HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ivan Carter, the Post sportswriter turned TV host, is leaving Comcast SportsNet, according to a statement from the network. “Comcast SportsNet has decided to make changes to the on-air team for SportsTalk Live, its daily talk show,” the statement read. “Ivan Carter will no longer appear on the program; his contract is expiring and he is leaving the network. Brian Mitchell will continue to co-host and will be joined by guests until a permanent replacement is named.” Washington Post

New York Knicks, Media, James Dolan 

After briefly exchanging storm stories and small talk, Dolan, for the record, answered a question. Granted, the question was "How are you doing?" But this meant that his five-plus year streak of not answering a single question from the media was technically over. "It's a big game," Dolan said. "It's good for New York. ... A lot of people told me they were either coming or watching on TV. It will give people something to cheer about and take their mind off things for a couple of hours." CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, James Dolan 

“All I can say is that Jim Dolan treated me very well, paid me well, and I have no ax to grind,” he said. “With Jim, I think people only get part of the story, and that’s because he doesn’t want to put his being on display. When you’re the owner of a team, and the team hasn’t done well and people are judging you by what you do there, it’s usually not good. I mean, George Steinbrenner — who loved him when the Yankees weren’t any good?” Walsh added: “Jim let me do some things he wouldn’t let other people do, and I think in the end, I did what I said I would do when I got there. I put them in a position so the next guy didn’t have to do the things that Isiah and Scott Layden had to do: try to keep their job by trading sideways, taking the worst contracts.” New York Times

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh, James Dolan, Scott Layden 

Coach Mike Woodson has time to decide if out-of-shape Rasheed Wallace can help the Knicks before owner James Dolan is on the hook for the entire $1.3 million veteran’s minimum. According to a person familiar with the situation, Wallace’s contract won’t be guaranteed in full until Jan. 5. Wallace signed a traditional non-guaranteed, make-good pact that has no addendums, The Post has learned. New York Post

New York Knicks, Rasheed Wallace, Mike Woodson, James Dolan 

Isiah Thomas did not get into the details of meeting with Knicks owner James Dolan in a FOXSports.com podcast, but did discuss his interest in landing a job as an analyst at ESPN. “I've auditioned for the job, if they pick me that would be great,” Thomas said. “I would love to be a part of the show and give my thoughts and opinions on championship basketball and NBA basketball and life in general in the NBA.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

“Jim Dolan and I had lunch as we often do, and we are very good friends, and we talk from time to time,” Thomas said. “I have great relationships with the organization, so I guess there was some speculation as there's always been about me going back there. And that's where it's at.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

Tim Bontemps: Prokhorov, when asked if James Dolan would come to the opener: "I have sent him an invitation already. I'm still waiting for the answer." Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Mikhail Prokhorov, James Dolan 

As for Isiah, those close to him are downplaying a recent meeting with Dolan in the wake of O'Neil's departure. "They meet all the time," one Thomas confidant said. In truth, it seems awfully farfetched that Thomas -- though free of restrictions on involvement with an NBA team now that he's no longer a college coach -- would assume his previous perch as MSG executive when he already has all the influence he wants at the Garden with none of the accountability or responsibility. A more likely scenario is for Thomas to remain in the shadows a while longer, only to resurface in an official capacity sometime, somewhere at an arena near you. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Scott O'Neil 

Scott O'Neil's sudden resignation as president of Madison Square Garden Sports was hardly surprising to industry insiders familiar with a) the pitfalls of working at the World's Most Famous Arena and b) O'Neil's autonomous management style and lofty career ambitions. You can fumble personnel moves for years and drag the entire company into the gutter of an embarrassing sexual harassment lawsuit and remain in MSG chairman James Dolan's good graces in perpetuity. (We're looking at you, Isiah Thomas.) But if you have your own ideas about how things should be done and want more responsibility, as O'Neil did, you can forget about having your proverbial number retired in the Garden's famous rafters. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Scott O'Neil 

Contrary to the sensationalized version of events, it was likely not a specific clash but rather philosophical differences about his role that led to O'Neil's mutually agreed upon departure, industry sources said. Also, O'Neil had reached the finish line in one of his most important assignments, that being the successful management and sales work associated with the approximately $800 million transformation of the Garden. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Scott O'Neil 

So don't be surprised if O'Neil's name surfaces with regard to a role in which he could wield enormous financial and personnel influence in the NBA -- with the talent and representation firm that has as much power as anyone other than Dolan at MSG: Creative Artists Agency. Just a thought. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Scott O'Neil 

Chris Mannix: Have received texts from NBA team execs asking if Isiah-back-to-NY is real. From the fans to the brass, no one believes NYK could do this Twitter

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

The one person standing in the way of Isiah Thomas officially returning to the Knicks is Isiah Thomas. According to a source close to the former Knicks president, Thomas and Garden chairman James Dolan have had numerous discussions about a position in the organization, but Thomas has been reluctant to accept the job offer. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

“Isiah is very close with Jim Dolan but he’s told me that he’s not ready to jump back into the NBA just yet,” said the source, who was with Thomas on Friday at the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Springfield, Mass. “There’s this perception out there that Isiah is desperate to get back, but that’s false. I think it will eventually happen but just not now.” New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

Knicks owner James Dolan called Friday morning’s meeting with Isiah Thomas at the Mandarin Hotel in Midtown, though Thomas already was headed up to Springfield, Mass., for the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, according to a person close to Thomas. Though Dolan has no desire to have Thomas fill Scott O’Neil’s job as Madison Square Garden sports president because it is a marketing position, the Knicks owner summoned Thomas on short notice. O’Neil was a staunch opponent of rehiring Thomas, feeling it was not good for the Knicks brand. New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

Knicks owner James Dolan staged a business meeting with Isiah Thomas yesterday morning at the Mandarin Hotel in Midtown, according to a person familiar with the situation. New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

A band of security men surrounded the two men who were both dressed in business suits in a quiet corner of the lobby. Thomas has lobbied to return to the organization since he was fired as the Florida International basketball coach last spring. The meeting took place two days after the resignation of MSG sports president Scott O’Neil, who, according to a source, helped convince Dolan rehiring Thomas wasn’t a good move for the Knicks brand. New York Post

New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan 

The Garden stated it would conduct a search for a new Garden sports president, which is a marketing position. It is possible Dolan was seeking Thomas’ advice on filling the position because he has maintained his friendship with Dolan. Hiring the unpopular Thomas would come at an odd time considering the franchise is dealing with the fan fallout of losing Jeremy Lin and are bracing for the Nets’ debut in Brooklyn. New York Post

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Jeremy Lin 

Speaking of Thomas one source confirmed that O’Neil and owner James Dolan “had some issues” because O’Neil “didn’t want Dolan and Isiah to communicate.” The Knicks Blog

James Dolan, Madison Square Garden, Scott O'Neil 

Did Mikhail Prokhorov call James Dolan "that little man" in an interview for the New York Magazine article on the Nets' move to Brooklyn? According to author Will Leitch, he did ... three times. In both the magazine article and supplementary online notes, Will Leitch says Prokhorov clearly tried to diminish the Knicks owner. "Prokhorov told me back in December that he plans on attending a quarter of the regular-season games and 'all the playoff ones.' He also made sure that I heard him call Dolan 'that little man'," wrote in the online notes. NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Mikhail Prokhorov, James Dolan