"I'd play Satan himself if I could win."

¹²³ · Dec 18, 2009

New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni says sitting Nate Robinson was nothing personal

CHICAGO - Mike D'Antoni claims that his decision to bench Nate Robinson is nothing personal, and to prove it, the Knicks coach said, "I'd play Satan himself if I could win."

D'Antoni wasn't comparing Robinson to the Antichrist, although previous coaches and teammates have had issues with the cocky, diminutive guard. Instead, D'Antoni was speaking in general terms when asked if seldom-used players tend to rationalize their diminished roles by concluding that the coach has a personal vendetta against them.

"They think it is always personal," D'Antoni said before Thursday night's game against the Bulls. "The only thing personal is that I don't know a coach yet that says, 'You know what? I don't like him so I'd rather lose.'

"I'd play Satan himself if I could win. I don't care. I have no morals, or scruples. I don't think a coach does because we're only judged if we win or lose. You win enough, you stay. You lose enough, you're gone. You can't debate whether a coach wants to win or lose. That's the only thing we have."

Robinson entered Thursday night not having played in six straight games and with no guarantee that he will crack the lineup any time soon. Even with Larry Hughes sidelined until at least Sunday with a strained groin, D'Antoni said that rookie Toney Douglas is ahead of Robinson on the depth chart. The coach wouldn't even rule out using a seven-man rotation.

Thursday, D'Antoni stressed that he has nothing personal against Robinson and that the decision is strictly basketball-related. He went on to say that he liked Robinson and, miraculously, the coach was not struck by lightning.

"Nate's a good guy," D'Antoni said. "He is a little exasperating sometimes but not in a bad way. Nate's great. I like Nate. I hate it worse than anybody that he doesn't play but I've got to do the job that I feel is the best to put the Knicks in position to win."

D'Antoni added that the emergence of Jared Jeffries has cut into Robinson's playing time.

"There was nothing that he really did, like this is the reason (he's not playing)," he said. "The team was better served going in this direction."

The results support D'Antoni's decision. The Knicks entered last night 4-2 since Robinson had been benched. Also, D'Antoni's history with Phoenix suggests that he would prefer to play an eight-man rotation. It may have taken him 100 games with the Knicks to get there, but D'Antoni is willing to sacrifice the development of younger players if it means a chance to reach the postseason. That's why the veterans are on the floor and top pick Jordan Hill is on the bench.

"At the end of the day I'm more comfortable as a coach doing this," he said. "It worked, and we still have a chance to make the playoffs. I hate saying that, but all our energy right now is to make the playoffs and trying to get in the race at least for the fans and these guys. Everybody is on a one-year contract, looking at this year and rightfully so. Why shouldn't we?"
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BasX · Dec 18, 2009

Ironic cause I just wrote a paper on Paradise Lost.

¹²³ · Dec 18, 2009

I think it's great to see a coach talking about this subject so openly. You can't really deny the notion that they are primarily judged by wins.

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"I'd play Satan himself if I could win."

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BasX I Win

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"I'd play Satan himself if I could win."

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BasX I Win

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