http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/33022.htm

SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH ... ISIAH THOMAS


October 31, 2004 -- This week Steve Serby goes one-on-one with Knicks president Isiah Thomas.
Q: What do you want New Yorkers to say about your Knicks team?

A: A) We leave it on the floor every night, heart and soul; and B) we entertain you and give you a show.

Q: What do you remember about the '69 Knicks?

A: I would say that's probably the smartest basketball team ever. I remember the way they passed, the way they moved, the way they cut. When you look at what many of them went on to do as men outside of basketball, I think it backs me up in terms of them being the smartest team to ever play.

Q: Can you use the Red Sox as an example to your team that anything is possible?

A: I don't use anything positive from Boston (laugh). I had wars with the Celtics, and now that I'm in New York I am down with the New Yorkers.

Q: Did you hate the Celtics?

A: Yes I did. But I respected them, and I learned a lot from them.

Q: What did you learn?



A: How to win.

Q: You hated the Lakers, too, right?

A: Most definitely. I learned a lot from them, too (laugh).

Q: Did you hate anyone in a different-colored uniform?

A: If you weren't on my team, you were strictly the enemy.

Q: How many Knicks do you have right now who think that way?

A: I'm a different kind of guy probably than most guys, so I don't know. I can't say.

Q: How far are the Knicks from a championship?

A: I don't think you ever know the answer to that question. That's what makes sports so compelling.

Q: Phil Jackson sounds like he might want to coach your team someday.

A: I can't imagine that there's a coach out there anywhere who wouldn't want to coach the New York Knicks. It's the premier job.

Q: Your all-time starting five?

A: Magic; Jordan; Bird; McHale; Kareem.

Q: What do you remember about your first game at the Garden?

A: I don't remember if we won or lost, but I know I was afraid.

Q: Your definition of mental toughness?

A: Having the strength, courage and concentration to stick to your plan.

Q: Coaches in other sports you admire?

A: Bill Walsh, [Bill] Belichick; in basketball, Bob Knight, Chuck Daly and Lenny Wilkens.

Q: Why Belichick?

A: I'm just fascinated right now at his ability to win and keep his team motivated and focused on winning a single game. The most impressive thing to me is every Sunday, when they lace 'em up, they go out with the singular purpose of winning that one game.

Q: Owners in other sports you admire?

A: Jerry Jones; Steinbrenner; James Dolan.

Q: What do you admire about Steinbrenner?

A: His tenacity to go for it; there's no mistake about what he's trying to do. He's trying to win it all every single time.

Q: What do you remember about the day Magic announced he had AIDS?

A: I remember pulling over on the side of the highway crying, Mark Aguirre and I.

Q: Where were you?

A: In Detroit, coming from practice.

Q: You and the Hoosiers were getting ready for the NCAA title game against North Carolina in 1981 when President Reagan was shot.

A: I was watching "All My Children" with Steve Risley, Randy Wittman, Ted Kitchel and James Thomas, and they said, "We interrupt this program ..." I'll never forget Steve Risley saying, "Oh [bleep], the president's been shot."

Q: What did Coach Knight say about it?

A: He addressed it in terms of us saying a prayer for the president. In terms of the game being postponed or cancelled, he always led us to believe the game would be played.

Q: What was it like meeting the first President Bush at the White House?

A: It was awesome, being that close to the most powerful man in the world.

Q: Best piece of advice your mother gave you?

A: Listen, and don't be afraid to ask.

Q: Your worst Christmas growing up in South Chicago?

A: I was 9 or 10 years old. My mother used to always get toys from goodwill and stuff. I was still believing in Santa Claus and she couldn't get any toys, and my brothers and everybody told me there was no Santa Claus.

Q: Did you cry?

A: Oh, yeah.

Q: Favorite current athlete?

A: Shaq. I'd just like to be him for a day to dunk on everybody, and hang on the rim and shake it and scream (laugh).

Q: How did you motivate when you coached?

A: Every person was different, that's what made it so much of a challenge; you had to be able to find that special place in each person to motivate him to bring the best out of him.

Q: Word association: Dennis Rodman.

A: Great teammate.

Q: Bill Laimbeer.

A: The best teammate.

Q: Spike Lee.

A: Brilliant.

Q: Knicks fans.

A: Real.

Q: Kobe Bryant.

A: Great player.

Q: Cabrini-Green Projects.

A: Vice Lords.

Q: If Bobby Knight wasn't a basketball coach, what would he be?

A: Historian.

Q: The successful businessman whose brain you would want to pick?

A: Warren Buffett.

Q: How would you describe your style of dress?

A: I would say traditional ... with a touch of pimp (laugh).

Q: You're a partner in Dale and Thomas Popcorn on Times Square; how do you like your popcorn?

A: Buttered, and heavy with salt (laugh).

Q: If I was president, I would ... ?

A: Fight like hell to keep the nuclear ban. No nukes.

Q: Most embarrassing moment?

A: Making a turnover in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals when Bird stole the ball.

Q: What actor would you want to play you in "The Isiah Thomas Story?"

A: Cuba Gooding.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: "Godfather" I and II.

Q: Favorite actor?

A: Al Pacino and Denzel Washington.

Q: Favorite actress?

A: Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry.

Q: Favorite book?

A: "The Precious Present."

Q: One person in history you would like to meet?

A: Jesus Christ