Category Archives: Brandon Tierney
Wilson Chandler will join Anthony “Rice Balls” Donahue and yours truly tomorrow night at 
9 pm on the inaugural edition of TKB Radio. As we stated previously, 1050 ESPN’s Brandon Tierney will also be jumping on board as a special guest.
The show will be played via our friends at blogtalkradio.
We’ll talk to BT about it all, and then get into a bunch of stuff with Wilson including his recent surgery.
Also, we’ll be talking about a promotion that I’ve pulled together that you’re really going to want to hear about.
If you want to be a part of the show, you can call (646) 478-5554.
Let’s talk some Knicks.
BT was kind enough to allow me some time to ask him some questions about Lebron, the impact that Bill Cartwright had on his childhood, the 
Johnnies, his college baseball career and if he were a Mark Jackson or Derek Harper dude.
You can listen to Brandon every day on 1050 as well as peep The WheelHouse on SNY weekdays at 5:30.
Also, I’m pleased to announced that Anthony “Rice Balls” Donahue has joined the staff of TKB to host “TKB Radio.” You’ve heard me on his show out on Long Island in the past. The first show will be this Friday night at 9 pm and we’ve secured BT as our first guest. Be prepared for some SERIOUS guests, and great Knick talk. Along with TKB.tv, we’re bringing you the Knicks from a multi-media standpoint like no other blog.
Tommy Dee: Your interview with Amar’e Stoudemire last week made some serious national noise and it appears that he may be shopped this off season.Rumors are swirling that Washington may be offering a package. Do you think Donnie Walsh can pull off a deal for Stoudemire?
Brandon Tierney: I think they will upgrade the roster this summer, yes…I think once Chris Bosh is dealt, things can happen fast, and the Knicks will be in a position to do something. I think Amare could be in play, and I also think Steve Nash could find a new address. Again, it’s early, and things change fast in the league, but I’d be very surprised if something of significance does not occur.
TD: Regardless of whether he lands Amar’e or not, it appears that Walsh is preparing for an active off season. How good should Knick fans feel that they have Walsh driving the bus?
BT: The organization’s in good hands, no question. Firstly, people trust Donnie, he has a lot of friends around the league for a reason: he’s good at what he does and he’s ethical. I like Donnie a lot, it just feels different, it feels right. Still, even with his resume, he’s never built a championship. Appreciable upgrade, sure, but he needs Gallo’s back to hold up, otherwise that’s a BIG swing and a miss, especially with no first round pick next season.
TD: On to Lebron. I’m on record saying that I feel he’ll be here in 2010. I think there is a 
distinguished branding quality that comes with Madison Avenue and it would be a sign of Lebron “growing up.” But we know it’s about championships too. What are your thoughts on the next 13 months as far as Lebron is concerned?
BT: I do not think he’ll be a Knick, never really have. That hometown pull is more powerful than most people realize; besides, he can always leave in 2013. Either way, even if they don’t land him, the organization is finally in a position to pursue other elite players. Either way, win/win. And no, I don’t think D Wade’s coming either.
TD: My moles tell me you waved some glove at first base while at Marist. True or false?
BT: Yes, but unfortunately I also waved and flailed away at way too many breaking balls and change-ups in the dirt along the way.
TD: Your favorite Knicks moment:
BT: 1986-87 season: at the game with my Dad, and during halftime, like always, I raced to the tunnel to shake the players hands as they left the floor. Bill Cartwright, who was suffering thru another injury-plagued season, was getting crushed by the fans, and for some reason, it felt worse than normal, and he looked miserable as he trudged off the court. I kept yelling, “Bill, hey Bill, keep your head up, don’t listen to the fans, go get ‘em” over and over and over. Finally, after a few minutes, a cop strolls over, and as they often did, I expected to be told to clear the area and get back to my seat. Instead, I heard, “Hey kid, this is from Bill Cartwright.” As he said it, a white towel flies in my direction, and upon immediate inspection, I saw the following blue letters stamped on the side: NYK. It was Bill’s game towel. He actually heard me, and you better believe, every time I left the court during my CYO games that season (I was 13), that towel was draped over my shoulders. I’ll never forget that. <
TD: I saw on The Wheelhouse where you said Knick fans should consider Bernard King one of the greatest Knicks of all time. How good would King have been if he didn’t drop to the floor in Kansas City?
BT: Greatest offensive player in the history of the franchise; better than Patrick and Clyde 
and Willis. Offensively, the best. Ask yourself this: down two, clock ticking, and you need a bucket or a trip to the line, who’s your guy? Give me B King. I think it’s a shame he wasn’t in the NBA’s Top 50. Truly one of the great scorers in the history of the game, and that includes the ABA.
