The Knicks Thread....

[Jeffx]

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/ ... id=5442858

You all know when Walsh is gone, that piece of shit will try to weasel his way into a higher position. He'll succeed too, because Dolan is a moron.

I HATE this move. Goodbye Knicks - after 40 years, I've had it. Wake me when Zeke or Dolan are gone.

[The X]

Would you ever support the Brooklyn Nets (or whatever their nickname will be) after they make the move?

[Jeffx]

Would you ever support the Brooklyn Nets (or whatever their nickname will be) after they make the move?

Nope. I'm no bandwagoner. I grew up with the Knicks....can't root for another team. I'll come back when Isiah's gone or Dolan sells the team. Right now they're off my radar.

[Andrew]

So...you get rid of a guy who did more harm than good, his replacement does a pretty good job of turning things around even though you miss out on the free agents you've been coveting and then you bring back the guy who caused all the problems in a position that should give him an opportunity to getting his old job back and starting the cycle anew.

It's not as though Dolan wasn't already considered a moron, but that really is the cherry on top.

[Lamrock]

I don't hate this for the Knicks actually. He's a pretty good drafter (blunders that other teams made like passing on Rondo, Granger notwithstanding) and I doubt Dolan will listen when Isiah whispers "Sign Kwame Brown to the MLE" in his ear.

[NovU]

Nevertheless, the team's future isn't looking too shabby for the Knicks. I am assuming much depends on Amare at this moment. Depending on how far Amare can take this team, should dicide who will wanna come.

[Jeffx]

I don't hate this for the Knicks actually. He's a pretty good drafter (blunders that other teams made like passing on Rondo, Granger notwithstanding) and I doubt Dolan will listen when Isiah whispers "Sign Kwame Brown to the MLE" in his ear.

No Lam, this is horrible for the Knicks. You think Walsh is happy knowing that backstabber is on the payroll and in Dolan's ear? Walsh tried to hire Chris Mullin as GM multiple times, yet Dolan said no. Who do you think will make a power grab once Walsh retires?

[koberulz]

Nevertheless, the team's future isn't looking too shabby for the Knicks. I am assuming much depends on Amare at this moment. Depending on how far Amare can take this team, should dicide who will wanna come.

Except that they're, you know...the Knicks.

[Andrew]

It's been suggested that there could be a conflict of interest here because Isiah will remain Florida International's head coach. And frankly, isn't there?

At a time when Boise State coaches can't even offer condolences to the family of a deceased recruit without facing NCAA punishment, the organization apparently sees no competitive advantage in a coach receiving a paycheck from an NBA team. The NCAA says it won't step in to prevent Thomas from working for the Knicks even though the franchise admitted in a press release on Friday that one of Thomas' duties will be "player recruitment."

Under this unique arrangement, Thomas would be in position to promise potential top recruits that he'll recommend them to the Knicks if they agree to play for him at FIU. Furthermore, he'll have the chance to advise FIU players whether or not to leave school early, a potential violation of NBA rules that forbid league personnel from having contact with players who haven't formally entered the draft.

Leave it to Dolan to create another mess when things at least look OK for the Knicks...or better than they did.

[shadowgrin]

There's still hope.

Amazingly enough, the NBA may end up being the organization that forces Thomas to choose between FIU and the Knicks. Since the hire could violate league rules that forbid college coaches from having jobs with NBA teams, spokesman Tim Frank told the Associated Press that the league is looking into it.

[Jeffx]

Walsh Upset Over Secret Isiah-Dolan Deal

Knicks president Donnie Walsh is livid that Isiah Thomas has returned to the organization and feels that his standing with the team may be compromised by owner James Dolan's decision to re-hire Thomas, the New York Post has learned.

Walsh told Thomas in a face-to-face meeting two weeks ago he did not want him working for the organization, according to a team source. Dolan and Thomas had agreed that Thomas could fill the team's general manager vacancy if Walsh was OK with it.

When Walsh told Thomas he objected, Thomas went back to Dolan.

Without Walsh's knowledge, Dolan and Thomas agreed that Thomas could become a part-time consultant while remaining the coach at Florida International.

"Donnie doesn't want him there, nobody wants him there but Dolan," a team source said. "Isiah seems to have Jim wrapped around his finger."



The Knicks are doomed....

[Andrew]

"Isiah seems to have Jim wrapped around his finger."

Certainly does seem that way. Even putting aside what it means from a basketball standpoint, it's a terrible PR move. I guess as long as the Knicks keep making money, any publicity is good publicity in Dolan's eyes.

[Lamrock]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... _position/

How was your break from the Knicks, Jeffx?

[Andrew]

"One of the biggest regrets of my life is that the Knicks didn’t perform up to the standards the fans had every right to expect while I was in charge," the statement continued. "I take full responsibility for that. I was very much looking forward to this unique opportunity to help the organization do what I do best: find basketball talent. I wish the team nothing but success in the future."

The Knicks didn't perform up to standards because Isiah didn't perform up to standards. I notice he kind of downplayed that.

James Dolan released the following statement in response:

"Although I'm disappointed that Isiah will not be working with the Knicks as a consultant, I continue to believe in his basketball knowledge, including his ability to judge talent. He's a good friend of mine and of the organization and I will continue to solicit his views. He will always have strong ties to me and the team.

