Mike D'Antoni dumps Phoenix to coach Knicks

The New York Knicks offered a pile of money so high to coach the team, Mike D'Antoni had no choice but to accept.

He succeeds Isiah Thomas, who was fired by General Manager Donnie Walsh April 18.

NEW YORK -- Phoenix Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni is leaving after four-plus seasons to accept a similar job with the New York Knicks.

ESPN reported Saturday that the Knicks had outlined a four-year, $24 million offer for D'Antoni and reports by Sports Illustrated and the Boston Globe cited league sources confirming his hiring.

D'Antoni's record with the Suns was 253-136.

Despite several denials, Phoenix management gave him permission to speak with other clubs after the Suns lost their Western Conference quarterfinal series to the San Antonio Spurs in five games, including a 92-87 loss in the series finale April 29.

D'Antoni took over the Suns 21 games into the 2003-04 season.

He succeeds Isiah Thomas, who was fired by General Manager Donnie Walsh April 18.

Under Thomas' guidance, the Knicks were a disastrous 56-108 and his tenure included a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders.