Pritchard taken: Ed Stefanski an option?

by moose35 on Jul 11, 2011 4:13 AM EDT

Pritchard, the former Portland Trail Blazers general manager, was on Donnie Walsh's short list of GM candidates to work under him if he was to return as team president, according to multiple sources. After Walsh decided not to return, Pritchard was still considered a strong candidate for the job.

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Another name being whispered as another candidate of interest is 76ers GM Ed Stefanski.

via Allan Hahn

Is this the type of options the Knicks are looking at? Ed Stefanski has been heavily criticized for being scared of making a move to move the team fully into rebuilding mode (trading Iguodala for example), signing Elton Brand to that long term deal or signing Eddie Jordan as their coach in 2009. I'm not saying everything is his fault, as what seems to be the best move at the time can backfire the same way a move that seems stupid (drafting Landry Fields for example) can turn into a steal a few months or years down the line. But there have got to be better options out there than Ed Stefanski, and I just can't see the upside in hiring him.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited that the Knicks were looking at Pritchard. But guys like Warkentien and even Allan Houston seem to be a better fit as the Knicks GM. The Knicks need to hire a GM soon as defensive assistants are being hired , something that is being reported as a very real possibility for the Knicks as well. I still believe Hahn when he reported that Lawrence Frank could be a very real possibility, but a new coaching hire will not get sorted out until the Knicks sort out the front office. Heck, I'd be fine with making Grunwald the permanent GM, but an interim GM and his front office is not a good situation to be in. It's not as dire as it would be if there was no lockout, but this is something that should get done soon.

And I'd love to see the short list. Any ideas who would be on it?

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my thoughts is that

the coaches we got are the coaches we’ll have. and the management we got is the management we’l have.

/// aighttho.com \\\/// twitter.com/aighttho \\\

by stingy d on Jul 11, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

even mike D is saying he is going to hire a D coach

which I actually think is a great idea…

but I dont see it being Frank. I dont think it is a wise decision (in NY) to hire a D Coach that has Head Coaching experience because after the 1st loss of teh season the wolves will be calling for him to take over.. which, even if it would be a nice fit, would be such a headache.

I think it was Bobby V who said: "You are never as good as you are when you are at your best, and you are not as bad as when you are at your worst."

by gbaked on Jul 12, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd much rather prefer Warkentein.

He’s probably the closest to Walsh and has a great track record. Also, if you look at his recent run in Denver… he was able to make some great moves despite financial constrictions from the owner and being over the cap. That’s exactly what we need right now. He was able to steal guys like Chris Andersen, Dahntay Jones and Anthony Carter for minimum deals. All 3 of those played huge roles in the 2009 WCF run. Then the next year he goes out and gets the two future cornerstones of the franchise for a future 2nd rounder and future first… those two are Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson. This guy is great at finding diamonds in the rough. Just what we need.

Since Pritchard is off the list now, Warkentein is by far my #1 option for the job. That being said, there are actually 2 open jobs: GM and President. I would love to give the president job to Warkentein and then give the GM job to Grunwald or Houston.

by hvino on Jul 11, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

houston out of the picture sorta

but i agree. warkentien and grunwald as pres and gm respectively, makes plenty of sense to me.

/// aighttho.com \\/// twitter.com/aighttho \\

by stingy d on Jul 11, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Why not make the 2008-2009 executive of the year our GM?

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by mindfeck on Jul 11, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Why would Grunwald take a demotion? He is interim team president

And was Vice President under Donnie. GM in the Knicks organization is a step down on the ladder. Next Why does everyone love Warky so, what exactly did he do in Denver that was so great. Why are we even looking at re-treads, just give Houston the job and see what he does. The re-treads will always be there.

by Robert Curre on Jul 12, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

or whatever

same difference, don’t give me the business.

/// aighttho.com \/// twitter.com/aighttho \

by stingy d on Jul 13, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Not giving you the business Stingy.

Just saying we can always go out and get a re-tread GM! Hell we got like three of them on the payroll now. Why not give Houston a chance and let the re-treads advise him. Warky, Gabriel, and Grunwald have like 50 years experience between them in various capacities and with Donnie a Phone call away Houston would have over 100 years of experience to pull from if he needed it. Geesh. If he doesn’t work out there are enough re-treads floating around out there.

by Robert Curre on Jul 13, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope Harrington wasn't Warkentein's idea

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by mindfeck on Jul 11, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he knew he wasn't getting his job back, kind of his going away "present" to Kroenke.

by hvino on Jul 12, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder what our gift will be

by superturboultra on Jul 15, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Jorts

by WSD on Jul 15, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

i like the idea

of it being some combo of Grunwald, Houston and WarkyWark.

With Donnie checking in by email often.

I think it was Bobby V who said: "You are never as good as you are when you are at your best, and you are not as bad as when you are at your worst."

by gbaked on Jul 12, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

You think Donnie emails?

