Knicks permanent general manager Glen Grunwald raved on about interim coach Mike Woodson Wednesday, giving strong indications he’s got his man for next season.  Read more after the jump.
Grunwald said it wasn’t the time to guarantee Woodson’s return with the playoffs about to start. But all signs point that he strongly will recommend a return for his former Indiana teammate to owner James Dolan.
“Woody has done a fantastic job,’’ Grunwald said at a press conference one day after he formally had the “interim’’ tag removed from his title. “I can’t give him enough credit for the job he’s done. Normally coaching changes don’t result in such a dramatic improvement in a team’s performance. I’ve known Woody a long time. We’ve had our separation, but to see how he’s grown as a coach and person after six years in Atlanta, that kind of experience he got there growing the team, and improved them over his tenure, and to see firsthand him working as a head coach here is very impressive.’’
Asked if that meant Woodson was back, Grunwald laughed. “We’re not talking about any staffing questions today,’’ he said. “One reason I don’t speak a lot is we have to stay focused on the moment. We’re in the playoffs right now. We need to stay focused on that.â€
In a telling remark later that he’s not looking to change, Grunwald said, “I feel it’s going well right now. I’m happy for them and how well they performed. You find a formula that works. You don’t want to change. You want to tweak and improve it.’’
Despite Dolan’s influence, Grunwald will have a strong say in the coaching decision. But Grunwald said Dolan has to sign off on his recommendation. Woodson confirmed Wednesday night one of the “big reasons’’ he took the Knicks assistant job was Grunwald.
A strong push by Phil Jackson’s reps combined with a bad playoff showing are the only things that could possibly prevent Woodson from becoming the permanent Knicks coach. Woodson entered last night at 16-6 since taking over for Mike D’Antoni, who resigned March 14.
