A call to Donnie Walsh's phone was met with a grumbling, "Hello?"
After identifying himself, the questioner asked, quite plainly: "There was a report that you're meeting Mark Jackson today at the Garden...."
"I'm not talking today," Walsh abruptly replied. "I'm not at the Garden. I didn't meet anyone at the Garden. So the report was wrong."
OK, so where are you?
"I'm in the bathroom!"
Oopsie.
With that he hung up and, once he was finished in the loo, of course, probably wrote himself a memo:
1. New media policy excludes access in the john.
So, depending on what report you have read (and are willing to trust) Jackson either met with Walsh yesterday somewhere other than the Garden, or traveled to Phoenix to meet with him or maybe will meet with him next week.
Walsh made it a point yesterday to tell his PR staff to tell us reporters that he is not giving daily updates. He is a New Yorker, but he's never experienced anything like this in Indiana, where he dealt with one beat writer on a daily basis, not seven that cover the team here in New York. During the conference call on Tuesday he was asked if he would divulge when and where he planned to meet with Jackson.
"No," Walsh replied, "because then you’ll be peeking through the windows."
He chuckled, but only a little.
But Donnie's right, at times like these we're tip-toeing the line between reporter and paparazzo.
* *
So we'll continue to scramble to find out when and where DW and Jax met, will meet or are meeting, and try to compile the names of those who are on the current short list (while also tossing out every other possible name, even those who are currently coaching other teams).
- Avery Johnson still has a job, but everyone knows his on the hot seat in Dallas. Wouldn't surprise me if his people are already putting feelers out to teams looking for coaches, just to gauge interest.
- George Karl is an obvious one because he and Walsh have Carolina bloodlines and Karl has always talked romantically about New York and the Garden.
- Sam Mitchell, too, has the link to Donnie Walsh via the Pacers.
But Walsh hasn't reached that point yet. Obviously the longer this process goes, the less Jackson's chances are. Walsh wants Jackson to impress him and prove his instincts correct. Who knows when Walsh will get the chance to meet with Tom Thibodeau, even if the Celtics have a break between the first and second rounds. Doc Rivers publicly said he'd allow his assistants to interview for jobs during the playoffs, but if Walsh allows, I'm sure Thibodeau would prefer it not to happen until after the Celtics are finished.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel wrote a story about Stan Van Gundy talking about Patrick Ewing as a coaching candidate.
"This amazes me," SVG said. "All these names out there and they're not talking about him . . . I'm bewildered that one of the absolute greats in the New York Knicks' organization. . . . and they're not talking about him at all."
It should be noted that Walsh has not sought permission to speak with any potential candidate who is working for another team. That does not mean Ewing is on his list of people to call, but you can assume that if Walsh is aware of Ewing's interest in the job, he would extend him an interview. In the Sentinel's story, Magic GM Otis Smith said the Knicks (nor any other team) would need permission to speak with any of its coaches.
This process is only going to come to a quick result if Mark Jackson blows away Walsh in that interview that either took place yesterday, today or sometime soon.
With that said, I have my calls to make today. After I go to the bathroom....
Comments (18)
I would have had each one of you picked off by sniper fire as soon as Dolan said "You're hired".
7 beat writers for one of the worst team's in the league?
No wonder we're all so depressed.
THE MEDIA SHOULD JUST LET WALSH DO HIS JOB!
he will announce to the world when he decides to hire a coach.
i like the fact that he is taking his time and not rushing to a quick decision.
whomever he chooses at least you will know it would have been well thougth out.
7 beat writers for this 20-something win team is a little crazy.
you guys can go crazy when it is draft time and we find out our position.
WHERE WE END UP IN THE DRAFT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHO WE HIRE AS COACH.
With Tom Thibodeau's background, experience, and qualification, it'll be a travesty if DWalsh does not interview this guy.
On paper, he is more qualified than all the clowns (names) being thrown around.
