D'Antoni and Carlisle will be difference makers with new teams

For the Knicks, it's a question of buying a little time, cleaning up the roster, establishing a system, getting under the salary cap and making it an attractive place for the potential blockbuster free-agent class of 2010. That's when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Boshand Amaré Stoudemire, among others, can opt out of their current contracts.

Carlisle's teams, in both Detroit and Indiana, were far more balanced than D'Antoni's. He teaches offense, believes in defense and knows you need a commitment to both in order to win. Because he is a serious, no-nonsense guy who believes in player accountability, he isn't the most fun coach for whom to play. But he will give direction to the Mavs, who had become predictable, frustrated and of fragile confidence.

Both teams figure to be better next season. You will be able to credit the coach for much of that.