Dolan Still Wants Thomas

Owner says he won't get in way of a new GM, but hopes Isiah remains on bench

By Mitch Pritchard, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2008 11:56 PM CDT

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Dolan Still Wants Thomas — Donnie Walsh, President and CEO of the Indiana Pacers, announces he will be leaving the team at a press conference held in Indianapolis, Monday, March 24, 2008. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Donnie Walsh's handshake agreement to run the Knicks next season could end up being a goodbye wave if owner James Dolan meddles too much, reports the New York Daily News. Dolan had said he won't step in if Walsh wants to replace coach Isiah Thomas, but he also made it very clear he wants Thomas back as the coach.

Thomas is 43-100 as coach of the Knicks, and New York is widely known as the most unprepared and out of shape team in the league. "That won't work. He can't come back and coach the team," a Knicks player said. If Dolan wants to keep Thomas as coach or in the front office, suggests the News, it may raise a red flag with Walsh, the former Indiana Pacer CEO. (More NBA stories.)

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