TMS - you don't think there is too much confusion with the dual responsibilities you propose?

C'mon dude, this a chance to finally get it right!

Look at the 5 slots carefully and go back again. You get a free do-over.

Larry as president of knicks. Not as MSG president, just knick operations.

Magic is a starphuch, the Len Elmore Idea would work.

Allanfan - you are on the clock

Woodman - Dave Checketts in what capacity?

Misterearl, I'm not highly knowledgeable of people who to hire as a CEO. I'd want someone of these character traits though.

Someone who will hire a GM/president and just let them do their freaking thing and trust in them and be patient. This person doesn't have to know a lot about basketball, but he has to be a smart business man and has to hire other people who do know stuff about the NBA so they can be informative to him. Dolan would fit in this category, but he's not smart, let alone a smart business man. Or...

Someone who is knowledgable about basketball and the NBA and hire's a president that is on the same page as them, just enough, so that when they disagree, they can put their egos aside and work out their differences like adults. That way, they can both work together to get things done and hire a coach that will also stay on the same page as them, or at least close to it and get the players and employees to fit their style.

I agree. Chances of Dolan losing power are slim to none, but it's still a real nice thing to hope for.

Posted by freeskier:

i don't get it. do people really expect that james dolan is going to lose control of the knicks? this is charles' son we're talking about. it's pretty unlikely that daddy will take control away. steve mills and other brass might be on their way out. hopefully we can get a new GM; maybe even see a change in culture if charles dolan is really this pissed about the obscenity going on over at MSG. But new ownership? that's not likely.

unless this is a hypothetical discussion on who we wish owned the knicks. how about Mark Zuckerberg after he sells facebook?

Yep, i believe he will take away some control from his son. It's business, not a family affair!

Woodman - Cablevision isn't selling the Knicks anytime soon to nobody. Checketts included.

Nor is NewsCorp selling Cablevision.

There are five slots that are on the table. Remove James Dolan from the discussion and you still have 4 potential execs in eminent danger.

J Dolan could very well be out. This is a major blight on MSG, and when added to all of the other fiascos, the Board of Directors could ask for his head. It would be very appropriate.

We need a business exec as head of MSG and then basketball people under him. We don't need big names like Magic - as pointed out, what has he done since being a player.?? Big names were the James Dolan route. We need people who can work together and have basketball smarts and integrety.

One person we have inhouse now is Glen Grunwald. I would keep him. He seems to have brought some sanity to trades and negotiations with other GMs. Also, Jeff Nix would be a good person to bring back as director of scouting if the trio of Dolan, Mills, and Isiah are gone. Jeff N has experience, expertise, and integety.

Colangelo would be great in name and ability but could he work with Charles Dolan Sr and the board of Cablevision. Colangelo needs "control" - that is how he operates. I dont think he would get it.

Jerry West would be a good choice for Pres of Basketball operations. Could he work as head of the Knicks being a Laker? Maybe.
Don Nelson is also a great choice.

I would also separate the Pres, GM and coach functions. Not give all to one person. Too much power and if that person goes (like Isiah probably will) it leaves a big vacuum.

The main thing is first getting the change underway by firing the top Knicks executives.

[Edited by - markji on 10-08-2007 12:09 PM]

Give me an owner who's goal is to win an NBA championships rather than just trying to make playoff money.