<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK (AP) -- New York Knicks fans didn't need to hear a name called in the NBA draft to express their feelings. The draft, held in The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, the building the Knicks call home, hadn't even started Wednesday night when the fans started chanting. "Fire Isiah" and "Sell the Knicks" were aimed at president-general manager-coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan. It didn't seem to matter the Knicks were still a while from making the first of their two first-round picks or that team officials were about 25 miles away at the practice facility in Greenburgh, the fans had something to say. When the selection of South Carolina forward Renaldo Balkman was announced by commissioner David Stern as the 20th pick, the boos rained down. Longtime Knicks supporter Spike Lee was in The Theatre, and he was seen saying, "He's a sleeper. A sleeper," when Balkman's name was called. When Temple guard Mardy Collins was announced as the 29th pick, the reaction from the crowd was almost subdued. That's what happens when an NBA franchise is in the disarray the Knicks are. On Thursday, Dolan turned the coaching duties over to Thomas after firing Larry Brown after one season that saw the team tie a franchise record for losses with a 23-59 record. "I think there was a lot of booing until they saw the highlight reel (of Balkman)," Thomas said. The Knicks earned the second pick in the draft but Thomas traded it to the Chicago Bulls for center Eddy Curry and forward Antonio Davis. The fans were upset that the pick wasn't "lottery protected" and they were chanting "Where's our draft pick?" right before the Bulls selected LaMarcus Aldridge of Texas, whose rights they later traded to Portland. "I stand here before you in all honesty and still say I would still rather have Eddy Curry than any player in this draft and every GM would take Eddy Curry in this draft," Thomas said. "So would I. Had we had the second pick, I would've traded the second pick in the draft for Eddy Curry. I would've done that." Thomas wasn't put off by the fans' reaction. "I've been in sports all my life and I've been called a lot of bad names growing up on the West Side of Chicago, and being in an arena where people jeer and shout and say bad things about you, that's all right, that's what sports is all about," he said. "You take the good with the bad. That's what it's all about." The 6-foot-8 Balkman led South Carolina to consecutive NIT titles, winning MVP honors this season at Madison Square Garden. He averaged a career-best 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds last season as a junior and was selected to the Southeastern Conference all-tournament team. The 6-6 Collins finished his college career as the fourth-leading scorer in Temple history. He averaged 16.8 points as a senior when the Owls went to their fourth straight NIT. An all-Atlantic 10 first-team selection as a junior and senior, Collins is second on Temple's career list with 290 steals. "They can both step right in and play and compete," Thomas said. "They won't be afraid to miss a free throw or be booed at the Garden." Thomas said he was looking for defenders going into the draft. "Balkman is a very unique talent, a very unique player," Thomas said. "He reminds me a lot of a Dennis Rodman/Ron Artest-type player with his energy and defensive abilities." Collins said he "was getting nervous as it went on. I had an idea I might slip out of the first round. I had a feeling I could." Collins is ready to head up the New Jersey Turnpike to play professionally. "It's going to be a tough situation, but I think I'm ready to go in there," Collins said. "They thought it was the right decision, so I'm going to go in there and work hard and not pay attention to any distractions." South Carolina coach Dave Odom was mildly surprised Balkman went as high as he did. "He's come out of nowhere in the last three months, really, almost four, to be seriously considered as a professional player, an NBA player," said Odom, who coached Tim Duncan at Wake Forest. "He's now been given an opportunity, a serious opportunity, to prove it. So it's up to him." Collins played for Hall of Fame coach John Chaney at Temple. "I'm as happy as I can be," Chaney said. "This kid is perfect with what New York needs at this particular time with his leadership and he doesn't turn the ball over. "I know going into the NBA with a team like the New York Knicks will be a great fit. This young man is someone who has a lot of great years in front of him."</div> Source
Oh Thomas confirmed he's a moron a long time ago. That statement you highlighted along with the selection of Renaldo Balkman is just gravy. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
This doesn't mean he's a moron. I mean, he is, but admitting he would rather have Curry over the second pick doesn't mean anything. How would it be if Isiah just gave up on Curry after one year? He's just trying to restore confidence in Curry.
What Isiah doesn't seem to realize is that he could've had Curry AND the No. 2 pick in the draft. He didn't have to leave the pick unprotected.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">What Isiah doesn't seem to realize is that he could've had Curry AND the No. 2 pick in the draft. He didn't have to leave the pick unprotected.</div> Paxson claims that not including the pick unprotected would have been a deal breaker as far as he's concerned. Either way it's pointless. The Knicks are a lottery with Eddy Curry so whether or not he's better than anybody in the lottery is besides the point. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
Hahaha. Isiah Thomas is a funny man. I'll give him that. Knicks to the 2006-2007 Eastern Conference Finals?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting houston_owns_u:</div><div class="quote_post">Hahaha. Isiah Thomas is a funny man. I'll give him that. Knicks to the 2006-2007 Eastern Conference Finals?</div> With Isiah as General Manager AND Coach, it's a lock.
The Knicks confused the hell out of me with the Renaldo Balkman pick. To me, he's not going to amount to much in the NBA. He's best suited as an energy guy coming off the bench and I really don't see him as much of a scorer. Beyond that, the Curry statement was absurd. Aldridge is going to make a better pro than Curry in the long run in my opinion. He's got a good post game and I think he's going to be an excellent defender and a much better rebounder than Curry.
Isiah Thomas is in denial if he thinks Curry is better than any player in this draft. Whatever helps you sleep at night Isiah...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks confused the hell out of me with the Renaldo Balkman pick. To me, he's not going to amount to much in the NBA. He's best suited as an energy guy coming off the bench and I really don't see him as much of a scorer. Beyond that, the Curry statement was absurd. Aldridge is going to make a better pro than Curry in the long run in my opinion. He's got a good post game and I think he's going to be an excellent defender and a much better rebounder than Curry.</div> How was the statement absurd? I mean, a lot of the prospects in the lottery have a chance to be better than Curry. I'm not disputing that, but what do you expect him to say, "yeah, Aldridge is better than Curry"? He's just trying to give Curry some confidence. Just like when he said he would've drafted Frye first overall last year. Confidence is essential in young big men.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">How was the statement absurd? I mean, a lot of the prospects in the lottery have a chance to be better than Curry. I'm not disputing that, but what do you expect him to say, "yeah, Aldridge is better than Curry"? He's just trying to give Curry some confidence. Just like when he said he would've drafted Frye first overall last year. Confidence is essential in young big men.</div> I'd prefer if he stopped coddling Eddy Curry like a big fat baby and told him how it really is. That he's a fat chump who so far has been a big disappointment and so far doesnt look like he's any better than the first twenty players-excluding Renaldo Balkman of course, he may be a scrub but he's not that big of a scrub-selected in the draft let alone the number two pick overall. Maybe that will light a fire under that big rear end of his. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd prefer if he stopped coddling Eddy Curry like a big fat baby and told him how it really is. That he's a fat chump who so far has been a big disappointment and so far doesnt look like he's any better than the first twenty players-excluding Renaldo Balkman of course, he may be a scrub but he's not that big of a scrub-selected in the draft let alone the number two pick overall. Maybe that will light a fire under that big rear end of his. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.</div> Well Larry Brown tried that and it didn't work, so why not try something different.
I'm surprised some of you are even TRYING to defend Isiah at this time. I'm just speechless, has there ever been a more moronic GM in the history of the league? The moves he's made, and apperently the things he says are just so surreal, its amazing....entertaining, but sadly amazing. Anyway I would have taken Marcus Williams...why in the world did he take Blekman?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Well Larry Brown tried that and it didn't work, so why not try something different.</div> Well in that case, they should maybe look at sending Eddy Curry elsewhere. I dont know how anyone could defend taking him over guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas, Brandon Roy, Rany Foye, Adam Morrison etc.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting spawn:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm surprised some of you are even TRYING to defend Isiah at this time. I'm just speechless, has there ever been a more moronic GM in the history of the league? The moves he's made, and apperently the things he says are just so surreal, its amazing....entertaining, but sadly amazing. Anyway I would have taken Marcus Williams...why in the world did he take Blekman?</div> Huh? First of all, no one is defending Isiah Thomas as being a good GM—the whole thread is based on Isiah being a moron because he said he would rather have Eddy Curry instead of the #2 pick. Excuse me for “TRYING” to defend Isiah during this time. Signing Jerome James makes him a moron, but trying to give confidence to Curry and say he would rather have him than a #2 pick doesn’t make him a moron. Curry received unwarranted criticism for the pick not being protected and Isiah is trying to give his big man confidence and assure him he’s a valuable asset to this team. Last year, Isiah said something like Frye would have gone #1 if he had the first pick, which gave Frye confidence according to his own admission. Now Isiah is trying to do the same for Curry. That doesn’t make him a moron. If you want to call Isiah a moron for drafting Balkman, or signing Jerome James etc., but don’t call him a moron for trying to give his big man confidence. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">“I do like our players,” he said. “And my job is to get their confidence back and I think they can play at a higher level than what a lot of them performed at last year.”</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Well in that case, they should maybe look at sending Eddy Curry elsewhere. I dont know how anyone could defend taking him over guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas, Brandon Roy, Rany Foye, Adam Morrison etc.</div> Why should he be moved? Because Curry isn't constantly put down by his coach? I'm not even a big Curry fan, but everyone was a victim of Larry Brown's nonstop criticism and certain players take it differently. It fires some up and does the opposite to others. Curry was one of many players who didn't take the criticism of Brown well and it just killed his confidence. Isiah, as the coach and GM who brought him in, is trying to restore his confidence. He also said he would rather have Frye over Paul, Bogut and the rest of the guys who were in the 05 class. As crazy as sounds it sounds, Frye said he felt much more confident knowing this and we know he had a pretty successful year. I'm not saying Isiah is a good GM at all. I'm saying this particular quote from Isiah doesn't make him a moron.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Well in that case, they should maybe look at sending Eddy Curry elsewhere. I dont know how anyone could defend taking him over guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas, Brandon Roy, Rany Foye, Adam Morrison etc.</div> Why should he be moved? Because Curry isn't constantly put down by his coach? I'm not even a big Curry fan, but everyone was a victim of Larry Brown's nonstop criticism and certain players take it differently. It fires some up and does the opposite to others. Curry was one of many players who didn't take the criticism of Brown well and it just killed his confidence. Isiah, as the coach and GM who brought him in, is trying to restore his confidence. He also said he would rather have Frye over Paul, Bogut and the rest of the guys who were in the 05 class. As crazy as sounds it sounds, Frye said he felt much more confident knowing this and we know he had a pretty successful year. I'm not saying Isiah is a good GM at all. I'm saying this particular quote from Isiah doesn't make him a moron.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Why should he be moved? Because Curry isn't constantly put down by his coach? I'm not even a big Curry fan, but everyone was a victim of Larry Brown's nonstop criticism and certain players take it differently. It fires some up and does the opposite to others. Curry was one of many players who didn't take the criticism of Brown well and it just killed his confidence. Isiah, as the coach and GM who brought him in, is trying to restore his confidence. He also said he would rather have Frye over Paul, Bogut and the rest of the guys who were in the 05 class. As crazy as sounds it sounds, Frye said he felt much more confident knowing this and we know he had a pretty successful year. I'm not saying Isiah is a good GM at all. I'm saying this particular quote from Isiah doesn't make him a moron.</div> You make Curry, Frye and everyone else on the Knicks sound like little children with fragile egos instead of professional athletes paid to play the game of basketball. If a player cant take criticism than they dont need to play in New York. Plain and simple. If questioning a player's toughness, character, work ethic and heart doesnt get them fired up to play harder then they arent fit to wear the Knicks uniform and that is why we need to find Eddy Curry a new home as soon as possible. By the way I'm pretty sure Frye didnt buy what Isiah said about taking him over Bogut, Paul and everyone else. I mean he did go to four years of college afterall, he cant be a complete moron. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">You make Curry, Frye and everyone else on the Knicks sound like little children with fragile egos instead of professional athletes paid to play the game of basketball. If a player cant take criticism than they dont need to play in New York. Plain and simple. If questioning a player's toughness, character, work ethic and heart doesnt get them fired up to play harder then they arent fit to wear the Knicks uniform and that is why we need to find Eddy Curry a new home as soon as possible. By the way I'm pretty sure Frye didnt buy what Isiah said about taking him over Bogut, Paul and everyone else. I mean he did go to four years of college afterall, he cant be a complete moron. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.</div> Curry is a soft little kid. Plain and simple. His ego is fragile and all of the things you just said. But, like it or not, as long as Isiah is here, so is Eddy Curry and if treating him like a kid is the only thing that will get him fired up, then so be it. Curry doesn't take criticism well and although you need to be tough to play in New York, he isn't, but none of us brought him here. Isiah did and knows the only way he'll play to his fullest is by saying the #2 pick isn't good enough for him. Frye said Isiah's comments made him feel more confident and things of that nature. I don't know if he believes it, but I can only go by what he says. This is just Isiah's way to show his players he likes them and there here to stay and all that other stuff. Don't be surprised if he says I would have drafted Balkman #1 over Morrison, Aldridge, Thomas etc.
