The Knicks Fix

The Knicks are still looking for a coach, but Larry Brown has already found himself a new team. He suddenly became affordable to the tightwad Charlotte Bobcats because LB has that $18 mil of walkaway money, courtesy of the Knicks, who, did we mention, are still looking for a coach.

Brown was on Mike Tirico's show on ESPN Radio today and expressed regret about his one-year debacle as coach of the Knicks in 2005-06.

"I thought it was so important to go to New York and help, because I thought if you did a good job in New York as a coach, you helped our sport and you helped our game and helped the NBA," he said. "And I was so disappointed in what I did."

Tirico then responded, "When you see the way the New York thing has gone, Larry, it wasn't just you."

To which Brown replied, "I was the coach and ultimately that's my responsibility. They gave me a great opportunity, it didn't work out, but I'm lucky enough to land on my feet . . . It doesn't make me feel any better that somebody else struggles."

Especially not now that Isiah Thomas is no longer in charge of the franchise. Though Brown probably won't ever get over James Dolan's decision to side with Isiah instead of him, LB won't have as much disdain for the Knicks with his old friend, Donnie Walsh, now running things.

Still I had to laugh at a quote published last week in the New York Post by Brown's agent, Joe Glass, who was asked if Larry would consider a Knicks comeback under Walsh: "We already got out of that gulag."

Brown should do well with the Bobcats, who have young talent. You would expect Michael Jordan will do whatever Brown asks, which is exactly how Brown wants it. Expect Ray Felton to hate life, but perhaps play the best if his young career once he figures it out. Being a Carolina guy might help him only a little.

Right now, with Brown, you have to argue the Bobcats are in a better situation going forward than the Knicks. We still have to see who Walsh hires as coach, what they do at the draft and, of course, what happens with the roster this summer before we make a final judgement.

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* - There were some gossip items in the tabloids today involving a party that Zach Randolph threw at The Plumm, which is a West Village hangout. Apparently Z-Bo was telling people he doesn't expect to be back with the Knicks next season. But a more interesting story involved Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley, who apparently lost his Blackberry at the place and was trying to get other guests such as Vince Carter and Mardy Collins to help him find it. Tinsley reportedly offered a G to the Plumm staff to find it.

* - Just got word from Toronto that Bryan Colangelo today said he's not making a coaching change....at this time. Does this change if Mike D'Antoni suddenly is available? Perhaps, but considering the money owed to Mitchell, I think he's relatively safe. Now if the Raps get off to a poor start next season, that's a different story. Colangelo has some other tough decisions to make this summer, including what to do with his point guard situation. He needs more scoring at the two spot and could use someone to ride shotgun in the toughness department next to Chris Bosh. This may be a total wildcard, but as I watched the Raptors in the playoffs, I kept thinking to myself that this team might be perfect for Ron Artest. He'd give them the snarl they lack, he can hit an outside shot and certainly can run. He fits their game, plus he plays the way Mitchell wants to play. Just a thought.