He's been followed by controversy all his life. As a player let's not forget him leading the charge off the court in playoffs with time still on the clock. Also that whole thing about thing about "Bird being good for a white guy".

Then theres the mess with the CBA.

I mean, I'm not even mentioning his nightmare with the Knicks

Posted by Cookdcokehop:

Me and a couple friends got into a real intense conversation about Isiah Thomas today. The topic? Will Isiah Thomas' horrific tenure with the Knicks overshadow his legendary career as a Hall of Fame point guard?

My answer is yes. People always look at "what have you done for me lately". It is impossible to ignore what he has done to one of the NBA's most beloved franchises, the New York Knicks. His embarrasing sexual harrassment lawsuit did not help either. He is a top 50 player and a Hall of Famer, but his prominence was almost 20 years ago...

So when Isiah Thomas gets fired after the regular season what will you remember him for?

[Edited by - cookdcokehop on February 07 2008 11:51 PM]

Last time I saw an intense Knicks conversation Silverfuel almost beat up a Nets fan. Lots of screaming.

His tarnish will depend on what he does after his time here, or does Dolan actually let him go on.

If he is just remembered as a player his reputation will get restored to some degree.

He should either go work for a non profit and just do work for the greater good. He got his money, let him give back to a society that gave him opportinity and many chances to succeed, and phuch up.

It depends on how long he actually last and what he does. If he last until the end of the season then yes. If he is given a next year and they exceed expectations then no. Look at Caughlin. He was a dead man walking with the Giants. This is a what have you done lately for me business.

So far he was a no show in Toronto. Talked up his ownership but never made any offer to buy in. Let his option exprire.

Bankrupts the CBA with his own arrogance and refuses a solid offer to from the NBA and learns the hardway.

Gets fired from the Pacers for more "acceptable" reasons relating to his inablity to keep the team focused thru the season and in the playoffs and perhaps had a suspect work ethic. Bird was very kind to fire him in such a manner as he did.

His knickerbocker legend will be the incredible faith in turnging the franchise to Marbury and found guilty of harassment. Makes a mockery of the salary cap system and suspect trades which worsens the teams seemingly each year.

Posted by PresIke:

Posted by arkrud:

It's all depends on who is talking.
For NY fans he is the ultimate public enemy forever (but he was when he was a player too)
For Pistons he is and was the ultimate hero - he win it all and... he destroyed the Knick!!!
For other teams he is OK - one of this guys they always can use to get better.
There is no common truth and no common good - it is all different for people on the opposite fronts


[Edited by - arkrud on 02-08-2008 10:04 AM]

Nice assessment. Even as a Knick fan I can still respect his accomplishments as a player. Being the top player on a team that won back to back NBA titles, and in the HOF is hard to forget. He was a great player.

Wes Unseld and Elgin Baylor have in the past had bad records as GM's and coaches but are HOF players. Elgin got props lately, and interestingly also works with a zany owner.

totally agree. When I think Elgin Baylor, I dont think about what he's done with the Clips, I remember him for being one of the greatest players of all time. But then again I'm not a clippers fan so they may feel different because of what has/has not doen with the franchise.

I think Isiahs career might be tarnished in the mind of knick fans, but in the real world, Isiah will always be remembered for being one of the best pg's in the history of the game.

Isiah looks smaller with each game.
He will better run before he disappeared...

Posted by BlueSeats:

Isiah' reputation as a player will never be diminished, but as a celebrity, commentator, analysts, spokesperson, etc, his image has taken a huge hit. he will be booed, laughed at and jeered for a long time after this.

[Edited by - blueseats on 02-09-2008 01:21 AM]

Lets not forget coach and GM.

Posted by Cookdcokehop:

Me and a couple friends got into a real intense conversation about Isiah Thomas today. The topic? Will Isiah Thomas' horrific tenure with the Knicks overshadow his legendary career as a Hall of Fame point guard?

My answer is yes. People always look at "what have you done for me lately". It is impossible to ignore what he has done to one of the NBA's most beloved franchises, the New York Knicks. His embarrasing sexual harrassment lawsuit did not help either. He is a top 50 player and a Hall of Famer, but his prominence was almost 20 years ago...

So when Isiah Thomas gets fired after the regular season what will you remember him for?

[Edited by - cookdcokehop on February 07 2008 11:51 PM]

I'm in a mean mood. 'The fact that he totally sucks'!!!