Someone said they did not believe Isiah had it in him to be petty. If HALF of this is true, then shame shame shame!

Im not saying Shandon does not have any responsability, particually in his play but this does not sound like good stuff.

Shandons comments about "isiah worshipping" is interesting. We see it in the fans, and some players gushing the love.

Its a business first and formost. Shandon has a great reputation and spreading this garbage is not good for the team.

I feel that Isiah created as situation by which he must now be bought out. A contract is a contract! Not that I am crying about his him being or not being on the team, but I find it interesting that Isiah is clearly not acting on the best interest's of his owner. 24 million is a big number to buy out such a player.

If it means keep Azira on the team, then its worth it to the fans. But I am amazed over this developement.

Article reference:
Shandon seeking answers, not exit BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER


Shandon Anderson leads break downcourt but will be headed out door if Isiah Thomas gets his way.

Shandon Anderson purchased nearly 50 tickets for family and friends last January in Atlanta, his normal allotment whenever the Knicks played in his hometown.
His young daughter sat behind the Knicks bench and his brother, Willie, the one-time Knick, was also in attendance. But not everything about this night was perfect for Anderson, whose streak of 543 consecutive games played was about to come to an abrupt halt. As the minutes passed, Anderson decided then and there that Isiah Thomas was out to get him.

"It could have ended anywhere," Anderson said. "But it ended in Atlanta because it was personal. I know it was Isiah. That was low. It is something I will never forget."

The Knicks contend Lenny Wilkens asked Anderson about keeping the streak alive and that Anderson said it was OK if he didn't play.

Anderson, however, accused Thomas of ordering Wilkens not to play him on Jan. 23 in Atlanta if for no other reason than to humiliate a player he didn't like, didn't want and couldn't trade. Speaking publicly for the first time about his behind-the-scenes feud with his boss, Anderson criticized Thomas for questioning his character and for establishing a hostile working environment for players and coaches alike.

"He's told people that I'm a cancer," Anderson said over the telephone. "My father died from cancer and I don't appreciate him using that word like that. I don't look at myself as a marquee player. I'm not the best shooter or the best dribbler and if you want to attack me as a basketball player, fine. But when you start attacking my character and talking to the media instead of talking to me, that's another story.

"I played for Jerry Sloan, one of the toughest coaches in the league. He told me, 'Play hard all the time because you never know who is watching.' That always stuck with me. I practice hard, I don't miss games and I don't cause problems."

Perhaps the one and only thing Thomas and Anderson do agree on is that they no longer can work together, a decision that could ultimately cost the Knicks $24 million if, as expected, they elect to buy out the final three years of Anderson's contract. Otherwise, the two disagree on just about everything, specifically the circumstances surrounding their dispute.

The team viewed Anderson as a malcontent whose work habits and game deteriorated rapidly over the final months of the season. Anderson started all four playoff games against the Nets, but made only seven of 27 shots.

In the weeks and months following the Atlanta fiasco, Thomas became infuriated when Anderson refused to acknowledge him when they crossed paths. And according to a source, Thomas "went through the roof" when Anderson blew off his exit interview with Thomas and Wilkens after the season.

"Isiah was so angry he said that if he sees Shandon on the street he's going to fight him," the source revealed.

Thomas' temper and competitive streak are legendary, but when he spotted Anderson at the Knicks' practice facility on Friday, Thomas simply ignored him.

"I was made to feel uncomfortable," said Anderson, who is expected to travel with the team to Charleston, S.C., tomorrow for training camp. "I could tell that a lot of people didn't want Isiah to see them talking to me."

Anderson, 30, is also one of the last remnants from the Scott Layden era. Anderson understands that his link to Layden placed him on the endangered list from the moment Thomas arrived last December.

But Anderson is also convinced that Thomas' evaluation of players is clouded by his need to acquire players who revere him. Anderson says it is no surprise that veterans often clash with the Hall of Fame point guard.

"He wants you to idolize him," Anderson said. "A lot of older players like myself and Dikembe (Mutombo) are not in awe of him. He should expect a certain amount of respect from players, but we expect the same as well."

well this is not going smoothly...i guess isiah needs to learn how to "fire" people...

Bump that, there is no good nor bad way to fire a player. Bottom line is this, upon Isiah's introduction, he made it clear to all the players and coaches what he was looking to build as an organization, Anderson chose to do the wrong thing, therefore he must pay.

Posted by djsunyc:

well this is not going smoothly...i guess isiah needs to learn how to "fire" people...

Players come and go all the time. That's just part of the business and players understand that. So why is it that there have been more than a few complaints from veteran players, whose character have never been questioned, and a coach, who has never disrespected anybody, about the way Isiah has handled that part of his job?

There's no way that it doesn't reflect poorly on the organization as a whole and affects their recruitment of players.

Old fan is right,so are the other posters that say Isiah could be more diplomatic but if I remember correctly it was Anderson that went to the papers and unloaded on Isiah after the DNP.

I no sympathy for the 7 million dollar scrub.He believes that his streak actually means more than him being the worst player to play that many games consecutively.One day Isiah will might treat someone poorly who didnt deserve it.Thats when I will be upset.

In the meantime,f**ck Shandon Anderson,his obscene salary,and his f**king streak.The sooner he leaves the better off this team will be.

Its interesting contrast, Layden and management used to treat the players OVERLY well. Visits to Dice with Candy, Camby with sister, Starks use the plane when his grandmother died (again), and making good on a promise to from checketts to redue H20s contract if he opted out.

Now, Isiah in town and not always consistant. I think a pattern of Dice, Deke, and now shandon whom are all vets with good reputations getting rude treatment is saying the young guys can look up to Isiah, but the vets don't play that stuff, and Isiah might feel threatend by the vets and leadership.

Its 24 million dollars, and Shandon did ok prior to last year.

Can he rid himself of Penny? What if he got a flat soda? If the scent in his soap dispenser is wrong? If the put mustard on the cheese side instead of the meat side of his sandwich? What if he likes his boxers starched, but not his tee shirts!

I hope he wins, and does great. Cuz the next time we need to do this GM replacement thing, it could get UGLY!

Kool aid is full of sugar and food coloring. Everything in moderationis what momma says!

This is New York. If you are going to get paid 24 million in the next 3 years then perform. We need to stop giving handouts. I'd rather be in his position than mine any day. Give me the 24 millions and I would take Anderson's life easily.

I am a big kool aid drinker here, but I don't like what is going on. One thing I do know about Anderson is that his good reputation preceedes him, I never heard a bad word about him in the league, It is sad if this is true about IT's treatment of him, I mean anderson is even acknowledging his faults regarding his basketball skills but we all must agree that he does play hard... I do remember he was basically run out of Houston, and accused Mobley and Francis of "icing" him out of games, and it probably was true, francis did not trust Andrson with the ball.. I really think Anderson is a victim of his contract, but that is no reason for thomas to make him feel this uncomfortable, which I honestly think he is doing, now the reasons behind their fued is what I am waiting to make my judgements on until I hear more from both sides..

Anderson needs to stop going public with this, and he should have been a lot more responsible, and shouldn't have added feul to the fire, when he didn't go to that exit meeting. Isiah needs to freaking take a chill pill, when it comes to Anderson. He didn't go public with the cancer comments, but Anderson is telling us he said it, matter of factly. Shandon didn't play well during the playoffs, and is a career backup. But he's been a solid career backup, who could do some things, and not to others. We never had complaints from him before this season, and he had that monster streak. It is clear Isiah is disrespecting Shandon, in certain ways.

But again, Shandon should have talked to Isiah and his agent privately, and definitely shouldn't have added feul to the fire, or given Isiah an excuse to go on fire. Both parties are equally guilty.

Back to Isiah, he's been a good GM for us, in terms of rebuilding the team, but he never struck me as a particularly good person, but I don't know him, so I'll reserve my judgement.

who has had a problem with Isiah? The two guys McDyess and Deke didnt like him because they knew Isiah was going to trade him. KVH talked personally w/ Isiah well before the that trade happened, and appreciated his honesty ahead of time.

Shandon wants to play.. I understand that but he's just not a good player. He had his chances and was awfull. Lenny played him early then dumped him in favor of Penny who played much better (W vs. Indiana comes to mind).

Sorry, but if your making that insane amount of cash, your trashing the new GM constantly, blowing of your exit interview, pissed because better guys are playing and were an integral part of a team that won 32 games each year you are a problem... plain and simple

Posted by fishmike:

who has had a problem with Isiah? The two guys McDyess and Deke didnt like him because they knew Isiah was going to trade him. KVH talked personally w/ Isiah well before the that trade happened, and appreciated his honesty ahead of time.

Shandon wants to play.. I understand that but he's just not a good player. He had his chances and was awfull. Lenny played him early then dumped him in favor of Penny who played much better (W vs. Indiana comes to mind).

Sorry, but if your making that insane amount of cash, your trashing the new GM constantly, blowing of your exit interview, pissed because better guys are playing and were an integral part of a team that won 32 games each year you are a problem... plain and simple

well if you look at it that way..... Good point...LOL..

I agree, I just want things to be handled a little bit better, I mean god knows the last thing we need is anderson causing trouble off the court especially considering all the problems he causes on the court..