TREVISO. Mike D’Antoni the other day turned the mark of 70. And this too, like everything in his life, did it in his own way, with great agility, intelligence and quick reflexes, the qualities he had as a player. Then, of course, knowing that “Arsenio Lupine” is a 70-year-old also makes you perfectly understand, once more, how quickly time passes.
When he was playing he had a big beard, the characteristic mustaches (“Mullens mustache”), which have long since disappeared, as a coach. And then the D’Antoni from Treviso, what a character: how much skill but also humanity he gave us, how many and what memories linked to him.
We all remember him in 2002, back from his experience with Nuggets and Blazers, at his last appearance at Benetton, a fresh 50-year-old with barely graying hair to give us, after the unforgettable one in 1997, the third shield in casual history.
On the pitch he ran little guys like Tyus Edney, Marcelo Nicola, Ricky Pittis, Boki Nachbar and Jorge Garbajosa. At that point the time was ripe to say goodbye to Italy for good (however, a certain Ettore Messina arrived in Ghirada), cross the Atlantic and return to coaching in that NBA where as a player, actually quite mysteriously, he was unable to break through, with some pretty bitter moments, see his resignation from the Knicks in March 2012.
He therefore started again in Arizona and at that point (after all we know that America offers everyone a second chance) some satisfaction even managed to get rid of it: twice twice in the final of the Western. And what about the two prestigious Coach of the Year Awards won in 2005 (Phoenix) and 2017 (Houston), always with his sparkling basketball under the banner of the legendary “seven seconds or less”, where the first who is free shoots, better if from three.
After four years as head coach at the Rockets, D’Antoni went to Brooklyn to do one of Steve Nash’s three deputies with the Nets, finding a supernova like Kevin Durant and taking along James “Barba” Harden. And it is at the Barclays Center that we fished it.
Mike, at 70 you usually slow down or stop, especially in basketball: it’s hard to find older coaches …
«But look, I feel very good, 70 for the moment is just a number for me, at the moment I’m working and fighting with the whole team to get the best. And I am very happy to be able to do it and above all satisfied with the results. Frankly, this seems normal to me, it seems to me that I have gone back about ten years. Then clearly time passes for everyone anyway, that is the only opponent you can never beat ».
Mike D’Antoni con James Harden
It was from 2015-16 that he was not an assistant.
«It is obviously a different task from being the owner of the bench. Among other things, Steve is a very good head coach, I have a great relationship with him, the players are good and nice and ultimately coaching also as a deputy is always a very pleasant job ».
In Eastern despite four losses in a row you are 43-24 and you are going to participate in the third consecutive playoffs. What’s more, you are among the favorites.
«Yes, the balance is positive, we are preparing to do well in the post season, we want to be ready for that moment. It was frankly a very strange season, reduced in the number of games (the regular season ends Sunday 16 after 72 games and no longer 82, ed) and characterized by many injured players (including Durant, Harden and Irving, ed). Now we hope to be all well ».
With Steve Nash, now his head coach
But what exactly is the NBA like at the time of Covid?
«Here, according to the latest data, it seems that the pandemic is improving, but it has certainly been a year full of attention and fears. We are all 100% checked, we are tested every day, we feel calm but at the same time we know that it is not over yet, we must always be careful to the maximum ».
In Italy, to see fans at matches again, maybe we talk about them in the semifinals, how is the situation for you?
“If the situation continues to improve, there is talk of reopening for 40-45% of the capacity of the buildings”.
We also talk about Italian things. Milan at the Euroleague Final Four after 29 years.
«Here is Mike James who played with Armani a couple of years ago, we often talk about Milan and I am happy that he succeeded. Good coach Messina, the players and the club ».
To do this, Messina was needed, who until 2019 was Gregg Popovich’s assistant at the Spurs.
«He is undoubtedly a great coach who has an equally great club at his disposal, it seems natural to me that a situation like this produces excellent results. I renew my compliments to him ».
In her little Treviso Basket it will not be her Benetton but it has already reached the playoffs in the second year of Serie A.
«I did not know this and clearly I am very happy that it happened, it is a result that a square like Treviso fully deserves. It’s nice to know he can play in the playoffs and challenge the strongest teams. Too bad there can’t be the fans, I always remember them with great affection ».
Actually 700 fans will be there, but cardboard …
“Nice initiative, in any case with the virus it is always better to be cautious, you never know”.
Mike, are you still making plans for the future at 70?
«Ah look, I’m fine here, I’m happy and for the moment I’m going on quietly with the Nets. Then in life you never know, over time we will see if other opportunities will present us or not but personally I do not ask myself the problem, I am calm and satisfied with what I am doing ». –