New York Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson denied a report that he and the team have begun discussions on removing his interim tag and hiring him for next season.
"That's not true, not at all," he said after practice on Tuesday.
The New York Daily News reported on Tuesday that Woodson and the team have had preliminary discussion to do just that.
When asked on Tuesday if he was denying that conversations between either him or his representatives and the Knicks had taken place, Woodson said "Absolutely ... we have not."
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Woodson replaced Mike D'Antoni March 15 and led the Knicks to an 18-6 finish to the regular season. The team is down 3-1 to the Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
While the Daily News reported that Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan met with Woodson for 45 minutes Sunday before the Knicks' Game 4 victory, the coach denied that a conversation had taken place.
"Not at all, not at all, no I have not," he said.
Woodson, 53, was asked Monday if he believed winning Game 4 helped his candidacy for the Knicks' job.
"It's not about Mike Woodson and my contract and where I go from here," Woodson said, according to the Daily News.
In April, Carmelo Anthony gave Woodson a ringing endorsement.
"I'm a big supporter of what Coach Woodson has done," he told ESPN's Hannah Storm. "His approach to the game, and what he gets out of all his players, even me. He holds everybody accountable and that's what we need."
He reiterated that on Tuesday.
Among the names mentioned for the Knicks' job is former Knicks player and Bulls and Lakers coach Phil Jackson. But there is no indication the 66-year-old would come out of retirement.
Woodson coached the Hawks for six seasons from 2004 to 2010, taking Atlanta to the playoffs three times.
Ian Begley is a regular contributor for ESPNNewYork.com.
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