Frank Layden retires in December from the front office of the Jazz to enjoy his life away from basketball, and less than two months later he takes a job with the New York Knicks.
Color Larry H. Miller confused on this one.The Jazz owner doesn't seem to know what to make of Layden's appointment Thursday as a special basketball consultant to the Knicks, which ends a 21-plus year association with the Jazz that included stints as general manager, head coach and, most recently, president.
"(Knicks executive, and ex-Jazz exec) Dave Checketts called me and asked how I felt about it," Miller said.
"I said, 'Hey, do what you want. It's Frank's decision. He's a big boy.'"
Still, Miller seems perplexed by the decision.
"It seems contrary to what he was saying he wanted to do with the rest of his life," he said.
Miller thought Layden was retiring to, among other things, spend time with his grandchildren, finish writing a book, pursue interests including the theater, and travel with his wife.
"I bought 'em," Miller said of the myriad of reasons Layden gave for leaving the Jazz in midseason. "Still do."
He just hopes Layden is changing his mind - as it appears to him - for the right reasons.
"I would hate to see him do anything that would erode his positive (contributions) here (in Utah)," Miller said of Layden, the man whose name is most closely associated with the Jazz franchise. "I would hate to see him do anything that diminishes any of the persona he has with this organization."
Miller said he knew nothing, until Thursday, of Layden's plans to go to work for the Knicks, whose executive vice president/general manager is Layden's son, Scott, the former Jazz executive.
"I don't know if Scott initiated it, or Checketts did, or Frank did," Miller said, adding that Checketts told him the Knicks "thought it was useful to 'have a grey-head in the organization' .... (someone with) 'sage wisdom, to slow 'em down.' "
Both Laydens, father and son, expressed excitement over the hiring, which will include duties such as pre-draft scouting and NBA Draft meetings participation.
"I'm looking forward to working with the New York Knicks, and being able to help in any way possible," said Frank Layden, who will also serve as a senior advisor to his son. "It's a terrific organization, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it."
"I could not be happier about this announcement," Scott Layden said in a statement. "Adding Frank to (the) staff ... is invaluable to the Knicks organization."
Other members of the Knicks staff seemed to welcome the addition with open arms.
"Frank Layden was a great coach who brings success, experience and wisdom to our ballclub," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I'm looking forward to working with him."
Miller indicated he hoped Layden did not leave the Jazz solely because he felt his input on organizational decisions had diminished, and said the Jazz will seek no compensation from the Knicks for the hiring.
NOTES: Jeff Hornacek played 25 minutes against Milwaukee on Thursday, putting him over 33,000 in his 14-season career. . . . Karl Malone's double-double (28 points, 10 rebounds) vs. the Bucks was his 24th of the season. . . . Bryon Russell, still trying to shake a shooting slump, hit 3-of-4 from 3-point range Thursday -- but just 1-of-7 from inside the line.