Goodbye, Donnie Walsh.
by Seth on Jun 3, 2011 4:10 PM EDT
in News
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PrintGood afternoon, friends. It's been a long day away from the computer for me, and there's a strange relief in finally being able to sit down with my laptop after hours of frantic Twitter refreshing from afar. So, Donnie Walsh is no longer the president of our Knicks. He and James Dolan could not come to terms on a contract extension, so Walsh stepped down into a consultant's role, leaving Glen Grunwald as the interim boss. These are the facts. After the jump, let's try to make sense of this together.
- First of all, to Donnie Walsh: Thanks, bro. Thanks for building the Knicks back into a winning team. Thanks for restoring, at least for a moment, a bit of dignity to the front office. Thanks for conducting all facets of your job (well, at least the ones we could see) with the utmost class. You are excellent, and many of us loved you and will miss you as the man in charge. Once you're done consulting or whatever, have a happy, healthy time doing something else. If ever our paths cross, I would like to give you a hug. That is all.
- Now, while I was writhing and gnawing at my cheek on the train, Walsh gave a press conference explaining the whole ordeal. The excellent homies at Knickerblogger were on the call, and transcribed most of the important things he said. Howard Beck and Alan Hahn can help you out there, too. Basically, he insisted that the main difference between he and Dolan regarded the preferred length of Walsh's contract. Walsh wanted one year, Dolan wanted more. Walsh painted himself as aging, tired, and not ready to commit to multiple years. Okay.
- Walsh obviously didn't eviscerate James Dolan the way many Knicks fans and writers around the internet have done all afternoon. He's always been one to take the high road, even if it meant talking around some of the well-known foibles of his employer. In a way, he's been lying to us this whole time, which is something Will Leitch tackled with aplomb in this article.
- Frank Isola, warrior of truth that he is, recently shared a whole bunch of items that "the Daily News has learned" since the announcement. Among them: 1. Dolan's contract offer to Walsh included a massive pay cut. 2. Walsh submitted a list of preferred GM replacements to Dolan. 3. Said list apparently includes Mark Jackson and Bryan Colangelo, but not Chris Mullin. Okay.
- Slowing down for a second, Walsh, it seems, will still play a major role alongside Grunwald in this month's draft. After that, there are plenty of candidates in house already. Allan Houston is the young blood in the front office, and he's always been spoken of as Walsh's apprentice. Mark Warkentien's name has come up a bunch, and guys like John "Peter" Gabriel and Misho Ostarcevic are probably GM material as well. Basically, it's possible that the "search" for a replacement doesn't venture that far.
- Then again, names are going to fly. Isola went ahead and listed two of the more nauseating prospects, while Alan Hahn threw the names of Kevin Pritchard, Ed Stefanski, and Jeff Bower into the mix. This is New York. Until a new guy is inked, we'll hear every name under the sun mentioned. Doesn't matter if they're already employed.
- The biggest, scariest name in all of this, of course, is that of Isiah Thomas. I'd like to believe that David Stern or God or somebody will prevent Isiah from returning as GM, and I don't think it's likely. Still, he never really disappears, which is what we'd all love for him to do. In general, this move opens the door for all the conspiracy theories to rush back into the Knicks discussion. The Isiah stuff, the CAA stuff, the stuff about Dolan feasting on the souls of infant refugees... It's all kind of hard to dismiss at the moment.
- What this means for Mike D'Antoni is anybody's guess.
- This, I think, sums it all up. If Donnie was just fed up with the Knicks, I really can't blame him.
So, there it is. Personally, I thought Walsh was a very solid president and am sad to see him go. The uncertainty about his replacement and the future of the organization worries me. Anger doesn't factor into it, though. Not for me. If all the silly shit that goes on with the Knicks made me angry, I'd have given up my fandom a long time ago. I just accept it as part of the lifestyle at this point.
Again, best wishes to Walsh. We'll update as more stuff emerges (including workout stuff! There were workouts today, guys!). It's been a weird day to be a Knicks fan, but as always, we're in this together. SOLIDARITY. Let's all go outside and enjoy the weather!
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Isola has had his panties in a bunch all of a sudden this season.
Life is a rat race. You work you ass off because you have no choice, save all your money, only to die later. It's the story of everyone's life.
Honestly, I don't really care who gets elected or not. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point. The best band ever is HollywoodUndead
very true. I wonder if he got on Dolan’s shit list for something and his access to the team was reduced. He never hated the Knicks this much until this season.
