Deadspin
The NBA Playoffs schedule is all set, and we'll certainly be overflowing with coverage and discussion and all you might expect from your sports blog, but we really need to start today off with a eulogy. At some point today, if it hasn't happened already (and the ESPNews crawl seems to think so), Isiah Thomas is going to be fired as head coach of the New York Knicks, and we all must make our peace with it. We will never see his likes again.
We saw the complete decimation of one of sports' most proud institutions under Thomas, and it's going to take years for the Knicks to dig themselves out. (And by years, we mean "probably at least five.") What made Thomas unique, though, was his dogged insistence that matters were always looking up, that he was just about to turn a corner. He is like our President in that way, except he looks better in a suit (and, uh, seems to know less about, you know, sports). It was a special thing for us all to witness; it's difficult to imagine anyone have such a limitless opportunity to wreak havoc on such an epic scale in the future. In this way, Isiah was unique, special.
So, until Isiah is officially let go today, let's all enjoy, as we once put it, "Isiah Thomas' Knicks Legacy, Summed Up In One Possession."
Comments
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!111ONEONEELEVEN
I also hope that Zach Randolph was charged with multiple counts of felony assault for blatantly raping the game of basketball on that possession.
"The Way We Were" or "Time of Your Life" for the video tribute.
I want a star, but I'm well aware that I don't deserve one.
In Zeke's defense; Dolan has been destroying the team for almost ten years now
Isiah Thomas was fine up until he admitted to writing for KSK under a pseudonym.
someone's gonna hire him, right?
RIGHT?
When no hope was left in sight, on that starry starry night, they took your job as owners often do.
But we could have told you, SHOTY: this world was never meant for one as beautiful...as you.
I hope I'm never overflowing with anything, really.
@UkraineNotWeak:
I had "My Heart Will Go On" with inter-cut shots of Marbury and Isiah looking wistfully at each other in my office pool.
Why fired? I thought Isiah showed significant improvement?
He totally bit that move off a guy in my rec league. It works almost 5% of the time.
And just as the Knicks were starting to become a TEAM!
@Jerkwheat: hey, I got me one of them there star thingies! must be easier to get into the star commenter program than Arizona State...
@IsoldmysoultoMilhouseVanhouten: I bet Isaiah Thomas would only sexually harass his star.
@Jerkwheat:
tWWL hired Emmitt, didn't it?
@UkraineNotWeak: I would go with something from The Smiths. Maybe "How Soon Is Now?", "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" or "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me".
"I thought Isiah showed significant improvement?"
Yeah! The team began the season with 0 wins and improved all the way to, I think, seven wins.
I figure the Pope's coming to New York to fire Isiah because the Dolans can't do it.
@Suss--:
I'm praying for a bitter WaPo tell-all post done in the form of Marmalard/ Silky Garrard dialogue.
/Is that really spelled wrong? Fuck you spell check.
Are there new sheriffs in town? Sure feels like it...
I never thought that Thomas would get another job after bankrupting the D-league.
But then, some folks will hire and keep anyone, ain't that right willy clay? see: russ thomas, matt millen, bill ford, etc.
Goodnight sweet prince, master of the hardwood...(double entendre intended)
i'm told the popcorn business is quite profitable
@Jerkwheat: My hope is that he takes over the umpires' union.
I picture this in Starbury's head:
[thumbnail.search.aolcdn.com]
@UkraineNotWeak: May I suggest "The Sound of Failure"?
This is when a rich Texas billionaire who looks like Frank Langella buys the team from James Dolan, installs an average fan as Knicks coach, and then threatens to move the team to St. Louis, right?
I think those commentators who were around before the Commentist Manifest deserve a star...
/doesn't want to be left out
@ltwinslow: Or a hot dog cart. Don't have enough of those in NYC.
I've said it before, Isiah should be the head coach of the NY Liberty. It's a win-win for everyone.
I can finally apply for that internship at MSG now!
Isiah and Ape. These things come in threes, so who is next?
I'm sure there's a job waiting for Isiah with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Why the $&%@ not?
@Jerkwheat: Not at all. I got into Arizona State, and I don't have a star.
@Yostal:
This is usually the point where Bill Fitch is hired as Coach.
@UkraineNotWeak: No way. "It Had To Be You" with a shot of Stephon Marbury running up 5th Avenue as he realizes Isaiah is the one he's meant to be with.
@UkraineNotWeak: they can't give away draft picks any more.
Pictures of guidos wearing this same jumpsuit will be popping up on hotchickswithdouchebags later this summer.
Ok, I vote for Pete Gaudet or ML Carr as Zeke's replacement.
And, it should've been you, Coach K.
@Weed Against Speed: "I Know That It's Over"? "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"?
This is weird. The Knicks without Isaih is like Christmas without a dreidel.
@futuremrsrickankiel: won't they meet each other on top of the Empire State Building?
Dignity and Class, side by side.
How's Isaiah's fastball? If he can control his cutter, the Indians might be interested...
@UkraineNotWeak: hmmmm...he's in his mid 70s, hasn't coached in a decade or so...I'm surprised Isiah didn't think of this two years ago.
There's still time for Lenny Wilkins to come back too
@Magnakai Haaskivi: he throws a mean Shocker.
@Juancho: Knickless in New York?
Knicks fans should catapult him out of town a la Rex Banner.
Is it possible that Isiah's "optimism" was not really arrogance but his own Bernigni-esque attempt to shield all of us from the dark reality of the situation?
Life is beautiful, sunt.
I'm for Louie Armstrong singing "Wonderful World" over highlights of the Knicks ineptitude under Isiah and headlines of various off court activities.
A total shocker for me! But I do see a popcorn/fat grilling machine/hot dog maker in the future that will net him billions.
-ESPN comment of the day
@futuremrsrickankiel: I'm sure the trial transcripts included some juice You've Got Mail-type moments.
I mean, not that I've seen it. Um, yeah.
*Sigh*, you were not long for this world.
/sheds tear, cue "Careless Whispers"
4/17/08
Never forget.
So do the posters with stars have hot dog roasts on beaches?
"Who's the bitch now?"
- Anucha Browne Sanders
Please liveblog the press conference. That's gold, Jerry, gold!
@Mayor McRib: The grease from the hot dog pops the popcorn!
Oh my GOD! Martin Lawrence overload!
/punches self in face
@Weed Against Speed:
You sir are a genius.
Your ideas intrigue me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Martin Lawrence was great in that movie
TETSUOOOOOOOOOOO
There he goes - one of God's own prototypes. A high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production.
Too weird to live and too rare to die.
@