Big MAK
@BARF, NYC: I don't disagree, it can be a pathetic existence and I think it gets ridiculous sometimes. But because one guy takes a wild guess in his paper and says Donnie is meeting Jax, our editors get anxious and we're forced to follow-up. Yes, it's all knee-jerk, emphasis on jerk, for the guy who just throws stuff against the wall and calls it "reporting."
But, on the other hand, Donnie can't (and doesn't) expect we will sit and wait for him to announce his hire.
As for the 7 beat writers, keep in mind there are 7 newspapers that cover the team. Not all of them travel anymore, but they still cover the news.
To back Alan - We're all here looking for the latest, right? We're fueling it just by being here. Alan's just doing his job. And I think it's great that there are so many writers covering the team. You get a lot of different perspectives...
Wait a minute – it’s a reporter’s job to try to get the story, and to try to get the story first. One of the biggest stories in the NBA at the moment is who will coach the Knicks. I’d fire any beat writer who wasn’t trying to get that story. And like Alan sez, big city, lots’a papers. You read the ones you like. You should be grateful for so many options. Let’s face it, there are some real duds out there.
But . . . I’m thrilled this process is getting drawn out. Maybe, Walsh is prepared to put more thought into who he’ll hire, than Dolan put into hiring Walsh. It’s called doing his homework, and I’m glad Walsh is doing it.
Willis – thanks, but I don’t think I’ll be walking down any dark alleys in Cleveland in the near future.
Funny...Walsh sitting on the can getting calls from reporters. ha!
When I was covering a non-pro sports beat, I was on deadline and had to file a story by 4 p.m...but, I had the story done, but missing a couple of comments. Ran to the can, got a call from a coach who was calling me back, and turns out, he was on the can too.
So for years we laughed at that (and he was amazed I got the quote right, seeing as how I had nothing to write on).
Of course, on Walsh's list he wrote after Alan's call, might have been:
0.5 Don't answer cell phone WHILE ON THE CAN!
It takes a special personality type to be a Head Coach. Maybe Tom Terrific is a specialty coach. What do we know about his personality? He was on the Knicks for how long? Didn't any of the beat writers know him enough to be able to tell if he was Head Coach material? None of you guys have said anything about him. (Alan, you're exempt as you weren't on the beat then.)
@Alan - We can't fault you (or the other beat writers) for doing your job, but I wonder if the constant barrage of the New York media can aversely effect the team. When does dealing with 7 beat reporters plus other sports media personalities start cutting into the time Walsh would otherwise be spending on conducting his coaching search, for example? This does, of course, go with the territory of being the Knicks' prez, but as a fan, I wonder if my insatiable appetite for the latest Knicks news is hurting my team. Thoughts?
@godat
i agree with your point about Tommy T...
just because an asst coach is a good x and o's guy does not mean they will be a good coach.
what makes up a good coach is part strategy and part inspiration.
remember how hard the knicks played before Isiah got his extension?
they a won a couple of games on pure effort.
a coach has to teach but it is also important to inspire!
@pablo
i agree with your point.
that was the reason i wanted the press to chill with walsh.
i don't want him to make a knee jerk reaction to please the press and the fans.
LET WALSH TAKE HIS TIME!
Has anyone thought....just maybe...NO ONE except Herb,
wants the job??? Mullins and Kiki have both said "thanks but no thanks!" Chaney won COY with another team, Wilkins and Brown are both HOF coaches......maybe other GOOD coaches
are not going to risk there Rep's here in NY...when you can't take a Shyt without the NY Media wanting to know the stool texture!
all i can say about new york knicks is that,this is very team and then it is also strong team since 1980s.
that is why we like this team..^^
_______________________________
rjayred
New York-based immigration attorneys announce the launch of a U.S. immigration law resource
website; assists aliens in becoming green card holders and U.S. citizens and fights deportation.
