April fools bring May rebuilding tools
Welcome to another meaningless April. But this will actually be an exciting month for you, Fixers. At least once the games are over.
Isiah Thomas has lasted this long, so why wouldn't James Dolan let him finish out the remainder of the schedule before anything is officially announced about the future? You can expect his impish grin and natty suits to be there to the end, where arguably the worst season in franchise history culminates in Indiana on the 16th.
Perhaps if the Pacers have a pregame ceremony to honor Donnie Walsh and bid him adieu, Thomas can take part by bringing the keys to the Knick franchise to center court and handing them over to Walsh. Make it official and watch on the monitor as a camera perched atop the Empire State Building captures that black cloud as it suddenly drifts away from Madison Square Garden.
That much will be the instant impact of Walsh's arrival, if he does finalize a deal that many believe to be down to dotting i's and crossing t's. Walsh wasn't happy that word got to the media and spread like wildfire, especially with Thomas still holding the job. So everyone has put the brakes on things out of respect for the right way to do business. And, around here, that's a positive sign.
But don't look for too much initially from Walsh. This is a hire to get this place in order more than it is to get this team back among the NBA's elite. As one person close to him told me recently, "You're not going to get the quick-fix with Donnie. Maybe he's just there to get them back on track."
He does, at least, bring a measure of respectability that has been lacking. But what he does after the initial press conference will be more important. What he does with Isiah Thomas -- this is an issue, Fixers -- what he does about his staff and, of course, the roster.
A new standard has to be set and, more importantly, adhered to. Accountability has to be held and rules previously ignored must be enforced. If Jerome James shows up for his fourth training camp out of shape, there will be hell to pay. And a fine. A fine more hefty than he.
Some feel the Knicks as they are currently constructed - warts and all - could at least improve by 10 wins simply with better coaching and stricter enforcement. Swashbuckling Scott Skiles might be the right man for New York (is there anyone more New York than him?), but that might be too extreme of a change from the player-friendly Thomas. Mark Jackson would be an intriguing situation, but with no track record you are taking a gamble and is this franchise in a position to take gambles on anything? At least with Tom Thibodeau, another candidate who has never been an NBA head coach, he has a wealth of experience on an NBA bench. And he might have a ring after this season in Boston.
You might expect the 67-year-old Walsh will hire a No. 2 man, a general manager or basketball operations guy to handle scouting, the draft and the capology. I've mentioned Mark Warkentien, the Denver executive, several times in recent stories because after doing some homework on the man, aside from being one of Walsh's friends, he's a winner. If the Nugs make the playoffs, that will make it 15 times out of 17 NBA seasons the team Warkentien works for has reached the post-season. He has made four stops around the league -- Seattle, Portland, Cleveland and Denver -- and has been never been part of a losing team.
And those I've talked to about Warkentien say he's not about the five-year plan, which is good because Knicks fans have been patient enough.
Another guy I've had my eye on is Kevin Pritchard in Portland. Now I'm not sure if Paul Allen would let him go, but Pritchard is another who has shown the ability to rebuild quickly and efficiently and have success in changing the culture of a troubled franchise by bringing in good people and making smart, though difficult, personnel decisions. Pritchard also knows what it's like to deal on a daily basis with a billionaire owner who likes to be in on everything that goes on with his basketball team. He is, those close to him say, obsessed with the job.
And Billy King, of course, is very much on the list. As Ken Berger wrote in his Sunday column, King has ties to Walsh and though he was fired by the 76ers early this season, he put together the roster that now has Philly locked into a playoff spot and a winning record. He probably has the inside track more than the other two I mentioned because, as Berger wrote, he is not only tight with Walsh, he is tight with Garden president Steve Mills.
There is a lot to digest even after Walsh is officially in place. This will be a very busy offseason.
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Former Knicks draft pick Maciej Lampe (second round, 2003) had a lot of potential, but admits in an interview with HoopsHype that he wasn't ready for the NBA. "I was too young when I left Real Madrid to play in the NBA," Lampe says. "You have to be lucky sometimes and I wasn’t."
