Isiah Thomas was snapping his fingers and bopping his head as James Dolan, his friend and former boss, sang the blues.
Thomas joined a small group of Garden executives and employees who traveled across the Hudson last month to hear Dolan's band, JD and the Straight Shot, serve as one of the warmup acts to the Eagles at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Whether Thomas is a fan of Dolan's music is unclear. But there is no denying that the two continue to share a close relationship and that Thomas' surprise involvement in the Knicks recruitment of LeBron James could pave for the way for him to return to the organization in some capacity, perhaps even as Donnie Walsh's replacement.
Friday, Walsh denied a published report that he would resign within a week for health reasons and in the wake of failing to sign James. Walsh has had two major surgeries in less than two years, including a procedure to remove a small piece of his tongue after a diagnosis of cancer.
Last month, Walsh had neck surgery. and after spending 10 days in the hospital, he temporarily needs the use of a wheelchair. The condition prevented Walsh from flying to Los Angeles to meet with the Hawks' Joe Johnson, but he did attend last week's meeting with James in Cleveland and has worked every day since the NBA draft.
"I'm still here," Walsh joked Friday. "I'm not going anywhere."
Walsh, 70, is entering the third year of his contract, which has an option for a fourth. Although Walsh says he is committed to fulfilling his obligation, close friends would not rule out Walsh stepping away at some point to serve in an advisory role.
It was reported that former Trail Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Walsh. Pritchard has solid credentials and is responsible for rebuilding Portland from a laughingstock into a playoff team in the Western Conference.
Pritchard would likely have the support of head coach Mike D'Antoni since they share the same agent, Warren LeGarie. In fact, LeGarie represents the entire Knicks coaching staff. Another candidate would be Allan Houston, who serves as a Walsh apprentice and is a favorite of Dolan, the Garden chairman.
But if the job becomes available, Thomas looms as a serious contender to make an improbable return to the Knicks' front office. Thomas was removed at the behest of the NBA following the Garden being found liable in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former female executive.
Despite the out-of-court settlement and the embarrassment it caused the franchise, Dolan has always felt that Thomas was a victim in the case and as such continues to be his most ardent supporter. Thomas is selling himself as an executive with a sharp eye for talent, having drafted Trevor Ariza, David Lee and Wilson Chandler.
Dolan insisted that Thomas remain in the organization after Walsh was hired to replace him. And had Thomas not accepted the coaching position at Florida International University, Dolan, according to sources, would have demanded that Thomas continue to serve as a special consultant.
Some in the organization are convinced that Thomas has too much influence. In fact, they point to Dolan's refusal to allow Walsh to bring in Chris Mullin, the St.John's legend whom Walsh would like to groom as his successor.
Dolan will not sign off on that hiring, saying the team doesn't have the resources to add another front office type. Besides the fact that Dolan's actions show that Walsh doesn't enjoy full autonomy, it may be a sign the chairman doesn't want Mullin because he either sees Houston or Thomas as Walsh's successor.
There is no doubt that Thomas still has Dolan's ear. When the Knicks wanted to make one last pitch to James' camp, Dolan decided to send Thomas and not D'Antoni to Cleveland. Walsh contends that Thomas was heading to Cleveland for a college recruiting trip and volunteered to help the Knicks.
Of course, Thomas also had selfish reasons to help out. He desperately wants back in the league and looked at James as his golden ticket. Thomas couldn't close the deal but the fact that he was representing the Knicks under these circumstances is telling for Walsh, D'Antoni, Houston and the Knicks.
"He knew people in James' circle," Walsh said Friday. "He didn't see (James' business manager) Maverick Carter or LeBron. It was another guy in their camp so I thanked him for it."
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