Allanon
03-22-2008, 05:07 AM
Newsday.com
Sources: Jerry West interested in Knicks job
BY KEN BERGER
[email protected]
11:37 PM EDT, March 20, 2008
Click here to find out more!
It was no surprise that when Jerry West was reached at his Los Angeles home Thursday night, he was watching basketball. Southern Cal and Kansas State were playing on his television screen, but as usual West's active mind was racing with other possibilities.
West, 69, the architect of the Lakers' dynasty whose silhouette famously adorns the NBA logo, somehow has been overlooked as Knicks executives begin the process of evaluating their options if they decide to remove Isiah Thomas from power.
Three people with ties to West told Newsday Thursday that the Hall of Famer would be interested in running the Knicks if the job were offered to him.
"He would definitely take the job," said one of the people, a former executive in the league familiar with West's thinking as he weighs his options almost a year after retiring from his post with the Memphis Grizzlies.
A current executive said that although West has confided that he's not sure he wants to run another franchise now, "It wouldn't surprise me. He's such an A-type personality. It's hard for him to sit on the sidelines and not be involved."
Who better than West himself to address his future and whether he would consider running the Knicks?
"I have not had any contact from anyone about any job, period," West told Newsday. "I have not been approached. I do not know what my response would be to any job opportunity, but I'm not out actively campaigning for anything."
As for those who insist West wants the Knicks' job, he said, "That's something I've never indicated to anyone."
But those close to West say privately that running the Knicks always has intrigued him. Despite the popular notion that he isn't comfortable with New York, West said, "The disdain I would have for New York, that would be a very strong word." West said he's not sure how he would react if the Knicks approached him, but didn't close the door.
"When you're not working, you spend a lot of time and you say to yourself, 'Should someone else have an opportunity? Am I still capable of doing these things?"' West said. "So I question myself all the time, I do. But I don't know what I would do ... I'm just never sure whether or not I want to do something again."
But the more West spoke on the phone, the more it became apparent that his passion for basketball has not receded.
"You need routines and you need habits," West said. "And my routines and habits have been because of basketball, nothing else."
League executives and former executives monitoring recent reports about the Knicks' interest in Donnie Walsh believe the Pacers' CEO prefers to stay in Indiana. They are mystified that West's name has been largely ignored.
When West announced his retirement last April, Garden chairman James Dolan said in a radio interview that if Thomas was OK with bringing in West, "I'd be prime for this." Dolan has not commented publicly in more than a year, and Garden spokesman Barry Watkins declined to comment.
Those familiar with West's thinking said he is intrigued by the fan support in New York and the prestige of the job, and that he noticed how the city embraced the Giants after they won Super Bowl XLII. But they also say he recognizes what an immense challenge turning around the Knicks would be.
His concerns are said to include how quickly the roster could be rebuilt and the fact that the organization is contractually bound to Thomas, with whom West is known to share mutual respect and admiration. Asked if he would consider the job if required to keep Thomas as coach, West said, "I would not answer that question."
The most important question for the Knicks to propose to West -- "Would you be interested?" -- hasn't been asked yet.
"I don't know if I'd do it," West said. "It would be nice, privately, if somebody had an interest enough to want to talk to you about it. That would be exciting, yes."
Sources: Jerry West interested in Knicks job
BY KEN BERGER
[email protected]
11:37 PM EDT, March 20, 2008
Click here to find out more!
It was no surprise that when Jerry West was reached at his Los Angeles home Thursday night, he was watching basketball. Southern Cal and Kansas State were playing on his television screen, but as usual West's active mind was racing with other possibilities.
West, 69, the architect of the Lakers' dynasty whose silhouette famously adorns the NBA logo, somehow has been overlooked as Knicks executives begin the process of evaluating their options if they decide to remove Isiah Thomas from power.
Three people with ties to West told Newsday Thursday that the Hall of Famer would be interested in running the Knicks if the job were offered to him.
"He would definitely take the job," said one of the people, a former executive in the league familiar with West's thinking as he weighs his options almost a year after retiring from his post with the Memphis Grizzlies.
A current executive said that although West has confided that he's not sure he wants to run another franchise now, "It wouldn't surprise me. He's such an A-type personality. It's hard for him to sit on the sidelines and not be involved."
Who better than West himself to address his future and whether he would consider running the Knicks?
"I have not had any contact from anyone about any job, period," West told Newsday. "I have not been approached. I do not know what my response would be to any job opportunity, but I'm not out actively campaigning for anything."
As for those who insist West wants the Knicks' job, he said, "That's something I've never indicated to anyone."
But those close to West say privately that running the Knicks always has intrigued him. Despite the popular notion that he isn't comfortable with New York, West said, "The disdain I would have for New York, that would be a very strong word." West said he's not sure how he would react if the Knicks approached him, but didn't close the door.
"When you're not working, you spend a lot of time and you say to yourself, 'Should someone else have an opportunity? Am I still capable of doing these things?"' West said. "So I question myself all the time, I do. But I don't know what I would do ... I'm just never sure whether or not I want to do something again."
But the more West spoke on the phone, the more it became apparent that his passion for basketball has not receded.
"You need routines and you need habits," West said. "And my routines and habits have been because of basketball, nothing else."
League executives and former executives monitoring recent reports about the Knicks' interest in Donnie Walsh believe the Pacers' CEO prefers to stay in Indiana. They are mystified that West's name has been largely ignored.
When West announced his retirement last April, Garden chairman James Dolan said in a radio interview that if Thomas was OK with bringing in West, "I'd be prime for this." Dolan has not commented publicly in more than a year, and Garden spokesman Barry Watkins declined to comment.
Those familiar with West's thinking said he is intrigued by the fan support in New York and the prestige of the job, and that he noticed how the city embraced the Giants after they won Super Bowl XLII. But they also say he recognizes what an immense challenge turning around the Knicks would be.
His concerns are said to include how quickly the roster could be rebuilt and the fact that the organization is contractually bound to Thomas, with whom West is known to share mutual respect and admiration. Asked if he would consider the job if required to keep Thomas as coach, West said, "I would not answer that question."
The most important question for the Knicks to propose to West -- "Would you be interested?" -- hasn't been asked yet.
"I don't know if I'd do it," West said. "It would be nice, privately, if somebody had an interest enough to want to talk to you about it. That would be exciting, yes."