Regarding Frank Williams, I was always a fan. When he played in NY he was one of the only guys on the court that showed any heart. I remember specifically in the Game 1 loss to NJ when Collins was charged with a flagrant foul against Tim Thomas, Frank was the only Knick that returned the favor, albeit against Kidd. The rest of the team just sat there like a bunch of nancy boys. If he’s physically up to it, I’d be happy to see him in Knick blue again.

The one thing that seems to be fairly consistent about D’Antoni’s words and actions is that he doesn’t tolerate headache players, laziness, self centered play etc.. Those guy wind up in his doghouse. He really tries to promote a hard work, team oriented, upbeat, and winning attitude. He rarely says anything negative about the team or individual players even after a very bad night. He’s always trying to build them up, focus on the lessons learned from a bad play or game etc… I like him a lot.

When I look at the individual players on the Suns now, I can’t help but think they should be better than they are so far this year. Something is wrong there.

His pushing for the Shaq trade tends to support this theory. ”

from his comments to Vecsey recently, this sounds like it was more about dumping a disgruntled Marion who was killing the team’s chemistry than being especially excited about getting Shaq.

I don’t disagree – but the bottom line was that D’Antoni was fine bringing in a guy who didn’t fit his previous style, at all. (tho I think it was a stupid trade, myself)

from his comments to Vecsey recently, this sounds like it was more about dumping a disgruntled Marion who was killing the team’s chemistry than being especially excited about getting Shaq.

“I have a feeling that he doesn’t “fit in the D’Antoni system.”

I wonder about this… It comes up a lot. I have a counter-theory, that D’Antoni’s “system” is not so fixed. He makes sure to put the best players on the floor, and in Phoenix and New York that’s meant smallish lineups with lots of shooters. That also accounts for the short rotations — he wants the better players to get more of the minutes, even at the risk of fatigue. If I’m right, he would adapt his system (and rotation) if he had a player, like a Millsap, who was very productive but not his usual “type.”

His pushing for the Shaq trade tends to support this theory.

His pushing Balkman out the door tends to refute it.

I would say we don’t really know.

I saw Hendrix play in college a few times. He is a beast. He reminds me a lot of Paul Millsap, who I love, and who has shown exactly what he can do with Boozer out.

That said, I have a feeling that he doesn’t “fit in the D’Antoni system.”