Donnie Walsh will be at the Garden on Wednesday night, front and center for the first time in his new job since he was introduced a week ago. Don't expect a GardenVision intro with him blowing kisses to the desperate crowd, but go ahead and serenade him with a chorus or two.
Don-nie Basket-ball!
Let's mark this occassion by opening up the comment lines with this topic: If you're Donnie Walsh, what are the first five things you do in the offseason?
Here's my list:
1. Fire Isiah as coach - Very simple to do. On April 17, the day after the regular season ends, Isiah Thomas would finish out his contract in a new role labeled "Special Adviser to the President." Things I would have him advise me on would include, 1. where to get (and how to coordinate) such snappy suits, 2. finding weaknesses in opposing point guards and submitting your assessments in weekly scouting reports and 3. nothing else. I would also impose a media embargo that forbids him to be quoted during the remainder of his contract. If he is ever quoted, it would be considered a breach of contract. He is not allowed to attend home games, either. We'll call it the Marbury Rule.
2. Open a search for a GM and an assistant GM - So many options to choose from, starting with Mark Warkentien and including Billy King, Mark Jackson and others. I go with Warkentien because he's got a knack for shuffling a roster. The Knicks might not be able to dramatically improve the talent level, but you should be able to exchange a few pieces to fill some holes (point guard, defensive big man, deep threat) without further damage to the long-term cap situation. I might also try to recruit Kevin Pritchard, if I could pry him out of Portland. He knows how to set a standard of play and of character and is not afraid to make difficult decisions.
3. Once a GM is hired, open a search for a coach - I've stated on this blog before that Jeff Van Gundy would be my first target. If for anything but to test Dolan's "full autonomy" proclamation. But Van Gundy is the one coach who could step into this situation with the experience of the market, the media and the organization already under his belt. He could re-set the defense-first standard and with so few folicles left, we don't have to watch his hair fall out when he sees Eddy Curry remain flat-footed while a guard gets to the rim. Yes, some of you will bemoan the return of boring basketball. Of walk-it-up offense and games that barely get into the 90s. Just remind yourself that it was that style that consistently got this franchise into the playoffs. And no one said Van Gundy was the long-term plan. I would see if Jeff would be open to including Mark Jackson on his bench and let Jackson learn the ropes. Patrick Ewing is another person I insist gets an invite on the coaching staff.
If Jeff politely declines (and who could blame him), my next call is to Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, another defensive specialist.
4. NBA Draft - We'll likely fall somewhere in the top 5, so the pick is based on what position you're in after the lottery drawing. If you can land Derrick Rose, you take him. In this mediocre draft, he is one of the few gems. Michael Beasley is another, but my sights are set at the point guard position. You need someone for the present, but you have to also draft with an eye on the future. If you fall out of the top three and Rose and Beasley are off the board, you should then lean on your international scouts for input on Italian swingman Danilo Gallinari. He's very young (19), but is a tremendous shooter. Fills that need at the three spot. I might consider offers for a No. 5 pick to get two picks later in the first round. It also might be a good idea to try to get a second-round pick.
5. Trades, Signings, Waivers - Investigate everything and address the critical issues. You could try to shop Zach Randolph, who likely has more value because of his numbers, but will be tough to move because of his salary. Also shop Curry, whose contract is a little easier on the wallet. If I keep Randolph, I need an athletic big man who can run the floor, block shots and hit the occassional 15 footer (perhaps I draft Brook Lopez in this scenario). If Curry stays, then I go with David Lee as my starting power forward and give him the offseason to get himself ready for the role. He gets a season to prove me right or wrong. At the point, look into the likes of Kyle Lowry, T.J. Ford, etc. Is it worth attempting to offer sheet Jose Calderon with the Mid-Level? Probably not, because the Raptors will give him more than that. But it could prompt them to trade Ford, which you could jump into for a short-term solution at the point. The Raps may want Jamal Crawford for Ford, which I turn down. Then I revisit Memphis and Lowry. Only two small contracts (Fred Jones and Randolph Morris) melt off the payroll, so to open up some room on the roster -- and remove some excess -- I would convince Dolan to buy out the final two years of Jerome James' contract. If James refuses to negotiate a buyout, I would submit he has breached his contract by not showing up in adequate shape. We are playing hardball with everyone, including Curry, who must show up at training camp meeting certain established fitness levels.
