Knicks' Walsh can add ex-Mavs coach to list

With the Dallas Mavericks firing coach Avery Johnson on Wednesday, Knicks president Donnie Walsh has another experienced name to add to his list of candidates. (AP Photo)

BY ALAN HAHN | alan.hahn@newsday.com

May 1, 2008

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And just like that, an experienced coach has become available on the open market. And another might soon follow to give Knicks president Donnie Walsh a couple more options to consider in his search for a coach.

Avery Johnson yesterday was fired by the Dallas Mavericks after a second straight first-round playoff ouster. Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni's status is uncertain after the Suns were knocked out of the first round on Tuesday.

D'Antoni, who was the NBA coach of the year in 2004-05, is expected to meet today with Suns managing partner Robert Sarver and general manager Steve Kerr to discuss his future with the team. There were reports yesterday that suggested D'Antoni planned to step down, but Kerr denied it.

Though Walsh is leaning toward Mark Jackson, who has no coaching experience, he wants to play the field a little first, just to see what's available. He lost out on Scott Skiles, who was hired by Milwaukee, but likely will at least take a look at Johnson, 43, who is known more for his cartoonish voice and diction than for his more marketable traits as a disciplinarian.

Walsh is believed to have his sights set on hiring Jackson, whom he interviewed last week in Phoenix. Jackson yesterday met with Bulls executive John Paxson in Los Angeles. Both executives came away impressed.

The Bulls are believed to already have an interest in meeting with Johnson, who compiled a 194-70 regular-season record in Dallas. Paxson is looking for an experienced coach and already has former Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on his radar.

The knocks on Johnson are his in-game performances, which stand out more in the playoffs, where he was 23-24 with Dallas, including a disturbing 3-12 mark in his final 15 playoff games. He coached the Mavs to the NBA Finals in 2006 but was knocked out of the first round last season (Golden State) and this year (New Orleans).

If D'Antoni decides to leave the Suns - and forgo the remaining two years and $8.5 million left on his contract - the Knicks and Bulls would certainly invite him in for an interview. And the Toronto Raptors could emerge as a dark horse if Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo reverses his decision to keep Sam Mitchell and bring D'Antoni, whom he had in Phoenix, to Canada.