about time the media starting ripping Isiah real good!

ISIAH'S BIG CON JOB
By PETER VECSEY


February 29, 2008 -- SEVERAL Knick fans, I'm told, crossed paths with James Dolan in New Orleans during All-Star weekend.
I'm paraphrasing: "When is lack of results going to override loyalty? When are you going to fire Isiah?"

Jimmy Jazz had this alarmingly depressing response. Again, I paraphrase: "Just look at the Giants and Celtics. Where were they last season? We'll be next season's Giants/Celtics."

Column contributor George Caballero wonders if I'm familiar with the Nigerian "419 Con."

A con man tells you there's a $100 million stuck in a Nigerian bank account and he'll give you 30 percent if you'll help him move it out of the country. Once you're hooked, he starts asking you for your bank account information, money to bribe officials, etc.

Every step of the way, the con man (Isiah) tells the victim/mark (Dolan) his reward (a franchise player, the eighth playoff spot, a Giants-like run, a Celtics-like turn-around, etc.) is right around the corner "If only you'll give me one more trade, season, mid-level exception, contract extension, etc."

"Having already invested so much time, money and effort, and stubbornly refusing to believe he was dumb enough to get conned, the victim/mark keeps saying yes until he's ruined, wiped out, humiliated, or declared mentally incompetent by Commissioner David Stern," Caballero concludes.

One of many relevant points regarding the Giants and Celtics that differ from the Knicks and that Jimmy Jazz apparently fails to grasp is neither team is a one-man operation where Thomas doubles as president and coach.

To his everlasting credit, Thomas has managed to expertly bungle both positions yet somehow get munificently rewarded.

To his everlasting discredit, every player excepting Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson (David Lee managed to maintain equilibrium despite frequently getting shorted minutes) either has regressed or retained statistically pleasing (losing) characteristics under his tutelage.

Additionally, Thomas has failed player development and cap management and devalued assets and turned on players (notably pets Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry), something he has a penchant for doing, as the Pacers' body count attests.

How Thomas messed up Marbury (at Dolan's behest?) by demoting him two weeks into the season, and the insensitive manner in which it was done (letting him hear it from Curry) was unpardonable; it completely contaminated the atmosphere and corrupted the season.

How Thomas has crushed Curry of late is downright cruel, senseless and unforgiving.

How can Dolan condone the public entombment of a 25-year-old center who averaged 19.5 points and seven rebounds last season and was playing with such confidence?

How can Dolan continue to have faith in his eagle eye for talent if already Thomas has given up on a guy he obtained in 2005 for two unprotected lottery picks?

If that's not enough proof for Dolan to see Thomas is just faking it as he goes along, somebody (daddy dearest) needs to protect him (and Knick fans) from himself.

Not that I'm about to give "Snacks" a lunchroom pass on this; he's been out of shape since the umbilical cord was cut. At the same time, how come Thomas hasn't demanded a strict diet and lower body-fat count?

"Snacks is so slow in transition and under the basket, it's no wonder he gets beaten to almost every rebound," column contributor Dan Rosenfeld zaps. "He looks like the T-Rex in 'Jurassic Park,' always a step behind the Jeep!"

Snacks recently was quoted saying he needs to work on his hook. How out of touch can one be? What he needs to do is work on his rebounding, defense, aggressive play and baby fat if he wants to be in anyone's rotation.

Most of the current up-and-comers are actually fit, athletic, and trim. The days of the plodding, slow, fat, dump it into the dumpster and never see it again big man are nearing extinction.

Now you've got Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler, Al Jefferson, Emeka Okafor and Andrea Bargnani who can overpower or out-quick you.

That's actually what Thomas has been trying to say, I submit, when he declared the league has gone small. He meant the style of the game - extend, penetrate, kick and shoot - has changed.

Teams still flaunt 7-footers; they're not going small, they're "playing small," meaning they have five players boasting a capacity to handle, pass, spread the floor and shoot. Consequently, an inside presence just isn't as effective as it used to be.

The Raptors provide perfect testimony. Seven own European experience. Coach Sam Mitchell wisely (at management's urging, no doubt) built a system to make the most of it.

"Maybe we should applaud Dolan for making Isiah lay down in the bed of his own creation, and suffer in this steaming pile of mismatches as the toilet bowl cycles down and around for the third time," column contributor Chip Stern steams.

"Unfortunately, Knick fans have to share the experience and the bed-bug infested mattress.

"Stop hogging the covers, Zeke."

peter.vecsey@nypost.com

Pete should post more often. He sounds like a UK Mafia affiliate.

Bad, bad article. The more the press puts forward this stuff, the more likely Dolan is to defy the press and keep Isiah. No more Dolan is an idiot for keeping Isiah.

