Thread Tools

Display Modes

**USSKittyHawk** · 04-15-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

April 14, 2008 --

Donnie Walsh kept up the charade yesterday, saying he hasn't decided to bounce Isiah Thomas as coach but indicated the announcement could come Thursday or Friday.

But make no mistake: Tonight is last call for Thomas at the Garden. And tonight is your last chance, for old time sake, to chant "Fire Isiah" at the sold-out Garden when the Knicks (23-57) host the juggernaut Celtics in Thomas' home farewell. Let's hope the fans aren't too full from the free hot dogs the Garden is distributing on Fan Appeciation Night.

"I'm not ready to make any kind of announcements," said Walsh, attending his first Knicks' practice as team president. "I talked to Isiah a couple of times, and we'll continue that through the end of the season."

The end of the season is Wednesday in Indiana. Asked if he could make it official Thursday, Walsh said, "Let's put it this way. I'm not going to put a timetable on it but I understand decisions have to made at a certain point. I knew coming in you have to make tough decisions. I'm trying to make the right decision. It is what it is."

Walsh will have player exit interviews Thursday, including his big showdown with Stephon Marbury, so an announcement on Thomas may not come till Friday.

Further talks with Thomas likely center on what reduced position Thomas is willing to take in the organization. The next few days could be designed to come up with a fancy title for it - such as director of player development. Since Thomas has nowhere else to go, except perhaps Detroit, he's willing to take another major demotion.

Thomas is still telling his confidants he could survive as coach, probably to make it appear as if Walsh had a tough decision. Mark Jackson, who did the ABC telecast yesterday with Knicks announcer Mike Breen and ex-Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, is emerging as a top candidate.

It may take longer to remove Eddy Curry, but Walsh dropped several strong hints he does not consider Curry a franchise center and it appears Curry will be shopped this summer.

Because Curry's contract lasts to 2011, a Curry trade will clear further cap space for that 2010 dynamic free-agent class. Curry is more marketable than Zach Randolph. Walsh is an old-schooler who wants his center to be defensive-dominant such as Tyson Chandler.

Interior defense is one area Walsh thinks needs upgrading next season, according to a source.

"I think he's an offensive force down low," Walsh said. "There's something to be said about that. They can have a big impact on a team. It isn't something you treat lightly."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04142008...all_106400.htm

**Ruff Draft** · 04-15-2008, 12:44 PM

I would give him one more year. He seems to have the right hopes for the team, and he knows who has a head on their shoulders. Let Walsh sort out the garbage and have Isiah direct it.

**USSKittyHawk** · 04-15-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruff Draft

I would give him one more year. He seems to have the right hopes for the team, and he knows who has a head on their shoulders. Let Walsh sort out the garbage and have Isiah direct it.

Nooooo Ruff.......noooooooo!!!

Roca · 04-15-2008, 02:39 PM

I think enough is enough now, he has had his chances, he was a bad gm and not that great of a coach i mean look at the starting line ups he chose, and inconsistency in the starters has been a major issue. Not to mention what a terrible season we have had, i think its best to cut all ties with the old regime and start a new.

urwhatueati8god · 04-15-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruff Draft

I would give him one more year. He seems to have the right hopes for the team, and he knows who has a head on their shoulders. Let Walsh sort out the garbage and have Isiah direct it.

nymoorestx · 04-16-2008, 09:08 PM

When LB was inconsistent with the lineups and the minutes he was nailed. Has IT been any better?

He has got to go.

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes