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Allanfan20
Posts: 35947
Alba Posts: 50
Joined: 1/16/2004
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USA
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ISIAH FOCUSES ON SELF-PRESERVATION
By MARC BERMAN
April 3, 2008 -- MEMPHIS - Stripped of his presidency and power at a Garden press conference staged without him 1,000 miles away, Isiah Thomas kissed up to his new boss, Donnie Walsh, last night.
"I'm glad he's here with us," Thomas actually said. If he was trying to impress Walsh, he failed as the Knicks (20-55) were a defensive disaster in last night's 130-114 loss to the Grizzlies.
After being 15 minutes late to the FedEx Forum, Thomas alternated between diplomatic and delusional in lobbying to save his job - now day-to-day.
"I want to be a part of this organization," Thomas said. "I feel I have multiple skills. Whichever way that I can help, I'm willing to help."
As has been reported in The Post for 10 days, Walsh plans to replace Thomas as coach after the season. Thomas could finish out the final seven games, but retaining him in a reduced front-office position next season is a longshot.
Mark Jackson looks to be the leading candidate. Herb Williams, Rick Carlisle and Scott Skiles could all get interviews.
Walsh said he will have a meeting with Thomas, possibly Monday, to discuss Thomas' future, but Walsh was noncommittal and made it seem the chat was obligatory. Owner James Dolan did not mention Thomas' name at the press conference, nor was Thomas mentioned in the official press release.
"I'm very excited he's here," Thomas said. "He's someone who can come on board and be extremely helpful to us. He's extremely knowledgeable and someone I worked with before. I enjoyed working with him. I look forward to working for him again. You look at talented players and talented executives, he's one of the most talented executives around."
As for being relieved of his presidency duties?
"Basketball is a team sport. I've always been a team player," Thomas said. "I look forward to sharing the workload. Anytime you get a talented executive like Donnie, it makes it easier for all of us."
Yeah, especially when you get paid the $20 million left on his contract not to work. Walsh will not join the team on their road trip that ends Friday in New Orleans.
Dolan went after Walsh without informing Thomas, a source said. Thomas didn't speak to Walsh until Monday. On Tuesday night, Dolan and Walsh called Thomas in Milwaukee to inform him he was being replaced as president.
"When Donnie and I sit down, we'll see how the future holds," Thomas said. "Donnie is someone I have great respect for and we had great chemistry and I thought we were putting together what I thought to be truly special in Indiana. I'm hoping if he and I get together again, we can develop that chemistry again and replicate what we were doing in Indiana and do it here."
Now Thomas has to sell Walsh on that idea.
"I'm not putting any timetables on this," Walsh said. "I'm going to sit down with Isiah and will have a meaningful conversation about the franchise, how we are, where we are. I think it's proper to sit down and talk to people about the situation, not just come in and rashly go, 'OK, everybody's out.' "
That the Garden held the press conference sans Thomas was telling.
"You have to ask Jim about that," Thomas said.
“Whenever I’m about to do something, I think ‘Would an idiot do that?’ and if they would, I do NOT do that thing.”- Dwight Schrute
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4/3/2008 1:42 PM
