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- Aug 29, 2007
Kenny Smith Enters Radar For Knick GM
Kenny Smith is looking to make the move from the TNT studio to the highly volatile world of the Knicks' front office, while Larry Brown could resurface in Charlotte.
According to a league source, Smith is scheduled to interview this week with Knicks president Donnie Walsh about becoming the team's new general manager. Smith has no previous front office experience, but for years has expressed a desire to run a club.
Smith, who attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens and like Walsh is a graduate of North Carolina, has been more visible around Madison Square Garden in recent years while working as a part-time analyst on MSG Network, and has a close relationship with Garden president Steve Mills. Smith's main job is as an analyst on TNT's popular studio showm having worked alongside Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson since 1998.
Smith will be one of many candidates interviewed for the position currently held by Glen Grunwald, who was hired by Isiah Thomas. Former Sixers GM Billy King and former Pistons and Sonics GM Rick Sund are both expected to meet with Walsh, who is not ruling out retaining Grunwald.
At the very least, Grunwald and the rest of the scouting department figure to remain in place until the draft in June.
"He's been working here all year," Walsh said recently of Grunwald. "The next big moment is the draft. They're gonna be here and I feel like I have confidence in Glen as far as heading up that."
Walsh is currently in the process of finding a head coach. He met with Mark Jackson in Phoenix on Friday and Jackson appears to be the leading candidate for the job. Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau is also highly thought of, but Boston may not grant him permission to interview until after the playoffs.
Smith and Jackson have a long history dating back to their days as New York City point guards. It was Smith who sat next to Jackson during the 1987 draft when the Knicks selected Jackson with the 18th overall pick. Smith was selected sixth overall by the Sacramento Kings. Smith also has a history with the Knicks; he was on the Rockets team that defeated them in the 1994 NBA Finals.
Walsh has demonstrated a willingness to hire a coach without previous experience, having hired both Larry Bird and Thomas at Indiana. The fact that he'll interview Smith shows that he is willing to do the same in the front office. Smith could serve an apprenticeship under the 67-year-old Walsh since Walsh will be heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the franchise for at least the next three years.
Walsh has said that his top priority is to hire a head coach - preferably before the draft - before turning his attention to the front office. Smith, who resides in Los Angeles, was unavailable for comment yesterday.
Walsh's longtime friend Larry Brown will not be involved in the interview process with the Knicks, but Brown could be back in the league next season. Brown is emerging as a leading candidate to replace Sam Vincent, who was fired yesterday by the Charlotte Bobcats. One day earlier, Brown resigned his executive position with the Sixers.
"It's a perfect fit," said a person who has worked with Brown. "Charlotte would have been better off hiring Larry last year. They have a young team that needs guidance."
Brown has been out of coaching since the Knicks fired him two years ago after a 23-59 season. Brown would be willing to return to college, but his first choice is the NBA. He also has been mentioned as a candidate for the Chicago Bulls' vacancy.
Don't do it Kenny!