Posted by iyamwutiam:

Peter Vescey is a buffoon who has not broken any stroies in a loooong time. He was recently on the NBA TV proclaiming the Cassell deal would NOT happen as it was already Feb 25th etc.

The only thing NY sportswriters can do is write fiction and then write another peice3 explaining it was fiction (see Kiki and Steve Mills). Or taking a quote by Colangelo (it's a difficult situation" and turning into hope fodder for the thousands of seething fans -who don't go to the games, aren't season ticket holders but want to be 'proud' of their team.

I mean jeez- it doesn't matter that he turned over the roster in year one, had to deal with LB and his moves in year two, fix it and still coachthe team to something year three--NO - of course not. So basically 3 out of 4 years are accounted for - as we can all see. If not- recall we have had 4 coaches in 4 years -atleast 3 in the first 2 years.

Because all the armchair GMs can point out with 100 percent certainity how they could have done a better job. Asoolutely- they knew it all the time. Also - we all know that a GM is GOD - no one can question him or direct him to hire certain personnel. So it must be all his fault.

After all - look at Jerry West - he had an All-star player who made the Lakers a perennial contender and dynasty and bunch of high draft picks and turned that team 5 years later into a laffing stock. But hey - he went to the playoffs, he won 50 games!! he must be a genius - I mean look at the legacy he left behind - a 22 win team with no potential. But he made the playoffs - 3 years in a row!! Thats who I want for MY GM. After all - the playoffs are so much more important than actually building a team like the Suns, Spurs, Detroit, Dallas.

That's a show stopper

Posted by martin:

Posted by iyamwutiam:

Peter Vescey is a buffoon who has not broken any stroies in a loooong time. He was recently on the NBA TV proclaiming the Cassell deal would NOT happen as it was already Feb 25th etc.

The only thing NY sportswriters can do is write fiction and then write another peice3 explaining it was fiction (see Kiki and Steve Mills). Or taking a quote by Colangelo (it's a difficult situation" and turning into hope fodder for the thousands of seething fans -who don't go to the games, aren't season ticket holders but want to be 'proud' of their team.

I mean jeez- it doesn't matter that he turned over the roster in year one, had to deal with LB and his moves in year two, fix it and still coachthe team to something year three--NO - of course not. So basically 3 out of 4 years are accounted for - as we can all see. If not- recall we have had 4 coaches in 4 years -atleast 3 in the first 2 years.

Because all the armchair GMs can point out with 100 percent certainity how they could have done a better job. Asoolutely- they knew it all the time. Also - we all know that a GM is GOD - no one can question him or direct him to hire certain personnel. So it must be all his fault.

After all - look at Jerry West - he had an All-star player who made the Lakers a perennial contender and dynasty and bunch of high draft picks and turned that team 5 years later into a laffing stock. But hey - he went to the playoffs, he won 50 games!! he must be a genius - I mean look at the legacy he left behind - a 22 win team with no potential. But he made the playoffs - 3 years in a row!! Thats who I want for MY GM. After all - the playoffs are so much more important than actually building a team like the Suns, Spurs, Detroit, Dallas.

could you be more clear? Are you actually defending Isiah?

If only I were you or Andrew, he wouldn't make it to his 276 post actually he wouldn't have got this far.

[Edited by - TrueBlue on 02-29-2008 12:04 PM]

I would rather have a GM that builds a team that is good for the long term- then starts 30-52 - makes the playoffs for 3 years in a row - to gett swept- and then return to 30-52- after which point - the team has not developed into a caliber team in any true sense of the word.

Making the playoffs- and winning 50 games is not what should be most important - it is what you leave behind. If you left behind a 40 win team that goes on to win 50-60 games the following season- and if kept together -wold have been a 55 win team for atleast 3-5 years - I would rather have that - even if it takes 4 years to build the foundation of such a team.

Isiah has made mistakes -Crawford, Curry, Q Rich, MArbury - no doubt about it.

Posted by iyamwutiam:

I would rather have a GM that builds a team that is good for the long term- then starts 30-52 - makes the playoffs for 3 years in a row - to gett swept- and then return to 30-52- after which point - the team has not developed into a caliber team in any true sense of the word.

Making the playoffs- and winning 50 games is not what should be most important - it is what you leave behind. If you left behind a 40 win team that goes on to win 50-60 games the following season- and if kept together -wold have been a 55 win team for atleast 3-5 years - I would rather have that - even if it takes 4 years to build the foundation of such a team.

Isiah has made mistakes -Crawford, Curry, Q Rich, MArbury - no doubt about it.

You realize if ISAY UGH is fired tomorrow he leaves us in a worse situation than when he took over? So what this gets down to is I SAY UGH having time on his side or buying it. Looking at our situation 2yrs from now I'd wager any amount you want to put up, it would be 6yrs in a row of no playoffs if I SAY UGH remains. Which is BY FAR, worse than any scenario you're bringing to the table. Every time you bring up, who you consider not to be good examples I SAY UGH still proves to be worse than them.


