The NBA trade deadline passed last week and it was just another excuse for the wolves to resume howling in New York. Not that they need an excuse to go after the woeful Knicks or beleaguered coach, president and primary punching bag Isiah Thomas.
When somebody is failing to the extreme Thomas has in his role atop the Knicks, he will be a target until he is fired. Presumably the same will be true for managing partner Jim Dolan, until he is relieved of his duties.
But the exercise today is to explain why there is a brilliant man residing just 19 miles from New York without a full-time job, steeped in Knicks history, who is perfect for the job. He’s even chief outside advisor for McKinsey and Co., the management consulting firm that helps the upper-management of corporations solve their problems.
You’ll recognize the name … Bill Bradley.
You know him now as the ex-presidential candidate of 2000, former New Jersey senator and author of the book released last year, “The New American Story.”
So why in the world would this Rhodes Scholar and influential politician bother?
His jersey is hanging from Madison Square Garden, acknowledging his role in the Knicks’ NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, he spent the first 33 years of his life possessed by the game and, even at the age of 64, he can’t be that far removed emotionally from the roundball.
He roommate and best friend during his 10-year NBA career – all with the Knicks – was Phil Jackson, who worked diligently to help Bradley’s presidential campaign. And even though Jackson recently signed an extension to stay with the Lakers through the 2009-10 season, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to imagine the wheels turning for Bradley to lure Jackson to the Knicks – and pay whatever it takes.
For all the complaints about Thomas’ lack of integrity and vision toward building the team, Bradley is beyond reproach. He was a Rhodes Scholar from Princeton after he was a three-year All-American who became the first basketball player to ever win the prestigious Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete. Of course, he then was the key player on the 1964 gold medal-winning Olympic team … all of this before Thomas was through kindergarten.
Heck, he even went to Italy for a year before returning to the States from his Rhodes Scholar experience in Oxford, and played for Olympia Milano. Yes, they won the illustrious European Champions Cup that year.
Indeed, he struggled his rookie year with the Knicks in 1967, not quick enough to play shooting guard on his 6-5 frame, so coach Red Holzman slid him over to small forward his second season and it was in his third season they won their first title. For eight consecutive seasons he averaged double-figures and missed just 26 games during that time. Sure, Walt Frazier and Willis Reed were the stars of the team, and Dave DeBusschere to a slightly lesser degree. Earl Monroe earned a lot more fanfare when he joined the team for the 1973 championship run as well … after all, “The Pearl” dazzled everyone.
But Bradley was the rock. He always made the extra pass (utilizing his extraordinary peripheral vision), played the passing lanes with amazing skill, and hit the open jumper. There was a reason why he always hit the shot, and not just because he spent hours honing that touch from the perimeter growing up.
He wouldn’t shoot the ball unless he was open.
As great a player as Thomas was, unquestionably more physically talented than Bradley, he forced shots throughout his career.
Therein lies the difference between the two, and why Bradley would find success as president of the Knicks where Thomas is lost in the wilderness of forcing wild shots.
Precision.
It makes plenty of sense why former Phoenix Suns architect Jerry Colangelo’s name keeps coming up as the successor to Thomas. No doubt, he would do a fine job and help get them back on their feet.
But this is different. Bradley is intellectually and emotionally tied to the Knicks for life. Frazier, who has been doing broadcast analysis for years on the Knicks network, can barely stand watching what happens on the bench, let alone on the floor and in the locker room.
You don’t think he would drive down to Verona and plead the case to Bradley? Remember, it was “Clyde” who fed “Dollar Bill.”
It’s a natural. He is innately qualified for the position. And, shoot, he doesn’t even have a full-time job. All these other companies and causes are gleaning his brilliance for their own benefit. To be sure, he’s all about the greater good. His presidential candidacy in 2000 was steeped in giving scholarships to those who went into education, providing work for the indigent and helping reconstruct this country.
Well, he wasn’t into the game-playing and pretentious behavior it required to become president of the United States. He’s perfectly suited to be president of the New York Knicks. It’s time.
“Dollar Bill,” you are being paged.
So once again, as the Knicks return to prominence, just imagine the excitement in MSG after each win, and the final word over the public address system, “That was Bill Bradley.”
I think Jerry Colangelo would be an excellent choice as well. It's only a matter of time before Isiah is shown the door. Thomas has drafted well. His free agent signings have been a disaster. Starting with Eddy Curry.
Not to mention Jerome James & Jared Jeffries.
I liked the trade for Randolph but it was a mistake to think he and Curry could co-exist with one another.
The most intriguing question is what lies ahead for Thomas when he's fired? Will anyone take a chance on him after this well publicized disaster? I don't see that happening. It's a shame that this will be the final chapter for one of the greatest point guards of all-time but he has no one to blame but himself.
Last edited by Hoffman on February 26th at 1:03 PM.
