Mike Woodson was a dead man walking the sidelines since Phil Jackon's arrival and Monday the Zen Master trimmed him like a branch on a bonsai*. Even in an eastern conference that was more watered-down than a light beer, the Knicks still fell short of the playoffs. Although they finished strong - winning seven of their last ten and four straight - but for most of the season, they were The Assocation's Malaysia Airlines flight MH370: inexplicably lost after taking an abrupt turn^.
J.R. Smith showed his support for his booted boss. "He was great to me. He treated me how he wanted to be treated."
Woodson let him run wild, like a red fox on the White House grounds. Smith stayed loose - as did his opponent's shoelaces - still the Knicks had 17 fewer victories compared to last year. Woodson tried to fall on his sword, but the press had already plunged it inches into him (Stephen A. Smith being a serial stabber; as if his shrieking wasn't piercing enough).
Woodson is probably relieved to be relieved of this duties. He didn't have the spotlight shone on him so much as a black light, exposing the series of stains and splotches, showing how unsightly the Knicks were. "He responded to the players," Smith said, but they failed to return the favor. He was a defensive coach whose best defender openly question his defensive scheme, so Smith, it seems, was Woodson's sole defender.
It's widely assumed that the gig will go to Steve Kerr. That sets up a situation where the proven coach who's an unproven executive would hire the proven executive who's an unproven coach. Only in New York are head coaches easier to remove than horses.
*the Jazz's Tyrone Corbin was tossed in the waste bin, too
^their black box contains audio of Carmelo counting the days until he can opt out
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