11/05/24
June 22, 2006
YES! It happened!: Like we all knew it would. The most predictable occurence in sports history. Larry Brown out - Isiah in. After all, it only makes sense that a team of five guards should be coached by one. Gentlemen, start your sarcasm.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey to basketball at 09:32 AM - 46 comments
I still dont see the point of firing Brown. The team was below average, to say the least. Brown isnt why the team flailed, the players never gelled- and having at least 4-5 selfish shooting guards wont help you win many games. Anyways, I think that the Knicks seriously overpaid Brown, and are paying for it even more now.
posted by redsoxrgay at 09:46 AM on June 22, 2006
Any predictions as to what's next for Brown?
posted by scottyooooo at 09:48 AM on June 22, 2006
I'm suddenly really excited for next year's season to get underway. Can't wait to watch this trainwreck unfold.
posted by SummersEve at 09:53 AM on June 22, 2006
My prediction: 7-75. I'm hopeful for 0-82, but that's a bit much. And I say this as a Knicks fan. At least now there's no one else to blame -- Dolan and Thomas got what they wanted, and there's nowhere to go but even further down.
posted by ajaffe at 09:57 AM on June 22, 2006
I am HATER's raging bile duct. What the fuck else could go wrong for the Knicks? Replace one of the winningest coaches with the guy who destroyed the club and was a mediocur coach at best. It's the fucking Isiah show at MSG. The guy makes trades just so he can see his own face on the back page of the fucking post. A shitty team just got shittier. Fuck it dude, I'm done. Go Nets!
posted by HATER 187 at 09:58 AM on June 22, 2006
Larry Brown was the only good thing that the Knicks had and to have him get fired after only one bad season is a travesty, they don't call him Mr. Fix-it for nothing, but it takes time. Isiah has total control of the Knicks as General Manager and Coach but now we'll see exactly what he did in Indy....NADA!! He was absolutly horrible with the Pacers and brought that team down after Larry Bird left and now he'll do the same thing with the Knicks. Does he have a problem with Hall of Famers named Larry? Let's just hope that once the Knicks fall again, Mr. Dolan will recognize that Isiah was a bad choice for a General Manager and that the Knicks deserve a chance to compete and with Zeke at the helm, that won't be happening for a good while.
posted by BornIcon at 10:12 AM on June 22, 2006
Well all sports fans avoid Madison Square Garden for the next uh...what, 10 years cuz that's how long it will take Zeke, Dolan and the 7 coaches that should follow Zeke in the rebuilding process. Trainwreck? Try hell on earth. Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis are BOTH selfish, miniture shooting guards who try to be Iverson but are just not anywhere near his league. Jalen Rose is their best ball handler and he's as selfish as the two aformentioned above. Eddy Curry is crap defensively, and though the team drafted Frye, Robinson and Lee, they are buried behind these guys plus Mo Taylor, Quentin Richardson and a bunch of crap... God bless New York...they're the new Portland Jail Blazers
posted by chemwizBsquared at 10:14 AM on June 22, 2006
"....it's crazy enough that it just might work." isiah thomas was quoted saying that at the steve francis press conference earlier this year. if that is the kind of logic a general manager of a multi-million dollar franchise is going to use, is it any surprise to anyone that he fired a hall of fame coach in larry brown to coach the team himself. the guy is clearly in over his head.
posted by ksb122 at 10:15 AM on June 22, 2006
As a Sixers fan I say woo-hoo!! Thomas thinks he's frickin Pat Riley and I love it. Larry Brown should thank his lucky stars he's out of NY.
posted by GoBirds at 10:17 AM on June 22, 2006
As a Sixers fan, I know what's it like to have your heart broken time after time but the Knicks have decided to turn it into an artform. Not only did they fire a Hall of Fame coach but they decided to replace him with a someone that couldn't even keep the CBA afloat. Not saying that he isn't a good coach (Sorry, I had to laugh at that one) but he sure isn't a HALL OF FAME coach by any means-
posted by BornIcon at 10:32 AM on June 22, 2006
Any predictions as to what's next for Brown? Not a duet with Mary J. Blige. I'll go out on a limb and say, "More drama."
posted by yerfatma at 10:42 AM on June 22, 2006
Weedy, I don't understand why you would imply that we should "start our sarcasm", when there obviously nothing funny about this situation... Oh, except that Dolan and Isaiah gave Larry 10 Mil to coach the team, but only 40 Mil to not coach them. Does this mean there won't be anymore playful banter between Larry and Starbury anymore? Awe, shucks... I'm gonna miss that. And has anybody thought about poor Mr. Brown in all of this? After all this was his "dream job"... I kinda liked the guy, sure hopes he lands on his feet (or at least a big pile of money)
posted by Hornsfan817 at 10:47 AM on June 22, 2006
The NY Times article says they don't plan to pay the remainder of his contract because he was fired "for cause." That the drama we'll be hearing about for the next month.
