Donnie Walsh out as Knicks GM

Here's the statement from James Dolan:

"Following a long series of discussions regarding his future role with the New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh and I have mutually agreed that he will be leaving his position as president, basketball operations of the Knicks at the end of June. Donnie will remain with the team as a consultant for the 2011-12 season. In a relatively short time with the Knicks, Donnie made a tremendous impact, which will be felt for many years to come. We thank Donnie for his leadership, hard work and many contributions to the revitalization of the team.


"We will now begin an immediate search for a new president and general manager, but do not have a timetable for the decision. Glen Grunwald, the Knicks' senior vice president, basketball operations, will serve as interim general manager beginning in July, overseeing all player transactions. With some of the NBA's premier players, an outstanding coach and one of the league's most passionate and loyal fanbases, we are extremely confident about the future of the Knicks franchise."

This story is unfolding as you read this, more drama to come soon.

Knicks Pick-Up Billups Option for 2012

No buy out for Chauncey here, Knicks have picked up the 1 year option worth 14 million plus.

via espn.com

"Chauncey, Amare [Stoudemire] and Chauncey [Billups] are a great nucleus, as we continue to look to improve our team going into the offseason," Knicks president of basketball operation Donnie Walsh said in a statement. "Chauncey is an extremely talented and experienced point guard -- we are very happy to have him back."

What does this mean for the Knicks front line help, only the new collective bargaining agreement can  answer that.

GAME 4's SWEEP LEAVES US WITH A WORLD OF QUESTIONS

The 2010-2011 Knicks took a page out of The Cohen Brothers film-making with this closing performance. This season had its great amount of highs and lows but the ending to this story was a complete failure. Some die-hard fans of the Knicks and Cohen Brothers films will always see the glass half-full in the end, but whether you were proud of this team or ashamed to be a fan were all left with many questions to be answered.
 

1. Is Donnie Walsh going to return?
2.  
3. Does Mike D'Antoni deserve another season with a complete team?
4.  
5. Will they pick-up the Billups contract option?
6.  
7. Which of the seven (ACarter, Shawne Williams, RMason, RonnyT, Sheldon Williams,Jared J, DBrown) Free-Agents this off-season should be re-signed?
8.  
9. What is the biggest roster need, C, PG, SG?

Charles Barkley Apologizes to Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh

via NYPost.com

"I have a rule, I try to always be honest and fair on TV," Barkley said. "I screwed up the other night when I said something about Mike D'Antoni that wasn't cool. I want to apologize to Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh. When you're on television you should never talk about someone getting hired and fired. That's inappropriate. I made that mistake. I want to apologize personally to Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh. I've got great respect for Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni. I want to apologize. That's all I can do."

Barkley may be onto something, with an impending sweep on Easter Sunday, Donnie Walsh's contract expiring it may be time for day I say the return of Isiah Thomas. Don't mind me, I'm just upset...

Read more: HERE

Herb Grows in the Garden

Most Knicks have came to the conclusion that Mike D'Antoni is not the coach for this team anymore. With nine games left in the regular season and most likely and first round match-up with either the Celtics, Heat, or Bulls Coach D'Antoni's tenure in NYC should be coming to a early end. Technically he has another year left on is original 4 year 24 million dollar deal, but in recent years we've seen James Dolan eat conrtacts with more money and years than that.

The general feeling is that the Knicks need a defensive minded coach to lead this team to elite status. While this maybe true, most blogs,fans, writers,and experts believe that person should be a veteran or big name New York guy i.e Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson etc. I think most including Donnie Walsh are overlooking a great candidate in there own backyard, Herb Williams.

Herb joined the Knicks’ staff as an assistant coach on Dec. 29, 2001. Since then he's lasted within the organization through many coaching changes, Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas, and Mike D'Antoni. He's picked up a little bit of everything from each of the guys, as well as a short stint at head coaching going 17-27 during the remainder of the 2004-05 season. Herb has earned the respect of his colleagues as well as the players. He comes from the hard nose, gritty, rugged defensive 90's Knicks teams.

Promoting Herb to the head coach wouldn't be a popular one but it may be the right one. A growing trend in the NBA with successful teams is building from within with young coaches. Monty Williams(Hornets), Larry Drew(Hawks), Tyrone Corbin(Jazz), Lionel Hollins(Grizzlies) etc. The Lakers and Phil Jackson are contemplating handing over the job to Brian Shaw as well. Knicks fans demand a coach that can get the best out the team and Mike D'Antoni seems to be too stubborn to adapt to his new team make-up. We may be jumping the gun somewhat with D'Antoni's coaching of this team but like everything else in New York good results are expected quickly.

MDA may still be able to salvage his future in New York with a playoff series win, but that outcome seems extremely far fetched with the teams recent play. Maybe its time for the big guy sitting next to him to stand up and take over. We'll see...

Donnie Walsh Not Ready To Bring Back Earl Barron Just Yet

Via Chris Sheridan/ESPN

Even as coach Mike D'Antoni was changing his starting lineup yet again Monday, team president Donnie Walsh didn't sound all that enamored of the possibility of signing center Earl Barron, second 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks expired, making him a playoff-eligible free agent.

"If we can do something to help the team, we’ll do it. But I'm not sure that's the answer," Walsh said prior to Monday night's game against Boston. "I think you've got to have somebody who’s going to be out there and can impact on the game, and I don’t know if he's a that level yet. He could be. I liked the way he played last year."

"We have 15 players, we’re not playing big guys a lot, we’re starting to play them now, I want to see how that goes and see where that fits in," Walsh said. "I don’t know that we would cut somebody right now in order to bring him in."

Read More HERE

Warkentien: The New Consigliere In The Knicks Family

The Knicks have hired Mark Warkentien as the new Consigliere in the Knicks Family: job one, get Carmelo.

  Warkentien recently conducted a phone interview with Ian O'Conner and talked about his role in the organization and team plans.

via ESPN.com


People around the New York Knicks say Jim Dolan, not Donnie Walsh, was the man who added Mark Warkentien to a front office as packed as Penn Station at rush hour, and over the phone Monday the team's newest executive preferred to keep that issue up in the air, a bit like a jump ball.

"I have no idea, other than I dealt with Donnie," Warkentien said. "I wouldn't know how much he had to deal with Jim or not on it. That's a conversation above my pay grade."

"You get to work for a guy you always wanted to work with in Donnie Walsh, and then it's Madison Square Garden," Warkentien said. "I'm 57, and is there anyone in our age group who doesn't want to be a part of the Garden? It's the mecca, and it's New York. It's like, 'Wow.'"

"I can't talk about anything related to our roster," Warkentien said over the phone. "That's a conversation for Donnie."

"Donnie and I have been talking about working together in New York for a long time," he said before scouting Monday night's Missouri-Kansas game for the Knicks. "It's not like this was a new conversation. Donnie flew me into New York right around Labor Day, I spent two days there, we talked at great length about it, and it's been gathering momentum since then. Thank goodness it got done.

"If Donnie's the godfather, and he is, I'm a mere consigliere. But I think Donnie and I have real synergy. I have my finger on the pulse of the west big time, and his roots are all eastern."

Read the entire article HERE

Listen Mr.Ujiiri,Denver Can Be The Next Cleveland Cavs

It's been a slow week or two in the Carmelo Anthony trade talks, which is unusual as the clock is ticking down pretty quickly to the trade deadline, which is now less than three weeks away. Why the slowdown?
The most obvious explanation: Anthony only wants to be traded to the Knicks and the Knicks are smart enough to wait until this offseason rather than trading for him.

The ball is squarely in Denver's court.
sources says the Knicks don’t feel pressed to present a substantial trade offer to the Nuggets.
Their choices: re-assess what New York has to offer and accept the discount, pray that the New Jersey Nets execute an about-face and re-enter trade talks, sell Melo for pennies on the dollar to a contender that doesn't require an extension to pull a trade, or hold onto him and watch him walk away for nothing in free agency this summer.
All things considered: putting something together with the Knicks still seems like the best, most realistic option.

If the Knicks have to breakdown and include Danilo Gallinari with Landry Fields it would be a big loss, but it’s necessary.

G.M. Donnie Walsh needs to get creative with this. Unload Eddy Curry's expiring deal for an above average big man or a tough defender that Denver could really use right away.

Via:cbssports.com

Walsh Not Fazed By Contract Situation

Most Knicks faithfuls have been scratching there heads wondering why hasn't Donnie Walsh received a extension yet. Its seems like Donnie is the only person wo's not worried about it, yet.

“I’m embarrassed by all this,” Walsh told reporters in Greenburgh, N.Y., adding, “It’s the last thing in the world that I want.”

Walsh's contract expires June 30th but most would have assumed by now some sort of assurance from James Dolan already considering the team has done a complete 180 degree turn-around. The Knicks have an option for another season with Donnie, but that must be picked up by April 30th.