Buster Posey: Let's enjoy him before he goes to the Yankees because he wants to win the World Series. Wait, what???
Wow even more?
I haven’t been reading his screeds, but they’ve always been bad. I can’t imagine them being any more biased or unprofessional.
by superturboultra on Jun 3, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Said list apparently includesMark Jacksonand Bryan Colangelo, but not Chris Mullin. Okay.
I hope not.
And I’m going bowling
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
and yea, goodbye Donnie
you cleaned up this pile of shit for a time. But as with everything else….eventually, another shit has to be taken.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
you've always been so poetic free
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I will not - lose! -Jay Z-
Hopefully Dolan will watch a game with him next to JVG
and notice the gap in basketball knowledge on display.
wth?
the dude is third all-time in assists. I don’t think that’s particularly possible to achieve without having elite basketball knowledge.
in game but that don't translate to the ability to teach look at pat ewing.
Victory goes to the courageous!!
good job donnie we will miss you
hopefully who ever comes in can continue on the path you laid
by lets go buffalo on Jun 3, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
at least the next person has melo and stat
it could be worse,
by lets go buffalo on Jun 3, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Me too
Donnie did a great job, he brought the Knicks and us fans kicking and screaming onto the threshold of respectability. Wish he could have stuck around to finish the job and get that championship he’s never had.
by superturboultra on Jun 3, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
my weather sucks!
can’t even go outside and enjoy it!
James Doaln is shameful
Donnie was so important in where the knicks are today
Dolan is as out of tune with the NBA as his hack band is when they're playing clubs for free.
Every song they play sounds like different versions of freakin’ Mustang Sally.
by Putnan Prince on Jun 5, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I know right?
One of my hobbies is aleatoric music, and a specific area I work in is programming heartless machines to mimic human emotion. If I didn’t know what an ass he was to work with, I’d send him my resume.
by superturboultra on Jun 6, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Mark Jackson's people
Jumped right into throwing his name into the ring, because there’s no way I buy that Walsh had Jackson on the short list as reported by both the Times and the News (likely from the same source, since it was the same information).
What is with Mark Jackson that he thinks he can just waltz into any position and do a good job with it, and that he’s above working his way up to responsibility?
Mark Jackson?
I really hope they don’t hire him I really aprecciate what he did for this team in the 90’s but I don’t think he would be a good gm or president maybe allan houston would take over wait I think that might be worse
A PAYCUT-YOU MUST BE KIDDING
Honestly, I fucking hate dolan. If we hire Thomas back, After 20 years as a die hard knick fan, I will switch allegiance to the NETS. Heck, even if we dont hire him. Chances we put all our remaining monies into an injury riddled former star, now that walsh is gone? 100 %. Wouldnt be suprised if try to lure shaq out of retirement with a max contract. Can you say Francis, TMAC, Hardaway, McDyess, the list goes on…
If Isiah came back, Knicks would be my 2nd team.
That 1st team? Anyone but the Nets or Heat.
After lurking ND for a while, they completely drove me away from potentially being a Nets fan as I would HATE to be part of that fan base.
The constant “DUH MECCA” jokes and the “Knicks are one knee injury to STAT away from sucking” and the assumption that they’d be the top team EVEN WITH DWIGHT HOWARD when they have NO wing players and the constant Knick fan bashing and the “We’ll get DUH CP3 and Dwight Howard and KOBE” sarcastic jokes is just sickening.
ALL OF THIS, with being just one season removed from being 12 – 70 and just going 0 – 4 against my beloved Knicks too. I mean, they can’t even go a thread without mentioning the Knicks. Quite ironic that they make fun of P&T when they fail to realize their own flaws.
When the only semi interesting
story about your franchise revolves your power forward marrying a Kardashian…well, enough said.
Donnie, GREAT job, you will be missed!
Just Knicks fans as a whole
Not one site/fan in particular. Besides, with all the Knicks fans there are, a bunch are not very intelligent, and they tend to represent the community as a whole
Chill out
It’s all fun and games. While you may dislike the sarcastic jokes, there’s a lot of profane and vulgar stuff going on here. It’s not like the jokes on NetsDaily are hurting anyone. Btw someone with the username “the mecca” replied to this post, I found it quite humorous.
Whoopdedo 2 bad years, btw Nets won 2 games vs the Knicks in their 12-70 season (just saying). And before those 2 bad years, they were in playoff contention, while the Knicks were irrelevant. Remember that the Knicks only achieved relevancy this year.
The Nets
have never been relevant.
The Knicks only achieved relevancy this year, how old are you 15? Wow.
As much as I now hate the Nets, they were in the finals for 2 years. Last I checked, they were pretty relevant then.
Kidd definitely gets my respect though for all the hard work he put into that franchise. Same for Dirk with the Mavs.
Fumblesnout, go to a Nets/Knicks game in Newark
next year, if you can afford a ticket with all the Knicks fans swarming the place, and report back to me with who is relevant and who isn’t.
Ultmate…the Nets were a great team then, and Kidd is awesome and gets all the respect in the world, but the Nets were never relevant. Exciting and good, yes. Relevant, no. And never will be unless the franchise moves from this area.
Yes they were
Check the records, playoff wins/appearances, finals appearances. Just because they went 12-70 the other year, that doesn’t make them the worst team ever.
And a fanbase doesn’t make a team relevant. The Knicks will always have a fanbase due to their past history and location.
That was when the balance of power between West and East was most extremely unbalanced
those Nets would not have been top 4 in the other conference any of those years. Talkin about a first round exit for those mighty teams that made it to the Finals and then were pummeled
Im talking about the last decade
Knicks haven’t won a playoff game in 10 years. The Nets have won about 40 in that timespan.
Not a shock to me
but you are not getting the meaning of the word “relevant”. Please understand what the word means before using it, it’s not a hard word to comprehend.
The Nets have been better over the last decade, yes. The Knicks have been better over the last 30 years. So what? And why am I even carrying such a silly arguement?
this is a dumb side debate
EVERY NBA team is relevant.
The Nets don’t rule NY, but that doesn’t mean nobody cares about them. And yep, they were clearly the better team over the last decade. Does that mean overall better? No, but so what?! Everything is based on eras. Every professional sports team that spends time on the top always spends time on the bottom at some point. It’s ok to be a Knicks fan and give other team’s credit where credit is due, mecca. Really though.
I like making fun of the Nets and their fans as anyone else does (just as they do us) but fumblesnout (for some reason this handle reminds me of Kerry Kittles) is right when it’s all in good fun.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I like that you typed 'whoopdedo'
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Awwww fuck. Better not be an announcement.
alanhahn Alan Hahn
ESPN will have Isiah Thomas on SportsCenter at 6:20 p.m. Splendid.
Kinda helps.
alanhahn Alan Hahn
Before any of you jump the ledge, I’ve been told by several sources that Isiah is NOT coming back to run the franchise. #fb
Well, I'm definitely suspicious of the culmination of Walsh leaving the Knicks
I don;t doubt what Walsh said in his statements and such, but I absolutely believe there wasm uch more to this than is being said. But Donnie never throws anyone under the bus (even if they deserve it). Good for him.
It was a privilege to have him at the helm of these Knicks teams the last few years. Some might disagree but the vast majority of insiders, analysts, experts and peers agree that Walsh came into a terribly nasty situation and really did a hell of aj ob in turning this franchise around in a short period of time. We haven’t won anything yet, but we are a relevant team and poised for success. One can only hope the successor continues this NY surge.
Thank you, Mr. Walsh.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 3, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
i was watching outside the lines and they quoted donnie saying “he isn’t sure if he could of continued doing this job at 60% for 3 years let alone two” or something of that matter. you will be missed :(
http://espn.go.com/new-york/video/clip?id=6623390
If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?
~ Vince Lombardi
Walsh really struggled with his health during his time with the Knicks and he looks much
older than his age.Donnie should just retire and enjoy the rest of his life.
by Putnan Prince on Jun 5, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Would Chris Mullen be a good gm
He does seem like a guy who would respect the postion he is iin
Yeah to my knowledge
He didn’t do such a great job at his last GM gig
by WSD on Jun 4, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
My #1 criteria for the next GM has nothing to do with past performance. I want a guy who can actually stand up to James Dolan. Of course, it’s the exact opposite of his #1 criteria, which is to find a sycophantic tool who will occassionally put something shiny in front of him.
by superturboultra on Jun 6, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
thanks donnie! i'm never gana forget wat he did for our team.
if dolan didnt offer the paycut, i wonder if that wouldve changed things. or was the “paycut” thing just thrown in there to steer us away from the actual truth. i know my old ass wouldve stayed for the right amount of moneyy.
