Isiah's time has run out
Mitch Lawrence

If Larry Brown is leaving, and it sure seems as if coaching 79-1/2 games around here is his absolute limit, then there have to be a few other changes on the Knicks starting today.

Firing Isiah Thomas would be a good place to start.

Isiah hired Brown, a move hailed by none other than Stephon Marbury as "a no-brainer," but the Knicks are worse off today than at any other time during Thomas' tenure as team president.

Their salary-cap situation is worse. Their roster is worse. Their chances of getting rid of all their losing players and bringing in some winning talent is worse. And, their coaching situation is worse, which is really saying something.

Who knew that Lenny Wilkens would turn out to be the best Hall of Fame coach the Knicks have had here since Isiah conned Jim Dolan and Steve Mills into believing he could resurrect the franchise. What's more, who would have believed that only nine months after bringing Brown to New York for what he called his "dream job," they might be embarking on another coaching search?

You can see it now: It's late June and Thomas is at the podium, smiling widely as he shakes hands with the new coach, Paul Silas. Heaven help us.

But the change should start in the top basketball suite. Isiah has had his chance. He's made more than enough moves, most of them bad. From a public-relations standpoint, with that sexual harassment lawsuit hanging over the Garden, he's done more damage than two GMs.

Dolan doesn't even have to consult with David Stern about finding a replacement for Isiah. Here's some free advice: Hire Kiki Vandeweghe. He's done a nice job building a playoff team in Denver. He's an ex-Knick, as was his dad, Ernie. The Nuggets' owner, Stan Kroenke, isn't interested in paying Vandeweghe the kind of money he is seeking. So Dolan, the undisputed king of overspending, can easily meet Vandeweghe's price.

But sadly, Dolan won't hold Thomas accountable for everything that has gone wrong on his watch, including the Brown debacle. When the Knicks hold exit interviews today, Thomas will give another state-of-the-team address, when he should be packing up his belongings and getting a security escort out of his Garden office.

It only makes sense, after this six-month disaster. The Knicks didn't have to win 35 games to give fans some hope. They didn't even have to challenge for the playoffs, even if you can do that just by showing up in the East. But with Brown in charge of what took place on the court, they had to at least show some progress. They had to come together and embrace a common goal of wanting to do whatever it took to win.

But here's what happened when everyone expected Brown to lead the turn-around: Most of the players, led by rebellious Starbury, packed it in, long ago. Then, as unbecoming as it is for someone with his credentials, Brown quit on his players, too. When it came to instilling discipline, Phil Jackson would have done a better job, as he has proven with the Lakers this season.

But the way Brown looks to be bowing out, with apparently the longest bout of acid reflux in recorded history, it's as shameful an exit as anyone has ever had. The final record, is the icing on the cake, even though a franchise-record 60th loss would have been the perfect ending.

In the coming weeks, Brown will probably wiggle his way out of New York and eventually land in Sacramento or some other safe haven where he can find a more receptive playmaker and a more appealing roster. When it comes to getting his freedom, there's nobody in the business who does it better. But he should know: What happened this season at the Garden never comes off his resume. And it is far, far worse than what happened over in Athens.

The sad part for Knicks fans is what they're stuck with now. As his maximum contract tops $18 million next season, with two more years to run at $42 million, Marbury is as untradeable as Eddy Curry, along with all the other high-priced players Thomas has imported.

"They're a collection of names," said Boston's Doc Rivers, in about the best summation of the Knicks.

The scariest thought of all is the franchise will continue to suffer through losing seasons, never being able to move Marbury, stuck on a treadmill to nowhere.

Now you see why Larry Brown wants to get off.

Bitch Lawrence's time ran out way before Isiah's.

I think Isiah's been just fine.

I agree - Isiah Lord Thomas III is one of the best GMs the Knicks have ever had, and if we're not careful, we just might lose him.

[Edited by - BASKETBALLJONES on 04-20-2006 14:30]

Posted by Bippity10:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by Bippity10:

I think Isiah's been just fine.