“There is a date. We’re not close to it,” he said in a telephone interview, referring to the April 30 deadline.

“One thing I know about Dolan is he’s honest,” Walsh added. “I don’t think he’d be going through all this rigmarole if he wanted to get rid of me.” 

Qoutes via NYTimes.com

Read More HERE

Isiah-era Knicks That The Don Had To Fix: Where are they now?

All the talk in the city yesterday was about the hiring of former vice president of Nuggets basketball operations Mark Warkentien as Knick consultant,possible heir to the "Don",they are several other potential predecessors out there to take over for the real KnicksGM,69 year old Donnie Walsh.The question the streets wanna know is will the "famously unpredictable," James L. Dolan retain his 2012 option by the deadline of april 30th reported by the New York Times. I say instead of grooming his replacement while he is arguably the GM of the year,besides the former Knicks coach that fled after 94,how about we make him feel appreciated for the great work he has done like landing STAT and lock him up for as long as he wants to be the KnicksGM.

Internally, there are fears that Dolan will attempt to bring Isiah Thomas back to run the team, the Times reports.

Here is a rundown and update of the players the last KnicksGM brought into NYC.

THE BALLERS they tried

Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies Had a brief and forgettable stopover with the Los Angeles Clippers. Now producing the usual gaudy numbers for Memphis: 20 points and a career-best 13.2 rebounds a game. Has not made the playoffs or been part of a winning team, though the Grizzlies have a shot at the eighth seed in the West. Salary in 2008: $13.3 million. Current salary: $17.3 million. How he left: Traded (with Mardy Collins) to Clippers, for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas, on Nov. 21, 2008.

Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks Won the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, simultaneously proving that Crawford was a) one of the better players Isiah Thomas acquired and b) was miscast by Thomas as a starting guard and No. 1 scoring option. Remains a key reserve for playoff-bound Hawks, but scoring and shooting percentages have dipped, to 15.9 points and 43 percent. Salary in 2008: $7.9 million. Current salary: $10.1 million. How he left: Traded to Warriors, for Al Harrington, on Nov. 21, 2008.

David Lee, Golden State Warriors Named an All-Star in final Knicks season, albeit as an injury replacement. Was the best member of a bad Knicks team, averaging 20.2 points and 11.7 rebounds. Now a solid member of a poor Warriors team, averaging 16 points and 9.7 rebounds. Salary in 2008: $990,000. Current salary: $10.8 million. How he left: In sign-and-trade deal with Warriors, for Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and Kelenna Azubuike, on July 8, 2010.

Nate Robinson, Boston Celtics Other than Crawford, the only Isiah-era Knick to play a major role for a playoff team. Helped fuel Celtics’ Game 4 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010 N.B.A. finals. Now averaging 7.7 points and shooting .412 as the Celtics’ sixth man. Salary in 2008: $1.3 million. Current salary: $4.2 million. How he left: Traded (with Marcus Landry) to Boston, for Eddie House, Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens, on Feb. 18, 2010.

Wilson Chandler, Knicks Thomas’s best parting gift — a talented, low-maintenance, high-scoring forward who always plays hard and improves every year. Averaging a career-best 17.4 points. Current salary: $2.1 million. Future: A free agent this summer, could be used in trade for Carmelo Anthony or let go to make room for Anthony.

ON THERE LAST LEGS hanging by a thread

Quentin Richardson, Orlando Magic Opened season as a key rotation player, became superfluous when Magic acquired Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson. Played 57 minutes in January. Salary in 2008: $8.1 million. Current salary: $2.3 million. How he left: Traded to Memphis, for Darko Milicic, on June 26, 2008.

Jared Jeffries, Houston Rockets Found niche as versatile defender in his final years with Knicks. Niche in Houston is between 13th and 14th seats on the bench. Has made 17 appearances this season, averaging 7.8 minutes. (Side note: Thomas, upon signing Jeffries, said he would “balance the plane ride.”) Salary in 2008: $5.6 million. Current salary: $6.9 million. How he left: Traded to Houston (with Jordan Hill) in three-team deal that brought Tracy McGrady to Knicks, on Feb. 18, 2010.

Renaldo Balkman, Denver Nuggets The hustle. The hair. The Rodman-like nose for the ball. There was little to enjoy about these Knicks, but Balkman’s frantic energy was something. He is more static now: He has played 44 minutes this season. (Side note: Balkman was drafted one spot ahead of Rajon Rondo in 2006.) Salary in 2008: $1.3 million. Current salary: $1.7 million. How he left: Traded to Denver for Taurean Green, Bobby Jones and a second-round pick, on July 28, 2008. (Jones and Green were later waived.)