The Polish-born Lampe didn't last long with the Knicks. In fact, he never played a game. Isiah Thomas included his rights in the trade for Stephon Marbury and Lampe saw his first and only NBA action with the Phoenix Suns. His Knicks experience, however, did not leave much of an impression.
"I don’t know, I wasn’t too much around," he said of his time in New York. "It’s difficult to play there. The practice facility is too far away from the arena. I played for four teams and I can tell you it wasn’t the best organization by then."
Lampe, a 6-11 power forward, was named MVP of the Russian Cup this season.
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* - By the way, the winner of the 10,000th comment challenge goes to Sec11RowH, who edged out George by mere minutes. I'm happy to see it go to a dedicated Fixer, so Sec11, I'll be in touch about the guest blog. You can write about anything you want related to the Knicks.
* - K-Berg has the wheel tonight from Milwaukee while I'm on Baby Watch. Fixer Nation will get the scoop when Gracie arrives. Thanks again for all of the kind comments and emails off my post from Sunday morning. We've built a great community here and I'm honored to be part of it.
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Comments (15)
Gallinari, 19 year old Italian projected in top 10:
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Danilo-Gallinari-I-m-not-afraid-of-responsibilities/
Question: Are the Knicks so far from being a team that they should take a "best player available" (meaning perhaps, upside potential) rather than draft to fill a right now need?
(Assuming Beasley and Rose are off the board by the time they pick)
Skiles is NOT New York He is California BS tough. He is mean and pushy and a big show, but his players hate him and half the Knicks hate him too. Please stop suggesting a guy who couldn't win with the bulls. Jacks on is a point guard so has a better chance. I would love Van Gundy, but after the way he quit halfway thru the season I doubt that. SAOmebody sign Rafer Alston
Arguably the Knicks can use help at most positions - help meaning at least a solid NBA-caliber starter. I think it was Trane who was calling them a great collection of back-ups - lots of guys who can play in the NBA, but not the players who tend to contribute heavily to good teams. We've talked about the need for a defensive-minded big, but I think we need to seriously upgrade at the 1, 2 and 3 as well. I've just had it with the Crawford (dancing around/off-balance 3 firing/38% shooting) - Nate (helter skelter chucking during another double-digit 4th quarter deficit) axis as the principle backcourt. Balkman and Chandler are interesting, but it is impossible to tell what they can offer without a real coach. I've really come to hate the Knick's perimeter game on both ends.
So Alston, Gallinari - why the heck not? Obviously Alston is more of a finished product, and has been better for Houston then any of the frauds masquerading as Knicks point guards. My main reservation about any teenage prospect coming here is the culture - the Dolan/Isiah/Mills Garden is a death sentence for a developing young player. With a different management group, I would be a lot more optimistic.
One thing I like about Gallinari is that he is the top player on his squad in Italy. A lot of the recent Euro-busts were young guys with good physical tools who weren't rotation players for their teams (Darko and Skita logged very few minutes before they were drafted). The argument for drafting some guy who couldn't get off the bench for a team named after an article of clothing was that European teams make young players pay their dues, wait their turn, etc. In reality, Euro ball is the same as any ball - winning matters, and no coach is going to sit a difference maker because he is too young. Gallinari not only earned minutes as a teenager, but unlike Darko, actually does something with them.
Does that make him an NBA sure thing? Of course not, but it is more promising than the alternative.
I DONT WANT ANY ITALIANS !! (no offense anyone) but they bust more than a tight jimmie-hat. the last straw for me was this kid bellinelli. he was light's out vs. USA and every other team in the World championships and I WANTED HIM on the knicks dearly. the guy can't even get off the bench w/ golden state i believe it is....no thanks. also this guy bargnani is averaging 10pts and 3 rebs as a #1 overall pick. i'll pass on this new guy thank you. rose or beasley is the way to go. then trade randolph or curry for a 2nd pick and acquire my boy jarvis vanardo from miss st. then we're in business....
