So the Knicks finally landed Carmelo Anthony, among the NBA’s top players, to become relevant again in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. But the price was steep: the Knicks shipped 4 of their 5 most recent starters – all young, developing talent – to the Nuggets along with numerous future draft picks. As a result, the Knicks are now a completely different team, and Coach Mike D’Antoni bears the pressure to make it work now, for the Knicks have left themselves little chance to rebuild if the Melo move proves unsuccessful.
D’Antoni’s task is similar to that of any coach or manager who’s team makeup has materially and suddenly changed – he needs to facilitate a smooth transition so his new team can quickly get up to speed and achieve success.
This ain’t easy, but here are 3 specific actions Coach D must do now:
1. Allow Mourning among the Remaining Few: The few Knicks not traded are undoubtedly shaken, and D’Antoni must allow them to mourn the loss of friends and come to grips with what the future holds for them. Before the trade, this had become the most exciting Knicks team in years. They rallied around their new star, Amar’e Stoudemire, and together thrived within the pressures of playing in New York. Roles had been defined, and the team’s identity was certain. Now, only uncertainty remains. Where is the team going? How will it affect each player? Do they have to jockey for position all over again? D’Antoni must speak to these questions and more. The X Factor to the Knicks’ success, after all, as with many teams, will lie in the hands of their role players. Coach: Better make sure they’re on solid ground if you want to make things interesting in the East!
2. Meet with Power Brokers: Who’s team is this? Who gets the ball at the end of the game? How will individual statistics be impacted? How will they handle any adversity, particularly in the beginning (remember, the star-studded Miami Heat started this season with a record of 9-8, and faced relentless questions about their ability to come together). Stoudemire is apparently happy to have Melo on board, but Coach D better make sure Amar’e understands the impact on him. Will new point guard Chauncey Billups work the pick and roll as well as Felton? Similarly, Melo will have to get used to sharing the stage, something he hasn’t had much experience doing. Knicks fans have been chanting M-V-P! at Amar’e all season. Will that jive with Melo? Finally, Billups, while in the twilight of his career, is the only roster player with a championship, and commands respect. Not to mention, he publicly stated he wanted to end his career in Denver. Coach: Bring the studs together early and speak to them individually. If they’re not on the same page with you and each other, it could get ugly quickly.
3. Don’t Underestimate Team Time: Not recommending “trust falls” or Kumbaya circles here, but D’Antoni needs to get this team together off the court to allow for informal bonding. Getting to know each other as individuals, not just basketball players, will accelerate gelling. D’Antoni should organize a few loosely-organized team gatherings so players can interact freely outside the media focus of games and practices. Coach: Force social interaction. It’ll be awkward at first, but you don’t have the luxury of time to let chemistry evolve naturally.
Knicks fans – and I count myself among them – are rightfully hyped. We haven’t had this sort of star power on the court in years. But we share the pressure to succeed now, particularly since the Knicks pushed all their chips into the middle of the table by shipping their young talent and future draft picks.
Mike D’Antoni has proved himself a talented manager, showing the guts to make significant midseason adjustments and by tweaking his lineup and shifting player positions. But the pressure is on now – he got what he’s been waiting for since he became the Knicks’ head coach. He’ll have to make his most meaningful midseason adjustments yet!
About Sean O'Neil
Sean O’Neil is an expert in workplace and team dynamics. He is also Principal and CEO of One to One Leadership (www.one2oneleadership.com), a sales and management training firm with clients that include the National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, News Corporation, First Data, ADP, Xerox, the Oakland Raiders and the New York Knicks. Sean and John Kulisek co-authored Bare Knuckle People Management: Creating Success with the Team You Have – Winners, Losers, Misfits and All, which is due to be published in May 2011. Sean has contributed to or been featured in, among others, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Selling Power Magazine and Incentive Magazine.
