By MARC BERMAN
Donnie Walsh spoke for 25 minutes with reporters at the Garden tonight and only a few minutes with Isiah Thomas today. Walsh didnât have time for his ballyhooed meeting with Thomas and said he would let him finish out the final week that ends next Wednesday in Indianapolis.
We all know Thomas will be out as coach but Walsh didnât sound too enthused about him remaining in the organization either.
Some of the more interesting moments of the press conference occurred when he was asked about whether this team needs an experienced coach. The intent of the question was to see if inexperienced Mark Jackson is heavy on the radar.
âIâve done it both ways and it worked both ways,ââ Walsh said. âLarry Bird had no experience Larry Brown had years of experience. It really depends on the situation and the person thatâs involved
âThatâs part of what I want to look at to be honest. There are a lot of young players on this team, but itâs not a whole team of young players. Thereâs guys here with experience too.
So what would it take here? Who would be the right kinda guy to come in here? Is Isiah the right guy to be here, with this particular group of guys?ââ
Asked about qualities of his next coach, Walsh said, âA pro. A real pro. Commitment, he has to have the ability to know what he knows and know what he doesnât know, and therefore to fill in the blanks with people he hires. He has to have a presence. Now Isiah has all these qualities, so I donât want you to make a distinction with it. He has to have a presence which is a little more important in the NBA than it used to be. He has to be a leader and he has to be able to set parameters for young men. Obviously he has to have basketball knowledge.ââ
Walsh talked a lot about âcap flexibilityââ and repeated he is bent on not making a trade that will wreck their ability to be under the cap in the summer of 2010.
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Walsh said he can’t walk the New York streets without being recognized since last Wednesday’s press conference…During his own pregame meeting with reporters, Isiah ticked off the media even more when he said the Knicks fans havenât been able to be âproudââ of their team since 1973, when the club won their last title. It was arrogant remark and spoken like a true Piston…