That's my immediate plan of action. I know there's nothing wild, nothing flashy. But I think the days of crazy trades and taking risks are over. In my scenario, we are establishing a standard this coming season. This is not about winning a championship in one year or trying to be like the Boston Celtics. We are doing this slow and steady, one brick at a time.
OK Fixers, let me hear your plans.
Comments (30)
Not bad ideas, Al (definitely on board with Isiah as fashion consultant, and with the perpetual 'mute' setting). I wonder, though, would Van Gundy be willing to come back if the position is transparently temporary? Do you really think that little egomaniac will want to groom his successor? He'd certainly advocate a type of basketball that hasn't been played here since he left, if he did.
As for the draft, I'm not sold on either Lopez as an NBA starter--and if you're not drafting starters in the lottery, you shouldn't be drafting. Might seem crazy, but if they can't land Rose (or Beasley, but his attitude scares me)...I might go for OJ Mayo, who's turned into an excellent two-guard. A younger, bigger shooting guard who can actually play some defense and pass...since Crawford is one of the more tradeable chips the Knicks have, and getting rid of his salary would be a real relief...I'd absolutely take Mayo over either Lopez, or Hansbrough (and someone tell me why the Knicks need him when they already have Lee?)
Nice job, Alan.
Top to bottom, including Isiah as clothes horse advisor!
I am going to pass on any nit picking to try and improve on your thoughts. That said. Please email it to Donnie.
I'm cool with 1,2&5. I'll pick a couple of nits with 3 & 4:
3: I think you'd do better with Thibodeau over Van Gundy. Thibodeau's gonna want it more and why needle Dunceolan (I hate the guy as an owner but he's going to be the owner so why pick a fight this early?). I'd also check out Laimbeer. Right attitude as a player and lots of experience in the WNBA (yes, I know it ain't the same thing but Laimbeer had lots of NBA experience as a player). Finally, I also like Jax as a coach if you think he has the stones to bench the idiots even if it means losing a given game or two.
4) I'll echo Mike on Mayo. The man can play some D and if it frees up Crawford in a trade (or Nate) you might be able to find a shot blocker. I'll go you one further on trading down and would take a lower pick and a lower contract-adequate player for our 5 pick and ZBo. I know, it's a lot to give up to get out of a bad contract but ZBO is gonna kill us when Lebron/Bosh/Wade become available and regardless, the man doesn't play D. Get rid of him. Of course, if the scouts are saying 90% confidence on a franchise or near franchise player at #5 I don't make the trade but they got to be that confident.
Allan
why do you waste your time with this pipe dream of bringing in
jeff van gundy...dude its not happening...seriously let it go.
and also how come the houston rockets are playing better w/out van gundy if he is so great...you know why?his offense is awful...adelman has developed a motion offense that has utilized the rockets players much better than van gundy.
and he QUIT ON THE KNICKS MID SEASON...dolan would rather walk on hot coals than to bring van gundy back.
concentrate on coaches that actually have a chance of being picked as coach..mark jackson,Rick Carlisle,and if you want defense go with Tom Thibodeau from the celtics
OF COURSE FIRING ISIAH IS FIRST ON THE MENU...
but don't you think he should have done that first...
draft needs...a lot of luck and some more losing(the damn knicks are winning by 20 against the piston d-league)
we are probably on pace for pick 5 or 6...
i have watched alot of pac 10 b-ball and OJ Mayo has some skills.i like his size and his jump shot( i think he ws shooting 45% from 3) and can defend.
bayless from arizona has some talent and has a nice game from the outside..plus he has good size for a point guard.
these players will be available at those pick positions.
i watched alot stanford b-ball and i would not pick lopez in the top 10.he is not a superstar...now if you want to trade our picks for two middle round picks that is a good idea and i would draft lopez in the mid or later rounds.
i trade curry and keep randolph...or maybe we can trade both and start from scratch...
I AM CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT DONNIE WALSH DOES WITH ALL HIS NEW RESPONSILBILITIES...
the future of the knicks hinges on smart management!
Knicks will be 6th, not 5th. The run for Rose is over. Now we'll have to settle for another mediocre flawed player with little upside. We will win out the rest of the way. WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY? why are these wins coming now when we need losses? I love the idea of bringing Van Gundy back, but there is no way that he would agree to work under Dolan again. I think that Thibodeau or Skiles would bring the discipline that is much needed so they would both be on my list of calls as well. As per the draft, while we all ope that Derrick Rose is in the future, as we keep winning the dream seems to diminish slowly, while a PG is much needed, right now we need a solid Center as well. Curry is a no-go and even if we keep him, Morris is certainly not a sufficient backup, and JErome James lets just forget him please. So if Rose is unavailable i go for anything but a forward, because while there are some great forwards that will be lottery picks, we have an abundance of both PFs and SFs. So PG or C no exceptions!
Jeff Van Gundy has said so many stupid things on the air. Some, when challenged, he had to retract or do a tap-dance around the subject.
He may be a good coach for NYK on a short term basis to teach the basics, how to take pride in playing D and that sort of stuff. With his personality, players will tune him out by year 2 or 3. Plus what has he accomplish after taking the NYK to the Finals in that shortened season?
I would prefer his brother Stan than JVG.
* Is it true that Isiah wants to induct his buddy Adrian Dantley into the HoF?
* If Pistons and their fans are so enamored with The Septic One, then why don't they hire Znake to destroy that franchise?
WHAT THE HELL...
WHY ARE WE WINNING THESE MEANINGLESS GAMES AND F----- up OUR DRAFT POSITION.
CAN'T WE DO ANYTHING RIGHT?
screwed up night for true knicks fans. mardy hasn't hit that shot in two years of being a new york knick. not even in shoot-around.
Isiah Thomas is the enemy to any foreseeable positive Knicks future.
the only person on the face of this basketball earth with a bigger ego than isiah lord thomas is james moneybags dolan; and they're both screwing with this franchise to no end.
alan, a good blogging exercise for us fixers to work on, but all i can offer tonight, after yet another dreadful knick win, is....
.....this is life in hell.
G-R-E-A-TTTTTTT!! Win one for Isiah and screw yourselves in the draft in the process. GENIUS.
Anyone else realizing Chandler should have played big minutes all along? And in perfect Isiah fashion, he rode the bench...and yet give the minutes he's almost Zach numbers and 3x more output on both ends than Q.
I would like to see a coach who knows how to develop the young guns that we have, and will have.
Just look what McMillan has done with Frye. Last night, 38 min., 22 pts, 11 boards, 3 steals, 2 asst, and only 1 TO. And, all on a team he won't play that much on next year. Talk about trade value.
For me, the wins are good because we're seeing some hopeful signs for the future. I like what Wilson Chandler is doing and wish that he, and others, had been looked at earlier in the season.
My approach would include doing whatever it takes to get rid of Jerome James, moving beyond players like Malik Rose, (Nothing against him, but not a long-term answer) and trading for a PG, if we can't get Rose. Firing Isaiah is assumed, of course!
There needs to be zero tolerance for players who show up out of shape! I would rather swallow more bad money than allow this mentality to prevail.
Jeff Van Gundy is a great idea, but I doubt he would come. I would love to see Mark Jackson and Patrick Ewing involved on some level. Our young players need to experience true Knick tradition!
Finally, I still believe that we have some real talent. With a few pieces changed and a good coach, the playoffs are not impossible for next year.
As Warner Wolf would say, let's go to the videotape:
Last night against the Lakers:
- L. Aldridge: 43 minutes, 16 rebounds, 22 pts.
- C. Frye: 37 minutes, 11 rebounds, 22 pts.
These are the guys that Mr. Genius surrendered to obtain his handpicked untouchables.
C. Frye has been hot and cold throughout the season but LaMarcus has been putting up consistent numbers.
Ouch, that hurts.
Isiah's meeting with Walsh is today.
"Donnie, we're turning this thing around. Just look at our last two games... er.. I mean... judge me on my body of work. Like that time that one of my worst signings as a GM hit a buzzer beating three that put us in the 8th spot in the East."
Alan, I agree with most of your assessment. But I really hope they just completely cut ties with Isiah. You can't have him around anymore.
I'm worried about it, because from his quotes, he sounds like he thinks he has a real chance at being in NY next year. Oh, and all that b.s. about how building championship teams take time really makes me sick. If he really had bought into that idea, we wouldn't be stuck with his band-aid fixes (see: Marbury, Curry, Randolph) who have all failed. Take time to draft and cultivate talent and chemistry, that's fine. Take time because you make mistake after mistake, and try each season to land a big name that will fix it all, that can't fly. Enough is enough. We're not stupid.
