When it was announced that former Indiana Pacers’ CEO Donnie Walsh had agreed to take over as the Knicks’ President of Basketball operations, there was dancing in the streets (I did a back flip followed by a cartwheel). The reign that was “Isiah the Terrible” is over! However, as ecstatic as we all are about the Garden’s latest coup, is the 67-year old Bronx native really the right man for the job?

Walsh has spent the last 24 years with the Indiana Pacers organization and comes to New York with the well deserved distinction as one of the league’s top personnel directors. His much ballyhooed decision to draft UCLA’s Reggie Miller over local hero, Indiana University’s Steve Alford, laid the foundation to the Pacers 15-plus years of title contention. In addition to Miller, Walsh also managed to bring in a seldom-used Jermaine O’Neal from the Portland Trailblazers to spearhead Indiana’s seamless transition from a rapidly aging group of vets to a hungry group of youngsters ready to contend in a wide open Eastern Conference.

Despite the impressive resume, it’s Walsh’s recent personnel moves, that have some feeling uncertain about the Knicks’ latest hire. 

Walsh is part of the brain-trust that has lead the Pacers into a Salary-Cap Hell, similar to that of the Knicks. His mis-management of the cap has given rise to the utterly insane contracts given to O’Neal, Al Harrington, Austin Croshere, Jamal Tinsley, and Marquis Daniels. He has also traded for the ridiculous contracts of Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Troy Murphy as well.

Secondly, minus Miller and 2005 selection Danny Granger, Walsh’s record at the draft is pretty much horrible (and I’m being kind). Erick Dampier, Vonteego Cummings, David Harrison,  Primoz Brezec, etc.; our past picks look like all-stars when compared, doesn’t it?

Lastly, in a haste to rid Indiana of Ron Artest and all that associated with the brawl at the Palace in 2004, Walsh traded the talented yet troubled forward to the Kings for a three month lease on Peja Stojakovic’s bad back. That trade assuredly set the team back a few seasons, as the Pacers got a bag of airplane nuts in exchange for one of the NBA’s premier talents.

With all that said, was Walsh a better canidate to clean up this mess than say former Phoenix Suns exec Jerry Colangelo?  

Nevertheless, Walsh does bring a certain credibility back to the Garden and his hiring has given hope to all Knicks fans; but for a team desperate to rebuild via the draft can we place our trust in a man whose record isn’t what we’d call flawless?

Hmm, for our sake lets hope we get the genius who drafted Miller and not the dunce who hired Isiah.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is considered by many, the alpha-male amongst this year’s crop of prospects in April’s upcoming draft. McFadden’s dominance at the collegiate level, along with his awe-inspiring performance at last month’s scouting combine, have left scouts and executive with visions of Adrian Peterson, last season’s NFL Rookie of the Year. Nonetheless, personnel needs of the top five teams selecting, could drop the former Razorback down few slots to the Jets at number six. If such scenario is played out, the fate of head coach Eric Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum could be determined. 

Despite displaying their opulence this off-season, Gang Green enters the draft with many questions still unanswered; and while McFadden indeed is a once in a life-time talent, the Jets might be best served not selecting him at number six.

To draft a running back within the first ten selections is a tremendous risk; as the Jets should be well aware of. For every Peterson there is a Blair Thomas or a Ki-Jana Carter to account for. Jets fans should be intimately acquainted with said risks, as the team selected Thomas second overall in 1990’s NFL Draft. To say he was a bust is an understatement.  

Nevertheless, Jets brass might want to consider selecting Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston with the sixth pick to sure up a fledgling pass rush that was ranked 29th last season.  The 6-3, 266 lbs Gholston would most assuredly provide Gang Green with a book-end pass rush; joining newly acquired linebacker Calvin Pace. The athleticism of the two would create havoc for opposing offensive lines and create turnovers, something that last season’s defensive unit struggled to do.

The Jets also have a competent backfield of Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and free-agent signee Jesse Chatman. If needed, Gang Green could also scan the waiver wire or select a running back in the later rounds. It’s becoming frequently common for teams to find a diamond-in-the-rough during the later rounds. Players such as Ryan Grant or Marion Barber are frequently discovered in later rounds. With a rebuilt offensive line the Jets can be explosive without a running back the caliber of a McFadden. Hopefully Mangini and Tannenbaum realize that before its too late.

The Jets continued their wheeling and dealing Monday, as Gang Green has come to terms with Packers tight end Bubba Franks, both sides agreeing to a one-year deal.

