Since that time D&39Antoni&39s teams narrowly missed reaching the NBA Finals twice and averaged between 55-60 wins during his five seasons as

Since that time, D'Antoni's teams narrowly missed reaching the NBA Finals twice and averaged between 55-60 wins during his five seasons as the Suns' Head Coach. While his credentials are impressive, was Mike D'Antoni the right man for the job? D'Antoni system is an up-tempo, fast break, offensive coaching style that treats defense as a secondary need. The only players currently on the Knicks roster that fit that style are, David Lee, Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, and Renaldo Balkman. In order for D'Antoni to succeed in New York, the roster needs a major renovation, which the Knicks are prepared to go through. Trading high priced players for expiring contracts, for instance Stephon Marbury for 76ers Point Guard Andre Miller, is what the Knicks have to do in order for them to get under the salary cap in 2010, which would enable them to sign either LeBron James or Dwayne Wade as free agents. The Knicks have to also address the feud in the frontcourt between Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry.

A top five pick in the NBA Draft could almost certainly help them. The Knicks obviously made a significant upgrade at the Head Coaching position with Mike D'Antoni. But the Knicks have to hire a defensive minded assistant to combat the head coach's and the team's defensive woes, for instance hiring former Knicks assistant on Jeff Van Gundy's staff and current Celtics assistant Thom Thibodeau or hiring Patrick Ewing. D'Antoni give the Knicks instant credibility and the first step in a long rebuilding process to come. The goal next season for the Knicks should be to win their first playoff game since 2001 and gain the #8 seed in the East and slowly make progress each year. The Knicks could compete in the feeble Eastern Conference if the rebuilding process goes according to plan.. FAYETTEVILLE, Ga., April 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SouthCrest FinancialGroup, Inc.

(OTCBB:SCSG) reported net income of $387,000 for the quarter endedMarch 31, 2009 compared to $1,405,000 for the same quarter a year ago. On a pershare basis, results were $0.10 per share for the current quarter compared to$0.36 for the same period a year ago. All per share amounts are stated on abasic and fully diluted basis.The primary reasons for the decline in net income for the 12 month period was a$519,000 increase in the provision for loan losses, a $353,000 reduction in netinterest income, and a $623,000 increase in other expenses. The increase inother expenses includes an estimated charge of $400,000 related to the plannedtermination of a defined benefit plan assumed in the Company’s acquisition ofBank of Chickamauga in 2007.For the current year, return on average assets was 0.25% compared to 0.93% forthe same period in 2008, while the return on average equity was 2.45% for 2009compared to 7.91% in 2008. For the current year, the Company’s net interestmargin declined to 3.88% from 4.11% in 2008 due to reductions in its yield onearning assets caused by the reduced level of interest rates from a year ago.Total assets at March 31, 2009 were $629.7 million compared to $610.6 million atDecember 31, 2008 and $618.5 million at March 31, 2008. Compared to December 31,2008, loans increased $4.3 million or 1.1% to $400.5 million, while depositsincreased $26.2 million or 5.0% to $545.9 million.At March 31, 2009, the allowance for loan losses was 1.87% of loans compared to1.84% at December 31, 2008 and 1.40% at March 31, 2008.

On an annualized basis,net chargeoffs were 0.68% and 0.01% of average loans for the quarters endedMarch 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At March 31, 2009, nonperforming assetswere $15,802,000, or 2.51% of total assets, compared to $15,535,000 or 2.54% oftotal assets at December 31, 2008.In a press release dated April 6, 2009, the Company announced that it declared adividend of $0.04 per share. The dividend is to be paid on April 30, 2009 toshareholders of record as of April 16, 2009.About SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc.SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. is the parent company of four bank subsidiariesoperating a total of fourteen branch offices.