Donnie Walsch out in NY

[Mediocre Man]

If I were Portland I would already be on the phone with this guy. He might be one of the best available candidates

 

[Mediocre Man]

Not sure where the Seattle connection is though? I guess I spoke too soon

 

[Sedatedfork]

Not sure where the Seattle connection is though? I guess I spoke too soon

Donnie Walsh once replaced Isiah Thomas. Isaiah Thomas (UW) was named after Isiah Thomas.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Donnie Walsh once replaced Isiah Thomas. Isaiah Thomas (UW) was named after Isiah Thomas.

Good enough for me, but I'm not sure PA, Larry, Bert, Nate and Hat Guy will go along with that

 

[illmatic99]

James Dolan is an idiot. Supposedly, Walsh will remain there as a consultant.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Blazers would be foolish not to do everything in their power to get permission to talk to him.

 

[maxiep]

If I were Portland I would already be on the phone with this guy. He might be one of the best available candidates

Agreed. The problem is that he's not a yes man.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

He's going to be a "consultant" next year. I wonder if that's Dolan saying "don't even try to interview this guy until his contract would've run out".

 

[MARIS61]

He has accomplished very little over a lifelong career and is now 70 years old.

 

[Draco]

He has accomplished very little over a lifelong career and is now 70 years old.

Yeah I don't see why he is so highly regarded by some. I don't think he was a bad GM, I just don't see why he is more than average.

 

[Draco]

What about Mark Warkentein? Not that he is certainly any better than Walsch or anyone else but he is an interesting candidate with ties to our organization. I believe he still has a house here, and is currently unemployed.

 

[Denny Crane]

Wasn't he GM of those strong Pacers teams that gave the dynasty Bulls trouble?

I think he rebuilt Indy quick, too. And the Knicks are a ton better in recent seasons.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Wasn't he GM of those strong Pacers teams that gave the dynasty Bulls trouble?

I think he rebuilt Indy quick, too. And the Knicks are a ton better in recent seasons.

The Knicks are a ton better because Isaiah Thomas is no longer calling the shots. No further explanation is needed.

 

[NJNetz]

Man, one can only wish that they re-hire Isiah Thomas.

 

[B-Roy]

The Knicks are a ton better because Isaiah Thomas is no longer calling the shots. No further explanation is needed.

You can't just give Walsh no credit...

 

[Minstrel]

Wasn't he GM of those strong Pacers teams that gave the dynasty Bulls trouble?

I think that's overstating it. They gave the Bulls one tough series, as I recall. The Pacers were a good team but never a great team. Walsh strikes me as a perfectly competent executive, but not an elite one. That said, since I worry about the Blazers even attaining competence in the front office at this point, I'd definitely take Walsh.

 

[Tallbottom]

The reason he's out in NY is that he wanted the final say in basketball matters-I agree with MM but I don't think he'd get that here.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I don't think he would either

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I'd forget about our mess if they just hire back Isaiah Thomas.

I need that.

 

[BBert]

Man, one can only wish that they re-hire Isiah Thomas.

I wish the Lakers would hire Isiah Thomas. And Magic to coach.

 

[illmatic99]

[video=youtube;BXVwWAX-0qw]

 

[Mediocre Man]

I will miss Shaq. He brought a lot of entertainment to the league. HIs presser was classic Shaq

 

[jlprk]

Not sure where the Seattle connection is though? I guess I spoke too soon

Blazer connection: Jack Ramsay left the Blazers to coach the Pacers from 1986-88. The GM who hired him there was Walsh.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/executives/walshdo99x.html

Coaching records--Ramsay:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/ramsaja99c.html

Walsh coached the Nuggets 142 games (.423), ravaged by injuries.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/walshdo99c.html

Edit: Northwest connections--All 3 of these trades were between Walsh and Whitsitt.

October 2, 1986: Indiana traded Russ Schoene and Terence Stansbury to Seattle for John Long and a 1993 2nd round pick (Spencer Dunkley)

November 1, 1993: Indiana traded Detlef Schrempf to Seattle for Derrick McKey and Gerald Paddio

August 31, 2000: Indiana traded Dale Davis to Portland for Joe Kleine and Jermaine O'Neal