The former University of Miami standout was a favorite of Brett Favre’s, catching 27 touchdowns between 2001-2004; earning himself a trip to the pro bowl three consecutive years. However, injuries have slowed the tight end in recent years. In 2005, Franks was limited to only ten games and in ‘07, a meager eight. As a result, he had a career low 18 receptions for a paltry 132 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Franks is expected to backup incumbent starter, TE Chris Baker next season.

Fellow hoops fans, we’re in a state of mourning. Lets face it, both of our area teams are horrible. The Nets are rebuilding with what would be the equivalent of rotten wood and the Knicks…urrggh (beating my head against a brick wall).  So, instead of going into a deeper state of depression, let me get a couple things of my chest.

1) Kidd didn’t quit on Nets; he quit on Vince

Before last Saturday’s game against the Nets, the Mavericks’ Jason Kidd denied accusations that he had quit on his former team.  Kidd told Daily News reporter Ohm Youngmisuk that he had taken the franchise as far as he could and that his alleged protest before last season’s playoff loss to Cleveland was unfounded.

“I didn’t quit on the team,” said Kidd, who will face his old team on Saturday in Dallas. “The ride was over. At the end of the day, I gave everything that I could give to the Nets. There were no more rabbits that I could pull out of the hat. There were no more rabbits that Rod (Thorn) could pull out of a hat. That is as far as they could go. I took them as high as I could.”

Kidd is right; he didn’t quit on New Jersey, he just got tired of ex-teammate Vince Carter’s act. Anyone who has ever watched the Nets play since they acquired Carter in 2004, knows that he coasts through games and doesn’t play up to his potential. He settles for wild jumpers and 30 foot bombs behind the arc.

Personal story: after Jersey’s series ending loss to the Cavaliers, Carter was seen partying it up at the 40/40 club in downtown Manhattan (owned by Nets minority owner, Jay-Z).

Kidd just happen to realize before we all did, that the Nets were going nowhere fast with Carter in the fold.

2)Isiah vs. Marbury > Hatfield vs. McCoy

The feud between Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury is one of the most ridiculous yet, entertaining feuds the NBA has ever seen.  It’s better than the Lakers vs. Celtics series in the 80’s and Shaq vs Kobe in the 00’s. Here you have two professionals, who haven’t proven the ability to win consistently NBA clashing over…(umm, what are they fighting for exactly?).

Isiah is a first ballot Hall-of-Famer; arguably one of the greatest point guards the league has ever seen.  Yet his record as a coach isn’t something he should be tooting his own horn. It’s mediocre at best.

In the same vein, Marbury is a tremendous talent. Look, anyone who can average roughly 20 points and 8 assists per game throughout their NBA career is a pretty special player. Nevertheless, one will never confuse Marbury as a champion. He’s like basketball’s version of Archie Manning.

The back and forth between these two is embarrassing for the franchise and even worse the city. New York was once the mecca of basketball; now it’s the setting for the world’s most mind numbing soap opera.

3) Isiah’s PLAN D is in effect: Let the young guns play.

Wait! Actually, this plan could actually work. I mean, think about it developing your young talent then adding pieces to a then stable core.  Radical enough, it could be the standard blueprint for all successful franchises. Sarcasm notwithstanding, this is actually a plan that has some sort of direction. With all the pitfalls the Knicks have suffered this season playing time has been ample for young vets such as, Jamal Crawford, David Lee, and Nate Robinson. We all know Crawford is a gunner, but he’s beginning to learn how to play “acceptable” defense, as well as, becoming the team’s  go-to guy in the clutch.  Lee is a double-double waiting to happen, when given the opportunity. Lastly, Robinson is a future sixth-man of the year. Whether he’s starting or coming of the bench, the 2006 slam dunk champion is a boost of energy when he’s in the game. Robinson will become a fan favorite and a reliable scoring option, sort of like Lenandro Barbosa is for the Suns. 

The only problem is, Thomas shouldn’t be allowed in the rebuilding process.  As a matter of fact, his things should be found outside packed up in a box with a note attached: “DONT COME BACK!!”. However, any GM with half a brain should be able to parlay these pieces, along with a top five lottery pick and Marbury’s expiring contract to field a competitive (playoff bound) team.

Determined to bolster a dreary rushing attack, the Jets signed former Minnesota Vikings fullback Tony Richardson to a one-year deal Friday.

 The 13 year-vet  is coming off a third pro bowl selection, in which he helped rookie sensation, Adrian Peterson run away with the NFC rushing title.  He’s made stops in Dallas and most notably Kansas City, where he was the front man for a healthy Priest Holmes.

Richardson, along with free agent signees Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, are expected to improve a mediocore running attack which only produced six total touchdowns last season.

