Isiah defends Tenure
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joec32033
Posts: 30641 Alba Posts: 37 Joined: 2/3/2004 Member: #583 USA |
11/1/2007 9:47 AM
SPIN MOVE ISIAH DEFENDS CRUMMY TENURE By MARC BERMAN November 1, 2007 -- Knicks president/coach Isiah Thomas made remarks yesterday that suggested he does not feel he should be fired if the Knicks fail to make playoffs for the fourth straight season, believing their rebuilding plan is still on track. MORE: Marbury Aims For More Shots MORE: Knicks Blog Thomas did an awful job in federal court defending his office behavior, but he always has mastered the art of defending his basketball record. Thomas was at it again yesterday, defending his Knicks record of 118-182 in 3½ seasons, saying clubs like the Bulls and Wizards took as long as nine years to turn around their miseries. Thomas said he started from rock bottom with a depleted talent pool assembled by former Knicks GM Scott Layden, who started the wreckage of the franchise by trading for injured Antonio McDyess, obtaining stiffs such as Clarence Weatherspoon and Shandon Anderson and trading away Patrick Ewing and Latrell Sprewell. “When you put it in real NBA time frame, where we were starting from, most organizations take a good nine, 10 years to turn things around, get back in the playoffs and everything else," said Thomas, whose team opens the season tomorrow in Cleveland. “Look at Chicago, who's there, now look at Washington, who's there. When you go back to where those franchises started when they were rebuilding, those are long, long grind-out years where you have to do it. We've been fortunate enough in a short three-to-four years as opposed to an eight-to-nine year period." Thomas was right in one aspect of his bizarre spin job - that he's increased the talent level immensely during his stint. But that and four dollars will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. “You want to start seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, where you're starting to make progress," Thomas said. “From a talent standpoint, when I first got here, we were very depleted." Now I think we're pretty rich with talent and young talent. We're not an old team. We're a talented, young team. “This team has a couple of years where it could be around and make a run - get into the playoffs, learn how to win in the playoffs, you eventually learn how to win a championship," Thomas added. Thomas said Tuesday, barring major injuries, he expects to make the playoffs. But so far the talent has gotten them into three straight lotteries (two of which they weren't allowed to participant in because of the Bulls' trade). Eddy Curry, David Lee, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Renaldo Balkman and rookie Wilson Chandler form a good young core, but veterans Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, Jared Jeffries and Quentin Richardson have a lot of mileage on their bodies and are prone to breaking down. “Last year we were pretty much headed in that direction (the playoffs)," Thomas said. “I thought we had pretty good shot at making the playoffs last year, then I think we got hit by a terrible amount of injuries. Coming back this year, I still feel we're moving on that path. I don't see that we've lost that path in any way." Despite his image in tatters, Thomas said he's still the one to lead the Knicks. “You need someone to understand the ups and downs," Thomas said. “Which I think I do. I'm confident I can guide them through the process." Thomas said he believes the real fans are talking basketball, not sexual harassment. “I think it's pretty balanced with the fans," Thomas said. “Our fans do talk about our team and are excited about our team. There have been stories the media has had to cover, but I don't think it's taken away from what the fans talk about. Fans talk about our team. When you walk down the street, go into restaurants, people are still pretty excited about our basketball team." nypost [Edited by - joec32033 on 01 November 2007 09:48] ~You can't run from who you are.~
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TrueBlue
Posts: 29144 Alba Posts: 12 Joined: 9/20/2006 Member: #1172 |
11/1/2007 12:11 PM
Posted by islesfan: Yeah there really is no need for him to address his own tenure, leave that up to the critics. Instead because he's as insecure as they come, he delivers yet another bulletin board material mercy request in the media. [Edited by - TrueBlue on 11-01-2007 11:12 AM] LMFAO @ the Bio [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephon_Marbury[/url]
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Isiah defends Tenure