One coaching name that I haven't seen mentioned, but would be very intriguing, is Bill Laimbeer. He's been coaching in the WNBA (and been a big winner) and would still have NBA credibility from his championship rings. He undoubtedly knows defense and getting guys to play hard. I can't imagine him putting up with the pathetic efforts/teamwork of this bunch and he doesn't have the reputational baggage of Skiles. Your thoughts?
What position does Vanardo play in the pros? He's what - 6'8'', about 200 lbs and no j? He blocked a ton of shots for Miss. State, but also committed a ton of fouls. Pro 4s and 5s will destroy him on the post, and I doubt he can handle NBA 3s on the perimeter. He picks up some garbage hoops around the basket in college which won't be there at the next level either.
The Knicks already have Balkman as a non-shooting energy guy, and while I don't know if Balk is a better pro shotblocker than Vanardo can be, I know Vanardo can't sniff his jock as a man on man defender. At best you're talking a spot reserve - 10th man type - good for a 2nd round pick but hardly worth much discussion.
even with his wnba background, laimbeer would probably find the knicks to be the biggest bunch of pussies hed ever coached
jared jeffries isn't good enough to be a starter in the wnba. not to be a pessimist, but how can this team ever develop a winning attitude after what they have seen the past few years. you like to think that new season, new coach is a fresh start. the culture needs to be changed, and thats not happening til idiots like marbury, jeffries, and jerome james are off the books.
it all comes back to dolan. isiah's firing WOULD be an opportunity to find someone to turn it around. instead, we interview 1 person? that doesn't sound like due process to me.
Walsh is 67. Much like our hometown yankees, we are getting an all star in the twilight of his career. Not very encouraging.
More than anything, they need someone to protect the rim. No team in the nba has any qualms about taking it to the hole against the knicks.
Thanks
i've never seen him listed at 6-8. i've seen 6 9 1/2 and also 6-10 so either way that's talller than balkman. plus he has a 7-3 wingspan. i'll take that anyday...college or pros. he will develop ..trust me. get some weight on him and he is the reincarnation of theo ratliff. also remember marcus camby started out rail thin. the jumper came after 5 yrs or so...not that we can wait that long.
Tha_Prowler - I'd seen 6'9" for Vanardo and college guys usually seem to come out an inch or so shorter in the pre-draft camps, but I also admit you've watched him a lot more than I have, so I'll take your word for it.
BUT... Camby was a first team All-America player of the year type against college comp, and there were still concerns about his physical tools. My concern: if you can't handle Joey Dorsey inside, its going to get ugly when Amare rolls into town.
Having said that - guys come out of nowhere all the time so who knows? I'd be popping champagne corks to see a young Ratliff on the Knicks' front line. Just not sold yet.
Dog fight tonight, as the Knicks are working hard at screwing up their draft pick. These guys are good enough to win just enough games to keep the Knicks from getting an impact player.
Excellent loss tonight! Only eight more games to go and if the Knicks can pull out eight losses, they will have a shot at DRose!
1 o'clock press conference tommorow. Donnie Walsh is in fellas.
Who f'ing cares anymore? Isiah Thomas is in too. He clearly yields power in the organization and has the undying love of Dolan behind him. The franchise is dead to me. It is over. There is no positive in any of this. I am done. I am walking away. I cannot believe I am doing this but this is the end of the road. I am handing in my fan pass and leaving. Screw you, Dolan!
Yeah, Donnie is on his way.
Thats a good move, hopefully he can do some evaluating of the current Knick players and not just make moves during the summer based on sheer rumors, or bias... I'm a believer that alot of the current players will be alot better next year when Stephon and Thomas are gone...
He also will be in the position to personally evaluate Thomas through the last few games, see how the players are responding to him and if he wants to immediately go with another coach... I personally think the dude has to go but honestly there isnt a large poll of talented coaches, I can think of off hand... The best guy out there for the job is Rick Carlisle, but there are rumors that he and Donnie arent exactly tight like that... That Mark Jackson stuff just doesnt sit right with me, he has NO coaching experience and we dont have the luxury of him learning on the job...