I agree, TheloniusMonk. Its important to have a coach set, but when the one you have isn't the one you want, and the one you want is someplace else and you have to wait to see if he will ever get avaliable, you have to wait. Laimbeer is an option, one that won't be lost if we wait. Herb? He is the interim, he can't go anywhere. Nate? I don't think Isiah is really interested in him and he will probably sign with the Blazers. Anyone else? Not really a lot of options, so there is no need to hurry...

Posted by MaulingandAppalling:

My answer: offer Nate the max now.

There are so many things we just don't know. They have spoken already by phone...this is known. Who's to say that Nate wasn't told by the Knicks that money is no object but he made it clear that he intends to stay out west even if he doesn't stay in Seattle? Portland is willing to spend just as much money as the Knicks. Just because a person wasn't offered a 'formal' and 'public' agreement doesn't mean that money wasn't roughly discussed when they spoke. I'm pretty sure it was discussed. This is how each person knows what they are and aren't getting into.

If you notice, whenever official offers are made to coaches that means that both sides are very interested and it's only a matter of time b4 papers are signed. When was the last time an organization publically offered a coach a max contract and then the coach publically says no thanx...not interested? That doesn't happen. You, as GM have your hand on the pulse of the situation and know where you stand with the candidate. I'm sure that Isiah's hand is on the pulse and probably already knows that Larry wants to return to Detroit and that Nate wants to coach in Seattle and if not Seattle then Portland. But you cannot make a move if you're Isiah because you never know if these situations will suddenly fall apart. If they do, then it's time for that candidate to SERIOUSLY consider other options besides the ones that they already wish for. And when they do consider other options who's to say they will even consider new york? Many other teams are willing to go all out to get them as well.

During their phone convo if Nate said to Isiah 'thanx but no thanx' what would be the sense in saying 'here's your contract offer'? The candidate must already be very very serious about being interested in you. If not you're just making a fool of yourself by offering an official deal. The only thing that makes a deal 'officially offered' anyway is it being on paper and forwarded to their agents and lawyers. Everything else is talk.

That said, we're doing all we can do at the moment in my estimation.

But this is a problem that has a longer history than the past few weeks. When IT got here, he fired Cheney, thank God, but then brough in Lenny when Mike F was available. Then, when George Karl was available, IT made Herb the coach. That's why I'm getting nervous now. I can't stand another season of seeing Herb squinting into the middle distance while we get stomped night after night.

it's not like he's sitting on his hands somewhere. he spoke to nate. as for what was said, we don't know, but he did. he's also speaking to laimbeer, AND he's waiting for larry. from what i see he's being active, but he's not gonna settle. i'm sure he has his list in a certain order.