Stephon Marbury made his long awaited return to the Garden Wednesday night before his Knicks hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was Marbury’s first appearance at the Garden since his ankle surgery on January 22.

Marbury expressed his desire to return in a Knicks uniform next season but indicated that he was slightly bothered by Isiah Thomas‘ comments, or lack thereof, regarding his future in New York.

Via ESPN.com:

“It bothered me, it bothered me a lot,” said Marbury, who seemed glum in his first remarks to the media since Jan. 16. “But like I said, I know where my heart is at and I know what I want to do, so I can’t speak on what someone else is saying or how they feel. For me, I want to be back here more than anything.”

Thomas insinuated last week that the team would be looking for a third ball-handler to share backcourt duties with Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson next season, despite Marbury and his expiring contract. He his slated to receive $21 million.  Thomas has also refused to comment on his point guard, cutting interviews short and avoiding all things related.

It was reported that Knicks management ordered Marbury to stay away from the team, however his appearance add a new chapter in this on-going saga.  

The rift between Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury is widening as Thomas has reportedly instructed the former all-star to not attend any Knicks home games for the remainder of the season.

 According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, a Marbury confidant has told the paper that management has placed a gag order on Marbury, forbidding him from speaking with the media.

Its been a tumultuous season for Marbury, as he’s been out of action for the majority of season. 

In November, Marbury left the team before an away game in Phoenix reportedly after Thomas planned to remove the Brooklyn native from the starting lineup. Tragedy then hit the Marbury clan, as its patriarch passed away minutes before the end of a December home game at Madison Square Garden. Weeks later it then discovered that Marbury was to undergo season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs in his bum left ankle.

Thomas refused to mention Marbury by name, Wednesday, when talking about the club’s backcourt plans for next season.

Marbury has one year and $21 million remaining on his contract: a potential bargaining chip for the salary cap straddled Knicks. 

Since walking through the doors of Madison Square Garden on December 22nd, 2003, Isiah Thomas has promised Knicks fan a new era; one filled with hope, laced with championship banners aligning the Garden’s rafters.  Four years later and we’re still waiting.

According to Frank Isola of the Daily News, “Thomas was reluctant to make any moves before last Thursday’s trade deadline because ‘he didn’t want to break anything up’ and that ‘the team was headed in the right direction.’”

Excuse me, direction to where? As of right now, the Knicks have no plan nor direction. 

Even the Miami Heat, the worst team in the league, have some semblance of hope. Their unloading of Shaquille O’Neal cleared up cap space and enabled the team to have the flexablity to make some decision down the road.

However, unlike the Heat, Thomas’ inactivity and dogged stubborness, assures next season to be just as harsh as this one. The rebuilding process, which should have started years earlier, is only being delayed.

Sure Thomas stock piled the Knicks with tremendous individual talents but he’s done so without direction nor semblance of a style of play in which that talent could best perform. His pairing of forward Zach Randolph and center Eddy Curry has only proved one thing: two bigs who can’t defend won’t get you wins.

Until Thomas begins rebuilding the team with a distinct idea of how they should play, the Knicks’ direction will continue to point downward.

The New Jersey Nets waived former all-star center, Jamaal Magloire, Friday. 

Magloire signed with the club in July, as a free agent; however, he averaged a meager 1.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 24 games with the team.

The eight-year veteran was a 2004 All-Star selection and has averaged 8.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in stops which include: Charlotte/New Orleans, Milwaukee, and Portland.

Magloire is expected to join ex-Net Jason Kidd down in Texas, as the Mavericks have expressed interest in signing the former all-star, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Fresh off their stunning defeat of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants are reportedly close on rewarding head coach, Tom Coughlin a new contract, according to sources.

Newsday reports that the sides are close to a four-year extension worth almost $5 million per year. The deal would keep Coughlin on Big Blue’s sidelines through the 2011 season.

Coughlin was on the hot seat at the conclusion of the 2006 season, after the Giants closed the season, a disappointing 8-8; barely reaching the playoffs and losing to divisional rival, Philadelphia, in the first round.  Entering this season, he was the proverbial sitting duck, as Coughlin began the year with a one year contract extension admist the voices calling for his job.

Those voices were louder as the Giants dropped their first two games versus Dallas and Green Bay, before the teams’ impeccable run to the Super Bowl.

In his four year tenure with the Giants, Coughlin has a 35-29 regular season record with an NFC East title.  Before this season, he was 0-2 in the playoffs.

With Coughlin signed up, the Giants now look to the NFL Draft and defensive end, Michael Strahan’s desicion on hanging it up.  It will surely be a busy off-season.