Isiah Thomas Doomed to Fail as Coach of New York Knicks
Last week, the New York Knicks announced that Team President Isiah Thomas would be replacing Larry Brown as team coach. The decision begs only one reaction: "Huh?"
No one disputes that Isiah Thomas was a great NBA basketball player. He set Detroit Pistons' records for points, assists, and steals. He was selected to the NBA All Star Game 12 times. He led the Pistons to two world championships. And he won MVP honors for both the All Star Game and NBA Finals.
What should trouble Knicks fans, however, is that Thomas has fallen short of expectations in every single venture he has undertaken since his NBA playing career ended in 1994. Consider the following list.
1. Part Owner and Executive VP of the Toronto Raptors.
Thomas led the Toronto Raptors to records of 21-61, 30-52, and 16-66. The team never made the playoffs.
2. NBC Broadcaster
Thomas was widely regarded as one of the worst basketball announcers in the country. He was demoted to a studio role within a short time of his arrival.
3. Owner of the CBA
Isiah took over the CBA approximately 50 years after it first took off. It was in bankruptcy two years later.
4. Coach of the Indiana Pacers
Despite having such talents as Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Brad Miller, and Al Harrington on hand, Thomas never led the Indiana Pacers past the first round of the NBA playoffs in his three years with the team.
5. General Manager of the New York Knicks
Thomas assembled a team of malcontents (see Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jalen Rose, Eddy Curry, and Quentin Richardson), traded away the team's first round draft pick, and racked up a league-high payroll of $125 Million. It seems almost unfair to add that the team won only 23 of its 82 games last year.
Given Isiah's track record, it seems to be just a matter of time until the Knicks are looking for their third coach in three years.
Isiah, Thomas, Knicks, NBA
No one disputes that Isiah Thomas was a great NBA basketball player. He set Detroit Pistons' records for points, assists, and steals. He was selected to the NBA All Star Game 12 times. He led the Pistons to two world championships. And he won MVP honors for both the All Star Game and NBA Finals.
What should trouble Knicks fans, however, is that Thomas has fallen short of expectations in every single venture he has undertaken since his NBA playing career ended in 1994. Consider the following list.
1. Part Owner and Executive VP of the Toronto Raptors.
Thomas led the Toronto Raptors to records of 21-61, 30-52, and 16-66. The team never made the playoffs.
2. NBC Broadcaster
Thomas was widely regarded as one of the worst basketball announcers in the country. He was demoted to a studio role within a short time of his arrival.
3. Owner of the CBA
Isiah took over the CBA approximately 50 years after it first took off. It was in bankruptcy two years later.
4. Coach of the Indiana Pacers
Despite having such talents as Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Brad Miller, and Al Harrington on hand, Thomas never led the Indiana Pacers past the first round of the NBA playoffs in his three years with the team.
5. General Manager of the New York Knicks
Thomas assembled a team of malcontents (see Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jalen Rose, Eddy Curry, and Quentin Richardson), traded away the team's first round draft pick, and racked up a league-high payroll of $125 Million. It seems almost unfair to add that the team won only 23 of its 82 games last year.
Given Isiah's track record, it seems to be just a matter of time until the Knicks are looking for their third coach in three years.
Isiah, Thomas, Knicks, NBA
posted by HN at 10:53 AM
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