Mike D’Antoni never stood a chance once Donnie Walsh left Madison Square Garden last June as a paid consultant under an unofficial gag order. Coach D’Antoni was tied to President Walsh in a rare demonstration of teamwork and civility within the Knicks’ front office. But once the big man, James L. Dolan, undermined the no-nonsense Walsh last season, the renaissance was destined to give way to another Knicks era of confrontation and chaos.

D’Antoni’s announced resignation Wednesday was no more than a formality, a good man cutting his losses after a brief but short-lived romance with Linsanity.