D'Antoni's Last Stand

You'll have to forgive me, I listened to some talk radio this morning. It was not my intention, I was choosing some music for my listening pleasure on the way to work when I heard Steve Kerr's familiar voice on KTAR 620 discussing the Suns and their showing in the playoffs thus far.

As the subject matter switched to Coach D'Antoni's future I couldn't help but listen intently.

When asked about this report in today's New York Post and if he had a message for Donnie Walsh and the Knicks, Kerr did anything but jump to D'Antoni's defense. Instead, he made it clear that what was important was the "task at hand," the playoff series with the Spurs.

Everything else, players, coaches, philosophy would be evaluated at the end of the season during exit meetings.

This wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for D'Antoni's future.

Now, Kerr did say that D'Antoni was under contract for the next two years and that he and D'Antoni had discussed the hot seat they were under but again, he made it clear evaluations would be made at the end of the year.

I got the feeling in listening to Kerr that D'Antoni was on a short leash and that if the defensive intensity wasn't there again tonight, there would be hell to pay.

None of this is really breaking news but it was interesting hearing it from the horse's mouth for the first time. For D'Antoni to continue coaching the Suns, it sure as heck seems he'll need to make a philosophical change and actually put some time in coaching defense. Step one is tonight.