Isiah's relentless pursuit of mediocrity?

metrocard

Legend
Extend kudos for Isiah's relentless pursuit of mediocrity? Nooo!

March 13, 2007
By Larry Dobrow
Special to CBS SportsLine.com

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10058521

Like many Knicks fans, upon hearing that coach/GM/smiley guy Isiah Thomas was inked to a contract extension, my first impulse was to retreat into a fetal position in the bathtub and cry.

My second was to call a well-run, long-suffering franchise like the Raptors and ask what kind of incentives (a Toast-R-Oven?) it's offering to would-be bandwagon fans.

My third was to crank up the local sports radio station and bask in the aural spectacle of outer-borough imbeciles spewing venom while proposing Kevin Garnett-for-Jamal Crawford, Channing Frye and Jerome James swaps.

Oddly, the venom never materialized.

In fact, now that the Knicks have come within yodeling distance of respectability for the first time in two years, there seems to be some pro-Isiah sentiment wafting to and fro. As recently as three months ago, this seemed as likely a scenario as an aardvark mastering conversational German, or a Cablevision-owned team winning a playoff game.

The case for Isiah? His players, most notably Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury, play harder for him than they have for anybody else. The team looks like a lock for a 15-game improvement over last year's hardwood halftards.

Wearing his GM propeller beanie, Isiah has assembled a young core (Curry, Crawford and David Lee) that should ensure some minimal level of competitiveness for the next few seasons. Madison Square Garden (motto: "ATMs by every concession stand!") is hopping again, occasionally even on the nights when the Knicks are playing.

The Kool-Aid sure goes down easy enough, don't it? Listen long enough and you can almost lull yourself into believing that .500 is a gift, and Isiah is our bountiful Santa.

Screw that. The contract extension reeks, as does its recipient. It shows, in fact, an almost willful disregard for the intelligence of the franchise's fans.

Yes, his core guys are trying harder than they did under Larry Brown. But without actually changing into nightgowns and treating themselves to a midcourt siesta, could they try any less?

Besides, it's not like this supposed sea change in effort has been consistent. Wins over the Bulls (in December) and Lakers (in both January and February, the first without Kobe in the lineup) were followed the next night by express-mail-it-in jobs against the Sixers, Bobcats and Warriors. One step forward, one step back -- call it the mediocrity foxtrot.

The Curry deal looks like a savvy one, especially now that the Knicks don't figure to finish in the league's bottom 12 teams (which would make the 2007 first-round-pick swap still owed the Bulls a tougher pill to swallow).

He boasts what the less bookish among us might call "mad hopz" in the paint, along with a slate of low-post moves that make him a must for double-team treatment. At the same time, however well this move has worked out, Isiah left the franchise massively exposed by failing to lottery-protect the pick.

Then there's the litany of failed moves that, somehow, seem to have been swept under the rug during the breathless pursuit of an eight seed...

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10058521

^ Read the rest.

Great article. The less intelligent fans have mistaken mediocrity for success, and that's exactly what Dolan's/Isiah's plan is.

The big problem I see with Thomas is the bar is always set so low. As a result, of course he looks good.
First, he inherited of Layden's roster, he used that excuse for 2 years. Now it's the Brown excuse, he only has to win more than 23 games to look good.
 

datruth

Your Best Bet is B Ez
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10058521

^ Read the rest.

Great article. The less intelligent fans have mistaken mediocrity for success, and that's exactly what Dolan's/Isiah's plan is.

The big problem I see with Thomas is the bar is always set so low. As a result, of course he looks good.
First, he inherited of Layden's roster, he used that excuse for 2 years. Now it's the Brown excuse, he only has to win more than 23 games to look good.

knicks got 6 more wins then last year and the year is not over yet, been playing .500 basketball since the first month of the season
 

paris401

Starter
great article... and true,true,true...

the objective is to win the title, and since we are in cap-hell for next year and the year after, the team we got now is more or less the team we will have for the next 2 seasons... so the question is... can the team as constructed presently improve enough to join the elite group of teams... and compete for the title...
 

