not so fast that article really didnt say anything about us being close to signing him
and this report from today is conflicting
Walsh Decision to Come Soon?
By Tommy Dee on Apr 25, 2011, 11:45 am
If yesterday was the last time we see Donnie Walsh as president of the Knicks at Madison Square Garden then we should all
thank him for his part in what has been a pretty remarkable clean up project of his hometown franchise.
Multiple sources close to the situation have informed me that Walsh, at this point, is leaning towards leaving the Knicks and by passing the fourth year of his 4-year deal, but is taking the week to sort thing out.
Ken Berger is reporting that the
Knicks are mulling a two-year extension for Walsh.
“The decision is definitely Donnie’s. It always has been. There is still a chance he returns,” a source with knowledge told TKB Sunday. “He wants to be there, but he’s tired of the distractions.”
By “distractions” I’m told, Walsh has grown tired of the constant hovering of the Isiah Thomas shadow that has been played out in the media. Many people are aware that Thomas and owner James Dolan still remain in contact, but it seems more than obvious that a) Dolan hopes Walsh returns and b) Thomas will not be rehired under any circumstances.
“If he (Thomas) wants to consult, Donnie can live with it. He has tremendous respect for Isiah. But this is his team. He’s done all the legwork turning the ship around.”
Still, it’s a convenient place to be from a media standpoint to portray Isiah and a meddler hanging above and superseding Walsh’s decisions.
“It’s one thing to be making phone calls to catch up and chat, and it’s another thing to be running the organization from Florida,” another source said about the Thomas/Dolan friendship. “Jim knows he can’t hire Isiah again in an executive capacity. Donnie has front office respect for is hand in completely re-building this franchise, but it’s up to him whether he wants to deal with everything anymore. It’s more than even he expected.”
There is still plenty of time as Dolan and Walsh have until the end of June to come to an agreement. But what’s soothing for Knicks fans is that Dolan most certainly wants Walsh to return.
TKB was the first to report the two had begun discussions several weeks ago.
The Knicks season has just ended and the off-season starts now. The first order of business has to be who is guiding the ship. Fans are certain with the changes that need to be made over the next few months it makes sense that Walsh needs to be the one captaining the ship as they move deeper towards the playoffs and hopefully some playoff success.
Expect a decision to come much sooner before later. Perhaps by week’s end.
http://www.theknicksblog.com/2011/04/25/walsh-decision/