December 03, 2006
Knicks Shouldn't Forget Their Past

In a perfect world Isiah Thomas would be coaching the Detroit Pistons, the team that he led to back-to-back NBA titles.

Thomas had a falling out with Pistons owner William Davidson and since retiring has worked for three different organizations but remains a Piston at heart. Funny, how Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn and John Long all work for the team in some capacity and yet the most important player in franchise history remains something of an outcast.

On Friday, a fan near the Knicks bench screamed: “Hey Isiah, just send Bill Davidson an apology letter and he’ll hire you…to coach the hockey team.” Davidson, it should be noted, also owns the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Thomas received a warm ovation when he was introduced before the game and had countless employees of the team and Palace of Auburn Hills search him out to say hello. You could tell that Isiah was touched by the outpouring of love.

It’s a crime that he doesn’t work for the team. That being said, Isiah needs to do a better job of reaching out to the Knicks' past. The fact that Patrick Ewing doesn’t work for the team is a joke. Patrick is not looking for a token job where he just collects a paycheck. He would be an ideal assistant coach and could be a valuable asset working with Eddy Curry. Look at the job Patrick (along with Tom Thibodeau) did with Yao Ming in Houston.

Mark Aguirre is doing a fine job teaching Curry how to operate in the low post. Ewing could educate Curry on how to succeed in New York. Other than Herb Williams, who was a reserve player for the 90’s Knicks, no one on the Knicks bench or front office has ever won in New York. Ewing could provide much needed leadership.

Why is it that Charlie Ward works in Houston, Derek Harper in Dallas, Charles Oakley in Charlotte, Mark Jackson in New Jersey and Allan Houston at ESPN and not one of them is in New York? The organization reached out to Kenny Smith to work its television broadcasts but he’s not a Knick. Look around the league, all teams reach out to their former players. But not in New York.

James Dolan has no sense of Knicks history and its tradition. (Unless you consider giving Jerome Williams a show on MSG a good move). It’s odd that Thomas hasn’t tried to address the issue, especially when he should know as well as anyone what it feels like to be detached from the team he gave his blood, sweat and tears to.

And one more thing about Isiah. I actually feel he’s done a good job as head coach. But why does he feel the need to dismiss everything the Knicks accomplished in the 90’s. His Knicks haven’t come close to matching that success. Maybe Thomas dislikes the 90’s Knicks because it was Ewing’s team that ended the Bad Boys for good in 1992.

I remember being at that game. Ah, the memories.

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The Knicks 1-7 home record is a disgrace If they lose to Memphis on Monday – I’m predicting a crowd of 14,000 and change – things could start to get ugly.

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Is the Players Association kidding me about filing an unfair labor practice grievance over the new basketball? Here’s how bad the working conditions are for NBA players; The average salary is $5 million.

You want unfair labor practices? I’ll give you unfair labor practices. I haven’t covered a Knicks' playoff win since Game 3 in 2001 against Toronto.

Posted by Bippity10:

I don't think Isiah will hire someone that would be a threat to his long-term association with our organization. Hiring Ewing may put thoughts in Dolan's head. Isiah would never do that to himself.

Posted by djsunyc:

anybody think patrick showing up at the garden pretty frequently this year is a way for dolan to turn the screws on isiah just a little tighter?