"The Knicks began their big free agent summer without their lead guy.

Donnie Walsh decided not to travel to Los Angeles to meet with Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Joe Johnson and instead flew directly to Ohio to prepare for Thursday's celebrated sit-down with LeBron James, the Daily News has learned.

The change in travel plans came as it was reported that Walsh had surgery two weeks ago to remove bone spurs in his neck. Walsh, according to a source, was in the hospital for more than a week and needs the assistance of a wheelchair until he regains his strength.

"I feel fine," Walsh said Wednesday. "For a long time I felt I had a hip problem but when I had an MRI taken the doctors said it had to do with my neck and spine."

It marks the second time in two years that Walsh has needed a surgical procedure. Two months after being hired, Walsh had a small part of his tongue removed after it was discovered to be cancerous.

Walsh, 69, insists his health is not an issue and was agitated last month when an Internet report claimed that he looked frail during a scouting trip in Europe. Walsh, who is currently having daily physical therapy sessions for his neck, laughed when asked if his condition may force him to retire."