It looks like the Knicks have finally realized what everyone else knew all along – Isiah Thomas is not a very good GM. In fact, a year ago I mathematically proved that he was the worst GM in the league. Anyway, new team president Donnie Walsh has barred Thomas from talking to any of the Knicks.
Former New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas has been banned from having any contact with members of the team as part of his reassignment agreement with team president Donnie Walsh, the New York Daily News reported, citing a team source.
According to the report, there is concern that Thomas, if allowed to have any contact with the team, could either willingly or unwillingly undermine its new coach. Thomas acquired all the players on the current Knicks roster as team president.
Thomas does not have an official title. He reports directly to Walsh, who said no player brought up Thomas’ name during last week’s exit meetings Thursday.
“I don’t want there to be some kind of double-voice here, so he’s answering to me and nobody’s reporting to him,” Walsh said on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York on Tuesday. “… He’s not going to be here on a full-time basis anymore. I’ll be calling the shots, I’m in charge of the franchise. It’s my responsibility where it was his.”
The only thing keeping Thomas on the payroll is his ability to identify good players in the draft. He has always drafted pretty well, and that’s a valuable skill in the NBA. If the Knicks can contain his influence to that arena, it’s possible that this new relationship could work. However, if he has a bad draft, all bets are off.
Now, if the Timberwolves would just fire Kevin McHale.
