Posted by VDesai:

http://www.nydailynews.com/seven/04012008/sports/knicks/clyde_to_the_rescue_104414.htm

'CLYDE' TO THE RESCUE
By Mitch Lawrence


April 1, 2008 -- MILWAUKEE - All James Dolan has to do is ask.
Knicks legend Walt Frazier, who has avoided coaching to date, told The Post he is eager to serve as a part-time defensive instructor next season when president-in-waiting Donnie Walsh is expected to make a full scale purge.

"Clyde," a Knicks' Hall-of-Famer, can envision attending training camp and periodic practices to teach defensive fundamentals - an area he believes doomed the soon-to-be-vanquished Isiah Thomas Era. Frazier was named to the NBA's first team All Defense seven times.

"I'd be delighted to help," Frazier said after watching another miserable defensive outing in Sunday nights 114-109 loss in Atlanta. "(But) they've never asked me to do anything with the team."

Frazier, the team broadcaster for 21 years, said he is surprised he, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, Willis Reed and other members of the 1970 and 1973 championship teams have never been invited to training camp to work with the players. Last season Patrick Ewing was unemployed but wasn't asked to help out either.

"We have a legacy," Clyde said. "Usually I would think when they go to training camp, they'd bring some of the Knick guys down to perpetuate the legacy of the team. You have Hall-of-Fame players."

Frazier's broadcasting role could be further reduced when Walsh comes in. The Pacers have one of the game's best color commentators, Clark Kellogg, who also works national college games.

Frazier sensed three years ago the club was trying to phase him out but heard Thomas stood up for him.

Frazier still has no aspirations to be a full-time head coach, but his vast knowledge is being wasted on the airwaves. He is such an unassuming person, it is doubtful he would get in the way of the new coaching staff.

"I see a lot of things I can help guys with, especially defense," Frazier said. "That's my forte. I really love defense."

The Knicks are dead last in defensive field goal percentage (47.3 percent) and blocked shots (2.6 ppg). Frazier does not agree with Thomas' defensive system.

If the Knicks were a little sturdier on defense, Frazier said he feels this season's catastrophe could have been avoided.

"To me, it's defense," said Frazier, who turned 63 Saturday. "That's the quick fix, if you want to turn your team around quickly. You look at Toronto, Orlando, teams that have improved in this league, they began playing better defense. They're not a good team because they're at the bottom in steals, worst in the league in blocked shots."

According to Frazier's attorney, Maged Riad, the Mavericks were interested in Frazier for an assistant's position seven years ago when Don Nelson was the coach. But a firm offer never came.

The Knicks current assistant staff is a hodgepodge, remnants from Don Chaney's staff (Herb Williams), Larry Brown's staff (Dave Hanners) and Isiah's handpicked guys (Mark Aguirre and George Glymph). Only Williams - and possibly Brendan Suhr because of his draft acumen - figure to survive the Walsh purge.

Williams likely will be interviewed for the head coaching job, but would need to hire a veteran X's and O's coach in the Dick Harter mold, an ingredient the current staff does not have.

Frazier said he is content with his 65-game broadcast schedule, which allows him his in-season trips to his home in St. Croix. As the players can't wait for the end of the season, neither can Clyde.


*
The Knicks (20-53) continue a five-game road trip in Milwaukee tonight and still have shot at sinking below Minnesota (19-53), Memphis (19-54) and Seattle (17-57) for lottery's second seed. Thomas cancelled practice again yesterday.


*
While Walsh and Bucks owner Herb Kohl are friends, Walsh is too involved with joining the Knicks for him to emerge as a candidate in Milwaukee again. Negotiations between Walsh and the Knicks are still in the preliminary stages.

mlawrence@nydailynews.com

Did Mitch Lawrence write this article? If he did and you didn't check the source ahead of time some of your UK privileges should be stripped. This guy is 1000% wrong 100% of the time. He's the absolute last person we should think has any inside info on this team or who does candid interviews with individuals close the the team.


I will say remember when Clyde told us on several occasions he was going to get with Mardy to work on his jumper to eliminate his hitch in his shot. Mardy comes back this yr shooting a worse percentage vs last yr 32% compared to 38% and a worse percentage at the free throw line 56% compared to 58%. Clyde is probably the last person we want working on anything fundamental with our team....

Oh wait that's right I forgot Clyde mentioned Mardy chose not to work with him rejecting his overtures. It probably had a lot to do with I SAY UGH playing his MEGALOMANIACAL, protective Dad, scorn any and every Knick legend possible, recommending his players stay away from all good advice and assistance.

With this said I'm going to take what Clyde is saying with a grain of salt until the new regime is finally here flexing the Iron Curtain. No Clyde, No Starks, No Ewing, No Monitor Houston, No Oakley



[Edited by - TrueBlue on 04-01-2008 09:26 AM]

Posted by franco12:

Walsh will piss me off if he brings in a different commentator (Clark Kellogg).

Dolan can't help but ruin the franchise.

Posted by djsunyc:

clyde brings nothing to the table in terms of analysis.

Posted by djsunyc:

clyde brings nothing to the table in terms of analysis.

Posted by GKFv2:

I think you're going a little overboard. Clyde is alright and funny for us Knick fans but he isn't a national TV-type commentator. Not even close.