"Everyone who is in the NBA who is not going for an NBA championship is interested; they're going to get the pick of the crop," another GM said, citing the New York market, the cache of the Garden and, of course, a famously loyal owner who is never shy about spending money to win as reasons why the 19-48 Knicks are such an attractive opportunity.

i think pretty much the only silver lining to isiah's tenure here is this: the next guy to come in will know that, as long as he treats jimmy with kid gloves, he has a few years to show tangible results. there is no win-now mandate. GMs can take risks on young guys, and the fans will come and the boss will be OK with it as long as they play hard and have promise. our time horizon may not be as long as other markets, but it's there. now it's a matter of getting a guy that knows what he's doing with that time.

Now, I know what you’re saying; didn’t Dolan fire Grunfeld? Yes and no. Dolan began to take on a greater role in 1999 and it drove him crazy that Grunfeld and Jeff Van Gundy were going back and forth in the press. Dolan didn’t care that this had been going for a few years or that the Grunfeld-Van Gundy relationship was producing a winner on the court. (Grunfeld and Eddie Jordan have a similar relationship in Washington but it hasn’t stopped the Wizards from winning.)

But Dolan wanted it to stop and he ordered Checketts to get rid of one of them. Checketts, feeling that the team would fall apart if Van Gundy was canned, decided to hand Grunfeld his walking papers.

But that doesn’t mean Grunfeld shouldn’t come back. I think he would be a great choice for many reasons. He would blend in well with the Knicks media policy. Ernie knows how to say something by saying nothing. More importantly, Grunfeld is a shrewd talent evaluator who, combined with Dolan’s deep pockets, will make the Knicks a winner.

And did I mention that he’s from Forest Hills and that he once played for the Knicks? What about Grunfeld as team president, Greg Anthony as general manager and either Mark Jackson or Tom Thibodeau as head coach with Patrick Ewing, Herb Williams and Spurs assistant Don Newman on the bench?

Maybe David, Adam or Steve can pass this along to Dolan.

- Frank Isola

''It was a joy to spend time in Indiana under his leadership. Great man and a great basketball mind,'' said Mark Jackson, who played on the Pacers' finals team. ''Sad to see, being a member of the Pacers and knowing what he means to that organization and that community, but at the same time I wish him nothing but the very best because like I said, he's a great man and a great basketball mind. He's the best in the business.''

Donnie Walsh is not going to be somebody's lackey," Walsh's friend said. "I can see Donnie coming in and saying that he's going to evaluate the situation for the final few weeks of the season and then make a coaching change. But here's the thing: They owe Isiah about $20 million. If they fire Isiah, Donnie will want to know if he can still sign players and cut players or if the $20 million they'd have to pay Isiah would prevent him from doing that. Dolan and Isiah created this financial quagmire. And now it's up to Donnie to figure it out."

Walsh will need some help to get the Knicks turned around, and is expected to hire a new general manger. Denver's Mark Warkentien is widely regarded as his No.1 choice, but is under contract with the Nuggets. Former Sixers GM Billy King is also held in high esteem by Walsh.

If, as expected, Walsh removes Thomas from the bench, ex-Knick and current TV analyst Mark Jackson would be one of the top candidates to replace him. Walsh is also a big fan of former Bulls coach Scott Skiles, while Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, a former Knicks assistant under Jeff Van Gundy and Don Chaney, would also be under consideration.

Walsh is also expected to revamp the front office with his own basketball people, including former Bucks coach Brian Winters, current Pacers scout Jimmy Powell and Spurs assistant coach George Felton. All three, like Walsh, are native New Yorkers.

Garden president Steve Mills, who has drawn fire for recommending Thomas to Dolan in 2003, apparently will retain his position. Walsh wants nothing to do with the business/marketing end of the team, which he was responsible for in Indiana for most of his 22-year tenure. In New York, he intends to devote all of his energies to rebuilding a dysfunctional team that hasn't been a contender for nearly a decade.

- NYPost

The Knicks have a lot of management layers. Isiah, in effect, held down three positions

Here is a version of how it shakes out:

President of Basketball Operations - Walsh
General Manager - Kiki Vandeweghe
Assistant GM - tbd (Herb Williams)
Special Consultant - the former Frank Layden spot is Isiah's to be invisible but remain on the payroll, working off his balance owed as a glorified scout
Head Coach - Mark Jackson
Assistant Coaches - Butch Beard (experience), Paul Silas Jr (dad lives in NY), Patrick Ewing (the big fella teaches the big men the fine art of playing with passion)

MSG theme line - "young coach, young team... be patient as we build and learn together"

1. knicks will end up with pick #2
2. marbury will be bought out
3. knicks will continue to make expiring year deals
4. knicks will trade for artest + brad miller

only difference is that a more professional and respected man will be making the decisions. knicks fans should be happy and embrace the healing process.

Posted by djsunyc:

1. knicks will end up with pick #2
2. marbury will be bought out
3. knicks will continue to make expiring year deals
4. knicks will trade for artest + brad miller

only difference is that a more professional and respected man will be making the decisions. knicks fans should be happy and embrace the healing process.

So DJ has spoken, so it shall come to be.

Posted by misterearl:

Martin - or Herb could be tired of waiting for the head coaching job that never is offered

If Donnie calls with an offer, Herb will listen. "Eyes only for a coaching job" matters less when unemployment is the other option.

The point being, the Knicks would still have an important vacancy at General Manager to fill.

there are a literal ton of good assistant GMs out there already in San Antonio, Denver, Detroit as reported in a bunch of articles over the past few days. Why would Donnie fill the position with someone who hasn't shown that type of interest? And if a coaching job in NY is Herb's only outlet, well then, he has done a bad job of marketing himself.

The NY media has a lot to learn about Donnie Walsh.