D'Antoni answers Stoudemire's criticism, calls it 'mind-boggling'

By Mike Bresnahan

January 4, 2013, 12:05 p.m.

Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni often claims to coach defense despite his reputation as an offense-only coach.

So it wasn't surprising to hear D'Antoni defend his teachings after one of his former players, New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire, criticized him.

"It's mind-boggling. I mean, come on," D'Antoni said Friday. "He threw Frank Johnson, myself, Alvin Gentry and actually Mike Woodson ... was he saving the good stuff? Because he coached him eight months and he was the defensive coach. It doesn't make any sense."

Woodson was promoted from assistant coach to the Knicks' head coach when D'Antoni resigned past the midpoint of last season. Johnson and Gentry also coached Stoudemire in the past.

Stoudemire subtly blamed D'Antoni after a poor defensive outing in his first action of the season. Stoudemire was sidelined with a knee injury until the Knicks played Portland on Tuesday.

"I've never been taught defense in my whole career, so to now have a coach that actually teaches defense and teaches strategies, and knows positioning and posture, how to guard different plays, it's going to be helpful," Stoudemire told reporters after the Knicks' 105-100 loss.

D'Antoni was Stoudemire's head coach for more than 8½ seasons in Phoenix and New York.

"If he's learning, great," D'Antoni said. "That would be super. It just boggles the mind."

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Comments (12)

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AnthonyLA at 4:55 PM January 05, 2013

D'Antoni, what you are doing is not working. If one of your player is not involved in the offense, you are playing 4 on 5. Gasol is not a jump shooter. You need to play him close to the basket. Until Howard develops more of a post game, there is no reason why he must be in the post. It is not as if Howard is unstoppable there. Howard has younger legs. Move him around on offense. Run pick and roll. Howard can do that.

Fanner50 at 7:23 AM January 05, 2013

Mike "NO D"' Antoni needs to let Bernie have the reins. "NO D" was hoping Nash would be able to save his job here but unfortunately not this time... and Kobe almost went the whole game without the jersey going into the pacifier mode. He still needs to work on it... tell him to knock it off he's suppose to be the leagues best!

tnrc75 at 6:01 AM January 05, 2013

Nah Mike, given the D played in PHX and NYC on your watch, this sounds totally reasonable. I think Amare might have learned by himself, but I definitely don't think MDA coached D worth siht.

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