TD: I know you’re a big fan of golf and this is a question I’ve often asked. Who’s in your dream foursome?
BT: Well, I definitely need one of my buddies there, this way we can trace back and reminisce for years; give me Tiger and Phil. I’ll pair up with Lefty, my buddy takes Tiger, and we’ll play a Nassau, with me and Phil as teammates. It would be my only chance to beat Tiger Woods and enjoy his greatness simultaneously.
TD: You called play-by-play for St. John’s. Your thoughts on Lance Stephenson, yet another NYC All-American, spurning Queens.
BT: I think St. John’s straddled the very necessary line of attempting to land an elite talent with a ton of off-the-court baggage, but did so without selling their soul in the process; in the long run, they’re probably better off without him. Very strange saga, someone that good, still without a school. That’s a red flag to me. Still, he’s one of us, I grew up 5 miles from Coney Island, so I’m rooting for the kid.
TD: Back to the Knicks. Were you a Derek Harper or Mark Jackson guy? 
BT: Respected the heck out of Harper: fierce, consistent, no-nonsense, fit that team well. Actually, if they beat the Rockets in ’94, he’s the Finals MVP, not Patrick. Still, Mark was a player I emulated in my backyard and during practice. Watching him grow up was a nice treat for a big-time SJU/Knicks fan from Brooklyn. He’s one of my Top 5-6 players of all time. For a guy who “couldn’t do a lot of things” boy, he sure did accomplish a lot.
TD: Okay, finally let’s talk draft. There are plenty of different scenarios that could present themselves, but if you’re Walsh who are you hoping is there for you at 8?
BT: I actually think the Knicks move up and jump off the 8 spot, and I really think Thabeet’s in play…
I couldn’t disagree more about Gerald Henderson. He has a very solid all-around “skill set.” He’s, obviously, a tremendous athlete and he’s strong on both ends of the floor. That translates. Plus K used a lot of D’Antoni’s system and we know physically gifted players with space can excel.
Just not sure if 8 is too high yet. You’ll know more after the workouts.
Donnie Walsh, as we chronicled on twitter, made appearances on both 
Brandon Tierney’s show on ESPN 1050 and with Joe and Evan on the Fan.
For the Tierney interview, click here.
For Joe and Evan, click here.
Just a few highlights as I listened to both interviews in the car. Donnie stressed that Gallinari is “pain free” and may not play in Las Vegas because they know he’s an NBA player. But he didn’t rule out that the rookie forward would play for the summer league team.
He said that he’d like to bring back both Lee and Robinson “at the right price” saying something to the effect that a player is fine at one number, but can be the wrong fit at the wrong number.
He also said that if Duhon is the starting point guard next year, he will have more play makers surrounding him.
Donnie also stressed that he would try to make the team better now, and will be conscious of 2010.
Peter Vescey of the NY Post has provided a list of GM candidates for the vacant
Knicks GM position and they include Billy Knight, Billy King, Bernie Bickerstaff and Ettore Messina, whose CSKA Moscow team won the European Championship two weeks ago in Madrid.
BILLY King, Billy Knight, Bernie Bickerstaff and a mystery man are the exclusive competition for the Knicks
‘ GM job, it says here. My use of a mystery man allows me to claim “I told you so” should a fourth entrant surface as the winner. These are the kind of crafty machinations you pick up after years on the case.
I love the European angle, I just wish it were Raptors’ assistant GM Maurizio Gherardini. As Brandon Tierney said on our radio show the other day, the Knicks could use some european talent and Gherardini owns Europe. Interesting that Kenny Smith isn’t on the list, well it is Vescey after all.
ESPN and SNY’s Brandon Tierney was kind enough to join me live at 2:30 to talk about the
D’Antoni situation, and the upcoming lottery and draft.
Brandon Tierney and Scott Ferrall discuss the D’Antoni situation on SNY’s “Wheel House”
Hear from the coach himself…
Scott Ferrall and BT discuss the “supposed” offer for D’Antoni and, to me, have the situation read perfectly.
Our fan poll thus far indicates, despite never having coached a game at any level, that Mark Jackson is the most popular choice for Knick fans.
Last night on “The WheelHouse” Brandon Tierney and Scott Ferrall discuss, who the right fit for the Knicks is at this point.
I think BT has hit it on the head here. The “old school” Walsh seems to be stalling long enough so that Jackson can fulfill his duties as an analyst.
I think coaching experience is overrated, except of course in the playoffs where games can be won or lost on one possession. Some people are born leaders and born with a high basketball IQ. Jackson has both and hiring him, even if it’s to bridge the gap until they start making noise in the playoffs when they can bring in a veteran X’s and O’s guy, just makes the most sense now.
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