Jack, Kate, Jin/Sun, Hugo, James, etc.
No?
by Osborn on Jun 3, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Warkentein, Stefanski, Pritchard, Houston, and Grunwald I think.
That’s just the media speculation mixed with mine.
Isaih isn't intrested!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was just at espn Isaih isn’t intrested in being a gm for the knicks anymore
Email me, i have a bridge for sale
Life is a rat race. You work you ass off because you have no choice, save all your money, only to die later. It's the story of everyone's life.
Honestly, I don't really care who gets elected or not. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point. The best band ever is HollywoodUndead
u have another one for my mother
she was excited he said no and i jus looked at her as if she was created with no sense
by blackhova on Jun 3, 2011 7:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lol
Sounds like my mom. But this dude isn’t going any where as long as Dolan is alive,no matter what anyone says
Life is a rat race. You work you ass off because you have no choice, save all your money, only to die later. It's the story of everyone's life.
Honestly, I don't really care who gets elected or not. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point. The best band ever is HollywoodUndead
isiah quotes from espn
I have no desire to return as president of the Knicks," said Thomas, now the head coach of Florida International University. “I’m not a candidate to replace Donnie. I like the job I have right now, and the toll that the (Knicks) job took on me, my wife, and my kids, I don’t want to go through that again.”
Madison Square Garden
I think the leading candidate with Isiah out of the running is.....
Allan Houston but I don’t think he is ready yet
Cho isn't proven. He didn't even last a year. But that's more b/c of ownership, not him.
I’d put him behind Warkentein and Prichard on my list.
Please No: Stefanski, Mullin, Houston, Mark Jackson, Bryan Colangelo
Yes Please: Pritchard, Cho, somebody who can manage the cap.
"But when he saw it, he just put his hands up and they couldn’t give it to him. It just fell to the ground, I-I don’t, you know … So, that showed me he had great experience..." - Jeff Van Gundy
by Anthony Bonner's Subpoena on Jun 3, 2011 6:37 PM EDT reply actions
sums it up pretty much
Life is a rat race. You work you ass off because you have no choice, save all your money, only to die later. It's the story of everyone's life.
Honestly, I don't really care who gets elected or not. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point. The best band ever is HollywoodUndead
Count me on the Pritchard, Warkentien bus.
Rich Cho… I’m not convinced that he is a very good GM. Silly that Portland canned him after one season, but even so…
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Jerry is the "GM" for USA Basketball
or was when they decided to start winning gold every time again
No Pritchard
Cho deserves a look, but if he fell out with Paul Allen… well, meet James Dolan, etc.
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
On second thought let's just find Dell Demps' best friend and hire him
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
nice
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Even if someone else is hired
As long as Doland duck is here Isiah is here.
Life is a rat race. You work you ass off because you have no choice, save all your money, only to die later. It's the story of everyone's life.
Honestly, I don't really care who gets elected or not. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point. The best band ever is HollywoodUndead
Why are people saying goodbye? He's still with the team.
My question is why they just don’t fire D’antoni and get it over with?
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
Because there is still the
“Knicks didn’t begin and end any season of the past 3 years with the same roster so he deserves another chance”
party.
well this sucks ass
I know absolutely nothing about this guy but if he is fast I say sign him up.
Long live Al
I think it's about time we all just agreed that NaS is the greatest of all-time.
it sucks...
ey..would Kevin Pritchard be good for us?
He's great at collecting assets.
Didn’t he also manage to turn around that mess in Portland into a great up and coming team (that was mostly killed by injuries)?
He is probably the best GM for the draft. Not just selecting players, but making trades on draft night. Although he did chose Oden over Durant (but at the time, everyone would’ve done the same).
I like Pritchard he did a great job in Rip City imo
I know absolutely nothing about this guy but if he is fast I say sign him up.
Long live Al
I think it's about time we all just agreed that NaS is the greatest of all-time.
el Presidente
i salute you sir, i really REALLY wish you would stay… want my right arm? its the good one, i’ll gladly give it to u to stay, please 8D?
by blackhova on Jun 3, 2011 7:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Damn...
I liked posting on here guessing what moves to make, but always knowing that Donnie knows better. Looks like this board knows more than any replacements that Dumbass Dolan would consider.
by Gallinari's Barbershop on Jun 3, 2011 7:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Damn...
I liked posting on here guessing what moves to make, but always knowing that Donnie knows better. Looks like this board knows more than any replacements that Dumbass Dolan would consider.
by Gallinari's Barbershop on Jun 3, 2011 8:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Nope.
Not forgivable.
I SUMMON THE BANHAMMER!
Oh please no!
Anything but the banhammer!
by Gallinari's Barbershop on Jun 3, 2011 8:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
was Pritchard responsible for that Roy contract?
because that was a BAD move, messy, messy stuff
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
i think it was cho
Victory goes to the courageous!!
I don't think so
Cho was only there for a year and that contract was signed in 2009
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
he did
he’s had them since college, maybe even high school. the really grim prognosis didn’t come out until last fall, but his knees have been a problem for a while
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
but that was before the current injury thing right now though
at the time it was worth it. now… not so much. but is it bad as the mcilvain signing by seattle years back or the jerome james signing? nope
Victory goes to the courageous!!
Damn. You reached back and busted out McIlvaine?
I remember that pissed Kemp off.
by GAx on Jun 3, 2011 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
of course.... one of my few nba jerseys was that of a kemp cavs jersey
i had to bust that out
Victory goes to the courageous!!
the whole Roy thing is very ugly
he had a great stretch for about 3-4 years, but he’s been damaged goods for a while. His knees were a big reason why he fell as low as he did in the draft because even then a lot of people thought he was the best player in it
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
also Duran... oh wat
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
*wait
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
But not re-signing him would've been seen as worse
He was clearly the franchise player and was an all star. No1 could’ve predicted that his knees would deteriorate so fast. Although, they must’ve known something because they gave him that deal knowing it wouldn’t be covered by insurance.
thank you donnie
for turning the franchise around. you will be missed.
"the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be."
by mindcontrolproject on Jun 3, 2011 8:45 PM EDT reply actions
he will be missed
Victory goes to the courageous!!
Donnie Walsh is the reason...
the Knicks are where they are now. James Dolan is the reason they were where they were for the last decade. Let’s just hope whoever takes over has half the basketball intelligence of Donnie Walsh (Isiah Thomas has .000025%).
Wark, Pritch or Cho!!!!
All very smart men with great eyes for talent (and Cho is supposedly amazing at cap stuff)
This sucks
I haven’t been following this closely at all over the last few days (read this post, saw it on the ESPN ticker at the gym earlier, that’s it) so maybe that explains why I’m not so quick to dismiss the age aspect? Donnie just turned 70 and has had myriad health problems over the past year. He’s a basketball lifer. Maybe he really does feel like he’s done enough and wants to, you know, spend time with his grandkids and shit. It’s comforting seeing him in the patriarchal role for the Knicks, overseeing a previously unstable franchise, but he has a real family too.
During the quiet period of May, we heard that Dolan wanted Donnie back but Donnie might want to walk away. The dispute over contract length could be real, is all I’m saying, even if Dolan was fueled by ugly ulterior motives. That he’s staying on as a consultant seems like a fairly logical conclusion, too. The story makes sense to me.
Of course, “dispute over level of authority” sounds much sexier.
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
by The Rooster on Jun 3, 2011 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Can't imagine that Walsh wouldn't have just retired outright if that was his inclination.
Why even go through the charade of negotiating terms for a possible new deal?
The company line was "Donnie wanted one year, Dolan wanted multiple years" right?
I could see Donnie going into it asking for one year and progressively growing more and more weary, starting to consider retirement (or consulting) more than he did initially.
Could have had a lot to do with Dolan’s management style, sure. Could also have had a lot to do with him being 70.
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
I think the health/family stuff IS legit.
But I also think the contract stuff was the last straw too. I mean, really, Donnie doesn’t NEED to work. At this point, he does it for the love I would imagine. But seeing as how a seemingly obvious decision to extend a guys contract possibly turned into a silly negotiation, well, that would paint a dark cloud and surely Walsh didn’t want or need to deal with that stuff anymore.
I don’t know if the contract paycut and length were true, but if they were, then it seems like Dolan offered an impossible contract for Walsh to sign. But since he offered it, he gets to say “Well, we WANTED him back, but he walked away.” Multi-year contract for 60% less after making turning around the franchise from the highest paid lottery laughinstock to an exciting playoff team with a bright future? That’s like the Lakers offering Phil Jackson a 1-year contract for $1Mil. Yeah it may be an official offer, but i that really a fair offer for Phil Jackson?!
