D'Antoni Reunites With House in Trade With Celtics
Feb 19 2010 10:18AM
Mike D'Antoni's offensive system is ideal for players who can shoot the ball, so it's no surprise that the Knicks were a big fan of veteran guard Eddie House, one of the most consistent three-point shooters in the league over the past decade.
It's also no surprise that Knicks president Donnie Walsh and D'Antoni wanted to make a deal that would reunite the coach with one of his former players from his days in Phoenix with the Suns.
In one of three franchise-changing moves made by the Knicks shortly before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline, New York acquired House along with guard J.R. Giddens, swingman Bill Walker and a future conditional second-round draft selection from the Boston Celtics in exchange for guard Nate Robinson and rookie forward Marcus Landry. The trio makes it six new players on the Knicks' roster in a span of less than 24 hours.
House has averages of 7.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 10 NBA seasons with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics. But his breakout year came in 2005-06 when he played 81 games under D'Antoni in Phoenix.
Playing in D'Antoni's run-and-gun system for one season, House averaged a career-high 9.8 points while shooting 38.9 percent from downtown as he helped the Suns reach the Western Conference Finals. He went on to sign a one-year contract with New Jersey before spending the next three seasons in Boston, where he played a major role in helping the Celtics win the 2008 NBA championship.
When rumors surfaced that House could be dealt to New York on Wednesday, House told a group of reporters in Los Angeles that he will have no problem transitioning back into D'Antoni's unique system, which isn't a shock considering how well he played in the free-flowing offense.
"I know the system," said House, whose former team was in L.A. to take on the Lakers. "I know the plays they're going to run. I know the style they're going to play, so I fit right in."
House has provided an offensive spark off the bench for the Celtics over the past three seasons and could have a similar role in the Knicks' rotation now that Robinson is gone. Robinson was a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season and has had some memorable offensive performances as a Knicks reserve, including a 41-point showing in Atlanta on New Year's Day.
Robinson averaged 13.2 points and 3.7 points for the Knicks in 30 games this season.
"In a lot of ways (House) is somewhat like Nate," Walsh said. "In Phoenix he came off the bench and hit shots and he can energize your team. I thought he was a good replacement."
For any athleticism the Knicks could miss from losing Robinson, they made up for it by adding Walker and Giddens. The 6-foot-6 Walker is best known for his extraordinary leaping ability and the 6-foot-5 Giddens is known for his quickness. Both players are now in their second NBA year.
"I know (Walker) was a great high school player and had some knee injuries, but he's a good player and everybody thinks that," Walsh said. "He was on a powerful team so he didn't get to play that much. We'll see when he comes in where he fits, and it's the same thing for Giddens."
The first deadline deal was made Wednesday night when the Knicks sent center Darko Milicic and cash considerations to Minnesota for forward Brian Cardinal. The busy 24 hours ended with Rockets forward Tracy McGrady and Kings point guard Sergio Rodriguez in a three-way trade on Thursday.
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It's also no surprise that Knicks president Donnie Walsh and D'Antoni wanted to make a deal that would reunite the coach with one of his former players from his days in Phoenix with the Suns.
In one of three franchise-changing moves made by the Knicks shortly before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline, New York acquired House along with guard J.R. Giddens, swingman Bill Walker and a future conditional second-round draft selection from the Boston Celtics in exchange for guard Nate Robinson and rookie forward Marcus Landry. The trio makes it six new players on the Knicks' roster in a span of less than 24 hours.
House has averages of 7.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 10 NBA seasons with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics. But his breakout year came in 2005-06 when he played 81 games under D'Antoni in Phoenix.
Playing in D'Antoni's run-and-gun system for one season, House averaged a career-high 9.8 points while shooting 38.9 percent from downtown as he helped the Suns reach the Western Conference Finals. He went on to sign a one-year contract with New Jersey before spending the next three seasons in Boston, where he played a major role in helping the Celtics win the 2008 NBA championship.
When rumors surfaced that House could be dealt to New York on Wednesday, House told a group of reporters in Los Angeles that he will have no problem transitioning back into D'Antoni's unique system, which isn't a shock considering how well he played in the free-flowing offense.
"I know the system," said House, whose former team was in L.A. to take on the Lakers. "I know the plays they're going to run. I know the style they're going to play, so I fit right in."
House has provided an offensive spark off the bench for the Celtics over the past three seasons and could have a similar role in the Knicks' rotation now that Robinson is gone. Robinson was a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season and has had some memorable offensive performances as a Knicks reserve, including a 41-point showing in Atlanta on New Year's Day.
Robinson averaged 13.2 points and 3.7 points for the Knicks in 30 games this season.
"In a lot of ways (House) is somewhat like Nate," Walsh said. "In Phoenix he came off the bench and hit shots and he can energize your team. I thought he was a good replacement."
For any athleticism the Knicks could miss from losing Robinson, they made up for it by adding Walker and Giddens. The 6-foot-6 Walker is best known for his extraordinary leaping ability and the 6-foot-5 Giddens is known for his quickness. Both players are now in their second NBA year.
"I know (Walker) was a great high school player and had some knee injuries, but he's a good player and everybody thinks that," Walsh said. "He was on a powerful team so he didn't get to play that much. We'll see when he comes in where he fits, and it's the same thing for Giddens."
The first deadline deal was made Wednesday night when the Knicks sent center Darko Milicic and cash considerations to Minnesota for forward Brian Cardinal. The busy 24 hours ended with Rockets forward Tracy McGrady and Kings point guard Sergio Rodriguez in a three-way trade on Thursday.
SEE TRACY McGRADY ON MONDAY NIGHT, KNICKS LEGENDS NIGHT. FOR TICKET DEALS CLICK HERE.
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