I imagined him writing letters to Denver all last season. With a quill and ink!

by WSD on Jul 15, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Please no Stefanski.

What’s wrong with Wark? I don’t see anyone better available.

by Joamiq on Jul 12, 2011 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

Allan Houston

by Robert Curre on Jul 12, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Why do people have so much faith in Houston?

He’s never said or done anything to lead me to believe he’d be a competent, let alone good, GM.

by Joamiq on Jul 12, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Though if there's evidence to the contrary

I’d be happy to change my tune. I just haven’t seen it

by Joamiq on Jul 12, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

neither has anyone else before they got their first GM Job.

What the Hell had Pritchard done except keep the previous Gm’s coffeee warm? The point is we have been hearing for 3 years that Houston was being groomed for the Job well give it to him and let’s see. He could be the greatest thing since toast or he coud be a failure but we will never know until he gets a chance.

by Robert Curre on Jul 13, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don't understand all this love for Houston for GM.

Don’t get me wrong, he could end up being a great GM… but to give him the big job so soon and with more experienced and proven guys available, it just doesn’t seem like a good idea. I think hiring a rookie GM on a team that has some work left isn’t a smart decision. Let Houston get a year or 2 as the DLeague GM and assistant GM and see how he does before talking about giving him one of the most important jobs on the team.

by hvino on Jul 12, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I'd be okay with Allan, but I'd rather have him cut his teeth actually making decisions he'll have to take responsibility for in the D-league instead of being kind of shielded by Donnie.

Not even looking for awesome results. I have enough faith in Houston’s intelligence and character to feel he’d eventually be a good GM for us. I just want him to have some more actual on-the-job experience.

by GAx on Jul 13, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

why Pritchard did not have to run a D-League team

Neither did RC Buford, or Cho or anyone else for that matter.

by Robert Curre on Jul 13, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Because I don't care about them.

This has nothing to do with Houston the man. I just feel more comfortable with someone taking over the friggin Pres/GM spot of my team having had some hands-on experience at the job.

If you were Rooster I’d think you were subtly calling me racist, but I’m not a bigot if I don’t want Bernie Bickerstaff coaching my team or Billy Knight drafting for me. I just think they suck.

by GAx on Jul 13, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, but none of those GMs really stepped into a position where they're looking to win a championship 2-3 years

And for the record, I like Houston as GM, too. I’m just trying to be fair.

Also, I don’t get why we’re arguing over Pritchard. He’s off the table. The debate is really Warkentein vs. Houston (to our knowledge)

by WSD on Jul 15, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know if the D-League really counts as GM-ing. Will his goal be to get wins, or get cheapo talent? Caveat Emptor!

by superturboultra on Jul 15, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Me neither

He hasn’t done anything to make people feel that he should be a good GM. Hell, we have no way of knowing if he’s even intelligent or has a feel of the game. I’d take prior results over a hope and a prayer.

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

Vince Lombardi

by moose35 on Jul 13, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

And those prior results were?

I could see if you guys were looking to bring in guys with Championship rings all over their fingers, but all of the guys that have been mentioned are middle of the road hacks.

by Robert Curre on Jul 13, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You seriously believe that?

You believe that Warkentien, Pritchard and Cho are middle of the road hacks? Come on, man.

Every great GM had to start somewhere, but just because these guys also had to start out somewhere doesn’t mean we should put in a guy with no experience in a very critical time. We’re in win now mode and there is an extremely small room for error in the next couple of years, so putting in somebody with no experience makes no sense. Sure Houston could be a great GM. He could also suck and turn out to be Isiah 2.0…we don’t know, but a guy like Warkentien is great at doing exactly what this team needs and has a proven track record. That’s why I want the Knicks to hire him.

Vince Lombardi

by moose35 on Jul 14, 2011 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions

What put a team together that can't get out of the first round every year!

Because that is basically his record as the top guy. Pritchard never put together a team that won a playoff series and neither has cho. Sounds like middle of the road to me. At least RC Buford has 3 rings to his credit. If you guys were drooling all over him I would understand. And no is the time to bring in a guy like Houston and let him get his feet wet. RC Buford did not become GM in San Antonio when the team was in Chaos and needed rebuilding, neither did Kupchak. Bringing in Houston now, when he doesn’t have to perform a major rebuild actually minimizes the chances he’ll be a bust.

by Robert Curre on Jul 15, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Pritchard is one of the worst GMs of the last decade

I don’t get the constant adulation. Stop throwing his name in alongside people who didn’t actively destroy the teams they worked for.

Congrats on winning your first NBA championship, Peja Stojakovic!

by The Rooster on Jul 15, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Houston

I’d feel more comfortable with a noob GM coming from a background in law or business than I would a guy who played in the league. For every Jerry West, you got 10 Jordans, Birds, Mullins, and McHales.

"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 Jul 14, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions