Thanks Isiah!

With us being in full swing of the NBA Playoffs, I figured that I would devote a post to the most notorious executive in the league, Mr. Isiah Thomas. Why, you ask? Well, the Knicks are not in the playoffs this season (obvi) so why would we bring up this guy (loser). Well if you follow the NBA with any regularity, you would know that Isiah is not only the most influential basketball decision-maker in New York, but in the league as a whole. He has managed to have a critical impact on the championship fortunes on a number of playoff teams. While a couple of the teams I will name are already out of the playoffs, they still finished better than those Knicks (highest NBA payroll ever)! Without further ado...The Isiah Thomas All Stars:

1. Phoenix Suns: I have to start with this team considering this is where my Knicks got their franchise player (yeah right), Stephon "Best Point Guard in the League " Marbury. The Knicks traded a combination of expiring contracts and draft picks for the longterm (very) contract of Stephon Marbury and the two years left on Anfernee "1949 Penny" Hardaway. Basically in one trade, the Suns went from being over the salary cap for probably another two years, to being far enough under the cap to sign Steve Nash and trigger their electric run of excitement that still resides in the Desert. For good measure, Isiah decided to trade Kurt Thomas to the Suns for Quentin Richardson. While I like Q for what he brings to the locker room, he has a worse back than my Grandmother, who passed away two years ago. Oh, and in keeping with the theme, Q had an extra year on his contract for good measure. Right now the Suns have home court advantage for the rest of the playoffs and have a great crop of young players and draft picks. Thank you Isiah!

2. Orlando Magic: After two years of poor basketball under the Zeke Regime, the Knicks decided to trade for another shoot first, pass fifth, think 20th point guard. And just like Marbury, this player (Stevie Franchise, more like Stevie Role or Bench) was in the middle of a long term deal paying him an exorbitant amount of cash. This time, the Knicks decided to not only take a ton of wasteful salary, but they also traded a 21 year old small forward (Trevor Ariza) who became one of the most improved players in the league this year. The Magic los tin the first round, but have a young nucleus and a ton of salary cap space due much in part to those tricky tricky Knicks (and Grant Hills contract expiring). Thank you very much Mr. Thomas!

3. Chicago Bulls: I have to say, this past offseason must have been very weird for Chicagoans. This was the first one of the Isiah Thomas Knick Era that the Knicks did not "steal" one of those Chicago Bull cornerstones. First it was Jamal Crawford and then came Eddy Curry. No point in going into detail of each trade, they both basically breakdown the same way. The Bulls got salary cap space, draft picks and young players. The Knicks? They got two players who love to shoot, can't pass and refuse to play defense. Sounds fair to me. I can't wait to see the NBA Lottery on TV in a couple weeks. The only thing that would make it sweeter would be to be next to Isiah while it was happening. Right now the Bulls are in the second round of the playoffs and have possibly the best crop of young players in the league. You da man Zeke!

4. Toronto Raptors: The surprise of the league. Toronto went to an NBA doormat the past couple of years, Atlantic Division champs. There is no way Isiah helped a team in his own division right? Wrong. He decided to take Jalen Rose off of Torontos' hands, who had two years left at $18 million for each season. I would not say it was the most important aspect of this Toronto team, but clearing $18 million off their books to sign guys like Anthony Parker definitely did not hurt. To be fair it didn't hurt the Knicks either. They decided to buy out Roses' contract at the beginning of the 06-07 season. Toronto now has payroll flexibility, young players, and are a team on the rise. I love you I-Man!

5. This last one is more of a compilation. I mean, you have Matt Barnes in Golden State for starters. He has been a integral part of their Cinderella run so far, after being cut after a season with he Knicks. I guess paying Jared Jefferies for $30 million is more bang for your buck than Matt Barnes for the league minimum. Jackie Butler signed with San Antonio in the offseason. The Knicks had a chance to match the deal, but the extra $2 million was too rich for Isiah's (evil) blood. Why not let the Spurs add a 21 year old center to their team who showed promise for the Knicks a year ago? It's not like the Spurs have not had success ripping off Isiah or the Knicks in the past with big men (Nazr Mohammed for Malik Rose). While Mohammed helped lead the Spurs to a title, the Knicks have DNPd Rose for half his games, but he is still on the same long term deal making $6 million a year. Lastly, the Utah Jazz. The Knicks still owe them a first round pick in the next couple of years. The way Isiah is going though, at least this will be a low first rounder (no chance). Isiah, can you help me lobby for same sex marriage so we can be together?

I don't wanna hear the bullshit excuses (i.e., Larry Brown, Scott Layden, New York impatience, etc). I actually just don't wanna hear Isiah talk. Well at least its better than hearing Baby Dolan stammer. What did we do to deserve this New York?

http://iloveisiah.com/

Leading Men.

Best Manager in Baseball

1. Mike Scioscia
2. Tony LaRussa
3. Bobby Cox
4. Joe Torre
5. Jim Leyland

Best Coach in the NBA

1. Phil Jackson
2. Gregg Popovich
3. Pat Riley
4. Mike D'Antoni
5. Scott Skiles

Best Coach in the NFL

1. Bill Belichik
2. Mike Shanahan
3. Mike Holmgren
4. Tony Dungy
5. Jon Gruden

No coach was considered if he has coached less than three years. The only pick I am going to defend right now is Torre at #4. While he has the most championships, there is one major aspect that places him there in my mind. He managed at three other places before the Yankees (Mets, Braves, Cardinals) and had no success. To me that can not be overlooked when assessing him. He is still an all-time great manager, but the men in front of him are or will be as well.

STKAFI