|
djsunyc
Posts: 44929
Alba Posts: 42
Joined: 1/16/2004
Member: #536
|
Time to give Isiah some credit
First of all, let me put things in perspective: this year's Knicks are, at best, a first-round-and-out playoff team.
And that's in the horrible Eastern Conference!
So unlike some people, I'm not going ga-ga over the fact that the team has played .500 ball since Nov. 29.
That said, it's time to give Isiah Thomas some credit.
Some folks owe the greatest "little man'' in NBA history an apology (he was better than Iverson, Nash, Cousy and Stockton, folks!).
Some need to down their plate of humble pie and admit that Isiah has done a good coaching job this season. Far better than Larry Brown did with these same Knicks last year.
Those of us who didn't believe the hype a few years ago are not surprised by this.
Despite reports and widespread sentiment to the contrary, Isiah was a good coach in Indiana. He got bashed for never getting the Pacers, who at the time were one of the youngest (if not the youngest) teams in the league, out of the first round.
But how have things gone in Indiana since he was axed?
Here are the facts:
Jermaine O'Neal blossomed into a star under Isiah.
Ron Artest blossomed into a star under Isiah.
Eddy Curry is blossoming into a star under Isiah.
Isiah has gotten Curry, who is averaging career-highs of 19.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 34 minutes a game, to do what Tim Floyd, Bill Cartwright and Scott Skiles couldn't. Thanks to Isiah, Curry's in better shape, he's become a better passer out of the double teams, he's a better rebounder, and he's become a dominant low-post scorer.
Then there's Stephon Marbury.
Marbury has had more coaches than the U.S. Olympic team: Flip Saunders, John Calipari, Don Casey, Byron Scott, Scott Skiles, Frank Johnson, Mike D'Antoni, Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens, Herb Williams, Larry Brown and Isiah.
I'm not saying Isiah's the best coach on that list (clearly, he's not), but it can be argued that he's gotten through to Marbury when none of those other guys could. He's got Marbury playing arguably the best team basketball of his life.
Isiah's draft record is obviously very strong (with the rebounding machine David Lee turning into a real steal), but his best attribute may be his ability to lead men.
Isiah has a way of implanting his personality onto an entire locker room full of players.
In Detroit, he made the "Bad Boys'' bad. Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn weren't the bruisers they became famous for being before Isiah instilled that toughness in them. That whole team embodied Isiah's desire, grit and will to win.
Now, these Knicks are doing the same thing. Most of them would run through a brick wall for their coach, and there's little complaining about minutes, roles, etc…
Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm not calling Isiah a great coach (yet), nor am I touting him for Coach of the Year (that's ridiculous).
But I am saying that he's been getting ripped unfairly for far too long, and now it's time for a little balance and objectivity.
Some have suggested to me that Knicks owner James Dolan should give Isiah a contract extension this very moment. I say Dolan should wait. The players may be playing better because they're rallying around their coach, hoping he doesn't get fired. Why take that motivation away from them just yet?
If the Knicks continue to play this well for the rest of the season, playoffs or not, Isiah should definitely get an extension. I'm confident they will and that he'll be back, but I would wait until later in the season, if not after the season, to make it official.
This much is already official: Isiah's not the train wreck many have said he is.
|
1/23/2007 4:30 PM