Shall I Stay or Shall I Go? Lessons in Mike D’Antoni’s Parting Ways

Two days ago, on March 14, I posted a blog extolling the heroic traits of Knicks point guard, Jeremy Lin. Ironically, the next day his coach, Mike D’Antoni, announced his separation from the Knicks organization after more than three years as head coach. It was reported by The Wall Street Journal that the decision to part ways was mutual. Owner James Dolan said, this was “not an event that was planned in any way, it just happened.”

Of course occurrences of this nature do not just happen. Mike D’Antonio was frustrated by the attitude and lack of compliance some of star players demonstrated in the games after Carmelo Antony returned. The coach found a team player in Jeremy Lin; a player who unselfishly could move the ball, pass it, get in the pain, and make plays happen. This was Mike D’Antonio’ style of play, what he was attempting to create in New York since he was hired in May 2008.

The numbers speak for themselves. With Carmelo out with an injury and Lin at point guard, the team was 6-1. With Carmelo Anthony in, they were 3-8 before defeating a poorly organized Portland team. Carmelo runs an “isolation play on 29.7 percent of his plays,” according to Synergy Sports, a company which tracks every play. “No player with significant playing time isolates more.”

I invite you to watch the Knicks play this style of basketball. It doesn’t work, it is not much fun to watch, and it demonstrates a lack of team spirit which is what playing a sport is all about. Kids and young adults need to see team play at work in order to work well with others in school, in life, and in business.

There is no room for selfish play. This coach understood this. He knew the importance of team work. He believed in his whole team and more importantly he believed in his whole team system. Unfortunately, in this era of superstars and multimillion dollar contracts, the players have more influence on how the head office makes decisions. It is no secret that Carmelo Anthony is at the center of this controversy. It has been rumored that he asked to be traded because he was not happy with the system put in place while he was out. He stayed. Coach D’Antoni chose to resign or “part ways.”

I see a valuable lesson here. When it comes to integrity, honor, and principle, there is rarely room for a compromise. Leaders must lead. They must follow their hearts and do what they believe is right. There are no grey areas. There is no room to back away for it will only lead to addition cracks in the wall until the wall crumbles. It is best to walk away while the foundation is still in place. Self sacrifice and putting others first is part of what a leader must face on his or her journey to help others reach their own potential and establish their own life principles.