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**Dissonance19** · 05-01-2008, 12:26 PM

It looks like the only way he is gone, is if he walks away.

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Quote:

There now is a national impression that Mike D'Antoni coached his last Suns game Tuesday after an online report stated so.

D'Antoni and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr would not give that impression Wednesday, when D'Antoni emerged from a team meeting for a 90-second media chat and Kerr followed after exit interviews.

Before leaving San Antonio late Tuesday, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver was on the plane when he noticed a sportsillustrated.com report on his phone that stated D'Antoni would not be back as Suns coach next season. Sarver showed it to Kerr. Both were surprised and went to D'Antoni, who also was surprised.

There's no truth to that," Kerr said. "I asked Mike when the story came out, and he denied it. Mike's our coach and has done a great job for four years."

Kerr, D'Antoni and Sarver will meet by the weekend after taking some time for emotional separation from Tuesday's first-round playoff elimination at San Antonio.

"We'll make a decision, and hopefully we go on and get this team over the top," said D'Antoni, who has guided the winningest four-year run in team history. .

Asked if he wanted to return as Phoenix's coach, D'Antoni evaded the question, saying, "We'll sit down and talk and evaluate everything and see where we are."

Asked if he wanted D'Antoni back, Kerr said, "I'd like to see him back. I'd like to see us working together. It's been well documented we've got some different ideas and different approaches. What we have to do is talk and communicate and make sure we can get on the same page in terms of how this organization can get better and how this team can get better."

As the Suns lost the playoffs' first three games, speculation grew regarding D'Antoni's job security. He is unlikely to be fired, because he would be owed $8.5 million over the next years, unless there is a buyout.

The more likely scenario in the event of a departure has D'Antoni taking a year off or another job, with openings in Chicago or New York.

Toronto General Manager Bryan Colangelo shot down the theory D'Antoni could be reunited with him there, saying he has no plans for a coaching change. Kerr told KTAR-AM on Wednesday night that he would not grant permission to another team requesting to speak to D'Antoni.

"I have great respect for him," Kerr said of D'Antoni. "I like him personally. We get along fine. He's done a really good job, but we've got to get better. This was disappointing to go out in the first round. We need to figure out together how to improve. I think Mike wants to be back. I'm hopeful we can move forward together."

Every rotation regular but forward Amaré Stoudemire has spoken in support of D'Antoni's return. Stoudemire offered a lukewarm response Tuesday and Wednesday. He even spoke of his coach in the past tense.

"Coach Mike was a pretty good coach, I would say," he said.
Asked if the Suns could win a title under D'Antoni, he said, "Well, uh, I think it's about players. It's about us improving as a unit to try and win a championship."

Aylwin · 05-01-2008, 01:35 PM

Well, they always kill any kind of speculation. We won't know whether D'Antoni is staying or leaving until they confirm it themselves.

bircan · 05-02-2008, 04:09 AM

Do you think Amare talked like that to warn D'antoni off? To get him to leave the Suns. Maybe D'antoni wants to be back but maybe some tension exists there.

IntelligentlyDesigned · 05-02-2008, 07:27 AM

Sarver, Kerr, and D'Antoni will meet today. I predict D'Antoni and Kerr will not be able to come to an understanding and D'Antoni will walk (wont walk today obviously). Question I have is:

Avery Johnson or Jeff Van Gundy? Or someone else?

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