Donnie Walsh speaks to season ticket holders

The New York Knicks held a “town forum” for its season ticket holders on Wednesday. The franchise has not had a winning season since 2000-2001 and have had seven different head coaches since then. However, Donnie Walsh the new director of player personnel was hired to make an impact. He brought in a proven offensive coach in Mike D’Antoni who enjoyed regular season success with the Phoenix Suns. As dismal as the Knicks were last season (59 losses), Madison Square Garden still had a 97% attendance rate.

At the town meeting, Walsh praised Stephon Marbury’s work ethic this summer and he will begin training camp with a clean slate. Currently, Marbury is working out with several NBA players in Las Vegas. The former Indiana Pacer executive also said the point guard has been a very good player in the league. With only one year left on his contract it looks like the 12-year veteran will be sticking around for now. Walsh said it is important for the team to value their players and he will not trade players for lesser value. This is indirectly referring to the Zach Randolph to the Los Angeles Clippers trade. Walsh rejected that proposal feeling as though he wasn’t getting a sufficient return on Randolph, even though he would be dumping Zebo’s three year, $48 million dollar deal.

Walsh is not sure who will be in the starting rotation for the Knicks in the upcoming season. The team has new pieces with 2008 first round pick, Danilo Gallinari, free agent point guard, Chris Duhon. Wilson Chandler shined in the Vegas Summer League and will look to push Quentin Richardson for more playing time. Center, Eddy Curry and Marbury both finished the season on the injury list and Randolph seemed lacadasical towards the end of the year, leaving the Knicks wondering who to trust.

The Knicks passed up combo-guard Jerryd Bayless, and point guard, D.J. Augustine in the NBA Draft for the Italian staillon. Walsh is excited about “Gallo”, describing him as a unique player who can handle the ball like a guard and shoot lights out for a big man.  Gallinari watched the rest of the summer league after one game played due to a sore back.  However, he did show flashes of his versatility, range, and mental toughness in his limited action.

Walsh is a supporter of fan favorite, David Lee, and would only trade him if the team got suitable value in return. Lee could be on the block because he is the most valuable Knick on the roster in terms of value and salary.  However, he will be looking for a multi-year extension and Knicks brass are wondering if he is worth big money for a player with limited offensive repertoir. The team recently dealt underachieving forward, Renaldo Balkman, however Walsh was skeptical if Balkman could push for playing time with his adequate offensive skills, and the Knicks depth at forward made dealing the former Gamecock an easy decision. It also allowed the Knicks some wiggle room in the salary cap along with getting them at the 15 player roster limit. The Knicks are young and talented and it should be interesting to see how these players learn and adapt to D’Antoni’s player-friendly system throughout training camp.