11/05/24
December 22, 2003
Escape From New York.: Scott Layden is no longer GM of the Knicks. His replacement? One Isiah Thomas.
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posted by lilnemo to basketball at 11:21 AM - 18 comments
"...Running teams into the ground" - Not much of a basketball fan, but didn't Thomas run an entire league into the ground at one point too? "What do you think of this hire?" - Not much.
posted by 86 at 11:29 AM on December 22, 2003
didn't Thomas run an entire league into the ground at one point too?
Yup, that would be the original CBA. Which he folded so the NBA could form the NBDL, at a tidy profit I might add. I'm not sure that the Players Union was too happy about that.
posted by lilnemo at 11:39 AM on December 22, 2003
Don't worry, Knicks fans. I'm sure David Stern has a plan. The genetically-engineered basketball genius clone set to replace Zeke is probably cooling in the same refrigeration unit as the Knicks' ping-pong ball for next year's draft.
Seriously, could you pick somebody worse for this? Ken Lay? Michael Milken? Was that former Tyco CEO not available? Just a mindbogglingly bad choice.
posted by jeffmshaw at 11:56 AM on December 22, 2003
There must be something we don't know. I can't imagine that anyone in the world thinks this is a good move. Layden's trades were good, it's the Houston signing that's been handcuffing them.
posted by djacobs at 12:02 PM on December 22, 2003
I'm just disappointed there will be no more FIRE LAYDEN chants at the draft. FIRE ZEKE doesn't have the same ring to it.
posted by corpse at 12:29 PM on December 22, 2003
How can they justify hiring Thomas when Rodman was still available?
posted by IceBurrg at 12:32 PM on December 22, 2003
As a Celtics fan, I think this is a great hire.
posted by yerfatma at 12:57 PM on December 22, 2003
As a Celtics fan, I think this is a great hire.
Funniest line I've read today. :)
posted by lilnemo at 04:54 PM on December 22, 2003
Here's a rambling interview with Spike Lee (maybe he was drinking with Namath), but makes a good point: the Knicks should concentrate on rebuilding. This team, with these players, is going nowhere. "Playoffs? Playoffs!!?" /Jim Mora
posted by dusted at 06:57 PM on December 22, 2003
I read on ESPN that the Knicks have six power forwards on the roster! Six! While much of the rest of the roster is thin and undertalented. No wonder Layden got fired. How do you let that happen? "Uh, they were all so good, and at the right price, too, and I just couldn't choose, so I got them all!"
posted by nath at 08:27 PM on December 22, 2003
the Knicks should concentrate on rebuilding. This team, with these players, is going nowhere. Not to sound too consipratorial, but the Knicks had better not make the playoffs. If they don't, I guarantee that no matter how many balls they have in the lottery, they'll wind up with one of the top three picks. The NBA has a way of taking care of their major markets, or at least the Lakers and the Knicks. Something tells me they'll wind up doing well this Summer.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:11 AM on December 23, 2003
Ufez: you mean, like last year, when with the help of the NBA front office, the Knicks finished first in the race to get Michael Sweetney? I'd think that that would have put all the conspiracy theories to bed. [Not like it matters- after last year's incredible top 3-4 picks, this year's draft is going to suck. Quick, name the #1 pick.]
posted by tieguy at 09:01 AM on December 23, 2003
Quick, name the #1 pick The noses of the Knick fans braindead enough to maintain season tickets? My four years in the city were lucky enough to yield three games in the Garden. The Knicks choked and lost on ALL of them and this was before they got really bad. And now, Deke? Well, he's due, isn't he? Goodbye and good luck, you poor bastards.
posted by forksclovetofu at 12:22 PM on December 23, 2003
I read on ESPN that the Knicks have six power forwards on the roster! For some reason Checketts and Layden thought they had a soft team once Ewing and LJ left. Most of these "power forwards" are undersized. Like I've said before, the Knicks shouldn't rely on McDyess to be their saviour. They rebound quite well. They just can't get their one dimensional shooters open, much less pass them the ball. The Knicks are near the top of the league in turnovers! Give Vujanic whatever he wants, just get him over here and see if he can run the team. If not, trade him for a solid point guard who passes. Stay away from Marbury and Francis. I don't care how much they profess to want to play in NY. Neither one of them can run an offense.
posted by lilnemo at 07:17 PM on December 23, 2003
lilnemo: who would be your (realistic) veteran pick to restart this team?
posted by forksclovetofu at 08:21 PM on December 23, 2003
who would be your (realistic) veteran pick to restart this team? I'd rather blow the bad boy up then try and rebuild on the fly. Having said that, anything the Knicks make a grab at will most likely be a retread. You either go for an experienced but not-too-old-veteran (say Damon Stoudemire; the Knicks love huge contracts right?) or you go after a steady-young-passer (say Earl Watson or whomever the Jazz can't hold onto past this season). Really it doesn't matter who they bring in, they need a different look at the point. Hell Mark Jackson's still out there right? Maybe that's it. Isiah is setting us up. Isiah is going to suit himself up as PG for the Knicks. Sad as it sounds, it may be his only chance.
posted by lilnemo at 09:39 PM on December 23, 2003
Daaaaaaaaaamn, that boyz a jeenyuss!
posted by lilnemo at 09:50 PM on December 23, 2003
Knick fans can expect Isiah to push into the playoffs...
in the NBDL. How any executive can hire Isiah, given his penchant for running teams into the ground, and then ditching them, is beyond me. What do you think of this hire?