Donnie Walsh Finally Joining the Knicks
As ESPN execs shout “first!” in the background Donnie Walsh is expected to be announced as the new President of basketball operations in New York this afternoon. The press conference is set for 1pm.
The deal is reportedly for four years and will pay him somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 mil.
So, is this the end of the Isiah Thomas Era in New York? Knicks fans certainly hope so, but you must keep in mind that Walsh is friendly with Zeke (and was the guy who gave him his first coaching gig in Indy), and James Dolan apparently wants to keep him on board.
One group of people who are undoubtedly happy with the Walsh hiring are the long-suffering beat writers who cover the Knicks every day.
The media-friendly Donnie Walsh is expected to re-define the organization’s highly restrictive policy when it comes to dealing with the press. In other words, even if things don’t work out, you probably won’t see an image of his body attached to a turkey on the front pages of the city’s tabloids.
29 Responses to “Donnie Walsh Finally Joining the Knicks”
Apr.2 at 9:07 am
BETCATS says:
Isiah is a nice guy, i feel bad for him. If only he hadnt ruined the Knicks from the GM postion, then Zeke would have respect! Weeping Willows
Apr.2 at 9:07 am
Jim Mora says:
I apologize for my ignorance, but why do we call Isiah Thomas Zeke?
Apr.2 at 9:11 am
Eboy says:
If he doesn’t fire Isiah, I hope that the Knicks languish in the nether regions of the NBA from another decade.
Apr.2 at 9:20 am
what says:
PLAYOFFS?!??!?!??!
Apr.2 at 9:30 am
Dark says:
hallelujah
Apr.2 at 10:01 am
cracker says:
Name one good thing that has happened to the Knicks on or off the court since they hired Isiah?….. I’ll wait!
Apr.2 at 10:02 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
he’s from the Bronx. I trust him.
Apr.2 at 10:29 am
Mark Z says:
I’d say Walsh should ship Thomas out immediately, but I can’t see how much worse it can get. Let Isiah coach the team to another high lottery pick and then clean house.
Apr.2 at 10:32 am
TADOne says:
Jim Mora: To answer your question, Isiah got the nickname “Zeke” when he was growing up. I know I heard the story, but cannot remember who gave him that name when he was younger. But he has had the nickname since his youth.
Apr.2 at 11:07 am
Jolst says:
Hey, what happened with Frazier?
Apr.2 at 11:47 am
Arof says:
Knicks play the Pistons on April 10 (?) for the Piston’s 50th anniversary celebration. This was planned to be against the Knicks so that Isaiah would be there. Maybe he’ll be fired a few days later?
Apr.2 at 12:34 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I still think they should hire Joe Walsh.
Apr.2 at 12:59 pm
canadian says:
Any change is good right now for the Knicks. If Isiah keeps his job then friendship has been pushed to far. Get him out. Clear the roster. If it was a game I’d say hit the reset button.
Apr.2 at 1:13 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
press conference is on wfan right now… Walsh praised Isiah’s knowledge etc., said he has to evaluate before he does anything
Apr.2 at 1:16 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
he also said there are expiring contracts in 3 yrs. and they can’t take on any more quick fix long term contracts. Heard that one before!
Apr.2 at 1:55 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The press conference was amazing. So mad I didn’t go–it was better than any Knick game this year. Also, it was longer than the past 12 Isiah press conferences combined.
Apr.2 at 2:52 pm
daniel says:
be glad knicks fans, you are getting an extremely respectable, smart guy who knows what he is doing. Brighter days are coming with walsh, i can guarantee you. he did it here in indy
Apr.2 at 2:59 pm
Ron says:
Walsh is the same guy who gave Billy King his first jobs as a player personel guy and hired Isaiah in Indy. So he is linked to two of the worst GM/Presidents in league history. Don’t be surprised if he keeps Zeke as coach and bring in Billy as the new GM. It would be the three Stooges of MSG.
Apr.2 at 4:17 pm
Knicks! says:
We need to get a good GM, a good head coach (Mark Jackson, Scott Skiles for example)
Lose the final games of the season, which we will.
So we have better chances at a top pick.
I hope that we have at least the 2nd pick.
I believe we won’t get the 1st one.
So we can get Derrick Rose or OJ Mayo (yes I still believe in OJ’s game al LOT)
That means a point guard. We need to remove either Eddy or Zach, and possibly trade Q as well..
I like this kind of lineup
PG: Derrick Rose/OJ Mayo with Nate Robinson
SG: Jamal Crawford - Charlie Bell (if we trade with the Bucks)
SF: Linas Kleiza (if we trade with the Nuggets) - Wilson Chandler - Renaldo Balkman
PF: David Lee
C: Eddy Curry
I hope that Eddy and Q get traded too.. They don’t hustle enough (we need that) And we also need to use Walt Frazier and Willis Reed to teach the players how to play Defence!
Apr.2 at 4:39 pm
ciolkstar says:
No chance the Knicks get Kleiza for Chandler/Balkman the Nuggets wouldnt give him up to get Ron Ron and supposedly want to keep him there long term. The Knicks won’t be good next year. Or the year after that. Sorry.
Apr.2 at 4:43 pm
ciolkstar says:
Way too many terrible players with huge, long term deals. Fire Isiah and bring in a coach that the players will atleast pretend to respect
Apr.2 at 5:34 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
@ Knicks!: hahaha ya rite! we aint tradin kleiza! especially not 2 u! ur a funny dude!
Apr.2 at 8:03 pm
razorblade says:
i guess theres no way now that ron ron is going to the big apple
Apr.2 at 9:51 pm
chintao says:
Hey Eboy, shove it up your nether regions.
Apr.3 at 1:26 am
razorblade says:
rip marvin stone
Apr.3 at 6:00 am
TC says:
They will keep losing ball games as long as Isiah is coaching and Stephon “best guard in the NBA” Marbury is running the point.
Apr.3 at 7:26 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
@Knicks!: You couldn’t win more than a little over 30 games with that squad in the NBA. I don’t like the Walsh hiring; he is a timid GM, and failed at rebuilding the Pacers. Also, he’s over the hill at this point. That said, I cannot but feel optimistic. Getting rid of the good Dr. Rev. Thomas will be like suddenly getting your sentence cut short and released from the slammer.
Apr.3 at 7:27 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
So, what was so amazing about the press conference?
Apr.3 at 11:13 am
Ben Osborne says:
does he look a little like Morton Downey, Jr.