Thomas expects to get on well with Knicks' Walsh

Newly hired Knicks consultant Isiah Thomas said in a radio interview Monday that he doesn't expect any problems coexisting with Knicks president Donnie Walsh.

"Donnie Walsh and I, and [MSG chairman] Jim Dolan and I, we've always had great respect for each other," Thomas said on Dan LeBatard's Miami radio show. "Donnie and I have worked with each other. Actually, Donnie gave me my first job in the NBA in terms of coaching with the Indiana Pacers. The relationships that we have and our ability to work together and understand how tough it is to win in New York and try to assemble talent to go out there and compete, I'm glad they have given me the opportunity to come back."

Thomas was fired as the Knicks president and coach in 2008. He was rehired as a consultant Friday.

Thomas also had plenty of other interesting things to say in the interview, including that his main loyalty at this point is to Florida International University, where he remains the head coach.

He even talked about his split with the Knicks, including the sexual harassment suit he lost to Anucha Browne Sanders.

Said Thomas: "I've always maintained my innocence. That's how I explain that situation."

The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.