Prospective Knicks President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose was "noticeably out of the spotlight" during NBA All-Star Weekend, according to Steve Popper of NEWSDAY. Reporters and execs "wondered where he was and when he will emerge in his new role," although there "seems to be little reason to rush him" into it. The "first and most vital move" for Rose is naming a GM. That role is still occupied by Scott Perry, but a source said that Perry is "not expected to last beyond his contract, which ends after this season." A GM hire is a "crucial part of the plan, given that Rose has no experience actually running a franchise, and names have begun to flicker through the rumor mill." Whoever gets the job likely will "shoulder a large role as Rose acclimates himself to his new position" (NEWSDAY, 2/16). NEWSDAY's Popper also wrote, "Some of the players who have utilized Rose as an agent believe that their loss will be the Knicks' gain." But the connections "only count if the Knicks can use them to bring talent back to the Garden" (NEWSDAY, 2/16).
TIME WILL TELL: USA Basketball Managing Dir Jerry Colangelo said that Rose "has a chance to succeed." But Colangelo also "sounded skeptical the new trend of naming agents to run franchises will last." He said, "There was just a time it was young techies. Now we've gone to another. It's like style of play. ... There's been some success stories with this new model. So that's the flavor of the month. There will be a new one. I don't know when." In N.Y., Marc Berman wrote the "agent-as-team president has worked with Bob Myers of the Warriors and Rob Pelinka of the Lakers, but didn't fare as well recently with Lon Babby in Phoenix or Arn Tellem with the struggling Pistons." Colangelo "credits Rose with being a solid agent who could make the transition, but there's no guarantee." He added that the "most important question" for Rose is "having the right people around." Berman noted Rose "hasn't officially taken over as he ties up loose ends with CAA" (N.Y. POST, 2/16).
A WELCOME ADDITION: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote it would be "easy to say" that Knicks branding consultant Steve Stoute is "just the latest in a long line of cats whispering their masterplan to revive the Knicks in Dolan's ear," especially after his appearance on ESPN's "First Take." Yet if Stoute "can deliver the goods in one area the Knicks need help in, he should not be kicked to the curb after one terrible performance." Stoute on the show "came off as likeable and energetic." He "can carry a message." Of course, it "has to be the correct one." Raissman: "Having another voice like Stoute around to communicate to both media and fans will ultimately be beneficial to the Knicks" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/16).
