Among a dozen email messages I received this morning was a simple five-word heads-up from the Knicks: "Schedule change: No practice today."
As of last night after the game, and in the midst of the Donnie Walsh report, the team had planned to practice this morning at 11 a.m. at the MSG Training Facility. No explanation was given as to why practice was suddenly cancelled -- it's not like Isiah Thomas works this team hard anyway -- but you can guess that the rampant speculation and reports about Walsh's imminent deal with the Knicks while Isiah Thomas still has a job might have something to do with it.
(Yes, thank you Captain Obvious!)
The Knicks aren't saying anything more and so far there are no announcements planned for today. Of course this was the same situation as in Indiana on Monday, when suddenly the Pacers announced a "major press conference" in the afternoon.
The Daily News in its final editions today sourced a Pacers official that confirmed the ESPN report, which said Walsh has agreed to take over the Knicks after the season.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Knicks actually did practice but told the media practice had been cancelled just to keep us away. Obviously the only topic of discussion would be about Walsh and Thomas' future and he's getting tired of answering these questions.
You wonder where Isiah's breaking point is with this stuff. He's played it very cool throughout and he gives off a vibe that he knows more than he's letting on. Does he?
The Knicks play again Wednesday against the Miami Heat at MSG before embarking on a five-game road trip that zig-zags the map (Toronto, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Memphis and New Orleans).
Hmmm...a road trip. A good time to install an interim coach (Herb Williams, ready for round three?).
Keep checking here. My phone is open as I munch down on some Honey Nut Cheerios.
Comments (10)
Alan - Great hustle, thanks for the scoops - this is what you had hoped for back when this all Fixer business started - a new kind of news.
But, why don't I feel any better?
Maybe the little imp will be gone, but the Great Satan remains, and three years is just the kind of half-a$$ed, partial measures that smack of the Dear Leader's control.
Well, something is better than nothing, or, at the end of three years the Knicks will have been relegated to the Urban Professional's League by the NBA due to gross negligence. Is there a "Moral Turpitude" clause in the League by-law
Remember this.........
Roberto Duran (hand of stone) was being interviewed. Answering mostly in Spanish and broken English. Translator was busy translating.
Don King walked by, all smiles and shook Duran's hand. Duran smiled back and said:
"Give me money!"
"Give me money!"
Somehow this reminds me of Znake ThomASS.
"You can strip me of my dignity."
"You gonna have to kill me."
"But give me my money!"
There is much speculation as to whether Thomas retains his job as coach. Obviously that would be a disaster, because he has proven himself to be a poor coach, not respected by his players, the fans or his players. If Dolan has decided to hire Walsh, just because he can "work with Isiah," then the man is making another huge mistake.
If Thomas is fired/or moved into a scouting role, then the stank air of the Garden, will finally be cleared.
Btw, the season ticket holders who are considering releasing their seats if Thomas is back, will stick to that mantra even if Thomas is only back as coach.
Let's hold on a sec, guys. Well, at least, let's indulge ourselves only halfway. Say Donnie's coming here, and Isiah will really be gone (oh, please, please!). Dolan's done lots of dumb things, but isn't one of the biggest issues with the Isiah era that, he's had the freedom to make so many awful signings and trades?
In other words, a competent basketball man like Walsh, might actually have a fair amount of freedom (and more with time, I would expect, as the Knicks crawl out from the rock Thomas has pushed them under). I'm a little more optimistic about Jimmy with a good basketball man. The biggest problem these last four years has been Dolan's little-girl-next-to-the-rock-star syndrome.
I still get a kick out of that photo, when Isiah was first introduced as prez, where he and Mills are flanking Dolan, all three holding a basketball. Dolan's laughing his arse off, the guy who thought he was in charge but who was really so intimidated that he needed to stammer and bluster even for a photo op.
ya done good, alan..
I find it doubtful that Isiah would stay on board if he knows he is being demoted. He is not one for self-humiliation. The city and fans could suffer be he is always ok. I think Dolan has to make statement or Isiah will blow the steam out and break his gag order. The cold war is definitely on between Dolan and Thomas.
Alan - Nice job staying on this story for us.
Any chance that they brought Walsh on, leaked the story purposefully to ESPN, just to make Isiah squirm?
What worries me is the money owed to Isiah, and the fact that Dolan might keep him on just so that he earns it.
What's promising to me is that there's no way that Walsh - if he's as good a basketball mind as I'm hearing - would advise Dolan to keep Thomas on. Dolan must be hearing it from all sides - and from Stern. And even if he still had faith in Thomas, he's gotta know that Isiah has lost his players.
This is driving me crazy. I just wish they'd can him already and put all of our minds at ease. Thomas is back next season in any capacity, I'm cancelling my season tickets. I hope everyone else does the same.
"It wouldn't surprise me if the Knicks actually did practice but told the media practice had been cancelled just to keep us away."
Then hop in your car and drive out to the practice site to find out. Get off your butt and work for it. Do some digging instead of hanging wallpaper for the Missus.
Digging and checking things out first-hand, that's what an average hockey writer would do.
Alan- I agree with your scepticism on the whole situation, especially since it seemed to be spurred by an impromptu press conference, but I'm surprised you haven't done more to raise the question of whether or not Donnie Walsh was the right choice (assuming this deal gets done). I understand that he's a native New Yorker and he's 'fulfilling a dream', but let's take into account the last two natives who came to new york for their 'dream jobs' and not forget their tenures. Is this not a bit hasty (not that Dolan has ever been one to practice prudence)? Shouldn't The Logo, Kiki, Colangelo, and a host of others at least have been contacted? Don't you think that if you polled Knicks fan, Colangelo would be the overwhelming favorite? Not that it matters, I'm just surprised that most of the reportage has concerned whether or not the deal has been completed, not whether or not it is the right deal to begin with. Is bringing in a 66 year old really the most sagacious first step in what is certain to be a long and greuling rebuilding process?
Why Donnie Walsh?