But Donnie chose to walk and focus on health/family. Good for him for not just trashing the team he was just contracted by on his way out. Few people seem to do that these days.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
It's possible
Maybe they were already talking about a reduced role (and reduced pay) so Donnie could have more time off…
…but this can be turned into “Dolan lowballed him” and “disagreement over level of authority” so we get hyperactive, paranoid Isiah/evil Dolan conspiracy theories. There are sensible explanations, too.
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
Yeah, I'm not confident that we will ever really know which "reason" was biggest catalyst
Health/family or lowball contract negotiations.
Writers will come out with things, but everyone seems to have some sort of agenda so who can you believe, right?!
Just sucks that it feels to me that this was very much a “forced split.” I think Donnie deserved a better sendoff.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 6, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Donnie deserves a ring
if we ever win it all with melo and stat
I just want to thank Donnie Walsh
stand up guy who brought respect and honor back to the Knicks, I will miss him because the guy makes smart basketball decisions and came into a rough situation here in NY
it was a mess when he came here and now he leaves with Amare and Melo with a young core of good talented players
what happens here on out I have no idea, I like that he is staying on as an consultant but I doubt Dolan even listens to him now
who takes over for Walsh? my pick would be Chris Mullen, who appears to be nowhere in the hot name list
im scared that Issiah is going to be brought back by Dolan, thats my worst fear
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
Mullin is a Donnie Walsh guy
So virtually no chance.
by superturboultra on Jun 4, 2011 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions
he drafted Oden over Durant
but no worries for us because we’ll never have a lottery pick again in his lifetime.
by total hermination on Jun 4, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Not many people questioned that decision at the time tho
looks god awful now of course
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
yeah I didn't really question it honestly
and with the exception of Bargnani, the previous five years before that draft had #1 overall big men that turned out pretty good: Dwight, Bogut, Yao.
by total hermination on Jun 4, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
"pretty good"
of course before Bogut needed a bionic arm and Yao deteriorated
by total hermination on Jun 4, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Bargnani ain't really all that bad either
he’s more like a poor man’s Pau Gasol. Shouldn’t have been a #1 pick tho, but I bet if he was on a team that included Kobe, Odom and Bynum, he would be a pretty good player.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
I'm pretty interested to see how he plays on a more talented team.
He’s turned out to be better than I thought he would be. Not the hype of a #1 pick of course, but he’s gotten steadily better even while being buried in Toronto… course, who else was in that draft?
Ugh, I just looked. You wanna talk about a weak draft??!! Hindsight say LaMarcus Aldridge #1, Brandon Roy or Rajon Rondo #2 and Rudy Gay #3 or 4, but wow. Lottery went like this:
- Bargnani
- Aldridge
- Adam Morrison
- Tyrus Thomas
- Shelden Williams
- Brandon Roy
- Randy Foye
- rudy Gay
- Patrick O’Bryant
- Mouhamed Sene
- JJ Redick
- Hilton Armstrong
- Thabo Sefolosha
Rondo was #21, Lowry was #24, Millsapp was #47 (!), Extra E and Shannon Brown and Boobie Gibson were drafted that year too. Wow.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Looking at his game its easy to see why he was #1 tho
he’s as tall as Aldridge and as skilled, probably more so. The Blazers have put together a much better team around Aldridge tho, but also to be fair when Aldridge was asked to be the #1 guy he really took to that role and seems like a superstar now, where Bargnani has been asked to be that and has fell on his face.
The expectation of him was probably that he become the next Dirk…which that ain’t happening.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Bargnani is not a bad player
he’s soft as hell as does nothing that you want your center to do, but he plays like a 7 foot guard. He’s also oddly athletic, like I don’t think Dwight Howard could move like he does. He’s kind of like the homeless man’s Dirk.
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
I wanted Rondo in that draft...
Stupid Balkman, Stupid Collins…
by superturboultra on Jun 4, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
check out She-Will at the 5 spot!!
by total hermination on Jun 4, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember calling Adam Morrison to be a big bust
I knew he was a college-scorer who was tall enough to get his shot off but weak everywhere else.