eastlinykfan

Benchwarmer
Great article...Sounds like the writer cares about the Knicks rather than collecting a paycheck on what sells (see Berman, Lupica, et al). But, I would have to disagree with the argument. Do I see the Knicks winning the title in the next 3-4 years? Absolutely not. We have to remember fellow Knick fans, we have not won a title before most of us were twinkles in our fathers eyes. Our best chance was blocked by The Dream and we have only been back once, which I feel was a waste because we blew up the team after that and have never been the same. NYK basketball has been a joke since that last run. But, getting back to our generations "glory days" of Ewing, Oak, Starks, Mason, Harper, etc., they still did not win and they were a pretty good team. We probably would have won at least two titles if 23 wasnt around. So, we have to set the bar as high as World Champs to deem the direction we are going in acceptable? I am not thrilled with the season b/c I think we def have the capability to be running off with the Titantic division, but we have a solid group of players (minus Nate and JJ31) that can grow together and compete at a high level. Therefore, I am accepting IT's extension because it seems that our team is finally gelling and hopefully can reach their outmost potential, hopefully Finals, but not counting on it. But, when this core of players/IT reach their acme point and they are still not competing on a high level of respectability, then we should blow it up and start over..But, first, let us not be hasty b/c it seems now that NYK Bball has an identity and we might be in store for something special
 

datruth

Your Best Bet is B Ez
actually my fault i meant to say since THE END of the first month, the knicks been playing .500 basketball
 

ShairanXIII

Rotation player
Great article...Sounds like the writer cares about the Knicks rather than collecting a paycheck on what sells (see Berman, Lupica, et al). But, I would have to disagree with the argument. Do I see the Knicks winning the title in the next 3-4 years? Absolutely not. We have to remember fellow Knick fans, we have not won a title before most of us were twinkles in our fathers eyes. Our best chance was blocked by The Dream and we have only been back once, which I feel was a waste because we blew up the team after that and have never been the same. NYK basketball has been a joke since that last run. But, getting back to our generations "glory days" of Ewing, Oak, Starks, Mason, Harper, etc., they still did not win and they were a pretty good team. We probably would have won at least two titles if 23 wasnt around. So, we have to set the bar as high as World Champs to deem the direction we are going in acceptable? I am not thrilled with the season b/c I think we def have the capability to be running off with the Titantic division, but we have a solid group of players (minus Nate and JJ31) that can grow together and compete at a high level. Therefore, I am accepting IT's extension because it seems that our team is finally gelling and hopefully can reach their outmost potential, hopefully Finals, but not counting on it. But, when this core of players/IT reach their acme point and they are still not competing on a high level of respectability, then we should blow it up and start over..But, first, let us not be hasty b/c it seems now that NYK Bball has an identity and we might be in store for something special

Well put... we also need to separate Isiah the President from Isiah the coach... Isiah the President is an unqualified clown... he has a great eye for talent but was constantly changing direction until this season...

as a coach however... the knicks are the only team to improve their win percentage each month this season (look it up)... that shows growth... yeah... i'm not excited about 8th place either... but give IT the coach enough time to develop these players and this team and see what happens... and hire jerry west as president...

for further evidence... look at our nba champs over the last 16 years... the bulls with jordan, grant and pippen took 4 years... it took hakeem and co 10 years... david robinson won when tim duncan was added to his side after 9 years... the shaq/kobe lakers took 4 years... the pistons needed 4 and the addition of rasheed wallace to take it... and the shaq/d-wade heat needed 3...

it takes time to develop a team... and those guys were much older than we are... young teams take longer... look at how long it took the clippers and mavs...

and no Metro... I'm not an apologist... but you can't lump his performance as a coach into the same category that you place his managerial skill... bring in west and give it three years...
 
The Greatest Show on Earth!?

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10058521[/url]
... The less intelligent fans have mistaken mediocrity for success ...

I don't think I could have written an article stating the obvious any better myself!

It is pathetically sad and funny to hear people who are totally oblivious and unable to comprehend that the Knicks are owned and managed by "the world's worst ownership on earth" defend the current regime.

As long as the Knicks are owned and managed by the Dolan cartel at Cablevision, who for reasons unknown to the rest of the sane world continue to allow little retarded Jimmy to play executive manager over a basketball team of all things, something that he clearly has no comprehension of being able to do with any intelligence, knowledge of the game or class whatsoever, mediocrity will continue to reign supreme at the Garden.

Someone put a tent over the Jim Dolan circus already. The clowns are out of control. :barf:
 

