March 18, 2008 -- AS best as I can tell with out anybody of consequence confirming or denying - or, for that matter, returning a phone call/e-mail - there's sweeping validity to a rival tabloid's report that James Dolan met recently with Donnie Walsh in Indianapolis to discuss taking over the Knicks as soon as the season is over.

Who knows whether the Pacers' CEO was offered the job? Meeting with Walsh may have been Dolan's first interview with a select few of the NBA's relevant leaders, or he may have been last.

Who knows, Nets' adviser Kiki Vandeweghe may have been first, as has been reported. Maybe Dolan flew out to Phoenix to see Jerry Colangelo. Or out to L.A. to visit with Jerry West. Or to Portland to convene with Steve Patterson. Or to Cleveland to get to know Wayne Embry.

Who knows, maybe they're next in line in no special order?

One way or the other, the rapturous news is that Dolan is trying to do something exceedingly constructive for a change to halt the franchise's free fall to the bottom of the standings and to reverse the disorganization's contaminated climate.

After almost 41/2 harrowing seasons of Isiah Thomas (two as coach) there's every indication to suggest Knick fans are on the verge of realizing their watery dream; Thomas' destructive days as president and coach are fast concluding - and that also goes for Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, Jerome James, Jarred Jeffries and on and on.

If it's not Walsh who replaces Thomas in the front office it's guaranteed to be a significant other.

Yet the native New Yorker - youngest to win the MVP, as a 16-year-old senior at Fordham Prep, in the prestigious Journal-American All-Star Game at the Garden - makes so much sense on so many levels.

In 23 years with the Pacers, the 66-year-old has become one of the league's most respected, honorable and successful executives. His lone letdowns are not winning a championship (lost to the Lakers in the 2000 Finals) and not undoing the madness caused by the Malice at the Palace.

Two years ago, in a set arrangement, full authority to make personnel decisions and hire coaches was transferred to team president Larry Bird. Walsh was supposed to retire after last season, but stayed on at the request of Larry Legend.

That won't happen again. From talking to Walsh 10 days ago, it was clear he felt his presence stunted Bird's managerial growth. He needed to give him space.

At the time Walsh told me he'd all but ruled out retirement, something he had seriously considered for some time. Stayed home one weekend recently to mow the lawn and nearly died from the fresh air.

So, what do we have here? I can't see Walsh staying on in Indy.

I'm also convinced Walsh won't retire at season's end - though I know for sure Judy, his childhood sweetheart and wife of roughly 45 years, is not in favor of uprooting and returning to New York.

In other words, there are plenty of unasked and unanswered questions on tap.

Even so, intuition tells me Walsh will accept the Knick challenge should Dolan follow through on his suddenly recovered senses.

Who would've thought reason would prevail?

*

Around midnight Sunday my cell phone identified the caller as Geraldine Alston who lives in a "Hamptons type" community 30 miles outside Houston. Her loving son, the starting point guard for a Rockets team that's won 22 straight games, lives nearby on the golf course.

"My husband can't believe I'm calling you at this time, but I'm from New York and I brought my chutzpah with me."

This wasn't our first phone communication. Over the years we've talked numerous times, usually when Rafer was experiencing a problem or two. This was not an appeal for help or advice. At the same time, it was a distress call.

"Your reaching out to me this late at night wouldn't have anything to do with Rafer scoring 31 points against the Lakers on the day I wrote he wasn't among the NBA's top playmakers?" I guessed, taking a wild stab.

For those not in the know, I had reacted to Jeff Van Gundy's silly statement the previous week on ABC in which he branded Alston second only to Chris Paul.

Apparently the adaptable analyst (after a week of watching game film and consulting with scouts throughout the league) meant to say Rafer was playing better during Houston's demolition derby than any point guard other than Paul, something he qualified during Sunday's telecast.

"My husband and I just now got to read your column on line when we came home," Geraldine allowed. "While I don't agree with your assessment, I do respect your right to voice an opinion.

