Dolan: I wouldn't force West on Isiah
BY KEN BERGER
ken.berger@newsday.com

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April 18, 2007

Isiah Thomas has spent his professional life in the league whose logo bears the dribbling silhouette of Jerry West. Now, The Logo will be looming over everything Thomas does from here on out as Knicks president.

West's long-anticipated departure from Memphis was confirmed yesterday when he announced he's leaving the Grizzlies after five years as director of basketball operations. Garden chairman James Dolan, speaking on WFAN yesterday, said he would only contact West about joining the Knicks "if Isiah asked for it."

"I wouldn't say to Isiah, 'Hey, Isiah, Jerry's coming in and you've got to take it,'" Dolan said. "No, I would never do that."

Why not?

"Because I made a commitment to Isiah," Dolan said. "And I made a commitment that the whole team feels, and a commitment to a strategy. And when you make a commitment, a commitment's a commitment."

But the presence of West, 68, on the open market when his contract expires July 1 raises further questions about Dolan's decision to give Thomas a contract extension as coach and president on March 11. Since then, the injury-ravaged Knicks have lost 14 of 17 and could clinch a second straight 50-loss season tonight in their finale at Charlotte.

"If he thought that Jerry could help him, and Jerry was willing to go and they could work it out, I'd be prime for this," Dolan said. "But I think that's highly speculative."

West, the architect of the Lakers' 1980s dynasty, solidified his reputation as one of the top talent evaluators in NBA history when he signed Shaquille O'Neal and traded for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant, resulting in three more championships.

He was named NBA executive of the year for the second time in 2004, when Memphis made the first of three consecutive playoff appearances. The run ended this season when star power forward Pau Gasol missed the first month and a half with a broken foot. The Grizzlies (21-60) have the worst record in the NBA.

West blamed "the wear and tear of the season" and ownership turmoil that left him hamstrung to make further moves, including what would have been a franchise-shaping trade of Gasol that never materialized. In announcing his decision to step down, West didn't mention any NBA jobs he might be pursuing.

Although Thomas would never agree to work in West's shadow, he and many others in his position will be doing so anyway. Dolan's commitment to Thomas as team president has been controversial enough without a Hall of Fame replacement on the unemployment line.

It has been speculated that West does not want to leave the NBA with his reputation in tatters, and that he views rebuilding the Knicks as the final brush stroke of a brilliant career. There is no reason to question Dolan's loyalty to Thomas, only the open question of how long Dolan would be able to resist public pressure to replace him with someone like West if the team fails to contend for the playoffs next season.

Thomas has four years remaining on his new contract, according to SI.com, and Dolan is renowned for loyalty that borders on stubbornness. But speculation already has begun that West would jump at a chance to put his stamp on the Knicks if asked. For now, he won't be - not without Thomas' blessing.

The next Dolan surprise could come if and when Thomas' blessing no longer is required.

Circus left the town... but clowns stay put.

1,460

I complained about the extention and a few people said it was not big deal. Four more years is no big deal?

James Dolan is the dumbest man on Earth!!! Geeeezzzz!!! And West is on the market? F-K!!!

Everything that is coming to us, we probably deserve it and it ain't good. This is the most depressing news I can think of right now about the Knicks. Dolan's commitments are killing the hell out of us.

Isiah has proven that there are very few strong people that he can work with. I not sure that match could work. I think we'd see another example in NY of a GM/Coach trying to undermine each other and it would end badly..............Again.

This is more of a travesty than Bush's re-election. Maybe we should hold a ticker tape parade if Isiah can get the team to .500 JUST ONCE before the four years is up.

Posted by islesfan:

1,459

so the coutdown is on i guess.

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by Solace:

This is more of a travesty than Bush's re-election.

I understand that people are fluent in hyperbole around here and feel as though the Knicks are more important than human life itself, but please refrain from saying something that stupid in the future.

Dude, you take things way too seriously. I understand that people are pissed about how pathetic the Knicks are and ignorant to all forms of sarcasm itself, but please refrain from being that ignorant in the future.

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by Solace:

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by Solace:

This is more of a travesty than Bush's re-election.

I understand that people are fluent in hyperbole around here and feel as though the Knicks are more important than human life itself, but please refrain from saying something that stupid in the future.

Dude, you take things way too seriously. I understand that people are pissed about how pathetic the Knicks are and ignorant to all forms of sarcasm itself, but please refrain from being that ignorant in the future.

There is very little sarcasm around here as evidenced by the fact that some posters have seemingly dedicated their lives to running down Isiah. I wouldn’t put it past the critics around here to put Isiah's reign on par with the Bush Administration.

I didn’t detect any sarcasm in your statement either. I hope it was a joke. Then again, I don’t find the Iraq War, Katrina, the Patriot Act, Valerie Plame, Attorneys scandal, ext. to be great sources of comedic material.

you don't?