Mike D’Antoni Has Support of ‘Melo and Amar’e

The New York media backed the Knicks’ two stars into a corner, asking if they want the embattled head coach back for next season (and, presumably, beyond.) Both say they do. Newsday reports: “Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire raised some eyebrows after Sunday’s season-ending loss to the Celtics with seemingly lukewarm support for Mike D’Antoni. Monday, each spoke to reporters and expressed strong backing for the coach. ‘Mike is a phenomenal coach,’ Stoudemire said. ‘He’s been great my whole career. He’s been great in New York so far this year. I have high confidence in his coaching style and what he can bring to the team. Coach Mike is phenomenal. He’s been doing great all year with the different changes we’ve made throughout the season. We’ve been able to maintain and still have a winning record and also have a chance to do something special in the postseason if it weren’t for injuries, so I have high confidence in Coach D’Antoni.’ Said Anthony: ‘I think D’Antoni was very patient. I only can speak on when I got here. I think he’s been very patient due to the circumstances. We came a long way, especially when I first got here, with the expectations being so high so quickly.'”