Isiah Thomas at NBA Pre-Draft Camp

Chicago, June 9, 2005 -- Isiah Thomas addressed some members of the media last Thursday at NBA Pre-draft Camp in Chicago. Here are some excerpts of his comments:

Q: Any update on the coaching situation?
A: No. We are still going through the process and talking to people. Overall we have talked to many candidates...at least 12 seriously...from both the college and pro ranks. We now have identified many who are more than capable, and have built up a nice data base of people we can talk to in the future on various topics. It has been a long process but it has been very productive. That being said, the landscape can always change over the next few weeks and we have to be ready to react should something break that we are interested in.

Q: Do you think you will have a coach by the draft?
A: No I do not, but I do not think it is necessary at this point. We have quality people in place evaluating talent and I am comfortable with where we are at this point. The naming of a coach is not essential for us to have a good draft.

Q: Speaking of the draft, where do you think you will select? Will you hold on to what you have?
A: Yes, I do not think we will move. We are very happy with the assets we have in this draft and think we can find quality players at all three spots. Although it is still a while to go and anything can happen, if we hold the spots we have I think we can improve the team this summer.

Q: What have you seen (at predraft camp in Chicago)?
A: There is a great deal of depth in this draft, and I think there are players at every level that can help teams. It has been a very busy week between group workouts, individual workouts and a great deal of meetings.

Q: There has been great talk about some of the lottery players, do you care to comment on who has impressed you??
A: It is still hard to say with regard to the eighth pick. There are quite a few high school players and college players who will be available at that point, and we will be very busy the next few weeks trying to identify the right player. We will take the best player available regardless of position.

Q: Who are some of the players who have impressed here (in Chicago)?
A: I think David Lee from Florida has impressed some people, as well as [Carl] Krauser from Pittsburgh and Will Bynum from Georgia Tech. They have helped their position for being drafted so far.

Q: Do you think any high school players are lottery picks?
A: Yes. The two I think will probably be will be [Gerald] Green and [Monta] Ellis. But I am not sure where they will go yet. The next few weeks will be crucial to see who has stock that rises and also which players will pull out of the draft.

Good post. I find it interesting that IT identified David Lee by name. He mentioned others, but Lee has my interest, so I perked up when I saw his name. I wouldn't mind Lee at 30. I think he can play and help us, and hopefully it would put an end to rumor that IT doesn't like Euro's or white people. It's a joke everytime I see it or hear it.

From Zeke's response to the coaching question, I get the sense that he's still waiting on Larry Brown. Anyone else get that?

he said he interviewed a few college coaches. I hope Rick Pitino was one of them. He'd be the perfect coach to develope these young players and get the most out of Marbury, Crawford & Ariza defensively with his pressing, trapping and running!

Nate and Lambier are good candidates too.

I'd love to see Larry Brown get more out of Marbury than he got out of Billups because Marbury is a better player BUT I don't want him if we have to give up a 1st round pick...2nd round I can live with.

Whats the word on Flip Saunders? where's he going? he would be another good one because he plays his young guys over lazy, out of shape, overpaid, mediocre veterans

I think he is seriously looking into Webster, I also like Lee a lot he jumps very well runs the floor and maybe a good fit if he can rebound the ball