Before the Knicks played the Wizards at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Donnie Walsh was asked about Isiah Thomas now openly lobbying to be the Knicks' next general manager.

Without commenting specifically on Thomas' remarks, Walsh said he does not view Thomas as an adversary.

"I don't consider Isiah a guy that's not my friend, if that's what you're asking me. I always treat him like a friend," Walsh said.

"I think when I hear retirement, I think it's a choice that I make. But I'm not answering that question. I have nothing to say about the comments that were made today by Isiah. I have nothing to say," Walsh said.

Walsh was asked about the oddity of people talking about Thomas again, despite the work that Walsh has done to restore the team's roster and image.

"Well," Walsh said, "I'm not."