Knicks Press Conference Scheduled for 1pm: Donnie Walsh Knicks Era to begin?

Sensible Mike. Very sensible and I also sense the honesty. Useful.

KFlL

Hey DVJ

But wan’t one of the points Walsh made was that he didn’t want to hurt cap flexibility for 2010.

Won’t signing one of the above mentioned cost us a pretty penny which would run against Walsh’s stated plans?

@DVJ

There are a few interesting names on that list…But the script has been written, the Premier Franchise took the Premier Hit for the LiL General and the NBA, and distracted the MSM from the truly bigger sordid story of coruption and gambling; sexual mischief is always more sensational and sellable…JD’s reward for being LiL General’s good fort soldier and for brandishing his sword and falling on it galiantly will be Mr. Rose or Mr. Love….the icing on the cake was finding Mr. Walsh a good place to rollout his Frewell Tour.

No Place Like Home! Ask Dorothy!

Keep it POPPIN!

KD at #162, since I am one of those who disagree with you, I volunteer to explain to you why this one person does not give Walsh the benefit of the doubt. I will explain why I will not believe in “happy days ahead” without much more than a changing of the guard and a press conference of promises.

I appreciate your definition of your fandom. I understand your desire as a fan to have hope as soon as possible and to base it on the removal of Thomas from at least one job. That’s nice and you have that right. You are a fan. However, as a fan also, I am giving Walsh the exact same benefit of the doubt that I gave the hiring of Lenny Wilkens and the hiring of Larry Brown. I remember the last three times they used the “Sell New Yorker” script. I thought at the time that everyone was buying those hires of “New Yawkers” (so happy to come back home and prove their mettle) that we were being sold a bag of goods — old stale potato(e) chips as championship chips. Both Wilkens and Brown had obvious flaws that were well known when they were hired. And now everyone is claiming that Zeke hired the wrong New Yorker in Stephon Marbury when everyone at first was wetting their pants with hope.

So, I understand some fans so desirous of feeling good about this team that they will accept Walsh with open arms and accept another year or two of disappointment. Good for you people. I had hope when it was all but clear that he playoffs were not likely. That’s what fans do; have hope when they feel they can. So, when we win a championship under Walsh you will have been happier and giddier than me for a longer period of time. I’ll just jump on the Walsh band wagon when I have more proof that something is fundamentally different. I’m not afraid to jump on his bandwagon later than you guys.

What I don’t get however, and maybe the happy people can explain this to me, is how the MSG script has changed. I don’t see it. Dolan and Stern are reading from the exact same marketing script they have been selling “New Yawkers” since Isiah has been President. They have paraded old stale New York NBA lifer after lifer because they believe we are so desperate to be happy and that the New York market is so xenophobic that we’ll buy the New York Native angle hook line and sinker. It’s the exact same ploy they sold for Wilkens, Brown and Marbury. They keep selling us established firm guys at the tail end of great careers thinking we would not notice that the league has passed them by.

Don’t you wonder why the Knicks only interviewed an established lifer being bumped out of his position in Indiana? In the NBA League office, the joke is that NBA stands for “Nothing But Attorneys”, not nothing but actors. Walsh is one of Stern’s legal eagles — not in terms of legal counsel but in terms of league brain power and braintrust. They think they are smarter than all you saps. This is Stern’s version of a conservatorship. You guys don’t get it. Making the Knicks a Championship contender has not become a priority anymore than it was yesterday. The priority is to maintain the company’s apparent marketability by putting in a lifer and another Stern watchdog, not an innovative, hungry President. This is a corporate image move from up high. And everyone is eating it up, so desperate for change. Stern is da man. I want to work for him.

But check yourselves. Stern has had his hand in the New York pot for longer than you care to admit. Who do you think groomed Steve Mills? Steve Mills is a Stern guy. He’s not going anywhere. But he is not an attorney. Steve came up through the league office ranks, but he is not an elder. Neither is Zeke. This is not risky change; it is perfect marketing change. Perfect. Unacceptable to this fan. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

The press yells “He’s one of us” with glee. Ostensibly that means he is a New Yorker. It might mean he is a man who understands how to relate to the press, a friend of the press. I don’t believe it means he’s white like the rest of the press. Too simplistic a theory. Isiah’s incompetence trumps that theory at this point. (I will note that despite his incompetence the lynch mob mentality is totally unfair, but he has brought this idiotic fervor on himself. He should never have tried to handle the two most difficult jobs in the business at the same time. Even Donnie Walsh wouldn’t do that.)

He’s one of us! They proclaim. One of us? I am a New York Knick fan — I don’t define New Knick fandom or greatness by birthplace — state, city, hospital or cab. Who is your favorite Knick? Is he a native New Yorker? Clyde? Ewing? Mason? Reed? I am absolutely not knocking New Yorkers — I love New Yorkers and Northern Jersey people who think they are New Yorkers and U.S. transplants who make up New York. But I don’t buy the native New Yorker sales pitch. It’s a Vulcan mind trick. It’s crack cocaine on a talking head.

The next few stories will be about bringing in other established basketball lifers who don’t have a clue nor an understanding of how to operate in the New York market. The guys they will mention won’t be able to handle New York like Riley, Van Gundy, Phil Jackson, Red Holtzman or even Rick Pitino. Rick Carlisle? Are you kidding me. Scott Skiles? What a freaking joke? Those names associated with Walsh make you happy. Good. I am happy too. For you. For the Knicks. Absolutely not. Mark Jackson? Greg Anthony? Oh hell, why not let them cut their teeth for a couple of years. They won’t get booed for a year.

Bottom line I don’t question your fandom because you and others have decided to buy the sales pitch. We’re just different kinds of shoppers. I want more than the guerilla they put in the window. I hope that helps you understand. If not that’s cool too, because that doesn’t alter my view as a fan.

Lives,

That’s some deep stuff coming from u and you have open my mind this day with some words for me to think about. I agree with most if not all of what you wrote. (only read once).s

Now, the statement on this was on the money:

“I don’t believe it means he’s white like the rest of the press. Too simplistic a theory. Isiah’s incompetence trumps that theory at this point. (I will note that despite his incompetence the lynch mob mentality is totally unfair, but he has brought this idiotic fervor on himself. He should never have tried to handle the two most difficult jobs in the business at the same time. Even Donnie Walsh wouldn’t do that.)”

I suspected racism from the beginning once Larry Brown gotten fired(and I know I’m not wrong with those suspicions)—but now with Isiah inept coaching and questionable GM decisions , those thoughts goes down the drain, because even I felt it was time for Isiah to go. Not to please this Isiah hating media, but the want of something new, that can possibly steer the Knicks in the right direction.

Like, you, lives, I have a wait and see attitude concerning Walsh and those peeps he will soon bring into the fold.

I think the Knicks can only get better—they can’t get any worse—if so, they’d be the Miami Heat.

I’m thinking about changing my name.

I think Anti-NYSportsNews has run its course.

It has been nice blogging with you guys for almost a year and a half already.

An eloquently stated case, Lives…..but now that you have defined what you do NOT believe in, i for one would like to see you state a case for who you DO believe in.

Who would you have hired/fired to right the ship?

Anti – you say “I suspected racism from the beginning once Larry Brown gotten fired(and I know I’m not wrong with those suspicions)” – i have not had my morning cup of coffee and may need this one ‘splained to me. Do you mean that Brown wouldn’t have been fired if he were African-American?

Anti-NYSN as a handle may have run its course (debatable), but the mind & personality behind will be with us for a long time, i suspect. Whether you clue us into your name change or simply pop up as a “new” blogger, i sure hope you’ll continue to post here at KD from time to time! =)

Just as an aside, the Philly sports media make the NY sports media look like the hippie chicks on The Magic Garden. Maybe your movement should spread and there should be an Anti-PSN!

Good AM Defenders!

Great read this blessed AM Lives. I co-sign vociferously.

O&B–I know you know what’s good.

Anti–One suggestion on your new handle: Reject, Renounce, Repudiate NEGATIVITY. Negativity is bad. Repeating after my cyber sage/coach who quoted the Bible: Nothing good comes from bad. In other words, drop the ANTI. (LOL)

PNoize–A very eloquent response in #168. I’m as curious as George on your moves/actions if your were given the coins and keys to Mecca. Despite Brettenwoods, make sure those coins are real gold.

For once today, Marbury expressed the sentiment of this NYer. His personal hack ran some of his “mis-statements” today. What say ye Lives, more marketing moves? All indications are that Monty will still be on the bench so maybe Donnie plays Peaceman and resolves the lovers’ quarrel. I firmly believe that the Franchise New-Yawker would not give those nuggets to the MSM without the expressed blessings from Dolanite.

KFlL

Good AM Defenders! A Happy Friday to all!

@LIVES

Your eloquence is matched by the substance in your ‘Wait & See’ personal FAN approach to the subsequent changes at the GARDEN…Once again, you have given us a prescription for dealing with our FANDOM and LIFE. Day by day, inch by inch it is a cinch…It’s A Movement Not A Monument

None of the players in this Sports Opera called the New York Knicks is beyond examination or a thorough inspection. When losing is a huge part of the script, along with sizeable profits margins a whoppingfranchise valuation, you have to wait until the curtains are drawn and be sitting in a private box to get the Full View. Macro vs. Micro. It never makes sense to put a dirt compound on a wound, if a qualified physician can apply the proper stitch. Yes it takes longer, generally more painful, but the wound will heal better and more often than not, faster.

