My cell phone never hung up during the entire 75 minute drive from the Garden to my house. I literally bounced from one call to another and the end result, Fixers, was a frustrating inability to confirm the ESPN report.
I was able to find out some details of ESPN's story. Usually the network credits a scoop to one of its reporters (i.e.: ESPN's Chris Sheridan is reporting . . .) but on this one a reporter is conspicuously not credited. I was informed that the reason for this is because the report came from an executive-level figure at ESPN, not someone at the reporter level.
I find it hard to believe that this came from the Knicks or the Garden. Throughout this entire ordeal, Garden people have remained tight-lipped. No comment, no nothing. Whatever ESPN got wind of had to have come from someone close to Walsh or the man himself.
This on the same day Walsh's attorney, Steve Kauffman, had a secretary read a statement to any member of the media who called him for information. The statement said Kauffman would not comment until after the season.
As of 1:30 a.m., the Knicks have not announced a press conference for Tuesday. As the report said, Walsh's agreement with the Knicks isn't expected to happen until after the season. How fitting that the Knicks end the regular season April 16 in Indiana?
All of this seems very peculiar. The Pacers hastily arrange a press conference on a Monday afternoon to announce that Larry Bird has been given sole control of the operation and Donnie Walsh is leaving after 24 years. Why the rush? Herb Simon said it was because the media speculation had everyone confused. Oh really? Since when did that ever matter?
There's more to this story as the ESPN report that emerged later in the day proved.
And if the ESPN report is accurate -- hey, a high-level executive there is putting his reputation and credibility on the line, so you would hope it is accurate -- that means James Dolan and Steve Mills didn't put too much time or effort into searching for the best candidate available. Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, Kiki Vandeweghe, for starters...and what about Dennis Lindsey, Dave Griffin or Kevin Pritchard? You couldn't wait until after the season was over and brought a few of those guys in for an interview??
The three-year deal ESPN is reporting as the contract Walsh is expected to sign is also something to look into. Three years for someone who is coming in to take over a franchise? "Very short," is how one NBA general manager reacted when I mentioned it to him tonight.
A long day that started out with few expectations. The Pacers practiced in the morning with no indication that the team had any plans to make what they eventually deemed a "major" announcement. By 3:30 p.m. there was a press conference that no one saw coming and moments later Walsh's ouster was public knowledge. By 10 p.m. word of the report that Walsh had agreed to join the Knicks started to filter out. By 11 p.m. it was on SportsCenter.
As I finish typing this it is nearly 2 a.m. and so many questions remain unanswered.
But it's time for bed.
Good night.
Comments (9)
Hey Alan, good job on trying to find info for us man. The way this thing went isn't the best way but if it means Isiah is fired then so be it. If it means Isiah is remaining, then I'm done with this franchise.
Exciting, yet still be weary. The pacers past few seasons arent worth bragging about. Can a man of this age still see what is best for a francise? Parcells can do it, and anyone is better then Isiah.
Any change at this point is a positive one.
Man – one day of crisis at work, I finally check the site at 3 am . . . and it’s a brand new world.
I wish I could get more excited. I think we’re better off. Certainly we’ll be better off. But I’m not convinced there isn’t some kind of deal to keep Isiah as coach. And that’s unacceptable. Moreover, was a little due diligence on the part of MSG too much to ask? Did they interview anybody else for the job?
There’s no question that Walsh makes us credible again, immediately. If nothing else, Isiah can’t do nearly as much damage, even if he’s retained as coach. We’ll just have a terribly coached team, run by a terrible coach.
In other words . . . I’ve gone from very afraid . . . to sort’a afraid. After more than 4 years of Isiah Thomas, I guess that’s an improvement.
we need a new coach... a new point guard.. and dispose the the JJ's
Didn't you write earlier that GM's said it would take at least 4 years to get the franchise back in order. 4 years and all he reportedly gets is a 3 year deal.
Although we know how easy it is to get a contract extension so I wouldn't be too worried.
Next up, coaching candidates.
The question is, will Walsh be allowed to rebuild the Knicks from scratch, or will he be told to 'keep them competitive' the whole time
If it's true, and Walsh takes over, I think the objections are valid: why so quick, and why not look for other good candidates? But I see two big pluses, if this is all true: (1) Walsh will bring, if not the best rebuilding eye for talent in the game, at the very least, some very good basketball common sense to the Knicks, which will help immensely. Basically, to start turning things around, Donnie doesn't need to be great, he needs only to be good; and (2) if the 3-year term is correct, which seems reasonable given that he's 67, then part of his successful completion of the contract will be to identify and mentor his successor.
Thia situation is getting sticky. Isiah's gag order will blow when he knows he is a lame duck. Walsh brings experience. But, he cant be a long time solution at 67. Walsh could bring some sense back in this organization with players and coach evaluation. He will need to bring in a right hand man to follow his lead and follow what he can bring after he goes.
Donnie Walsh is a great choice.......now we have to re-build the NYK culture around his proven leadership!
Who are the great Knicks to come in now and take their battlesations????????