Sun May 11 00:48:07 2008

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D'Antoni accepts offer to coach Knicks

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - Mike D'Antoni agreed in principle on Saturday to become the next head coach of the New York Knicks.

A press conference will be scheduled upon completion of the contract.

After their first-round exit from the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns granted permission to the 2004-05 Coach of the Year to talk with other teams about their coaching vacancies, and the 57-year old D'Antoni chose the Knicks.

The Knicks, under new general manager Donnie Walsh, fired head coach Isiah Thomas last month, bringing a close to his disastrous two-year run, during which New York stumbled to a 56-108 record.

D'Antoni left Phoenix despite his successful stint with the Suns. He led Phoenix to a 253-136 mark in four-plus seasons. The club twice reached the conference finals under D'Antoni, but wasn't able to make the next step and advance to the NBA Finals.

The Suns granted D'Antoni permission to speak with other clubs after Phoenix lost their Western Conference quarterfinal series to the Spurs in five games. The Knicks were not the only club vying for his services, however, as the Chicago Bulls were also reportedly in the mix.