It brings to mind all the hoops a political candidate jumps through for years, then finally wins, settles into his seat and turns to his chief of staff and says, “Now what do I do?"
Provided he has full autonomy as promised from mercurial owner Jim Dolan, Walsh should be able to do enough to return the Knicks to NBA relevancy.
Again, assuming that is the case, they'll find somewhere to stash coach and outgoing president Isiah Thomas, whether it be a personnel job or if they just put him on the shelf with all the other fired Knicks coaches that get overpaid long after they've been put out to pasture.
The biggest question is how much more money is Dolan going to eat?
Does Walsh bring in Scott Skiles or Mark Jackson to coach and see if they are capable of dealing with Stephon Marbury, or does Dolan choke on that oversized deal as well? And speaking of oversized, there is the status of big boys Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph – two talents that have yet to prove capable of performing as professionals (either on or off the court) on a daily basis.
Those are the first orders of business for Walsh as he moves forward. He hired and fired Thomas with the Pacers, so this shouldn't be such a huge problem considering they have a professional relationship one way or the other.
Regardless, the Bronx-born Walsh is a great pick for the job if it is tenable for anyone. He has rebuilt Pacers teams on the fly and kept them competitive in the process. They were continuously in the playoffs and Eastern Conference contenders until the 2004 brawl against Pistons fans derailed what looked like a championship season, then Larry Bird joined him in the front office.
Now that he's on his own again, success should be inevitable because there is talent on the Knicks roster and he is a super evaluator. It just doesn't fit right now. It will take a new coach. It will take moving out the old, tired head cases that are Marbury, Curry and Quentin Richardson … among others. Dump the damaged goods and replace them with new energy.
The Knicks have been toxic since Jeff Van Gundy walked out as coach in December of 2001. Walsh can be the antidote, but it's going to take time and it won't happen tomorrow, next week, next month or even next season.
But it will happen.
What we don't know is how patient the Knicks fans and media will be until it does.
I thought Z Randolph was having a good season. After his tenure with the 'Blazers I thought he was washed up, but he is getting reb's and scoring in double digits when isiah lets him play. I don't follow the knicks very much, but I would think Thomas is a no-brainer to get the axe. He isn't even a winning coach, so I don't see what the plusses are to keeping him.
nuggjugg- You thought Randolph was washed up after his time with a Blazer? I am not a fan of him at all, but his last season as a Blazer was the best of his career. Not quite sure where you get washed up there.
So are all of you Knicks fans still enjoying the Randolph/Jones/Dickau for Francis/Frye trade? While Frye is nothing more then a solid reserve, getting Francis allowed the Blazers to cut Randolph's old contract in half. It also gave them a trade exception that allowed them to take on James Jones, and his contract from the Suns, in which the Suns gave them Europes best player, Rudy Fernandez, just to take Jones. Now with Lamarcus Aldridge taking up Randolphs old minutes, he has a good shot at most improved player.
Donnie needs to get rid of everyone, except for maybe David Lee.
The only chance the knicks have is if Walsh is able to keep Dolan at bay for a couple of years. Let the awefull contracts run out (try to trade as many of the 3 year contracts away). Start drafting smartly (I don't think they have next years 1st rounder but an `08 top five pick and a `10 top five should help).
Their cap situation should clear up (unless Dolan makes Walsh do something stupid) by 2010.
Keep the high energy players, hopefully start drafting some studs. You don't get to be a contender without at least two All Star calliber players, and they just don't have anyone who is (and its almost impossible to trade for one without destroying your future).
Whatever happens, it can't be as bad as the thomas era.
Last edited by bigmike11559 on April 2nd at 1:23 PM.
Look at the Indiana Pacers. I doubt that Walsh will change much. Hiring Walsh is like replacing a Ford Pinto with a Geo Metro. You'll have a different car but one that is still a lemon.
Don't fire Isiah, can't we keep him? The Knicks should promote him to Top Vendor, so he can sell us hotdogs and peanuts. If the Knicks fire him, he will collect his money and leave. Promote him and if he quits he DOESN'T get paid.
If you check out the Knicks on a historical level the organization has a hstory of taking other teams problem ball players who have the potential of becoming successful after the transition. Bernard King, Truck Robinson, Marvin Webster, and Sprewell are good examples. There are also some examples of that strategy completly failing like Jerome James, Stephon Marbury, and Jefferson. The gamble with used goods makes you look like a genius when it works out (KING) or an #### when it doesn't (Marbury). I also think that playing in New York and dealing with the media has really prevented a lot of players from chosing to play in New York over the years. Walsh has got a lot to overcome to build a successful franchise in New York.
This Walsh dude looks like a Frog that got stepped on by Shaq. The Knicks have fallen off so far, they look to a guy from friggin Indiana to save them?
Wasn't having a former Indiana player running #### bad enough?
WTF?
It's the BIG APPLE...not the big hayseed.
I'm glad I'm in L.A.,
What a joke, why not bring in Jerry Springer?
And bring Sprewell back too while they're at it,
I hear he has a family to feed. I'll bet you start seeing NECKCAR ads on the scorers table soon. #### in our nations biggest city...next thing you know, we'll have the village #### as president and the V.P. shooting his hunting partners.
Knick fans (myself included) should be rejoicing for the fact that Dolan finally hired someone who has a clue about basketball operations. Pretty sure this means the end of Isiah-the-Playa!
Im going to look @ this situation as all KNICK FANS should : We cant possibly do any worst than this disaster of a season.