Gotta use this one for the second day in a row.

[Jeffx]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68646/20100811/isiah_withdraws_acceptance_of_knicks_position/

How was your break from the Knicks, Jeffx?

I'm still on break. Read Dolan's comments. Isiah will always have his ear. And he'll be back as GM or team president when Walsh leaves. Knicks are still doomed.

[Andrew]

Come to think of it, if they're still going to solicit his views, isn't there still going to be a conflict of interest? It's just going to be all under the table instead of out in the open with money changing hands.

[Jeffx]

Come to think of it, if they're still going to solicit his views, isn't there still going to be a conflict of interest? It's just going to be all under the table instead of out in the open with money changing hands.

Exactly, that's how it was before. They talk constantly, and they hang out together. If the Knicks get off to a bad start, imagine what Zeke will say to Dolan about Walsh & D'Antoni. Dolan said Isiah will always be part of the team, which is a big F-U to Stern and the league office.

[Andrew]

It boggles the mind. It doesn't take a genius to see that the Knicks haven't been a good or successful team for some time. Even someone without a great basketball mind should be able to look at the fact the team has lost more games than it's won over X amount of years and realise that something's amiss. It doesn't take much more intelligence than that to make the connection to Isiah and realise that maybe, just maybe, he's responsible for that and it might be for the best if you seek other counsel and let someone else call the shots.

By all means be friends with the guy; if you relate on a personal level then fine. Just be his friend, don't do business with him or talk shop with him.

[Jeffx]

For whatever reason, Dolan has a man-crush on Isiah. And from what I hear, Isiah works Dolan like a hand-puppet when they're together in public.

[shadowgrin]

Isiah works Dolan like a dildo when they're together in private.

Revised.

[Andrew]

I can't remember whether I've asked you this before Jeffx, at least not in these words perhaps, but what did you think of the Knicks during the 90s? Obviously they ultimately came up short on the championship front and in that respect they don't compare to the Knicks teams you grew up with but they made the Finals twice and had some very respectable seasons as legitimate contenders. If they could get back to that level, would you be able to draw any satisfaction from that?

I ask because when it comes to the Bulls, I'd certainly love to see them win another championship at some point in the future but for them to get to that next level and at least be in the discussion, make the Conference Finals and whatnot, is something I'd enjoy seeing in the near future. Not that I'd mind if they skipped that step and won the championship this season of course, but that's not happening. I guess a recent example would be the Suns or Mavericks, no titles but a healthy amount of 50 win seasons, in the discussion as far as title contenders are concerned, that sort of thing. Progress from mediocrity/overachieving, I guess is the bottom line.

[Jeffx]

I can't remember whether I've asked you this before Jeffx, at least not in these words perhaps, but what did you think of the Knicks during the 90s? Obviously they ultimately came up short on the championship front and in that respect they don't compare to the Knicks teams you grew up with but they made the Finals twice and had some very respectable seasons as legitimate contenders. If they could get back to that level, would you be able to draw any satisfaction from that?

Are you kidding, man??????? I'd KILL for those days! Yes they were frustrating by not winning it all(which I'll always blame on Pat the Rat), but they were relevant. They were a tough, hard-nosed, battle-tested defensive team with an established superstar and a HOF coach. You knew they'd win at least 50 games a season and get to the second round or better. And we had great playoff rivalries with Chicago, Indiana, Charlotte(when they had Zo & LJ) and later in the decade, Miami. In May & June, the Garden(and Midtown Manhattan) was JUMPING. Hasn't been like that since the playoff loss to Toronto.

Thanks to this bungling owner(and Isiah waiting to take over), the Knicks are a laughingstock and will go nowhere. Especially with a defensively-challenged coach.

[Andrew]

I figured that'd probably be the case but as you said, there was some frustration (and ultimately, no championships) so I wasn't entirely sure where you ranked that era, given that you were around to enjoy the Knicks' two championships.

[Andrew]

To the surprise of no one, I'm sure...

Knicks all in at workouts -- but Curry

Eddy Curry has claimed another dubious distinction -- last one in.

The Knicks' 7-foot center still has not shown up at the team's Westchester compound to participate in pre-training-camp voluntary workouts/scrimmages, according to multiple sources.

With new Russian center Timofey Mozgov arriving in New York last night, Curry will become the last Knicks player to report, according to sources. The official reporting date is Friday, with two-a-day practices starting Saturday.

Knicks brass hasn't seen or heard from Curry in more than three months. Curry, in the final year of his contract, also blew off the July summer league in Las Vegas, where he was expected to work out. Curry has spent most of the summer in Chicago, where a warrant was out for his arrest for failure to pay a judgment. He's also been seen at the Jersey Shore.

There have been sightings so it's not like we've got another Lorenzen Wright situation here (which is good to hear; as much as criticism as he deserves in his NBA career, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone or their family). Perhaps Curry's lost all enthusiasm for basketball and given what's happened in his personal life over the last couple of years, that's not surprising and certainly understandable. However, he is still under contract and has professional obligations he needs to fufil. I guess it's no big loss for the Knicks as he doesn't seem to fit their plans anyway and let's face it, it's their own fault that they're grossly overpaying him, but for all that money they're paying him they at least deserve a phone call or two.

[Lamrock]

Hey! It's not his fault! He really wanted to go to training camp. He just got stuck...