Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The New York Knicks have hired former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson as an assistant to Mike D’Antoni.

Woodson led the Hawks to three playoff berths in his six seasons in Atlanta, but was let go after they were swept in embarrassing fashion by Orlando in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals.

He was a candidate for the Detroit job that instead went to Lawrence Frank, so now will try to help D’Antoni address the Knicks’ struggles on the defensive end.

D’Antoni says in a statement Monday he was “extremely encouraged after meeting with Mike,” who began his pro playing career with the Knicks as the No. 12 pick in the 1980 NBA draft.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

-AP