biggame

Rookie
This is long, but necessary . . .Personally, I'm really sick of the Isiah haters around here. For the past 10years, there has been a pass given to the inept gms and coaches that have passed through the garden, especially Larry Brown who couldnt do squat with the same squad that Isiah has now. Noone is bashing Brown for stunting the young kids' growth on the Knicks. Isiah inherits a ridiculously boring team w/o any chemistry and w/o any direction. He takes over the reigns after an impostor (Brown)tries to undermind the organization and what happens? They have some growing pains, but guess what? What organization has more of a young and dynamic nucleus of young players than the Knicks? David Lee is the truth. Eddy Curry has evolved into a very formidable inside presence(be it only on offense for now) Marbury has turned into a leader. Yes, I said it. Crawford, as much as I used to hate him before he got hurt even started showing signs of better decision making. There is a buzz that exists that wasnt here for years. Yes they will force you to pull your hair out because of the inconsistency and turnovers. But they have also exhibited a no quit attitude by always coming back. Up until these past injuries, even when they lost, they were ALWAYS in the game and very rarely were they completely run off the court. But why am I always hearing these negative Isiah comments but NEVER heard much during the Layden years prior to him coming to NY? He just pulled off a GREAT move by getting Randolph Morris whose stock was rising and he signed him to a very reasonable contract. Let me remind you this was a possible lottery pick that went undrafted, honed his skills for 2yrs under Tubby Smith and Thomas stole him. He was averaging 16pts almost 8 rbs a game and 2 blks a game. Why is he getting bashed for this? This is why I know that the hate for Thomas has more to do with shall we say "other things" rather than his performance because this move can potentially be a real steal for us. If Morris doesnt work out, so what? He didnt overspend for him. As a diehard Knick fan, the hateration has to stop. You are playing yourself and really need to stop it. It only exposes you for who you are. . . . .Let me ask you something? What in the hell did Larry Brown do for the Knicks that would prompt you to say BRING BACK LARRY BROWN? He openly dissed his players in the media, he acted like a juvenille by trashing Marbury in the papers and then everyone got behind him and attacked Marbury as if he should just sit idly by and let his coach berate him to the papers. He got nothing out of the same team Isiah has and to go one step further, has been overrated for much of his career. I guess you would say that Scott Layden, Danny Ainge and Kevin Mchale are absolutely great gms huh? You are playing yourself. . . .
 

metrocard

Legend
This is long, but necessary . . .Personally, I'm really sick of the Isiah haters around here. For the past 10years, there has been a pass given to the inept gms and coaches that have passed through the garden, especially Larry Brown who couldnt do squat with the same squad that Isiah has now. Noone is bashing Brown for stunting the young kids' growth on the Knicks. Isiah inherits a ridiculously boring team w/o any chemistry and w/o any direction. He takes over the reigns after an impostor (Brown)tries to undermind the organization and what happens? They have some growing pains, but guess what? What organization has more of a young and dynamic nucleus of young players than the Knicks? David Lee is the truth. Eddy Curry has evolved into a very formidable inside presence(be it only on offense for now) Marbury has turned into a leader. Yes, I said it. Crawford, as much as I used to hate him before he got hurt even started showing signs of better decision making. There is a buzz that exists that wasnt here for years. Yes they will force you to pull your hair out because of the inconsistency and turnovers. But they have also exhibited a no quit attitude by always coming back. Up until these past injuries, even when they lost, they were ALWAYS in the game and very rarely were they completely run off the court. But why am I always hearing these negative Isiah comments but NEVER heard much during the Layden years prior to him coming to NY? He just pulled off a GREAT move by getting Randolph Morris whose stock was rising and he signed him to a very reasonable contract. Let me remind you this was a possible lottery pick that went undrafted, honed his skills for 2yrs under Tubby Smith and Thomas stole him. He was averaging 16pts almost 8 rbs a game and 2 blks a game. Why is he getting bashed for this? This is why I know that the hate for Thomas has more to do with shall we say "other things" rather than his performance because this move can potentially be a real steal for us. If Morris doesnt work out, so what? He didnt overspend for him. As a diehard Knick fan, the hateration has to stop. You are playing yourself and really need to stop it. It only exposes you for who you are. . . . .Let me ask you something? What in the hell did Larry Brown do for the Knicks that would prompt you to say BRING BACK LARRY BROWN? He openly dissed his players in the media, he acted like a juvenille by trashing Marbury in the papers and then everyone got behind him and attacked Marbury as if he should just sit idly by and let his coach berate him to the papers. He got nothing out of the same team Isiah has and to go one step further, has been overrated for much of his career. I guess you would say that Scott Layden, Danny Ainge and Kevin Mchale are absolutely great gms huh? You are playing yourself. . . .

Someone got their feelings hurt.

People like you make Dolan money.

Isiah sucks.
 

biggame

Rookie
Someone got their feelings hurt.

People like you make Dolan money.

Isiah sucks.

someone cant answer the post. I bet you thought Layden was great. People like you make the Daily News and the Post money. Ignorance is bliss so live happy . . .
 

biggame

Rookie
nobody said it was all Larry Brown's fault but let's turn the tables here. If Isiah coached the Knicks last season and Brown this season, can you honestly say you would be calling for Brown's head this season? Absolutely not. Call it what it is and stop hiding behind your bogus logic. You probably never posted anything negative regarding the Knicks until Isiah came aboard. Go and root for the Celtics.
 

metrocard

Legend
someone cant answer the post. I bet you thought Layden was great. People like you make the Daily News and the Post money. Ignorance is bliss so live happy . . .

My life is pretty happy. I'm just pissed off the Knicks. You bet? You're betted wrong once again.

Layden and Isiah are both media pets for Dolan. Only difference, Layden didn't know how to talk to the media, therefor he got fired.

I don't buy the newpapers, so you're wrong once again. Keep sucking up and making Dolan money though, you're doing a nice a job as a Dolan fan. Me? I'm a Knick fan.


nobody said it was all Larry Brown's fault but let's turn the tables here. If Isiah coached the Knicks last season and Brown this season, can you honestly say you would be calling for Brown's head this season? Absolutely not. Call it what it is and stop hiding behind your bogus logic. You probably never posted anything negative regarding the Knicks until Isiah came aboard. Go and root for the Celtics.

You want to turn the tables now? Ahaha, typical. You're a spin doctor. You have to spin reality around to make your statements reasonable. Stop trying to spin everything and face reality already. You haven't woke up yet? This team stinks. We have a terrible owner, and a terrible GM and a coach who doesn't coach defense.

Probably this, probably that. You're just one of Dolan's hos. I can't even look at you as a Knick fan, its disgusting. When I say something I'm not satified about the team, one of Dolan's hos comes in and tries to attack me personally and use all this "Probably" and spin doctor theory, the two WEASTEST things you can do. Stop trying to assume things and start stating facts.

Your theories are wrong. I could care less about LARRY BROWN. He isn't here anymore. Stop using Brown as a scapegoat for Isiah's failure. This is a new year, Isiah is coach and this team still suffers from the same problems. Turnovers and poor defense.

If you want to blame someone for Brown even coming to New York, you have to blame the Isiah/Dolan regime. Isiah is the one who signed him to a rediculous contract. If you want someone to blame for expecting Curry to the franchise guy in New York, don't blame Curry, but Isiah. It was his moronic idea.

Anyway, you won't get the point cause you're too posessed by Isiah and believes he pisses holy water.

You're sick by the Isiah haters? Well pick a new team kiddo. Most people in NYC do NOT LIKE ISIAH THOMAS. I live in the Bronx and go to a CUNY school, we despise him and want him gone. You'll be a Celtics fan most likely when Isiah and Dolan give up trying their best to make the Knicks crappy and go on to destroy the Celtics.

Larry Brown couldn't do squat with this squad? Knicks can't even make the playoffs in the weakest Eastern conference we've seen in a long time. This team overall hasn't accomplished anything except making Dolan happy and Isiah keeping his job. Since you're tied to these two, it sounds you're could careless what happends to the team.

You said Knicks have a dynamic set of young players...you only name Curry, Marbury, Lee and Crawford, but to name Balkman, Collins, Robinson and Frye? Damn you're slow...can't even get all the facts in to support your statements. You lose man. What about Portland with Jack, Roy, Rodriguez, Aldridge and Outlaw? or Orlando with Darko, Ariza, Howard, Nelson ...even Phoneix with Barbosa, Amare and Diaw. Theres alot of teams in the NBA with a good set of young players.

Stop using Layden as an excuse for Isiah. I wasn't even registered here when Layden was around. Layden had a shitty team, but bottom the team had expiring contracts. What Layden was going to do with those expiring contracts? Who knows, and who cares. He got fired. Isiah became a pet monkey for Dolan. If it wasn't for Dolan and Isiah, and we had a real owner and real GM, we would let those contracts expiring and start all over. Obtain young pieces in the free agency and draft and just go on from there. In the right direction. With Isiah, we're going backward and fowards. Up and down in a level below medicore. Expect the Knicks to be like this under the rule of Isiah/Dolan.

Scott Layden, Danny Ainge and Kevin Mchale aren't "absolutely great gms". Who said this? Stop assuming things, you're wrong once again. They're better than Isiah though. Don't get mad. Isiah took old garbage, threw it away, and traded it for younger garbage, so we can watch more years of garbage play. He also signed garbage from FA to overpriced long lengthy contracts. Jerome James and Jared Jefferies? LMAO...whats next in 07? Damn Isiah is a fool. Theres no denying the man's ability to make an asshat out of himself during free agency and trades. Even in the draft, we could of had Jack or Garcia over Robinson. Bynum, Granger or Green over Frye. We could of had Marcus Williams AND BALKMAN. Damn, Isiah sure DOES love being a level below medicore.

Isiahsexuals and Dolan's hos, keep making them money. Us Knick fans will just worry about the franchise. Hopefully Isiah Thomas, J Dolan, Isiahsexuals and Dolan's hos won't have nothing to do with the Knicks upcoming future. We've already seen what garbage these clowns bring to the franchise this year and the past recent years.
 

jimkcchief88

All Star
Isiah gets a contract extention and then the team goes on a losing streak??? WTF??? These fools are gonna mess around and miss the playoffs again.
 
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