The end is near
With no denials about the now widely-reported Knicks interest in Donnie Walsh, it seems pretty clear James Dolan is in the exploratory stages of finding a replacement for Isiah Thomas.
I mentioned in my story today the potential of Thomas staying on as the coach under Walsh because the two have a relationship and Dolan previously has said he thinks Thomas is a good coach. I believe anything is possible, especially if you consider the amount of money Thomas' contract extension (three more years at about $18 million). But there is such a need for sweeping changes with this franchise that I can't see a logical reason to keep the main lightning rod of controversy (next to Stephon Marbury).
Logic, of course, hasn't always prevailed here. (See: March 11, 2007)
Though I would expect the Garden to involve more than one person in the search process -- we've already heard names such as Kiki Vandeweghe and Jerry Colangelo, but I wonder if there are any current GMs or assistant GMs who might make themselves available? -- the Walsh scenario isn't exactly a slam dunk (weak pun, I know) because the Indiana Pacers might very well decide to dump Larry Bird and hand the reigns back over to Walsh. He would then have to decide whether to maintain the loyalty to the Pacers franchise he has run for over two decades or move to a new challenge, at the age of 67, and rebuild the capped-out Knicks.
The Pacers would be the easier situation. They have movable players (a healthy Jermaine O'Neal is still worth plenty on the open market) and a reasonable foundation of talent. In New York, anyone who takes over will have his work cut out for him.
Whomever it is, however, the bottom line is it appears change is finally on the way.
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Comments (12)
In Knick land, until it is, it ain't. I really hope the Knicks hire Colangelo.
It's over......once again it seems to be Dolan's call to Tank.
Change is coming but don't be surprised if the coach is from the NCAA ranks! It won't be your run of the mill name Kiki, Colanglo,
Skiles or any of the ad nauseum rehash out there. Don't be surpised to see the names Pitino or Calapari mentioned in that position! Both have pro head coach experience! Don't be surprised
if you see a three way trade between the Heat, Lakers and Knicks, involving Curry, Marbury, Bynum, Balkman, Ariza, and Draft picks!!!! And last but not least don't be surprised if Thomas remains GM......hate all you want but Dolan isn't fireing him!
Can someone tell me what Walsh has done? The Pacer stink! And haven't won a championship in the last two decades under Walsh. So what's the big deal? What's up with Colangelo or west? Or someone under Popavich's staff.
If Dolan gets rid of Isiah 18M he also has to get rid of the whole coaching staff which will be very costly. Maybe he should move Hanner up to head coach (But Herb & Mcguire have to go as well). We need someone that can deal with people and not make enemies.
* Znake's coffin is being prepared with a golden parachute of $ 18 to $ 24.0 mil.
* Dr. Evil cannot and must not stay at any capacity. He will just put his back-stabbing ways to practice. We've seen it and we all know it;
* I hope that Jimmy D. is "FIREING" Zneaky soon. Stop the bleeding, get it over with, and get fresh & competent people in here. Time for a real Coach & a real GM to run this team;
* I can see that our Spelling Bee Chump is still wishful that Jimmy D. will make the Septic One stick around by not "FIREING" him. Wow, an idiot supporting another idiot. I guess it takes one to know (or support) one.
Alan,
What's the correct figure in terms of Idiot Thomas' contract balance?
Again I say, if sweeping changes are made, we need to go fairly young.
A President in his 50s. A GM with experience in his 40s. A coach that is the same. Set the administration up for long-term thinking. Donnie Walsh is good, but he's 67. That's a quick fix. He'll be around for three, four years, and split, with a huge bundle of dough to leave his kids and grandkids.
That isn't what we need.
maybe the theme song for the final four weeks should be "The End" by the Doors.
Alan, the good news is that Dolan clearly is watching and listening. I'm not sure if your readers saw this, but on ESPN radio, David Stern said there will be monumental changes with the Knick franchise this off-season and he considers those to be positive changes.
So clearly, the franchise killer -- Isiah Thomas is going to be gone.
And my sense is that the Knicks are going to hire an experienced pro -- Donnie W, Colangelo, West, someone with a successful background who is experienced and well thought of in the league.
Keep in mind too, that the Knicks have assets also:
--massive expiring contracts with Marbury and Rose.
--some quality young talent in Lee, Robinson, Chandler, Crawford (?)
--a draft pick that will be anyone from 1 t 7
--an owner that will spend what's necessary
Smart management and coaching can turn this ship around!
And now, the end is near and so I face the final curtain
F. Sinatra
You sound wistful, Fan. Instead, it's more like the end of the Muppet Show, where Zoot hits the wrong note as the theme comes to a finish.
Here's a prank call to Mak's delivery place ( you all know he's a delivery boy and answers the phone for the Dinner) Check it, poor Mak, http://www.funnyjunk.com/movies/794/Dirty+Turban/
We all need a good laugh!
DO NOT HIRE THAT PUNK SCOTT SKILES. HE IS A BULLY WHO FAILED WITH THE BULLS AND PLAYERS HATE HIM. AFTER ISIAH AND LARRY WE NEED A CALM VOICE. OR VAN GUNDY WOULD BE FINE ALSO
I'm curious to see how the Knicks will handle this rebuilding after Thomas leaves or gets fired. How many players will demand trades to other teams and how many will want to stay through the hard times to find a new identity in the NBA. Ugly divorces like stephs departure will ensue. I don't think we will see another large contract signing like Marbury in years and thats a good thing. We need to build that hunger in the players. Isiah problem will travel with where ever he goes. And I have feeling that will be some part of the Pistons (to their demise). Oh well!!!