D’Antoni, Walsh: Vegas before Europe

Where will an NBA franchise land first: Europe or Las Vegas?

That question was posed to the two new guys in charge of the New York Knicks, general manager Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D’Antoni.

“I’d have to say Vegas,” D’Antoni said.

It was not exactly a convincing answer, and D’Antoni acknowledged he answered “Vegas” because he was talking to a Las Vegas reporter.

“I don’t know what the NBA’s plans are,” D’Antoni said. “Another team would have to relocate. I don’t know.”

Walsh was slightly more convincing. He said the NBA might have problems putting a team in Europe because of travel complications, arena issues and the fact there are established, popular pro leagues overseas.

This week’s attendance at the NBA Summer League has been impressive, Walsh said, and that helps.

“I think Las Vegas is a great market, but I wouldn’t want to make that prediction,” Walsh said. “There’s a lot of interest in basketball here, and (commissioner) David Stern already said the league is interested in Las Vegas.”