New York-based Immigration Lawyers Law Offices of
Marina Shepelsky, P.C. (www.eusvisa.com) is pleased to announce the launch of its U.S. Immigration
Law resource website www.e-us-visa.com. This revolutionary website will offer U.S. Immigration Law
articles, useful attorney advice, forms for various immigration needs, “How To” advisories, the latest
news by U.S.C.I.S. and comments by immigration lawyers, case studies, testimonials, practical advice,
user-friendly site navigation and much much more.
The main focus of www.e-us-visa.com is to provide users with educational information about the U.S.
immigration system and help aliens accomplish their dream of becoming U.S. residents.
Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C. offers services for immigrants across the United States' legal
matters such as immigration court representation, asylum, deportation defense, green card petitions
through family members, adjustment of status, abused spouse petitions, family and employment-based
immigration, fiancee K-1 visas, spousal K-3 visas, H-1B visas, extraordinary ability visas, and motions
and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C. are experts in working with USCIS centers, Immigration Courts,
and U.S. Consulates worldwide.
At Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C., all cases are handled by knowledgeable experienced
immigration attorneys dedicated to the exclusive practice of immigration law. Each client is treated with
careful individualized attention and respect.
www.e-us-visa.com attorneys believe that immigration clients deserve professional, respectful treatment
and apply their up-to-date experience and knowledge of the myraid of immigration laws and related
caselaw to each case.
No case is too small for Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C. and each case deserves attention and
careful consideration. www.e-us-visa attorneys and staff take the time to develop a strategy for success in
every case and explain this strategy in detail to the clients, so the firm and the client work as a team.
www.e-us-visa.com attorneys create a step-by-step plan for each case and make sure each client
understands both the “big picture” and the minute details.
Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C. is a multi-lingual firm. For the clients' convenience, Law Offices
of Marina Shepelsky, P.C. and www.e-us-visa.com attorneys and staff speak Russian, Ukrainian, Polish,
Moldavian, and Romanian languages.
Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C. and www.e-us-visa.com proudly serve immigration clients in all
states across the U.S. and abroad.
www.e-us-visa.com welcomes calls and emails from all over the world and serves immigration law needs
for clients of every background. http://www.e-us-visa.com
a retread like george karl would depress me. it will be a while before the knicks have the talent denver has and couldn't win with.
The Dolan family announced plans late Friday to rename all bathrooms, otherwise known as lavatories, in Madison Square Garden.
Henceforth, the Dolans have directed the media to refer to all bathrooms and lavatories in the Garden as Isiahs.
Crap in. Crap out. The Isiah.
Meanwhile, at knicksdefense, Peaceman, headmistress of the Possette Nation, has declared that he/she/it will no longer use the Isiahs at the Garden. Instead, Peaceman and the rest of the Possette Nation have announced plans to ascend to their usual perch in the rafters during Knicks games and, when the inevitable need arises, begin hopping up and down on one foot while grimacing and praying to the Porcelain Gods, and the NBA Referees Association, for a quick, expeditious ending to yet another Zeke-laden New York defeat.
the more important questions are:
did Walsh take a leak?
was he crapping when the phone rang?
or was he doing # 1 and # 2 respectively at The Isiah?
does Walsh have a private John? or was it a public John?
with 7 beat writers, at least one of them ought to know these vital information.
This is like one of those Coors Lite commercials, where the guy rewinds past all sorts of alarming stuff to ask the one pertinent question from a speaker.
So, rewinding past all the detritus-intended-as humor. Mark. You think Peaceman still posts at Knicksdefense? Dude, you are pretty out of touch.
***
(My apologies to the rest of the community for feeding the troll. I couldn't resist. Won't happen again.)
Mikey,
I'm fully aware that Peaceman now posts from Sing Sing following his latest conviction. I just didn't want his Possette Nation followers to feel left out.
Back you go to your work on the Stephon Marbury for the NBA Hall of Fame pamphlet. Written in crayon. On wax paper. Obtained from a Coney Island cheap pizza joint. In between work gigs on the corner.
Be sure NOT to say hello to Peaceman when you see him on the next visiting day.