Eddy Curry, Knicks Symbol of an era of overpaid underachievers. Peaked in 2006-7 (19.5 points a game), regressing ever since. Unable to stay healthy or in shape jeopardizing career. Has appeared in 10 games since start of the 2008-9 season. Salary in 2008: $8.9 million. Current salary: $11.3 million. Future: If Knicks cannot trade his expiring contract by Feb. 24, they will probably waive him.

WASHED UP,NOT IN THE ASSOCIATION steph should be ashamed of himself

Stephon Marbury Benched by Coach Mike D’Antoni. Refused a buyout. Took a buyout. Joined the Celtics. Played sparingly. Declined to re-sign with Celtics. Wanted better offer. Found no other offers. Went on YouTube. Ate Vaseline. Now playing in China. Salary in 2008: $19 million. How he left: Waived Feb. 24,2009.

Jerome James Often injured, always jovial, rarely in shape. Spent a lot of time on what came to be known as the Jerome James Memorial Stationary Bike. Presumed retired. Salary in 2008: $5.8 million. How he left: Traded (with Tim Thomas, Anthony Roberson) to Chicago for Larry Hughes on Feb. 19, 2009.

Malik Rose Consummate nice guy, veteran of two Spurs championship teams, tried best to infuse professionalism in a chaotic environment. Now a broadcaster for the Spurs. Salary in 2008: $7.1 million. How he left: Traded to Oklahoma City for Chris Wilcox on Feb. 19, 2009.

Mardy Collins Steady, selfless guard. Not particularly good at anything. Out of league after failing to make Washington Wizards last fall. (Side note: Paul Millsap was still on the board when Collins was drafted in 2006.) Salary in 2008: $967,000. How he left: Traded (with Zach Randolph) to Clippers on Nov. 21, 2008.

Fred Jones Won 2004 slam-dunk contest. Won 23 games in only season with the Knicks. Spent 2008-9 with Clippers. Has not been seen since. Salary in 2008: $3.3 million. How he left: Was not re-signed after 2007-8 season.

Randolph Morris When Knicks signed him straight out of college — via little-known loophole — Thomas said Randolph was like an extra first-round pick. Like an extra Mardy Collins. Salary in 2008: $810,000. How he left: Was not re-signed after 2007-8 season.

SOURCES:New York Times
VIA:offthedribble.blogs

Donnie Walsh has Joel Przybilla and Marc Gasol on his wish list

via NyDailyNews.com

Mitch Lawrence is reporting that a source close to the Knicks indicated that Donnie Walsh has Joel Przybilla or Marc Gasol on his trade wish list.


"He's not getting any heat from above," said the source, referring to Walsh.
With the trading deadline still 30 days away, Walsh and the Knicks seem to be more focused on adding a big man and shoring up the backcourt than going after a major piece in Anthony.

"The Knicks are like a lot of teams, they're keeping their eyes peeled for help," said an Eastern Conference GM. "But there are a few teams that are looking for the same things the Knicks are."

"Donnie is going to err on the side of taking his time," said the GM. "He's going to wait for the right deal to come along."

Read More HERE

Donnie Walsh Will Re-Sign Wilson Chandler

via NYPost.com

"Wilson's a restricted free agent and I'm going to sign him," Walsh said yesterday. "He's a helluva player."

Chris Luchey, Chandler's agent, said he and Walsh were close to a pact before David Stern made alarming remarks in late October about cap shrinkage.
"We have a great, open working relationship with Donnie," Luchey told The Post. "We did feel like we were close to having a deal done early on. We thought we were in the same ballpark on what his value was before the commissioner came out with strong statements. That kind of startled Donnie and got him to backpedal."
"So we agreed we can play it out, knowing it could backfire in them having to spend more money if his value goes up," he said. "His value has definitely risen since Oct. 31. But my belief is Donnie wants to retain him, even if another spectacular free agent -- not naming names -- comes up."

Thank the Basketball Gods that Donnie is in control, I think Knicks fans really under-appreciate the work this General Manager has done since he's taken over. He's showing us that even at his age you can still learn more, last year's free agency hoopla showed everyone that anything can happen so taking chances is not the answer. Wilson Chandler is not one of those chances, he's definitely a sure thing!
 

 

Read more: HERE

Landry Fields The Next John Havlicek?

