A few bumps along the road but he did an excellent job. Granted, the 2008 knicks were fairly talented. Now we have the pieces to build a championship caliber team. We have a solid foundation. The 2008 team was a sure playoff team but probably would have lost in the 1st round.
I don't think hiring any GM will guarantee you to win a championship (see Jerry West during his Memphis tenure). That is not a realistic way to look at the situation. You can only look at Donnie's body of work, and how he approached his job, and how he interacted with the public.
I thought he was an excellent GM. He got us valuable assets cheaply (Mozgov, Shawne Williams, Felton), and he understood the need for 2 way players. Too bad the Melo deal set us back so much, but I don't consider that Donnie's fault.
knickstorrents wrote:I don't think hiring any GM will guarantee you to win a championship (see Jerry West during his Memphis tenure). That is not a realistic way to look at the situation. You can only look at Donnie's body of work, and how he approached his job, and how he interacted with the public.I thought he was an excellent GM. He got us valuable assets cheaply (Mozgov, Shawne Williams, Felton), and he understood the need for 2 way players. Too bad the Melo deal set us back so much, but I don't consider that Donnie's fault.
I agree, plus no GM can really guarantee a championship, you just want your team to have a chance to compete for one and if lucky you may get one. Donnie did just that, he brought two superstars which goes a long way in building a true contender.
Papabear wrote:Papabear Says Donnie Welsh in he never won a championship. I agree that he cleaned up a mess here but he gave up a lot to get under the cap and allowed Mike D to do what he wanted to do. He never told D'Antoni to not play our kids. Anthony Randolph never had a chance here. Mike D don't play defense
Let me tell you something
I dont know for sure if/whether Donnie Walsh would have won a championship OR been close for Knicks with all improvements
and now 2 Stars/near superstars
However one thing Espn expert pointed out regarding Walsh. When Walsh made phone calls to discuss trades or talk acquistions
drafts, with other teams practically 100% of GMs or teams always was eager to talk to Donnie on possibilities
The Knicks never ever had that kind of rappoire before Donnie Or in the Zeke Thomas, Scott Layden eras where NO ONE on teams
wanted to discuss squat with knicks
Remember that
Donnie called
People listened
Knicks are gonna MISS THAT, Opportunity! which Donnie's reputation provided on teams he ran and
the respect he had in the NBA for long long long times
DJMUSIC wrote:Papabear wrote:Papabear Says Donnie Welsh in he never won a championship. I agree that he cleaned up a mess here but he gave up a lot to get under the cap and allowed Mike D to do what he wanted to do. He never told D'Antoni to not play our kids. Anthony Randolph never had a chance here. Mike D don't play defense
Let me tell you something
I dont know for sure if/whether Donnie Walsh would have won a championship OR been close for Knicks with all improvements
and now 2 Stars/near superstars
However one thing Espn expert pointed out regarding Walsh. When Walsh made phone calls to discuss trades or talk acquistions
drafts, with other teams practically 100% of GMs or teams always was eager to talk to Donnie on possibilities
The Knicks never ever had that kind of rappoire before Donnie Or in the Zeke Thomas, Scott Layden eras where NO ONE on teams
wanted to discuss squat with knicks
Remember that
Donnie called
People listened
Knicks are gonna MISS THAT, Opportunity! which Donnie's reputation provided on teams he ran and
the respect he had in the NBA for long long long times

Papabear Says
I'm saying that Donnie was a bad GM. I'm just saying that he never won a championship.
OK his teams never won a title! There's still plenty of work that comes before you actually win a title. I'd say that having a team actually GET to a title is proof enough! That's about the only fair way to judge a GM. If you make a finals appearance as a GM you did your job. The coaches and players have to get it done on the court.