'DOG' CALLS IT QUITS

By MARC BERMAN
August 17, 2005 -- Jerome Williams is expected to announce his retirement today. Williams will meet this morning with Knicks president Isiah Thomas, who will offer him a job as part-time scout, part-time community relations executive and part-time broadcaster for MSG Network.

Williams, waived under the amnesty clause that saved the Knicks $21 million in luxury tax, has told confidants he doesn't want to pick up and move again to a new city, unless he gets a whopping offer.

The $21 million left on Williams' contract is all guaranteed. The "Junkyard Dog," a fan favorite because of his dogged play, has health issues, including a tendon tear in his foot he played through late last season and knee problems, both of which could require surgery.

Williams was visible doing charity appearances in May and guest commentary for MSG Network. But he's been very blunt with his opinions on the lack of Knick defense and could offend owner James Dolan, who let Marv Albert flee because of his negativity.

http://nypost.com/sports/knicks/27104.htm

Posted by fishmike:

well I'm glad he wasnt just a dump. That makes me feel somewhat better. What I dont get is why we didnt just let him retire, amnesty Shandon and save $1.5mm (since now we know nobody is resigning JYD).

My guess - he wasn't gonna retire.

This is either an agreed-upon face-saving or the Dog really didn't want to leave NYC or something.

But my guess is he would have played and not retired.

I agree with Marv. The article says that he doesn't want to go through the process of moving to another city unless he gets the big bucks. That indicates to me that if he wasn't waived, he would have stuck it out and played for the Knicks this season.

Seems to work for all parties involved. JYD gets his money without threatening his ability to walk without a cane later on in life, and gets a cushy, probably easy job with one of the biggest sports franchises in the biggest city in the US. The Knicks save luxury tax money and open up a roster spot by waiving a guy who was badly injured and might not have retired otherwise.

Allan is the next domino to fall, if he's really honest about retiring if he can't get it back together by training camp.

if he retired due to injury- doesn't the league need to verify it before providing relief?

And might JYDs injuries not have qualified?

Perhaps that is the logic behind the move.

JYD is good to have around. I'ver always liked his upbeat and enthusiastic attitude. He'll make a great community relations man.

Now he can still come to the games and wave that towel. Go Knicks!

[Edited by - HARDCOREKNICKSFAN on 08-17-2005 09:31 AM]

I agree with marv. I think he would not have retired had he not been waived and this was a plan agreed to by all involved. I think H20 is retiring just before the season and that also was agreed on in advance.

I think there may actually be a plan and it may even involve getting below the salary cap within 3 years. (or signing lebron, KG, Melo, etc.)

If you look at the current roster, the knicks could be under the cap if they let penny and tt just expire and wait out the other contracts.

Wait a minute...does that sound like rebuilding? I think we may be rebuilding...

I think it's cool that JYD will still be around practices and games, it's like he never left.

And ticket prices are gonna go up regardless of the teams payroll, unless you're telling me Atlanta Hawk tickets are free.

Is JYD "retiring" from the Knicks like Lenny Wilkins "retired" from the Knicks?