Wish I could make tonight's game to let Donnie hear it. If you're going, make sure it's loud and clear - Fi-re Is-iah!
Hey, on the bright side, Chandler ain't looking too bad lately. Think he could become a player?
if im donnie the first thing im going to do is to give Isiah a scouting job in Iraq and Afghanistan until his contract expires.
If you are "The Don" of the Knicks than you need to seek to kill cap space and waisted seats on the bench. There is no doubt in my mind the fat and lazy Jerome James will honor a buyout. In fact Rose, Curry, James, and Steph are most likely targets for a buyouts. Which all three will except because they know we ain't in championship mode for some time and nobody wants them anyway Now, Jamal Crawford will be shopped around and his buddy Q Rich. Knicks need a consistent two guard that doesn't turn the ball over and plays defense when we are ahead in games. The Knicks will seek to trade either for a draft pick or trade 3-5 in the draft to get two first round picks. Hibbert, Lopez, Rose, Gordon, Mayo, Beasley, Augustine - one will likely be in a Knick uniform next year or maybe that Italian guy everyone talks about. Were not good in the international drafting market so maybe the "The New Don" can help us there. All in all don't expect miracles will the cap situation and no trade value on any player on the roster. Any improvement will look great. With the Knicks less is more...
Love the idea of keeping Isiah mute or he voids his contract.
Thanks for making D Rose a memory Mardy Collins. These guys can't even lose right. The draft offers very little of what we need with such a high pick other than Rose, bit I agree with others that I'd take Mayo if he is what is available. He's got better as the season went on and seems to have a pretty decent basketball iq. At least this way we could move Crawford for a PG. And Ewing Jr better be in camp if nobody drafts him. He'd be what we all thought Balkman could've been.
Love Tom Thibodeau. He is the perfect coach for this franchise at the moment. Hopefully, he'd even take the job.
Just curious about this idea:
See if Pat Riley would be interested in a Shawn Marion for Eddy Curry (and other assorted players to make it work) swap.
I love Marion's versatility and great defense and he would be a top dog with the Knicks, evidently a big deal for him.
Curry is still young and talented and if Riley can't make him into the total low force post presence he should be, no one can.
Riley and probably a lot of others around the league would've been interested in Curry after last season. He (and Thomas, for foolishly thinking that he and Randolph would work together) destroyed his trade value this season.
This franchise needs a SuperStar desperately and they ruined it by winning these last few meaningless games. I hope all you people who like these wins enjoy Derrick Rose throwing alley-oop's to Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley and Kevin Durant in the Playoffs next year while the Knicks are stuck with another David Lee at best with the 6th pick. Damaging your Draft positioning is not worth it to develope Wilson freaking Chandler. This scrub won't even be in the league in 3 years.
jared jeffries sucks
Hmmm, a supposed PG with me first passing, and a mediocre field goal percentage?
Hold the Mayo.
Hmm, draft a supposed PG, with "me first" passing, and a mediocre field goal percentage?
Hold the Mayo.
Hey Alan (and Fixer Nation),
Can someone please explain the attraction of these two guys: Jamal Crawford and Billy King.
Crawford seems like a guy who can only help you if he has the ball in his hands. And, if he has the ball in his hands a lot of the time, you're going to lose. He just not good enough to carry a team. He doesn't defend, and doesn't seem to possess any intangible factors. In that sense, he reminds of me Shareef Abdur-Rahim -- he's got some NBA skills and will put up good numbers, but he'll always be on losing teams because of the inherent limitations of his game.
Sure, some of it is bad luck: Crawford has played on the bad Bulls and the awful Knicks. But still, it can only be a coincidence for so long until you start to wonder . . .
Second, why is Billy King in the mix? He gave out more bad contracts in Philly than Zeke did in New York. His record in Philly was atrocious.
1.) Relieve Isiah from coaching for the rest of the season. Let Isiah concentrate on draft evaluation and let Herb close out the season.
If Isiah is to be replaced, Reggie Miller should be the first name on a short list that includes Larry Brown, Charlie Ward, and Alonzo Mourning. But this is a summer priority, not something urgent.
2.) Work with Isiah and Grunwald to architect a short-term (2 year strategy). If cap-space is the goal, who do you rehabilitate and who has value?