posted by dusted at 10:52 AM on June 22, 2006
Incorrect assumption on my part, I apologize. Guess i figured the Knicks would just pay up like they have been for every other HUGE contract that stuck to them. I imagine he'll still get some or most of it....
posted by Hornsfan817 at 11:00 AM on June 22, 2006
As a Pistons fan, I didn't think Detroit treated him very well. This has got to be an even bigger let down for him...but the cash should cushion the blow. Thomas is a fool. As a player, he was never quite as good as he thought he was. Now he has the same misconception about his management and coaching skills. Well, at least NY fans have several pro teams that are in much better shape.
posted by ctal1999 at 11:07 AM on June 22, 2006
Hadn't heard that yet about the "firing for cause" crap. Hope he fights it and kicks their butts!
posted by ctal1999 at 11:08 AM on June 22, 2006
wow... I don't even care about basketball and I still feel sorry for knicks fans...
posted by whymy at 11:13 AM on June 22, 2006
Oh, I'm sure there's a buyout in there somewhere. Maybe not in the contract, but they'll figure something out. With Zeke's track record, I bet he offers Brown $42 million not to sue him for the remaining $40 million. Then he'll say: "It's in everybody's best interest that the situation get resolved quickly. Now everyone take off your pants and eat this wheel of gouda because I am BATSHIT CRAZY. Really, humour me. I'll slap a woman. Right in the mouth. Ever since I traded for Steve Francis, I've traded him everyday - for himself. The NBA office has all the the paperwork. I'm the fifth Beatle."
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:14 AM on June 22, 2006
Weedy, you crack me up! That's hilarious!
posted by Spitztengle at 11:20 AM on June 22, 2006
The only good thing that is going to come from this is that Larry can sit back on his yacht and get his health back in order. Unless he starts to stress over the amount of money he got from the Knicks. The team couldn't throw the ball in the Hudson River with Larry. They sure won't get any closer with Isiah. When will they learn to clean the house out and start all over again? Is there no end as to how bad this is going to get? Maybe the Knicks should broadcast on Comedy Central next year. The Knicks will be a joke.
posted by dbt302 at 11:42 AM on June 22, 2006
You know, Weedy, if Isiah called a press conference and said exactly that, I might even like him. Seriously, if this team were anywhere else, they'd fold.
posted by chicobangs at 11:49 AM on June 22, 2006
wow. on the bright side, they're paying Allan Houston $20,718,750 next year. Happy nightmare.
posted by ninjavshippo at 11:56 AM on June 22, 2006
This is the Newsday link on the story, which is pretty complete. Check out the name of the link, however ... specifically the last few characters in your address bar. Hee hee.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:58 AM on June 22, 2006
I find it funny that the Knicks have filed paperwork trying to get out of paying the 42 million because Brown talked to reporters. Well, if you annouce to reporters that you are thinking of firing your coach, then put a gag order on said coach then wait 40+ days to actually inform the coach he is fired.. the 40 days is a long time.. so Brown stopped and said hi to some reporters that normally he would be fined $10,000 for not speaking with. Just pay the man, I would use Isiahs salary to do it. Isiah thinks he is Pat Riley now. Next move for Isiah is he is going to put up the entire Knicks team to get Lebron. They would then have a better record. The NY Lebrons
posted by warstda at 12:00 PM on June 22, 2006
The Bulls reap a high draft choice again.
posted by wwarrior at 12:13 PM on June 22, 2006
I don't watch the NBA at all, but living in the Lesser Metropolitan Area (Hartford) I get a lot of Knicks news in my sports feedbag and I take some weird, sadistic pleasure in watching this circus from afar. ( Note: I find it strange to disclaim my posts by stating up front that I know nothing of which I speak, since in most of them that is self-evident, but it is particularly so in this case.) It doesn't seem as though Larry Brown deserves too much sympathy here. From what I heard all season, the guy couldn't make a decision about how to use his roster all season. It got to be a joke -- I heard one report that he adopted a practice of starting any particular player because the Knicks happened to be playing in that player's home town. As the article states, he was blasted all season for waffling on players and transactions, and if the collective media reaction is close (which, I know, I have to keep in perspective -- NY media, remember, NY media) he probably deserves to be let go. Furthermore, when it was suggested in-season that Brown was going to have to go, it was assumed at the time that Thomas would take over the rains -- not because he is an egomaniac, but because Dolan doesn't want to pay $80 mil a year for a coach the next four years, so he needs Zeke to go double-duty -- I'm not dispelling the egomaniac accusations, I'm just saying that may not be the reason. The law suit sounds to me like just throwing good money after bad, but that is, after all, The Knickerbocker Way. Maybe I am just putting my total ignorance on display here, but this thread is not really consistent with what I'd been hearing about the team.