NYPost.com

"Talking to some people today, he reminds them of John Havlicek when he first came into the league," Walsh said.

Donnie is Assessing the Knicks Depth

via NYDailynews.com

"I'm tired of watching games on TV," said the Knicks' team president, who has been unable to attend home games since having hip replacement surgery on Nov. 16.

Article After the Jump

NBA X-Mas Gifts

via NYDailyNews.com

Isiah Thomas: A job in the Garden - coaching the Liberty.

Donnie Walsh: Complete autonomy

Jim Dolan: Wisdom.

Mike D'Antoni: Jeff Van Gundy's defensive playbook.

Pat Riley: Peace, prosperity and Erik Spoelstra's job.

Erik Spoelstra: His old job doing the board for Pat Riley.

LeBron James: Game 5 vs. Boston expunged from his permanent record.

Maverick Carter: A crash-course in marketing/PR.

Chris Bosh: No games in Toronto this season.

Steve Nash: Amar'e Stoudemire.

Amar'e Stoudemire: M-V-P chants in the Garden in May.

Mike D'Antoni, Donnie Walsh Evaluate Knicks (11-29)

Donnie Walsh feels 'good' after hip surgery

via NYDailynews.com

"I feel good, it's good to be back at practice," the 69-year-old Walsh said. "We haven't had a lot of practices here, haven't missed a lot of practices and I liked what I've seen on TV with the team since I've been out."

"I can make phone calls and I've done that," Walsh said. "It's not like being there, but you can get a lot of work done."

"I think they are grasping our style, so they are playing better," Walsh said. "I think they've played some really good games."

"There are a lot of reasons why, but whatever it is we've got to find the answers and make this our home court," Walsh said. "We have one of the best home courts in the whole league and we haven't taken advantage of it."
"It's sometimes scheduling, it's sometimes letting down when we get home, because we think we're home and we don't focus as much," Mike D'Antoni added. "It's just something that happened and hopefully starting (Tuesday) it's something we'll turn around."


Read more:  HERE

Charles Oakley On WFAN- Knicks’ Donnie Walsh Walsh Owes Me An Apology Full Audio

Charles Oakley On WFAN- Knicks’ Donnie Walsh Walsh Owes Me An Apology by KnicksGM

Walsh Isn't Ready To Judge D'Antoni

via newyorktimes.com


They Knicks lost seven of their first 10 games, a slightly better mark than last year’s 1-10 beginning. After Sunday’s loss to Houston, Amar’e Stoudemire, the team’s marquee free agent signee, bemoaned the team’s attitude and lack of urgency. But Walsh said he had l not made any opinions on D’Antoni as the Knicks departed for a four-game trip that begins Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets.
“I’ve made no judgment on Mike in the first few years, basically because I didn’t think he had the personnel to compete because of what we were doing,” said, Walsh, who is expected to be away from the team as he recovers from hip-replacement surgery this week.
“This team is a young team that has to be brought along a certain way. He’s trying to do that. In the first 10 games, I expected that we would be up and down, and we have. So I don’t think it’s time for me to make judgments on Mike.”
At Monday’s practice, Stoudemire said he is confident in his teammates, but that they need to buy into D’Antoni’s system. Both D’Antoni and Walsh said the players are not in the mindset to run on every possession — a key component to D’Antoni’s offense. And so, the Knicks have been blown out, they’ve fumbled leads big and small and have been outhustled and outplayed.
“It takes a while for guys to really get comfortable and really have confidence in the system,” Stoudemire said. “Everybody’s used to playing a different way, so it takes a little time. But I think now we understand that we have no choice. It definitely wasn’t a great start to the year, but we have a long season and we’ve got a chance to turn things around.”
D’Antoni said he did not expect to alter his starting lineup in Denver. Against Houston on Sunday, D’Antoni started Timofey Mozgov and sent Wilson Chandler to the bench to serve as a spark plug. But he started the second half with Chandler in for Mozgov. Ronny Turiaf, who is expected to return from a sprained knee against Denver, may soon evolve into the starting center.
“I’m always concerned, when you’re 3-7,” D’Antoni said. “And again, we could have won a couple games and then you’re 5-5, you’re a little less concerned. But I do think these guys will get it. I hate it that we’re in this spot.
“I’m not pushing the panic button. I’ve got my juices flowing, and we’re trying to get this thing solved.”

Read the rest HERE

Donnie Walsh on Boomer & Carton Interview (Full Audio)

Donnie Walsh on Boomer & Carton 11/12/10 by KnicksGM