22-59 in his 3rd year here with an $125MM payroll, not including the luxury tax.

Yeah, he's been doing just fine, can't dispute that at all.

Isles you can spin things all you want but I deal with facts. First of all since he arrived he has completely turned over that horrible roster that we had with Shanvis Eisleyspoon. Number 2 threee of our guards have been all-stars. He brought us a center and a ton of other players. Add that to the fact that he drafted some players last year and complimented the coach this year and how can you dispute his impact? I'm just looking for him to do much of what he's done in the past here. During the offseason I'm looking for him to go out and get some more players and I think he will do that. Things are looking up, you just can't see it.

R u kidding me!!!! Turned over a roster that was awful and we became worse. Added payroll and still doesnt have 1 good defensive player on the roster. Let me guess you want him to trade Mo Taylor's expiring contract for an additional 40-50 million dollar player who is a shoot 1st/No D player.

Think about it. Last year we had a group of players that sucked. What did Isiah do, he did exactly what he needed to do, he brought in different players.

Last year we had no center. This year we have three centers.

Last year we had Marbury at PG. This year we have Marbury AND FRANCIS.

Last year we won what 35 some odd games. This year we didn't win as many, but you can't deny that we did win some games.

The facts are all there. Isiah has done what has been asked of him. You guys are just in denial.

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by Bippity10:

Think about it. Last year we had a group of players that sucked. What did Isiah do, he did exactly what he needed to do, he brought in different players.

Last year we had no center. This year we have three centers.

Last year we had Marbury at PG. This year we have Marbury AND FRANCIS.

Last year we won what 35 some odd games. This year we didn't win as many, but you can't deny that we did win some games.

The facts are all there. Isiah has done what has been asked of him. You guys are just in denial.

i'm never playing poker with you.

But I'd gladly play poker with everybody who's believing Bip.

Well, you are either really good at being sarcastic, or a a 10 year old.

i don't see zeke going anywhere unless brown quits

The raptors were in pretty good shape during the vince carter years and the cba is now the NBDL.

While you may think it's garbarge because he's not given the chance to finish what he's started (see Indiana), you really have to think about it like a haircut...

Ugly while it's in progress, but in the end, it's pretty.

If they actually let isiah finish out his contract (which runs out right AFTER marbs right) and the 4 core youngins (age 22)
jackieB (21), Nate (21), Frye(22), Lee (22)
and 4 almost veterans (age 25/26)
QRich (26), crawford (26), Curry (23), QWoods (25)

either become our 8 man playoff rotation or they morph into our 8 man playoff rotation, then we will truly see the fruits of Zeke's labor.

I mean, everyone outside of that group has been garbage out garbage in and they all expire no later than 09:
Marbury (09), Francis (09), MalikRose (08), MoT (07), JRose (07)
let's not forget these albatrosses:
H20 (07), shandon (07) , Jerome (07)

I'll admit it, I am a guerrila optimist, and I was pretty sure we were on our way with the team we had...but, I finally saw the light and we ARE actually rebuilding.

The youth above indicates that if we ride out our current squad, we will be both under the cap and competing for a championship in 08/09. (possibly sooner)

Shaq will be long gone and the pistons and spurs are almost done with their little runs, the nets are about to end up with no PG, by then kidd will be a LB point guard...that leaves the bulls, wizards and cavs as our only competition.

I like our youth and upside better, besides, I'm a knick fan.

[Edited by - rvhoss on 04-20-2006 11:03 PM]

37 million dollars in contracts added no real light, a worse record, added 3 coaches during his tenure and gives away all flexibility while destroying lockroom chemistry because he brings in people that have a false sense of their worth

Its not an easy situation....

Did we mention the sexual charges, and the disgrace the organization is in; as well as the franchise maybe being in the worst place in its history and the laughing stock of the NBA.....

But if you think by me saying hes added some rotation players and a starter to a team that is sinking and doesn't know how to defend is being positive be my guest