Rose has made no indication that changes are going to be made imminently in the front officeNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
New Knicks President Leon Rose's official arrival yesterday "generated not much more than a collective shrug," as there was no press conference but instead an "informal meet-and-greet with some media members," according to George Willis of the N.Y. POST. While this is Rose's first job as a franchise executive, he "brings plenty of positives" from his experience as a former CAA agent." Rose is "smart, knows every organization in the league and mingles with really good basketball players" (N.Y. POST, 3/3). In N.Y., Marc Berman notes Rose "wants to ease into the new job in which the franchise is amid a mammoth rebuilding program." In a letter to fans, Rose called this a "pivotal time in Knicks history,” and wrote he will support Knicks interim coach Mike Miller for the rest of the season, adding the roster has “significant future assets.” Rose "made no indication changes are going to be made imminently in the front office or on the coaching staff." Rose’s letter "seemed in stark contrast with branding manager Steve Stoute’s comments recently about how the club will bring in a new coaching staff next season to develop the young roster" (N.Y. POST, 3/3).
CHANGES COMING: On Long Island, Steve Popper wrote Rose will have to "put in place" the team that will "aid him" with the rebuild. The front-office execs brought in by former President Steve Mills and current GM Scott Perry are "still here, as are the scouts who have been in place for a long time," though "not many are expected to survive." Still, Rose "might not purge the rolls at MSG the way other candidates for the job might have," as he has "long relationships with many of the executives." He "worked closely" with Knicks Owner James Dolan when CAA "seemed to have control of much of the Knicks’ roster." For example, NBA G League Westchester Knicks GM Allan Houston, who has been a part of the organization for decades, is a CAA client (NEWSDAY, 3/1). In N.Y., Mike Lupica wrote, "Rose needs to overhaul his entire operation, top to bottom." Lupica: "We keep reading and hearing that Allan Houston will have a position of some authority in the new regime. Houston is a very nice guy, and has shown himself to be a survivor at the Garden. But for now, he just looks to be the member of the permanent government of the place who survives as Mills, who started to look like as much of fixture at the Garden as the retired numbers, does not" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/1).
ONE-LESS INVITATION: In N.Y., Andrew Marchand reported the Knicks, for their March 21 celebration of the 50th anniversary of their '69-70 championship, "chose not to invite" TNT's Marv Albert, the radio voice of the team at the time and the "author of one of the most legendary calls in sportscasting history" (N.Y. POST, 3/1).
