The greatest coach in NBA history was just fired...

Mantle2600 · 04-18-2008, 04:37 PM

Kind of.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3353483

NEW YORK -- At long last, Isiah Thomas is out as head coach of the New York Knicks.

But he's not totally gone.

In one of the most anticlimactic firings in NBA history, incoming Knicks president Donnie Walsh announced late Friday afternoon he was relieving Thomas of his coaching duties. But Thomas, still owed $18 million after receiving a long-term contract extension 13 months ago, will remain in the organization with no official title.

"I think Isiah remaining part of the franchise is good for the organization," Walsh said on a conference call with reporters. "I value Isiah's knowledge of the game and his opinions, so I will use him as a resource. Isiah will be reporting to me. There will be nobody reporting to Isiah."

Thomas was 56-108 in his two years as head coach, taking over following the firing of Larry Brown in the summer of 2006.

Walsh replaced Thomas as team president April 2 but wanted to wait until the season was over before making a decision on the coach. The Knicks finished their 23-59 season Wednesday, matching the franchise record for losses.

"I can't tell you really where we failed," Walsh said. "The bottom line is we haven't won, and the team didn't look like it was motivated to try to win."

Walsh, who has stated that his long-term goal for the Knicks was to get significantly under the salary cap by the summer of 2010, said he would begin the search for a new coach immediately. Former Knick Mark Jackson is among the candidates.

"I think there are a lot of good candidates out there, and I'm going to start compiling a list trying to find out who's the perfect guy," Walsh said. "I know Mark, I had a lot of respect for him as a player, he was one of the smartest guys that ever played for us in Indiana. He's always been a guy I thought would make a fine head coach, and I'll certainly interview him. He'll be one of the guys on my list, along with others."

Thomas' tenure with the Knicks has been marked by a number of embarrassments.

This season alone, Thomas was found to have sexually harassed a former team employee, feuded with point guard Stephon Marbury and benched center Eddy Curry -- the players Thomas acquired in the two biggest of a number of moves that never panned out.

Still, Walsh said he believed Thomas could contribute to making the Knicks a better franchise.

"I feel like some of the bigger events that happened on the way with Isiah overshadowed some of the good things" that he accomplished, Walsh said.

"I will be in touch with Isiah a lot," he said.

Information from ESPN.com NBA writer Chris Sheridan and The Associated Press was used in this report.

MikeVic · 04-18-2008, 04:38 PM

So who hires him?

Chubby · 04-18-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

So who hires him?

Nobody, he will end up an "advisor" so he collects the rest of his extension money.

st.cronin · 04-18-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnie Walsh

I think Isiah remaining part of the franchise is good for the organization

I can't imagine this being said with a straight face.

miami_fan · 04-18-2008, 06:03 PM

If I am the new coach, I want Isiah to stay. If the Knicks struggle and people begin to bitch and complain, the new coach can just point to Isiah and say "It could be worse."

kcchief19 · 04-18-2008, 08:16 PM

I understand the part about having a contract and paying him for it -- although if the media reports are true, it would certainly seem that the Knicks could make a case for suing him to get out of it. But what has the guy got to do for the Knicks to say to give him his money and tell him to fuck off? He's done everything possible to embarrass the team except publicly defecate during a game -- and I don't think that's out of the realm of possibility at this point.

He's been trying to get fired for a while. I expected to see him streak at a game in a body suit before too long.

Mustang · 04-18-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chubby

Nobody, he will end up an "advisor" so he collects the rest of his extension money.

Hey, Isiah.. would you make this trade?

Yes, yes I would.

Good, then I won't

04-18-2008, 06:03 PM	#5
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	If I am the new coach, I want Isiah to stay. If the Knicks struggle and people begin to bitch and complain, the new coach can just point to Isiah and say "It could be worse." __________________ "Do not be indifferent in the face of historical lies. Do not be indifferent when you see the past being exploited for the needs of contemporary politics. Do not be indifferent when any minority suffers discrimination. For it's the essence of democracy that the majority wields the power, but at the same time, the rights of the minority must be respected." Marian Turski- former prisoner of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death camp

04-18-2008, 04:38 PM	#2
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	So who hires him?

04-18-2008, 08:16 PM	#6
kcchief19 Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO	I understand the part about having a contract and paying him for it -- although if the media reports are true, it would certainly seem that the Knicks could make a case for suing him to get out of it. But what has the guy got to do for the Knicks to say to give him his money and tell him to fuck off? He's done everything possible to embarrass the team except publicly defecate during a game -- and I don't think that's out of the realm of possibility at this point. He's been trying to get fired for a while. I expected to see him streak at a game in a body suit before too long.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)