If you plan on a new GM then this becomes the top priority because draft day trades must be co-ordinated early.
3.) Reality check - What are the chances a FA signs with NY regardless of cap space? How bad is this team really and how can it be made better?
Set expectations for the summer and for chemistry and culture.
All centers and PFs must attend a big man school and have a regimented training program in the off season.
Decide where Marbury plays and for how long.
4.) Establish a trade for a future pick. Create some roster space.
5.) Draft talent. Draft smarts. Draft work ethic. No posses. No me-first head cases. No one-dimensional players. No heart-less posers. I don't care about their family, the sob story, or any other BS. Can they play and win?
Great job Allan,
I agree with Tom Thibodeau as coach, and I thnk that Danilo Gallinari would be the best catch on the draft.
It's not because I'm italian. I watch him play nearly every week, and he's not only a grat shooter, he can also rebounds and passes the ball extremely well; he's a natural number 3.
Alan its important that we do not trade one of our talented young players like David Lee, Nate or Chandler in a package to get rid of a guy like Zach randolph.
If we are going to get under the cap and remain competitive then we need to let Jamal Crawford walk next year and if Eddy curry doesn't want to opt out than James Dolan needs to pony up the money and pay him 2 years salary in one year and get him off the payroll by summer of 2010.
trade down the pick and try to get an extra pick in second round, first round, you're keeping marbury so a point is not priority - take J. Wallace out of G'town second round but in first take a shot blocking rebounding big, Wilson C. has starting three spot to lose in camp. Try moving Curry, Randolph and Nate. Release J. James. Put Q in the mix to see what is out there as well. Don't think Beasley or Rose will be as good as hype-ertised. If we can get some blocked shots and increase the defensive intensity the team has the horses to push the ball and run as well as capable shooters to pull up - Jamal C., Q and Nate if they remain. Hire Mark Jackson as coach, P. Ewing as assistant along with Walt Frazier as a special defensive tutor. Make NBA history as well as hiring C. Oakley to work on Eddy Curry if he remains. Every time he gives a Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man performance he has to go twenty minutes in a steel cage with Oakley (who must regret giving his blessings to E-City to wear his # 34)
If the knicks hire Billy King I will officially disown them and wait for the Nets to come to Brooklyn.
Kevin Pritchard is a good idea. As much as I love Van Gundy I can't sign off on him coming back. I can't imagine him fitting right with any direction we can go. I like the idea of the pistons assistant. Anyone from the detroit or san antonio staffs would be fine. I like bringing in Ewing. He belongs here. As for the draft, if we can't get Rose we should look at big men. If none seem up to par, move down get Ty Lawson, Darren Collison, or D.J. Augustin and try to pick up up either another draft pick or maybe a player. Then buy out Jerome James and either Jared Jeffries or Q-rich and trade the other as a package with Nate Robinson. I know everyone loves Nate and he's explosive on offense, but at the end of the day he's an undersized shoot first point guard who's a liability on the defensive end. He has trade value so we can get a team to take say Q-rich in the hopes that he'll actually be healthy and we should be able to get some one decent out of that. I'd shop both Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry. For Curry I'd look maybe to miami. We could help them by maybe taking smush parker off their hands and he could be a veteran backup to a young point guard we have to get either from the draft or trades. (I think T.J. would be a huge mistake. I like Lowry, I like Calderon). We can probably get some one to bite on Randolph. I mean he's a head case, but he has great numbers. Maybe the Bulls, maybe Minnesota, maybe Indiana, maybe to the Bucks for Villanueva. There are options there. I'd check out Randolph Morris and see what we really have in him and if he's some one we want to keep around and how dire the situation is at center. And finally I'd try and work out something with the Marbury situation. The best thing with that may wind up being paying him to not play. With his $20 million coming off the books we can make a real run at Lebron. In my dream world we get Rose, pick up Daquan Cook from miami, pick up Villanueva, get one of those big men coming out (Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan, Brook and/or Robin Lopez, etc.) and then pick up Lebron in 2010. That would be a championship caliber team. Trot out a lineup of Rose, Crawford, Lebron, Lee/Villanueva (the other being the sixth man), and Big Man X. Then you could have a bench of sixth man PF, Cook, Parker, Morris, Balkman, and Chandler. wow. I'd like our chances.
But that's all fantasy and not going to happen.