"Having said that, do me a favor; please e-mail your picture. We're making a print out of the column and we'd like to burn it and your picture together in effigy."

March 18, 2008 -- INDIANAPOLIS - A person who spoke with Donnie Walsh yesterday told The Post the Pacers' CEO expects to speak with the Knicks about the potential presidency later on this week. And that may not be for the first time.

Walsh's name has been mentioned for months as a Knick GM candidate to replace the disastrous Isiah Thomas. But Walsh has remained mum.

As the green-clad Knicks were soundly beaten, 110-98, by the Pacers last night on St. Patrick's Day at Conseco Field House, a report suggested Walsh and Dolan probably have already talked. One of Cablevision's planes reportedly flew from Florida to Indiana twice last week.

The Knicks and Walsh's agent declined comment, and Pacer president Larry Bird claimed to know nothing. But nobody denied it.

Yesterday at Indiana's morning shoot-around, the Bronx-born Walsh appeared jumpy, saying "No comment, no comment, no comment" as he raced away from a reporter, appearing guilty. He also attended last night's game.

Meanwhile, adding to the fire, NBA Commissioner David Stern gave his strongest remark yet that he expects a major shakeup with the Knick franchise this offseason, leaving the embattled Thomas' future further muddled.

Appearing on ESPN Radio, Stern said the Knicks are in store for "a transformative offseason." Stern's choice, sources believe, is former Phoenix CEO Jerry Colangelo.

While Thomas still talks as if he's returning next season, he has yet to receive a public vote of confidence from Dolan.

Walsh, meanwhile, is in the last year of his contract with Indiana, sharing the leadership with Bird, who acknowledged last night for the first time that both are in danger of losing their jobs because of the Pacers' sputtering.

Bird said, "I don't know. Let's wait and see. ... If it's changing everybody, it's changing everybody, but I would like the opportunity to have to do it."

Bird claimed he didn't know if Walsh had spoken to the Knicks.

"I have no clue, Donnie and I talk about what's going on here," Bird said. "I had somebody today who said [in a published report] he met with him, but I have too much respect for the man to sit here to tell you I knew or didn't know."

When Dolan was asked last spring if he'd ever consider hiring the newly unemployed Jerry West to help out Thomas, Dolan said he would if Thomas recommended it. It makes sense with the Knicks likely having a top-five lottery pick to settle on a president soon.

Stern said vast changes await the Knicks.

"What I would say [is] that this is going to be one of the most important offseasons the Knicks are going to have," Stern said.

"Because on the court, they're going to have to be prepared to have a better year next year, if you're a Knicks fan. As you watch it, ownership is prepared to spend money to improve the team and do what has to be done. They haven't had the results, but I have to believe that this is going to be an interesting and potentially transformative offseason."

Other candidates mentioned have been Kiki Vandeweghe and Chris Mullin.

Posted by Bippity10:

Isiah will be hear next year, I stake my UltimateKnicks posting career on this

Posted by K22:

Posted by Bippity10:

Isiah will be hear next year, I stake my UltimateKnicks posting career on this

Hearing what? More boos and "Fire Isiah" chants?

Oh be quiet MR. English Teacher

Posted by Bippity10:

Posted by Panos:

Posted by Bippity10:

I keep warning everyone and yet noone will listen

Isiah will be hear next year, I stake my UltimateKnicks posting career on this

Will you stake your UltimateKnicks posting rights on it?

I am so sure of my insider knowledge and intuition that I will without a doubt stake my UK posting rights on it, possibly.

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by djsunyc:

this may happen as soon as today...

Source????? What you hearing DJ?

Posted by eViL:

Posted by djsunyc:

this may happen as soon as today...

More rumblings supporting your rumor... Please make it true!!!

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPORTS08

Posted by eViL:

Posted by djsunyc:

this may happen as soon as today...

More rumblings supporting your rumor... Please make it true!!!

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPORTS08