Weasel of the Week: James Dolan

As the old saying goes, sometimes you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

Contrary to that homily, New York Knicks owner James Dolan knew what he had when he hired Donnie Walsh as team President 3 years ago, but he didn't care. Dolan, who thinks he's the 2nd coming of the late George Steinbrenner sometimes, opted not to exercise an option on Walsh's contract Friday, less than 2 months after the Knicks had reached the NBA playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Yes, the Knicks were eliminated rather quickly by Boston, but that isn't the fault of Walsh or coach Mike D'Antoni. Walsh was able to acquire Amar'e Stoudamire in the offseason, then traded for former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony, which made the Knicks a better team almost immediately, but Dolan, obviously, wanted the biggest fish in the pond, LeBron James, who went to Miami instead. Now, James is playing for the championship, Walsh is out of New York, and Dolan is getting the heat, because, if you believe the tabloid media, he'd be happiest if he can bring back Isaiah Thomas for a 2nd go-round. Thomas, however, is largely responsible for much of the Knicks' problems over the last decade.

Thomas would have to first be released from his contract as coach of Florida International, which wasn't exactly a world beater last season. For all of his savvy as a player with Detroit in the 80's, Thomas has shown little talent as a evaluator of players or even as a coach. For Dolan to bring him back, putting heat on D'Antoni, obviously, shows again just what Dolan is all about to the Knicks' devoted fans. No respect for the team or the fans. Dolan has no real business sense when it comes to the business of basketball.

There are a number of candidates, identified today by the New York Daily News, that would be better choices to fill Walsh's chair than bringing back Thomas. 2 of those candidates are former Knicks players. Allan Houston was mentored by Walsh last season. Mark Jackson is now a commentator for ABC & ESPN, but has no front office experience. However, both were popular with fans during their playing days in New York.

Some fans, though, would rather see Dolan swallow his pride and sell the team to someone that actually knows how to manage it. That way, Dolan can go off and pursue his other passion in life as a weekend rocker. For denying Walsh the opportunity to continue the work he's started, and leaving open the possibility of that work being irretrievably ruined, Dolan earns a 2nd set of weasel ears. We'll tack on a weasel's tail, too, because, deep down, that's what Dolan really is.