This wasn’t insurance issues. This was plain common sense.
In what could be a blessing in disguise, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni will not accompany Team USA to Europe for the World Championships, citing an ailing back.
D’Antoni, a Team USA assistant for four years under Mike Krzyzewski, will work with the club during next week’s training camp in the Big Apple but then cut short his busy summer to rest and rehab his troubled disc and focus on what’s most important — the new-look Knicks.
D’Antoni is close to Team USA CEO Jerry Colangelo, who would not stand in his way.
“It’s more precautionary than anything,” an individual close to D’Antoni told The Post. “He wants to be 100 percent for the season — be young and fun again.”
D’Antoni, whose Knicks report to training camp early, Sept. 25, because of their preseason trip to Italy and France, could use the time off. If Team USA makes it to the gold-medal game in Turkey, he wouldn’t return to the U.S. until Sept. 14. Team USA departs for Europe Aug. 16 to begin an exhibition schedule in Madrid.
D’Antoni labored through last season with a cranky back. A source close to D’Antoni said he took heavy doses of anti-inflammatories to get through some games. If he misses a game this season, assistant Phil Weber likely would fill in.
D’Antoni’s defection follows the withdrawal of Amar’e Stoudemire. Knicks brass requested he not play because his surgically repaired knee could not be insured by Team USA for a career-ending injury, and the club did not want to take the risk.
“I support whatever Mike feels he has to do,” said Knicks president Donnie Walsh, hardly displeased D’Antoni will be closer at hand.
Raptors coach Jay Triano will replace D’Antoni on the staff. D’Antoni’s absence will give him more time to concentrate on a completely different Knick roster. Players start reporting in late August.
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Nuggets GM Mark Warkentien was let go yesterday by Denver and will be strong Knicks’ GM candidate if Walsh decides to make a hire. The Post reported recently the well-respected Warkentien, a friend of Walsh’s, had a preliminary interview with the Knicks last summer after being given permission by the Nuggets owner.