In N.Y., Frank Isola wrote Knicks Dir of Player Personnel Mark Warkentien "could emerge as an important figure" in the team's front office. Isola cited sources as saying that Warkentien is "regarded as a top candidate" to become President & GM Steve Mills' "top lieutenant." Warkentien "is the most logical choice if Mills isn’t looking outside the organization." Mills "has called [Assistant GM Allan] Houston an up-and-coming executive but the former Knick doesn’t have the experience in managing the salary cap." Mills in "some ways is also learning on the fly and needs a more seasoned basketball guy" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/28). Meanwhile, CBSSPORTS.com's Matt Moore wrote of the Knicks' new alternate uniforms, "I'm torn. I'm a fan of bold colors, but the shade winds up seeming way too Syracuse Orange-y" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/25).
CHARLOTTE'S WEB: Basketball HOFer Phil Jackson said Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan has "brought in mostly people that he knows, close friends" and as an owner "sometimes you can't do that." Jackson: "You don't need people who are friends or think alike or your genre of friendship group to be on your staff. You need someone outside of that group." He added, "You don't want someone you can control. You want someone that's going to challenge you and make a distinction by doing that" ("The Seth Davis Show," CAMPUSINSIDERS.com, 10/27).
LUCK OF THE LEPRECHAUN: Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said of first-year coach Brad Stevens, "There's going to be an adjustment for him, his family, and just the lifestyle of NBA vs. college. There's some benefits that you don't have to recruit, but you play a lot of games. And the kind of people and the age of the players you're coaching are different. There's definitely going to be an adjustment period for him, but I think he's got really good support around him in his staff and support from management and ownership" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/28).