Everyone was raving about Brandon Roy too and he seemed like just the kind of guy Jordan should love to draft and build around. When Charlotte passed on him and took Morrison I was like “there’s another Kwame Brown-level mistake.” Damn people got suckered on Morrison. Redick was the superior player but scouts latched onto Morrison’s height.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 6, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
exactly
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
by Archie Barberio on Jun 4, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
he's a GM
we’re fans. if a GM is wrong at the same rate as fans, his ass should be canned instantly. Pritchard was horrible otherwise, anyways
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
he really f'ed up with Brandon Roy
and picking Oden over Durant. Apparently all the advanced scouting stuff said Durant would be the better NBA player, but they went with Oden anyway, a guy who also had been having injury issues since high school
As for Brandon Roy, he should never have been given that contract. They knew his knees were bad, but because at the time Roy still looked good and was the face of the franchise, they didn’t want the bad PR of letting him walk so they sucked him up and gave him that extension. Lo and behold one year later we learn that Roy has no meniscus in his knees and will never be the same again. Roy was a great player, but unfortunately he’s been a ticking time bomb for a while. It’s a really sad situation over there.
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
*sucked it up
not sucked him up. that sounds pause worthy
Anxiously awaiting the day my username will be appropriate
question
why in the fuck would you make Marc Jackson a GM before the guy has even coached in the NBA
thats inane to me
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
I'd prefer Marc Jackson the center
to Mark Jackson the feisty former point guard with a chip on his shoulder the size of Marc Jackson
my bad, spelled his name wrong
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
by Archie Barberio on Jun 4, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
To replace him with who?
He doesn’t have the guy who hired him in the front office, but I’d hope whoever they brought on next has some value for the semblance of continuity
im thinking since melo is now alpha dog they might promote wark. also this mean MDA is a lame duck, which I don’t have a problem with. jerry sloan would be excellent. team this team how to run the pick and roll. as an added bonus he’d bring it 4x a year to fuck over deron williams in NJ.
Can't see why Sloan would come here for this shit
He so obviously operates on his own terms. Dolan’s MSG is not the place for those people. It’s where dysfunction and stupidity reign supreme.
we should stop assuming anyone besides money hungry players want to come here
the front office is an embarrasment to professional sports. They suck. Yeah, i’m sure Sloan wants to come here and deal with the expectations, media bullshit, and constant scrutiny. Salt Lake City for over two decades is the perfect place to practice for that.
by total hermination on Jun 4, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd be fine with Sloan, but not gonna happen.
He left Utah because the front office took his legs out from under him when they sided with players over their coach of like 20 years! You think Jerry Sloan would go from that to another meddling front office… in a far large market than Utah no less?! Not happening.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 4, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
i can see why. mgmt sided with deron thinking he was a franchise player. coaches are replaceable, players not so much. with the knicks he’d make a decent fit. melo loves pnr and isos so it could work. i think the front office meddling would be different here. it would be like your annoying younger brother, not a crazy ex wife.
The meddling in NY is far worse than Utah, make no mistake.
NY requires instant gratification. We are definitely the crazy ex-wife.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Jun 6, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
IT said in a interview for ESPN.
Donnie did an excellent job in putting US on a right track. GTFO.
what a slap in the face to his college team
seriously…..dude has a hard on for the Knicks while Detroit needs a coach and new GM ASAP.
by total hermination on Jun 4, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
ESPN keeps saying that Isiah coming back! I mean they just spent 20 minutes talking about that even though he just announced that he is not? These guys really dont know what the fuck is going on and even saying that Joe Dumars was more the reason that the Pistons won 2 titles and not Isiah. Just because the guys sucks at GM dont link that to his playing career. Thats dude could ball and in my opinion is the 3rd best PG in NBA history behind Magic and Oscar. Why does ESPN always sensationalize every topic that ever comes up and just speak the truth??
^ that's why
also, the whole thread
"TV pays the bills in the NBA, but it doesn't do the game justice. I wish anyone who doubts the effort level could sit courtside one time, because they would be blown away by the ferocity. The players are just so good, so fluid, it looks effortless on TV." - Bill Walton
Because the gameplan is fuck with NY teams
Every other part of the country eats it up, and NY kinda does too, in a way.
does anyone leave the knicks?
or is everyone a consultant shoot i think i might be a consultant
by I Go Hard In the Paint on Jun 4, 2011 9:45 PM EDT reply actions
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