Pardon my skepticism
Pardon my skepticism, but doesn't it seem a little strange that so much background information is being offered about Donnie Walsh's situation?
In a matter of days, we've been able to report that Walsh has, in fact, had "very preliminary" talks with the Knicks and that Walsh is also involved in possibly staying with the Pacers and that other suitors (Milwaukee) have also reached out. Suddenly a man who a few years ago was thought to be headed toward retirement is the hottest commodity in the NBA, not that I'm saying Walsh isn't a viable candidate. He would bring instant credibility and respect to a franchise that desperately needs it. Walsh would be a commendable hire, but only if he is selected after an extensive search. You would hope the Garden would put a great deal of time and effort into finding a replacement for Thomas. They obviously should have put more time into hiring Thomas.
Hey, our job is to report and that's what we (myself and other writers on the beat) have done with this. But when I step back a second, it's hard not to notice that so much information is coming out in waves. I know I often say where there's smoke, there's fire. But it could also be a smokescreen.
You would think if things were really "hot" between the Garden and Walsh, information would be very difficult to come by. Our job is to report, so that's what we do. But there's this part of me that just can't help but wonder why the Milwaukee Bucks interest in Walsh have any real impact on the Knicks? Does anyone think that if Walsh had a choice between the Knicks and Bucks he would choose Milwaukee?
If you know how Jim Dolan works, media negotating is something he loathes. Look at how fast things quieted down about Kiki Vandeweghe.
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The focus has come off the players with 15 games to go. It'll be all about Isiah Thomas and whomever the Garden chooses to be his successor.
Though most of the players can see a difference in Thomas and, as one vet told us the other day, he's no longer trying to win games, David Lee said Thomas hasn't said anything to the players about his situation.
"No we haven't talked about that, he just talked about finishing the season off right," Lee said. "I've had people call me yesterday, 'Hey you know so-and-so I heard's going to be the next . . . (pauses) . . . "After the trade deadline rumors and everything going on, I kind of I think it's something to teach me again that you can never -- sorry guys -- you can never believe what you read in the papers. Sometimes and you've just gotta kind of let things play out. So that's what I'm going to do and I'm just going to keep working hard."
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Draft Picks Moving?
from Hoopsworld's Maxey:
"When the NBA Draft rolls around, you can always count on Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard to keep things interesting and this year will likely be no different.
Pritchard – who has orchestrated nine trades over the past two drafts – is sitting on four draft picks to date heading into June's draft. Portland has one pick early in the first round (currently fluctuating between 12 and 14) and three selections scattered in the second round (33, 34 and 54 overall picks).
And although Pritchard's sprinkled the Blazers with the fountain of youth from Greg Oden to Brandon Roy to LaMarcus Aldridge in the past, this year youth may not be served in Portland.
Instead, Pritchard may look to move the picks.
"To add four players probably isn't realistic unless a major trade is made. And I'm not so sure getting younger is at the top of our list," Pritchard told HOOPSWORLD recently.
"We look at picks as liquid assets. But since they are liquid, they are very movable. They can be traded; you can take a couple picks and move up or move down. What I look at is it gives me the flexibility to do a lot of things.
"We probably won't add four players, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility."
What about Seattle? How long can they stand a veteran witness (Watson, $6,500,000 for two years) to their tank and shank job (tank for the lottery, the shank goes in the back of the Seattle fans). Rose and James are even shorter $7,647,000 and $6,200,000 respectively and next season is the last season for both, what about Watson? Plays D, passes the ball, by all accounts a good citizen. We could use a steady hand who can work with a coach while we rebuild (again). What Parcells called "a hold the fort" guy.
Grab another pick from Portland and a two year loner on Watson? Now who's our GM again?
Smoke? Fire? How often has this organization been used as leverage for personnel to up their value just to sign with other clubs?
I just consider it good news that Dolan has decided to fire Thomas. Walsh would be a great choice, and I am not sure this is so sudden. It is possible that the two sides have been talking for a couple of months.
Remember back at the all-star game, David Stern said he is optimistic for the Knicks next year, and he restated that this week. Perhaps he has been involved in the discussions?
It would be great if they fired Isiah right away just to bring some optimism back to Knick fans.
I'm most worried by the idea that Dolan wants Walsh because he gets along with Isiah, and will be hired to mentor him. That would be a horrifying situation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW4G9rp9OIA&NR=1
Look at this video...so sad..I feel his pain.
At the rate things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if The Vermin ask and recommend that his friend, buddy, pal, and idol ISIAH LEGGETT becomes the GM/Pres. of the NYK.
Stop the bleeding and place Mr. excellent eye for talent in front of the "fireing" squad already.
Znake Thomas OUT.
Time for renaissance in NYC.
"Smoke? Fire? How often has this organization been used as leverage for personnel to up their value just to sign with other clubs?"
Milos Vujanic (europe)
Kobe Bryant
Phil Jackson
In recent memory. You can probably add LeBron's name to the list in a few years unless Isiah gets fired and someone with credibility is brought in soon.
JeyKFan4life: I'm sending that clip around, perfect comment.
"(sob) they never win"
If Isiah is in tank mode and his players have been there since the Marbury fiasco then why all the smoke. If camp Cablevision wants to go in another direction they should just proclaim that Isiah will be replaced at years end. Why defend him? All he has done is help us get worse. At this point he wants to keep the remaining 18 million and he goes off in the sunset. I don't think they have to owe him anything after the turmoil he put this city through. Jim Dolan is not true to his words and can't be trusted like all of camp Cablevision. If they want credibility back they need to hire the right PR people. But, to defend Isiah - a guy who has tanked this team to the ocean floor in the NBA deserves nothing but a guarantee that he won't be back.
Alan – those points are well taken. You would think that any intelligently-run organization would do their due diligence and make a comprehensive search for Isiah’s replacement.
The problem is, there isn’t anybody currently employed at MSG qualified to manage that process. Again, look what happened last time. (Thanks a lot, Magic.)
So, yes – obviously it can only be good news that Isiah is most likely on his way out of New York. But let’s not forget who’s in charge of this franchise. When you look at how decisions get made in that organization, it’s frightening to think what the job-search process might be like. Would a genuinely qualified candidate put up with Dolan? Some won’t, certainly. Is Dolan smart enough to hire the right person, then give him the autonomy he’ll need? I doubt it.
Trane, that's why many have speculated that David Stern is assisting in the selection process, behind closed doors.
@Alan
i think the reason you are getting so much info about the donnie walsh situtation is because the pacers are not under the same media
black out situation that plagues the knicks....
i was reading this about donnie walsh almost three weeks ago because they begun to speculate whether he and bird would return.
once the info about dolan's private plane trips to indiana became public it was a full fledged media circus