posted by BullpenPro at 12:41 PM on June 22, 2006
As a Pistons fan, I didn't think Detroit treated him very well. This has got to be an even bigger let down for him...but the cash should cushion the blow. You're kidding right? The way Larry Brown handled the whole situation was classless and showed that he is a downright ass. He has never stayed on one team for very long, and has shown a fantastic ability of being an ass and getting paid for it as he is fired. Well Larry Brown, I hope you enjoyed every single day of the ten months and 25 days in which you held your dream job. As for the hiring of Thomas, just when you thought things couldn't get worse. You would think that their management would realize that he has already destroyed the team, of course maybe they're punishing him by making him attempt to coach the monster he has created. Either that or they just don't care anymore.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 12:43 PM on June 22, 2006
The problem isn't that Brown's out as coach -- it was a bad fit and the players hated him -- it's that the situation has gotten even worse. How bad does it have to get before David Stern steps in???
posted by ajaffe at 12:44 PM on June 22, 2006
Well, if you're James Dolan and are hoping to improve your chances to get Greg Oden, doesn't this just about sound like the move you'd make -- put Isiah behind the bench? But I don't think Isiah told Dolan that he traded New York's first round draft rights away to the Bulls.
posted by smithers at 01:00 PM on June 22, 2006
Another summertime brownout in New York? Isiah as coach--might as well make him Knicks coach; it's not like they'll seriously contend for a title for many years with all those horrible contracts on the books. Why not--Thomas did so well as a part-owner of the Raps; as a CBA part-owner; and as a Pacers coach. As for Brown--maybe he could be the next Raptors coach. I can't see Sam Mitchell lasting long if the Raps get off to a similar start next season to the 1-15 start from this past season. (Larry Brown--the coaching version of MLB's Mike Morgan.)
posted by curtangle at 01:11 PM on June 22, 2006
I'm certain, this isn't sarcasm or a joke.... I AM CERTAIN that Isiash is employed by another team in the Eastern Conference. GM's who do nothing are clearly better.
posted by Pabo at 01:24 PM on June 22, 2006
IsIdiot Thomas
posted by Pabo at 01:29 PM on June 22, 2006
The effects of the Karl Malone elbow are apparently still lingering.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 01:31 PM on June 22, 2006
The next move will be to sign J. O'Neal for a maxed out 7 year deal. That will get the ball moving.
posted by redsoxrgay at 01:47 PM on June 22, 2006
Isiah is a genius. He brings in THE coach who can't even get to 20 wins, and now gets to try his hand at coaching with no expectations. Seriously, if the Knicks go 0-82 next year, Thomas can shrug his shoulders and say "Even Larry Brown could only win a few games with these guys. I tried." If he goes a more realistic 27-65, he can still say he won more games than a coaching legend. Uncle Thomas, we salute thee. This is almost as brilliant as getting Steve Francis to play next to Starbury....
posted by LostInDaJungle at 02:06 PM on June 22, 2006
Allan Houston, the Retired Player's Salary: $20 Million Dollars 5 Selfish Point Guards: $59 Million Dollars Eddy Curry's Trade: $14 Million + #2 Pick in 2006 NBA Draft Larry Brown's Contract: $40 Million Dollars An Empty Madison Square Garden: Priceless There are some things money can't buy, and for everything else, there's Spendthrift Isiah Thomas and dimwitted Knicks Owner Dolan. Parting Shot: Larry Brown: Holds you hostage as he thinks 3 jobs ahead of the one he currently holds.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 02:51 PM on June 22, 2006
One of the few times its OK to be a Hawk fan!!!
posted by Ed M at 03:00 PM on June 22, 2006
Larry Brown was just out for the money. There was no way he was going to do any thing with the Knicks. And this will cost Isiah Thomas his job sooner or later. How can anyone be stuck on stupid.
posted by gremlin at 04:25 PM on June 22, 2006
this is not isiah thomas fault this is not larry brown fault its the knicks players and their owner fault they sucked
posted by defrag3x at 05:15 PM on June 22, 2006
i dont think its the players fault i think is isiah thomas fault for tryin 2 blend too many ok not so great players into a good basketball team.
posted by BestofbothWorlds at 05:50 PM on June 22, 2006
its the knicks players and their owner fault they sucked I have sat here for the past five minutes and still can't think of something to say.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:50 PM on June 22, 2006
Anyone who trades for "Star"bury deserves an ignominious place in NBA lore.
posted by Venicemenace at 12:05 AM on June 23, 2006
Is ignominious like infamous? (For some reason that word makes my head hurt.)
posted by forrestv at 12:31 AM on June 23, 2006
'Some decisions work, and some don't' said Dolan. Someone please let me know when one works. This is killing me here.
posted by sfts2 at 09:41 AM on June 23, 2006
Anyone who trades for Stevie Franchise while Starbury is already on the floor deserves an ignominious place in NBA lore.
posted by chicobangs at 05:53 PM on June 23, 2006
News Flash: 3/4 of New York basketball fans commit suicide. I have to wonder what Isiah has on Dolan. Whatever it is, it must be huge. Now Zeke gets to coach all the crap he drafted. Good luck!