[Edited by - TrueBlue on 02-29-2008 12:28 PM]

Posted by iyamwutiam:

I would rather have a GM that builds a team that is good for the long term- then starts 30-52 - makes the playoffs for 3 years in a row - to gett swept- and then return to 30-52- after which point - the team has not developed into a caliber team in any true sense of the word.

Making the playoffs- and winning 50 games is not what should be most important - it is what you leave behind. If you left behind a 40 win team that goes on to win 50-60 games the following season- and if kept together -wold have been a 55 win team for atleast 3-5 years - I would rather have that - even if it takes 4 years to build the foundation of such a team.

Isiah has made mistakes -Crawford, Curry, Q Rich, MArbury - no doubt about it.

wait, so you think Isiah sucks?

Posted by azamatbagatov:

Posted by iyamwutiam:

Peter Vescey is a buffoon who has not broken any stroies in a loooong time. He was recently on the NBA TV proclaiming the Cassell deal would NOT happen as it was already Feb 25th etc.

The only thing NY sportswriters can do is write fiction and then write another peice3 explaining it was fiction (see Kiki and Steve Mills). Or taking a quote by Colangelo (it's a difficult situation" and turning into hope fodder for the thousands of seething fans -who don't go to the games, aren't season ticket holders but want to be 'proud' of their team.

I mean jeez- it doesn't matter that he turned over the roster in year one, had to deal with LB and his moves in year two, fix it and still coachthe team to something year three--NO - of course not. So basically 3 out of 4 years are accounted for - as we can all see. If not- recall we have had 4 coaches in 4 years -atleast 3 in the first 2 years.

Because all the armchair GMs can point out with 100 percent certainity how they could have done a better job. Asoolutely- they knew it all the time. Also - we all know that a GM is GOD - no one can question him or direct him to hire certain personnel. So it must be all his fault.

After all - look at Jerry West - he had an All-star player who made the Lakers a perennial contender and dynasty and bunch of high draft picks and turned that team 5 years later into a laffing stock. But hey - he went to the playoffs, he won 50 games!! he must be a genius - I mean look at the legacy he left behind - a 22 win team with no potential. But he made the playoffs - 3 years in a row!! Thats who I want for MY GM. After all - the playoffs are so much more important than actually building a team like the Suns, Spurs, Detroit, Dallas.

I get a little dumber after each post i read of yours. if i was gonna kill brain cells this rapidly i would rather light up an L

You sure it's not a coincidence. I mean you could just be dumb-getting dumber looking for an excuse- like say drugs, or posts- to blame it on. But hey - I will take the rap for your extremely sensitive and fragile neurons.

Posted by iyamwutiam:

Posted by azamatbagatov:

Posted by iyamwutiam:

Peter Vescey is a buffoon who has not broken any stroies in a loooong time. He was recently on the NBA TV proclaiming the Cassell deal would NOT happen as it was already Feb 25th etc.

The only thing NY sportswriters can do is write fiction and then write another peice3 explaining it was fiction (see Kiki and Steve Mills). Or taking a quote by Colangelo (it's a difficult situation" and turning into hope fodder for the thousands of seething fans -who don't go to the games, aren't season ticket holders but want to be 'proud' of their team.

I mean jeez- it doesn't matter that he turned over the roster in year one, had to deal with LB and his moves in year two, fix it and still coachthe team to something year three--NO - of course not. So basically 3 out of 4 years are accounted for - as we can all see. If not- recall we have had 4 coaches in 4 years -atleast 3 in the first 2 years.

Because all the armchair GMs can point out with 100 percent certainity how they could have done a better job. Asoolutely- they knew it all the time. Also - we all know that a GM is GOD - no one can question him or direct him to hire certain personnel. So it must be all his fault.

After all - look at Jerry West - he had an All-star player who made the Lakers a perennial contender and dynasty and bunch of high draft picks and turned that team 5 years later into a laffing stock. But hey - he went to the playoffs, he won 50 games!! he must be a genius - I mean look at the legacy he left behind - a 22 win team with no potential. But he made the playoffs - 3 years in a row!! Thats who I want for MY GM. After all - the playoffs are so much more important than actually building a team like the Suns, Spurs, Detroit, Dallas.

I get a little dumber after each post i read of yours. if i was gonna kill brain cells this rapidly i would rather light up an L

You sure it's not a coincidence. I mean you could just be dumb-getting dumber looking for an excuse- like say drugs, or posts- to blame it on. But hey - I will take the rap for your extremely sensitive and fragile neurons.

I am absolutely 100% positive it's not a coincidence.

Man you are an endangered species huh? the last living Isiah apologist

You gotta love it when someone who constantly defends Isiah's tenure here has the nerve to talk about common sense.

You can cut the irony with a knife