As frustrated as I am with the state of things, and my feelings about Isiah as a GM are becoming even more in question...

I'm not exactly certain that firing Isiah, RIGHT NOW, is necessarily THE best solution. I am willing to be convinced for either side, but I think we should take into consideration some important questions regarding that decision (and any others anyone would like to add).

The reason I am not yet willing to jump on any "Fire Isiah" bandwagon just yet is that there are these questions that that seem to be without any definitive answers:

- What are the benefits of replacing him now as compared to at the end of the season?

I know there is fear that he will make some kind of "reactionary" move that some feel might not be looking at the long term, but despite his track record, one has to think that he is aware that this kind of move might not be right, for now, if he has convinced Dolan that this is a LONG TERM project now. It's difficult to say what he is going to do.

- Who would replace Isiah as GM?

I'm sure many here recall, "Interim GM" Ed Tapscott's drafting of Weiss over Artest after replacing Ernie Grunfeld. While we may not have a good pick this year, one worries about the possibility of an interim GM making just as many potential poor moves as has some have accused Isiah of.

- Who would even want the Knicks GM job now?

Getting this team under the cap, if that's the supposed goal, is going to be A HUGE PROJECT that I'm not sure any "talented" GM would want to do because of the fear of potential backlash they might get for doing anything fans and the press see as wrong.

- What are the chances that ANY GM going to be able to turn this team around as long as the "make the playoffs at all costs" mode from Cablevision is in place?

The grass is always greener when it comes to GM's for the Knicks now, but is there anyone who can really work with a team that pressures it's GM's to always make the playoffs. That pressure is also increasing with each season we continue to stink.

CONCLUSION:

Maybe change for change sake will be good, buth I also consider the possibility that this team and GM may have not had enough time to see the fruits of their labor. I think both sides of the argument have strong cases, (despite our abysmal record or a new flux of young players and coach) but I believe that our years frustration and disappointment as Knick fans are taking their toll as some of us feel patience dwindle away...


[Edited by - PresIke on 02-01-2006 02:55 AM]

[Edited by - PresIke on 02-01-2006 02:56 AM]

Good post. I agree.

Can't fire Isiah unless you have a better plan to put in place.

My fear now is we use the expiring contracts to buy our way out of this with a temparary fix. Most expriring contracts yield players other teams want to dump. They like that nice sofa you see at the curb. Looks good until you get in the house and realize the cats pissed all over it.

If there is a plan, then he must see it through. Panic now is not a good idea. Easy, but not prudent.

well, if the plan is to remove isiah, then why wait?

i mean, this team does need a kick in the ass. and if isiah is on the way out, then why not do it now when there's still some basketball left to play?

all your points are valid and it's a good argument.

since we only have one draft pick (probably #28 or so), then having an interim guy won't hurt THAT much since we're not talking about artest at that pick. we have to take our time finding the right people. i would love a bird/walsh type situation b/c i'd rather have two basketball minds making decisions, rather than one.

now, an argument could be made to keep isiah and let him AND larry restructure this roster. i'm not 100% opposed to that BUT with all this bad PR going around, along with marbury's name coming up in the lawsuit, AND isiah's and steph's "incestuous" relationship, i think we should part ways amicably...or at least have him take a leave of absence. and then proceed cautiously. i'd rather not have a gm in place till after the draft if we end up getting the right guys.

who they are? i'm not sure. i think we need to scour the pistons and spurs front offices. i would try landing a guy like petrie. walsh would probably say no. and then there's always kiki. but the next person hired (if that's the plan) is one of the most important hirings dolan has to make in a while.

somebody brought it up earlier, if we can just pay shandon off $20 something mil just b/c isiah doesn't like him, then why didn't they pay off anucha to keep her mouth closed? there's principles and then there's bad PR and the court of public opinion. this may be dolan's way to move isiah. who knows?

To me if Isiah has to go and we are stuck with Brown as our coach (which I have no problem with) then make Brown GM as well. Let him make the decisions on who we should go after.

- Who would replace Isiah as GM?

Kiki Vandeweghe

[Edited by - McK1 on 02-01-2006 09:50 AM]

Posted by Marv:

Posted by McK1:

- Who would replace Isiah as GM?

Kiki Vandeweghe

[Edited by - McK1 on 02-01-2006 09:50 AM]

Just so you know, I have a friend in Denver who's a Nuggets freak. He says everyone is way down on Kiki. He passed on Arenas when they could have had him and went after Miller instead. He could havd had Brad Miller and let that one go. He drafted Skita #5. He signed Kenyon Martin to a gazillion dollar contract. He's continually blown off upgrading the SG position. He mishandled the Jeff Bzdelik situation for a long time.

He passed on Amare TWICE!

But he did pawn off Dice, drafted Melo (no brainer)and got karl when nobody wanted him.

But he is no rocket scientist.

Let Larry pick his GM. Larry can't do both jobs, but he can work it in his favor.

>Let Larry pick his GM.

That's not how it works. At what level of American business do the workers hire their supervisor?

What NBA franschise has ever had the coach select his GM?

Given Larry's health concerns, and personal history of jumping ship, I would NEVER make him responsible for hiring a more permanent position, namely the Knicks President of Basketball Operations.

Nalod - That would be a mistake of biblical proportions.

Posted by misterearl:

>Let Larry pick his GM.

That's not how it works. At what level of American business do the workers hire their supervisor?

When the worker is the highest paid employee in the corporation.

Look at the transactions, he was shaky in year 1.

Posted by misterearl:

>Let Larry pick his GM.

That's not how it works. At what level of American business do the workers hire their supervisor?

What NBA franschise has ever had the coach select his GM?

Given Larry's health concerns, and personal history of jumping ship, I would NEVER make him responsible for hiring a more permanent position, namely the Knicks President of Basketball Operations.

Nalod - That would be a mistake of biblical proportions.

I think its better than Having a Pitino type situation where the same man does both jobs. Larry is not gonna get fired. He walks first! He might end up being a "Red Auerback" kind of consultant for years to come if he needs to leave the bench.

Players for years have run the asylum and ridded themselves of coaches. Ewing annointed JVG!

For larry to succeed he needs a GM he can trust and work together.

Isiah never put this team together for larry, but someone is going to have to do it.

Earl, I basically agree with you in most circumstances.

Good post, PreIke. I agree.

The one thing Isles says that I agree with is letting Isiah dig a deeper hole with bad trades is a horrible idea. I say Isiah should get the rest of the season to see if the rookies/Curry/Crawford/QRich respond/improve their play. No salary adds and Isiah is evaluated at the end of the season.

Right now with the harassment suit and Marbury's injury, I just don't think it's fair. Let the season play out, but don't let Isiah bring in a Jalen Rose or a Theo Ratliff. I have a feeling Dolan has already stopped the Jalen trade. And there was another move he shot down earlier this season because of the money, if I remember correctly. I'm sure he is watching Isiah's moves closely from a financial standpoint. For now, I think that's fair. At the end of the season if it looks like this mix of players doesn't work, then make changes.