KNICK NOTES
SAN ANTONIO – During this Knick crisis, Cablevision’s James Dolan has actually shown leadership. Dolan, who joined the club for the first two days of this Texas swing, lightened the mood for a reeling club ready to fracture.
Dolan schmoozed with players before yesterday’s morning shootaround at the AlamoDome and joked around with embattled coach Don Chaney about the stomach woes caused by the Mexican beans they shared the night before at dinner.
In an attempt to redo his reclusive image, Dolan said in a rare interview he made the trip so the players don’t look at ownership as “a nameless, faceless, soul-less corporation,” adding, “I’m trying not to be just a signature on the bottom of the check.”
Dolan said he planned to make one road trip with the Knicks and Rangers back in September, though it’s believed he didn’t finalize plans until two weeks ago. Dolan said this jaunt worked out because following tonight’s Houston game, he can shoot quickly over to Las Vegas for an electronics convention.
Wearing a white, shortsleeved polo with a Knick insignia, an unusually engaging Dolan said, “Normally I’m a friendly person. You might not think so being a member of the press. I don’t know what [the players’] relationship was with Dave [Checketts]. I’m trying to become familiar with every aspect of my organization and this one has been a little elusive. I’m making an extra effort to get to know both teams.”
“He was pretty cool on the plane,” Latrell Sprewell said before last night’s 90-79 loss to the Spurs. “Interacting with guys, talking to us, really friendly. That was more surprising.”
Dolan gave no indication Chaney is in trouble. Though he wouldn’t talk basketball (“I have no basketball skills, physically or mentally,”) Dolan indirectly supported Chaney by praising one of the executives of his electronics chain that just lost $50 million.
Dolan said “I’m not happy with how Nobody Beats the Wiz is performing. I don’t have a whole lot of retail skills also. But I have an expert who I’ve hired who started this year who is on good track to get it in good shape. I support him.”
While Chaney’s job seems safe the rest of the year, partly because bringing in an outsider is not feasible, Dolan indicated the Knicks would need to get to the playoffs for him to stick around. “It’s important for the team to make the playoffs,”
Dolan said.
*
Warriors C Marc Jackson, eligible to be traded Jan. 19, reportedly would veto any trade other than to three teams. It’s believed Knicks aren’t on his wish list . . . Clarence Weatherspoon participated in his first morning shootaround since Nov. 20 but still, at best, is a week away.
