drekaplan

According to the source the Knicks have plotted ending the tenure of head coach Mike Woodson and nearly his entire staff of assistants. With no high-profile coach interested in stepping into this situation right now, the source said that the team has discussed a plan to keep assistant coach Herb Williams and elevate him to the top spot in an interim, reaching out to a number of candidates to fill the staff out. – See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Knicks_fall_to_Blazers_94-90_for_third_straight_loss.html#sthash.YdgBEQxh.dpuf

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