Counting Down Isiah's Final Hours

The New York Knicks' season ends tomorrow night, in Indiana, but the official/unofficial goodbye to Isiah Thomas was in the Garden last night, with the Knicks losing to the Celtics' second stringers. It's all coming to an end, Mal. Our Sports Human Of The Year has just a few hours left of employment.

We enjoyed this eulogy by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, on the unfortunately named "Knicks Knation" blog. A highlight, discussing Isiah's claim that he rides the subway to work and is accosted by Knicks fans:

But let's say that back in 2004 Isiah is on the subway and is spotted by someone, preferably a Knick fan. Would that Knick fan a) Avoid speaking to Thomas, b) Say hello to him, c) Ask him for his autograph or d) Challenge him to a fight because he traded Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley to Phoenix for Stephon Marbury? Really now? But that's Isiah, he just talks and talks as a way of distracting people - especially Dolan - from judging him on his record. The only time Isiah talks about his record is when he is referring to his playing days. And make no mistake about it, he was a brilliant point guard. We all know that. But as a coach and a president, he is an abject failure. He could never accomplish what Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy, Dave Checketts and Ernie Grunfeld achieved here. They got New York. Isiah Thomas is just a clueless tourist whose trip is about to end.

As a clueless tourist ourselves, with no loyalties to the Knicks ... we beg James Dolan and Donnie Walsh: Please reconsider and keep Isiah around. We miss him already, and he's not even gone yet.

Sorry Isiah, New Yorkers Not As Dim As Dolan [New York Daily news]