It is this Common Sense approach to Fandom and Life that allows one to REMAIN STEADY AS IT GOES. Make no assumptions or presumptions, truncate your personal biases and passions, because as the ole Folks use to say, “The Proof is in the Puddin.” It is never about what you say, but what you do…What you put in is what you out get…These tried and true Unviversal Laws ( Cause and Effect, Polarity, Gravity) don’t change because of current conditions or market forces…WE MUST PAY CLOSE ATTENTION…The proverbial DEVIL is always in the DETAILS and not the Specs for RETAIL…

A rush to judgement has historically created more INJUSTICE. For the paying sports FAN and it appears even in the Sports blogging world…In this Season of Change on a myriad of levels, I am prayerful I will proceed Optimistically, Faithfully, and Intelligently, and not callously capriciously, or emotionally in my daily Endeavors or in my comprehensive Fanship. I hear your Brudder Lives…I believe in applying the Missouri Standard…SHOW ME

@Anti

You resemble that Post…LOL I understand why a change in handle might occur, but based on MY profile of you DEFENDER, I always thought of you as one that felt,’It doesn’t matter what you call me, as long as you call me’ All of us here call you A TRUE NEW YORK KNICK FAN…There’s no better handle than that my Brudder…

Keep it POPPIN!

One thing to consider: remember Stern attempting to stiffarm Charles Dolan at the All-Star Game awhiles back. It could be that young Jimmy interviewed no one else due to instructions from the one man he dare not defy via loyalty….Mr. Charles Dolan.

Dolan may well have done his due diligence quietly, behind the scenes, so as to not undermine the authority and judgement of his son. Charles Dolan has quietly showed just as much loyalty to his son as his son has to Isiah, whether this is good or ill remains to be seen. JB!

interesting from the sit down with Al Trautwig, w/r/t not reporting to Steve Mills:

“i report to Mr. Dolan….it’s the deal i’ve always had, because i really don’t want someone in Marketing to tell me what pick to make.”

PaulNoize

What do you think of the former Sixers GM King as a possible GM candidate.

I like Anthony though, he comes across as smart and very articulate, someone who won’t let himself be misquoted.

Thibodeau is also a good idea. The team needs to build with talent in the organization that is seeking to prove themselves. Not content rethreads.

I do expect the knicks to not be a playoff team next year but I hope they are competitive, and that if they make trades to dump certain players that the Knicks can at least get mid to late 2nd rounders for those players traded.

Thanks for the feedback Paulnoize.

What I keep reading from some ESPN sportwriters are that they point out that alot of the young talent that is currently on the Sixers squad making the playoff run, could be attributed to King.

But I certainly know as a Knick fan that bad signings can easily offset good drafting. Point is we don’t want another Thomas redux in the name of Billy King.

Again I like Greg Anthony.

Tell me why you think he would be a solid GM. I know him now as an analyst on ESPN.

Without spending too much time on Greg, since he isn’t gonna be the next GM, i’ll just say that

1) i think he would be a fiscal conservative, he would shift course away from emphasizing talent above all else (Isiah’s way) towards more of a Moneyball productivity per cap dollar approach, based on his lifelong Republican political leanings and commentary on ESPN

2) As a younger, unproven exec, i think he would surround himself with experienced specialists and rely on their judgement in a “consensus management” style…..and when the voices were decided, he’d go with his gut and make sure everyone supported his decision 100%

3) He flew off the bench and punched future Sacto mayor Kevin Johnson in the face

4) He played “D” as a guard in a way that i appreciated, a way that is kind of illegal nowadays, but he had a “stop my man or die tryin” approach that i’d like to see again out on the Garden floor someway, somehow

“Anti-New York Sports News is what they called him”

For some reason I was thinking of that Martin high school reunion episode when Martin kept on saying “Pretty Ricky is what they called him!”

WELL ANYWAY:

PaulNze,

“Anti – you say “I suspected racism from the beginning once Larry Brown gotten fired(and I know I’m not wrong with those suspicions)” – i have not had my morning cup of coffee and may need this one ’splained to me. Do you mean that Brown wouldn’t have been fired if he were African-American?”

1st I’d like to tell u a good question you asked!

Answer: I’m not saying Larry Brown wouldn’t have been fired if he were Afro-American. Everyone knows that Larry Brown did a poor job on purpose, as some say, to get Isiah fired as GM so he can take the reins. I don’t know about that, but something was up.

Not beating around the georgebush, I think some(A FEW) peeps in the press that are white men, can be, are, and would be quick to turn against a man of color then they would, say, a person of their own color. Seeing a Black man in possession with the power to fire a white man does not sit right with some white folks, I’m sure. Something about that image doesn’t go well with their psyche in the way things were when, I say, when, they were like, a lad growing up. You know what I mean?

So when something like that happens, and now that white coach is fired and replaced by a Afro-American coach—the ink starts to splatter on the paper with words that’s vile, racist innuendos you can say, but wisely disguised as tough NY media criticism and professional sports journalism. I’m not a fool, I read between the lines. And I’m a avid reader of words and choice selection when reading by that writer(s), thinking while reading why he/she used that particular word he used for the effect he wanted to convey to slyly start to bring down the purpose to destroy that person. Examle: like say Isiah Thomas, Barry Bonds, but different words used to describe a person like Larry Brown or Pre-Congress “mis-remembered” Roger Clemons. You see what I’m saying?

Or sometimes I may hear something that triggers the thought that “SOME” not “ALL” peeps in media biz may be secreted racist. Take this statement from Chris “Mad Dog” Russo saying the the only player that’s good, and that he would keep on the Knicks is, you ready for this:

DAVID LEE.

I tell you one thing, I would think if you are a white man and heard that statement you probably wouldn’t take as not such a big deal, but what if you’re Afro-American? Are you thinking that statement-maker is a closeted racist, may pop up in your mind. Be honest, it just might, you know what I’m say?

Of course no matter what color you are, David Lee is good, but he has his faults and strengths just like any particular player on the Knicks with their particular issues.

With statements like this and others that I hear and read is why I suspect racism.

Let me make one thing clear—I’m not advocating that Isiah Thomas should NOT be fired—because I think it’s time for him to go. To pack his bags and take the 1st flight to Chi-Town. (But for him to come back get on Knicks Draft night with a few nice potential draft selections.lol).

No matter what color Isiah was, he could be Green like the HULK and strong like him too—if you did a poor job, with a losing record to show for it—then buddy, it’s time for you to go. Just that, if he were the HULK, I’m not the one to tell him he’s fired—I leave that to Ed Drossman! lol (Best wishes Ed—I visit u in the Emergency Room when I get the time.)

So in a nut shell that’s how I feel about the/this whole Isiah Thomas, Larry Brown, NY Sports News( particularly when covering the knicks last season) and why I became Anti-NYSportsNews.

“Just as an aside, the Philly sports media make the NY sports media look like the hippie chicks on The Magic Garden. Maybe your movement should spread and there should be an Anti-PSN!

About Philly, their fans and media, they’re supposed to be the “place of brotherly love”, but that place over there is anything but. They’re right for each other.

“Anti–One suggestion on your new handle: Reject, Renounce, Repudiate NEGATIVITY. Negativity is bad. Repeating after my cyber sage/coach who quoted the Bible: Nothing good comes from bad. In other words, drop the ANTI. (LOL)”

Steady,

TY for the advice—I’m still thinking of a handle—but one thing for sure—NEVER Anti-Steady! lol WriteOn!!!

CooleyHigh,

“I understand why a change in handle might occur, but based on MY profile of you DEFENDER, I always thought of you as one that felt,’It doesn’t matter what you call me, as long as you call me’ All of us here call you A TRUE NEW YORK KNICK FAN…There’s no better handle than that my Brudder…”

Thanks, I’m still a Defender just not as an Anti anymore! I was thinking about using my REAL name, but I quickly came to my senses when I put down the crack pipe. lol.

WriteOn, guys!!!!

The GameOn 15 min. interview btw Walsh and Trautwig revealed an interesting nugget. I didn’t know he, Walsh, was a North Carolina guy. You know how fanatically close and loyal those guys are to each other. That may be a factor as far as the coaching decision goes. Walsh hired LB back in the day and I don’t think it would be far fetched to see him fire Isiah for revenge on the LB firing fiasco and that it would also not be far fetched that Hanners (NC guy) could get that job.

Just a theory.

Anti, i heard that bullshit about David Lee being the only good player from a couple of places. Yeah, I think the racial bias is clear. Imagine if Nate Robinson was a 5’7″ white guy. I mean, the press would be salivating about his underdog story…

Jay Bee, about your LB theory. “Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!”

But wan’t one of the points Walsh made was that he didn’t want to hurt cap flexibility for 2010.

Won’t signing one of the above mentioned cost us a pretty penny which would run against Walsh’s stated plans?