Ahhh..if only this fantasy could turn out to be true. As a lifelong fan of the Knicks and of Bradley's, I would love it. Still, fantasies don't always work out. The Knicks previously brought Willis Reed in to fix them and DeBussherre and neither one was as good in the front office as they were on the floor.
Anyone would be better then Thomas. He was a good player, but I could coach better then he can. Plus I would get better team players. Get Jerry or Bill, or just anyone but Thomas. Please.
What do Isiah and Matt Millen have in common? They both benefit from bad ownership. All the mistakes start at the top, and Dolan has did the Tammy Wynette and stood by his man because they're friends. Thomas was a decent coach in Indiana with good talent, but I have a bad feeling nothing could convince Dolan to can him.
Fixing the Knicks will be a tough task. People usually take jobs at which they can succeed.
No one will take on this kind of crazy challenge unless (a) he's paid a ridiculous amount of money, (b) he's totally unqualified and willing to take whatever job he can get, or (c) he's crazy.
The Knicks are horrible. The worst franchise in NBA history. They get all the breaks because they are in New York and they still stink. Like the time it so happened that the Knicks got the number one pick on the first year there was a lottery and then they still stunk with Patrick Ewing. Then they played the Spurs in the finals and got their buttocks kicked but they won that one game because of the worst call in history.
It's really a shame the Knicks have been a non-factor in the NBA the last few years. As we've learned from this past year from the long-woeful Celtics, change is just a blockbuster trade away.
However, Isiah has such a poor track record since he retired from the NBA..Great player, but cannot manage/coach or do anything post-NBA. He needs to be like Magic and realize that his strength was playing, not being the "brains" behind anything, because frankly, there ain't much there..
Good to see you writing for FOX, Mike. I remember you from your days at the Journal-American in Bellevue.
Now, on to Bill Bradley. While he no doubt has the intellect and playing background (although I think he was a little overrated as a player), what has he done to indicate he can actually RUN a basketball team? Being an intellectual and winning elections prior to an unsuccessful run for president are not bonafides for operating a franchise in the NBA. If they were, Stephen Hawking or Bob Dole would be just as qualified to take over the Knicks as Bradley.
I agree that Isiah Thomas should be out, but as long as James Dolan runs that team, it won't happen. Still, Jerry Colangelo would be a far better choice than Bill Bradley to revive the Knicks. Let Dollar Bill stick to writing books and working the speaking circuit.
Last edited by GuiltyBystander on February 27th at 8:38 AM.
"he wouldn't shoot the ball unless he was open." and his unselfish style of a team first attitude would help these current selfish ball hogging losers how? it is all good, no nba team will go near zeke and his expensive suits and fake smile when this is done. he'll be selling used hondas in no time.
All you so called fans that goes to the games and all you do is criticise the coach you think you can do better, get reall. He is not a great president but he sure has gotten us some good players on paper. The thing is the players are as much to blame as the coach for under achieving. This team is deep on the bench as well as on the floore, but they are a bunch of selfish players. The coach does not play the game, the players do. he can not get on the floore and make them pass to the open man or box out, or rebound, or hustle, or run the foore. I do believe we need a fresh start, by sending them all somewhere else, but we will be making a mistake if we let the bench go. I think that we need to be carefull what we wish for. New Yorkers are always impatient. Nothing has change even when Ewing was their you guys did not act no better. Just remember that all dynasty dies before rebuilding. The Celtics, Lakers, Detroit, Chicago Houston, Utah, San Antonio, and even the Heat so be patient. If they fire Thomas they have to keep paying him and he can sew because he will say it is because of the law suite. Be patient something good can and well happen.
But Plascaze, where did all those "selfish underachievers" come from? These are almost all players Isiah himself brought to New York. Just because a guy has talent doesn't mean he'll work hard or within a team concept. Ask Portland how that worked for them.
One thing I can say about Bradley is that he wouldn't be likely to bring players to the Knicks solely because of skills. He knows as well as anyone how important team chemistry is, and right now, New York has none.
The Knicks are struggling, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that out. However, let's take a walk across the hudson and try to understand why there isn't a call for Lawrence Frank's head? He took over a team that went to back to back NBA finals under Byron Scott. What direction have they taken since then? First round losses the last 2 years, they currently are in the 8th spot, barely 1/2 game ahead of Atlanta for last playoff spot. How come there are no calls for him to be fired? Double standard? Isiah took over a bad team, made some changes that did not work, as these are not players that are producing. What is Frank's excuse? He took a championship team straight to the bottom. The current success of New Orleans should be enough to get Thorn and Frank thrown out on their ears!!!
Pissed in NY, I totally agree, but I think the reason no one calls for Frank's head is because the Jersey market is just not as media-saturated as NY. Wait til the Nets move to Brooklyn!
Isiah Thomas should coach the Patriots if Belichik is suspended for taping. Or is the punishment worse than the crime?
Q:
How many championship teams has Jerry C & Bill Bradley coached and created?
How many (future) Hall of Famers did they draft? or trade?
* Before we discuss them as replacements, please answer the questions...
Last point!
Why is Isiah not considered a genius in the game of basketball? Would you consider a person who was born shorter than most NBA ball players (and became a Hall of Famer) & poorer than most owners & GM's, a genius if he was able to create the type of life and longevity he did for himself?
* i'm tired of Black athletes and GM's considered more physically gifted, less intelligent, and more conniving in sports (Didn't Jerry C lobby for Isiah's job and it "ain't" open...totally against the norm in the fraternal culture of the sports world) by white journalist.
Last edited by Precision_Like_Questions on February 28th at 6:18 AM.
If Thomas had an ounce of decency left, he would resign and allow a competent person to take over. At least give up coaching. I never liked the double role of President and coach. They're both full time jobs so, why would you have one person do both. Not to mention, Thomas' accomplishments do not qualify him as capable. Dolan is just as worthless because he hired him. He told the NY media with Thomas next to him that if he (Thomas), didn't turn thing around this year, he would be fired. Well…what is he waiting for? Witnessing the debacle of my team, I’ve come to realize that Dolan as well as Thomas are in only for the green!
I just readthe comments and wanted to point out that people being down on the job Isiah is doing has nothing to do with race. Being in the New York market brings more attention than perhaps anywhere. All sports are included in this. Also people love GM's and coaches who do sucessful jobs regardless of race. The best GM in the NBA is probably Joe Dumars of Detroit. Honestly, I can't think of anyone who is close. We even forgive him for drafting Darko at #2. He assembled a "team". The sum is far greater than the individual parts. Who will lead the Pistons each night in points scored? Don't know. Who will take the most shots? Don't know. All Isiah has to do is assemble a good Knicks team. Joe Dumars did it. Another point that seems to happen a lot in most every sport is that the true "superstar" players of the game normally don't tend to be sucessful as coaches or GM positions. Phil Jackson, Pat Riley and Nate McMillian all seem to be great coaches. Not the greatest of players though. On the other hand take Larry Bird, Kevin Mchale and Bill Russell. Great players. But as coaches or GM's? Not the best. My 2 cents worth.
The fact that no one would seem to want to touch the Knick job with a ten foot pole is just the reason Bradley might do it. He has to be heartsick to watch this once proud franchise flounder as it is doing under Thomas and Dolan. The only thing that would make more sense would be if Dave DeBusschere were still alive to bring him in with Bradley to return the team to want it once was. Failing that bringing Kiki in as GM under Bradley and a new coach is exactly what the Knicks need. The need a fresh start which means getting rid of Dolan, Thomas and half if not more than half of the current roster.
Didnt read- But I know what kind of guy he is he put our whole team on his back and won us two titles, So be nice to my all time Hero, and in case your wondering IM A FAN OF ANYBODY WHO GIVES THEIR ALL WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO CRUNCH TIME AND HE HAS always done that. WHEN he was the captain he smacked BILL Lambere in the face because he wasent playing the way he thought he should, and the results are pistons history. So be nice to my CHAMPION of the WORLD. P.S. Im W---- not that it matters. PEACE
the question is not would Bill Bradley do a better job. Hell, Ed Bradley would be an upgrade at this point. It's whether anyone else could possibly have done a worse job than Thomas.
The thing that would make Bill Bradley a great leader on the Knicks team is the same thing that will keep him off the team...precise thinking and stellar decision making. Who in the world would want to get mixed up with this organization? I'm sure Bradley's memories of playing with those great knicks of the past would be forever tainted if he got involved with this group of pirates.
The key to the Knicks' success in their championship years was unselfishness and confidence in teammates. There was no ego. When Earl Monroe joined the Knicks, there was a fear expressed by columnists that his ego would disrupt the team and that he and Walt Frazier could not coexist. They could and did, thanks in part to the genius of Red Holtzman. Phil Jackson may have appeared to be a bit player, but there were a lot of those on the Knicks back then; Mike Riordan, Dave Stallworth, etc. But the players believed in each other, and any disagreements were kept inhouse. Bill Bradley would be an excellent choice to lead the Knicks. It would take some time, but he, and certainly Phil Jackson, if he could be persuaded to come over, would find players who could put their egos and penchant for trouble behind them in an effort to win. There are very few coaches and GMs who know how to lead the type of man it takes to win NBA championships. With Red Auerbach, Red Holtzman, Jery Sloan and Phil Jackson, it appears to me that they demand respect, but not at the expense of their players' manhood. Dollar Bill is the epitome of that image. For any team to win in the NBA, it takes MEN who take their careers seriously, not egomaniacal kids who think the world is theirs. If you want to play in the NBA and win championships, grow up. Bill Bradley would demand maturity from his players.
