Rick Carlisle gave New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson the kind of public vote of confidence neither team president Steve Mills nor owner James Dolan has been willing to do lately this season.
In a unsolicited gesture during his postgame press conference, after the Knicks posted a 92-80 victory over his Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, Carlisle lavished praise upon Woodson.
"If I could make one statement about Mike Woodson, I just marvel at the job he's doing with this team right now, given the circumstances, given all the ridiculous rumors about his job security and all the nonsense that's being stirred up in that media cesspool in New York City," he said.
The New York media has reported that Woodson is on the hot seat and it seems there's not a day that goes by without a New York tabloid reporting that someone (like Jeff Van Gundy) might be ready to replace him.
Woodson then nodded his head at a group of New York reporters and said, "I can’t control what these writers write."
"This is a man who is one of the top coaches in the league and a man of great integrity and substance. He proved that [Sunday]," said the Mavs' coach. "They easily could have swept this road trip and this is supposedly a team that is dysfunctional. He has a great touch with that team and I got a lot of respect for the job that's he's doing."
When told of Carlisle’s remarks, Woodson seemed moved.
"I have a great deal of respect for Rick," Woodson said. "It’s nice of him."
The Knicks have now won two of their last three games, with the one loss coming to Houston 102-100 in the closing seconds.
Dolan told his players two weeks ago their coach’s job was safe, but has said nothing publicly.
Dolan told his players two weeks ago their coach’s job was safe, but has said nothing publicly.
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