We have pretty good talent ( Zach,Crawford, Nate,Lee and one two others ).
We can either work on team chemistry ( especially on the defendsive end ) or we can attempt 2 get rid of dead weight ? and a few of the desent players we have.
All in all it cant get worse than this year.
So at least the KNICKS are ending the season with some hope towards next season.
The Knicks haven't had any heart since Van Gundy left.
New York, back in the good old days, may not have had the best team on the court on any given night, but they found a way to win. They played with heart, actually TRIED on defense, and were a joy to watch.
From the original crew of Mason, Starks (faux-star but oh well), Oakley, Hubie, and Ewing to the new crew of Houston, Sprewell, Camby, Dudley, Childs, Ward, et al, the teams had guts.
Remember, as an 8 seed in 1998, that team got all the way to the finals, and it wasn't because of their talent.
Now, the team is just like the Yankees, overpaid, unmotivated, and lacking an ardent passion necessary for success in the sport.
You wonder why the Knicks suck and the Yankees are stale? It's because the teams don't have it anymore where it counts.
If and when someone actually plays like they care, like Jeter or (I guess) Lee, they might turn things around.
Good luck Donnie.
And I agree with BrandonAldridge, just about everyone on New York's squad should be vanquished and replaced with people who actually care about the game and want to WIN, regardless of how many points they score or dollars they earn.
Last edited by PatsAndRedSoxBlow on April 2nd at 5:17 PM.
Thomas has to go for PR reasons if nothing else. I'm sure they'll bump him upstairs to European Scouting or something insane to finish out his contract. Everyone thinks they should eat Steph's contract and I beg to differ. You can bench him if you like or banish him ala Bulls/Tim Thomas, just make sure that you keep that contract around until it's about to expire. They made that mistake buying out Shannon Anderson and Alan Houston and gave up the opportunity to trade over 34 mill in contracts the past three seasons. Walsh will get it straight. Ironically the best guy to coach this team is Larry Brown. Next best is Jeff Van Gundy. Instead we'll end up settling for Fratello, who will at least get the team playing some resemblence of basketball.
I think need to overhaul this roster but may not need to get rid of everyone. Curry, Randolph, Malbury, Richerson, Jared Jefferies, need to go. Malbury could bring you draft picks and the other players you could pickup a solid veteran and draft picks for these guys. The reality is that most teams will not give them much because of baggage that comes with these players. The only one out of the group that seems to be a good player and team player is jefferies. Walsh has a lot of work to do. I think Isiah Thomas has to go period. He is not did anything but bring drama to the table.
I say it is about time to axe Thomas and get rid of those guys who think they are players and let them clean out their locker. John Starks was in VA last week signing autographs and I ask him about the KNICKS and he look at me and laugh and I started laughing too because he knows and I know that that team is a mess with a capital MESS!
What a Joke. Even Seinfield, Saturday Nite Live, and those nightly talk show hosts are using the New York Knicks in thier jokes. Call me when they are alive or mean something again and please people don't call them New York Knicks any more because they don' deserve to be call the NEW YORK KNICKS but the just the KICKS!
I love Bollywood movie. The girls are hot and good at dance. Aishywarya, Just saw your profile on a celebrity and millionaire dating site myrichmatch..com.. have you ever posted your profile on that site?
He is a sexy black man!! WOW`
believe it or not , seems she ever appeared at one black club called " uniformedcupid.com " he is soo attractive to the girls there!!
i wish i could find such black guy some day! LOL!
Somebody, Please tell me what did Welsh win. Please look at the players Their best players don't like it there(Indy). Look at the Pacer house. When they were good who got the players? Zeke. People please don't buy this cow. Zeke has to get most of this heat. But his vision was solid. NY guard comes home to play in the Garden and lead. Learn from one of the top five point guards whoever played this game. Zeke is a real legend but he bank is hand on a non-leader in Maubry..
Kahn your problem gets worst.
Carlisle- players don't like him, young players don't grow- Pistons- Pacers. Bad bad move. Starbury- agree pay him to go far far far away. Curry Gone bye. Zeke you keep why because if we get our hands on a Point guard who respect the game Zeke can teach.Here is the move repeat here is the move bring AI to the garden. Zeke and AI will rock the garden. Zeke wants a tough guy like him AI is what is the ANSWER.
Donnie Walsh couldn't get the pacers straight, what makes anyone think hes gonna do #### for the knicks??? The Knicks can't even play ball. They don't have anyone who can shoot. Kobe bryant is the greatest nba basketball player ever!!! And the Lakers are the best team ever!!! Shaq was stupid when he left!! Didn't he get worse with every team he got traded too?? lol!!!
Who the Hell cares what "Walsh" will do!!
What the Hell did he "DO" in Indiana..??
See you Spike Lees in, oh, bout 10 years..?
That work for you, fellas??
Knicks Died when that Georgetown Fella, Patrick Erving, errr, Julius Ewing, err, Pat Riley, ??? forgot how to DDUNNKK, instead of trying to "Lay it up, softly.."..umm, yasss..
End of Finals, End of Riles, End of Ewing, End of Freaking Knickerbocker, Crackerbocker, give all dogs a bone, this old Franchise has gone on Home...See ya..
1-Move Zeke to front office give him some title like VP of basketball operations (get him away the day to day coaching of the team and don't pay him for nothing)
2-Buyout marbury
3-trade/ move- Curry, Robinson, James, Jefferies and Richardson
4- Get some defensive players that rebound and block shots!!!!!
5- Don't take on any crazy comtracts.....please
