Just How Big of a Disgusting Mess are the Knicks?

Reports are out that Larry Brown and his $10 mil a year contract are going to be bought out after his single season disaster in New York (link). His replacement? None other than Larry's partner in crime in building this disaster, Isiah Thomas.

Although I would have loved for Larry to have another year to teach the kiddies basketball, especially given his history of needing time to get his team to play "the right way," Larry Brown will never get through to this group of Knicks. Many of them have no basketball IQ to begin with, but they are also sensitive. Add to that Larry's all-too-common public beratings of his team and you have quite the volatile mixture. Larry's biggest mistake this year was not failing to give his players defined roles, failing to win, no. That is not where he lost the support of his team. He lost it by going to reporters and verbally abusing the players. People do not like to be insulted, nonetheless balloon ego'd NBA players. It's a shame; if anyone has the knowledge to teach a group with raw talent how to get the most out of their ability, it would be Larry Brown. Unfortunately, he just does not have the personality.

Moving on to Isiah Thomas, just about the only coaching advantage he has over Larry is that the players are willing to listen to him. At this point, the Knicks would listen to Martha Stewart tell them about basketball before they would listen to Larry. In general, Isiah has a good rapport with the players. If Isiah had Larry's knowledge, there would be no problem with the fire and hire. Isiah The Coach, however, does not hold a candle to Coach Larry. Larry comes from a line of basketball purists that reach back to Dr. Naismith, the originator himself. In fact, Larry is only about 2 disciples removed from the Dr. Isiah, on the other hand. Well... he comes from the "I was one hell of a player... yeah... a damn good player... hall of famer... all-star... Champion..." kiss the mirror line. And somewhere in there, Isiah feels that "I'll be a good coach" is implied.

Isiah knows how to compete on the basketball court, but in order to compete on the sidelines he must realize that not everyone has his killer instinct... Charles Manson doesn't have Isiah Thomas' killer instinct. He must realize not everyone knows how to play the game the way he did. He is not the right coach for the Knicks. A level-headed Larry Brown is. A teacher is the right coach for the Knicks. Isiah may know his X's & O's (or maybe not... not totally sure what Isiah the Coach knows), but he does not have the level of basketball teaching knowledge for the Baby Knicks. The Knicks need a coach who will get the players on board with positive encouragement while teaching them how to get the most out of their talent, and more importantly WIN. (segue to post on Knicks and winning... coming soon).