http://www.nypost.com/seven/03182008/sports/knicks/zeke_reign_looks_to_be_over__don_102398.htm SOURCE: DOLAN TO MEET WITH PACER EXEC WALSH By MARC BERMAN March 18, 2008 -- INDIANAPOLIS - A person who spoke with Donnie Walsh yesterday told The Post the Pacers' CEO expects to speak with the Knicks about the potential presidency later on this week. And that may not be for the first time. Walsh's name has been mentioned for months as a Knick GM candidate to replace the disastrous Isiah Thomas. But Walsh has remained mum. As the green-clad Knicks were soundly beaten, 110-98, by the Pacers last night on St. Patrick's Day at Conseco Field House, a report suggested Walsh and Dolan probably have already talked. One of Cablevision's planes reportedly flew from Florida to Indiana twice last week. The Knicks and Walsh's agent declined comment, and Pacer president Larry Bird claimed to know nothing. But nobody denied it. Yesterday at Indiana's morning shoot-around, the Bronx-born Walsh appeared jumpy, saying "No comment, no comment, no comment" as he raced away from a reporter, appearing guilty. He also attended last night's game. Meanwhile, adding to the fire, NBA Commissioner David Stern gave his strongest remark yet that he expects a major shakeup with the Knick franchise this offseason, leaving the embattled Thomas' future further muddled. Appearing on ESPN Radio, Stern said the Knicks are in store for "a transformative offseason." Stern's choice, sources believe, is former Phoenix CEO Jerry Colangelo. While Thomas still talks as if he's returning next season, he has yet to receive a public vote of confidence from Dolan. Walsh, meanwhile, is in the last year of his contract with Indiana, sharing the leadership with Bird, who acknowledged last night for the first time that both are in danger of losing their jobs because of the Pacers' sputtering. Bird said, "I don't know. Let's wait and see. ... If it's changing everybody, it's changing everybody, but I would like the opportunity to have to do it." Bird claimed he didn't know if Walsh had spoken to the Knicks. "I have no clue, Donnie and I talk about what's going on here," Bird said. "I had somebody today who said [in a published report] he met with him, but I have too much respect for the man to sit here to tell you I knew or didn't know." When Dolan was asked last spring if he'd ever consider hiring the newly unemployed Jerry West to help out Thomas, Dolan said he would if Thomas recommended it. It makes sense with the Knicks likely having a top-five lottery pick to settle on a president soon. Stern said vast changes await the Knicks. "What I would say [is] that this is going to be one of the most important offseasons the Knicks are going to have," Stern said. "Because on the court, they're going to have to be prepared to have a better year next year, if you're a Knicks fan. As you watch it, ownership is prepared to spend money to improve the team and do what has to be done. They haven't had the results, but I have to believe that this is going to be an interesting and potentially transformative offseason." Other candidates mentioned have been Kiki Vandeweghe and Chris Mullin. --

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