http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/new_knick_walker_says_he_saw_lack_s2QYCEHvT0nSZlfNWuRXeN

Bill Walker, one of the season's pleasant revelations, said he believes one of the reasons for the Knicks' 29-53 final record was a lack of leadership in the locker room.

Walker, who came from Boston in the Nate Robinson trade on Feb. 18, told The Post it was jarring after spending two seasons in Boston with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to see none of the Knicks veterans stepping up in the leadership department.

Walker is expected to be part of the Knicks future. His contract for next season becomes guaranteed Aug. 1 and he likely is a keeper unless they need an extra $800,000 in salary-cap space. The Knicks must round out important roster spots with minimum-wage players if they are to fit one or two superstars under the cap.

"What I can tell from over there (in Boston), KG, Paul, and Ray take the initiative every day,'' Walker said. "You just had guys be more accountable for everything. That's where it starts. The head coach can only say so much. You have to have guys in the locker room take what the coach says and makes sure it gets applied. There weren’t enough leaders in the locker room.''

Walker's remark underscores the notion the Knicks were doomed from the start because of a slew of veterans with expiring contracts who knew they weren't part of next season's plans. Walker is – astoundingly so.

"I'm definitely excited to be part of the conversation,'' Walker said. "To be part of a group of guys to come in and change the attitude around here.''

When the trade was made, the coaching staff considered Walker – as one assistant coach said – "an afterthought.'' But his athletic game, improved perimeter shot and good character excited Mike D'Antoni.

Walker averaged 11.9 points on 51.8 percent shooting - 43 percent from downtown.

"It's definitely a good thing to hear,'' Walker said about being mentioned as part of next season. "I feel like this was really my rookie season. And I made up ground quick. I look forward to the offseason, rounding out my game, getting a lot better and having a breakout campaign.''

Walker, whose stock dropped because of two knee surgeries, including one in high school, was a second-round pick of the Celtics in 2008 and played 37 games in two seasons in Boston.

Walker likely will play for the Knicks' summer league team in Las Vegas in July.

"I didn't expect anything,'' D'Antoni said. "I didn't know him. He shot the ball extremely well and was not afraid to take the big shot. We got a good feel for him.''

D'Antoni added Walker must drop weight for his speedball system.

"He's got to get his body right,'' D'Antoni said. "Because of knee injuries and all that, he has too much weight on him.''

This is one of the big priorities for Walsh this off season. How does he fill that need for a leader in the lockerroom among the players.

Loconixfan wrote:Gallo has flashes of being a leader but needs to do it consistantly and confidantly and needs to be more contagious, the same goes for lee if he is resigned

Gallo has a lot of work to do on his mental approach to the game. He has to get slapped in the mouth in order to get going and that's not what Leaders do. I think he's smart enough to be a leader and he has shown passion at times, but he's way to passive out there. I will say that it's to be expected at his age. He's got to transition as Dirk did from scared rookie to a Tough Leader. He's got to demand the ball and tell guys to get out of his way a bit more. No more passing to guys that aren't as good as he is. When that kid is aggressive you really start to see how much talent he has.

BigDaddyG wrote:

loweyecue wrote:Strange how no one is calling on Lee to be a leader? Isn't he the most consistent vet on the team. There is no end to people posting a gazillion times about how he is a regular double double guy and our only all star. So how about he step up and take some responsibility?

I though the same thing. Then again, it might not have been realistic tp expect Lee to step up in that role. He was playing for a contract and the team had declined to make a longterm commitment to him at the start of the season. It would have been hard for him to have an active voice in the locker room when his status on the team was as nebulous as the next guy.

Good point. Lee and Knicks were in status quo till now.
Now both sides have do decide if they want to be together or part ways.
Then we can talk about leadership.
There is no leadership in the dumpster.

unstopaball12 wrote:see that is why id like to sign rayray i dont are if we overpay him a bit we need that veteran leadership

We will be able to get this kind of vets only after the main peaces will be set.
The players of this type are not an idiots to jump into unknown. Their time is short.

knicks1248 wrote:Gallo is no leader, him asking to guard the opposing teams best player doesn't matter.

To many blown defensive assignments, bad shots, an silly turnovers, and not one single player in your face letting you know that it's unexceptable .

I don't know if Gallo will get there, but he actually IS a leader and was doing that on his Euro League team. Don't assume cuz he is young that he won't eventually have a bigger voice here. He's already starting to show the beginnings of a leader on this team, but it's a tough thing to do when you're still trying to figure out what to do and how you fit in. He's got a lot on his plate. We'll see how things develop, but I actually do think it's possible that Gallo will be a team leader.

This would have been the on the court leader we longed for and we simply overlooked his will to win and be great doing it.

NYC MECCA BALLER= Brandon Jennings !!!!