Top 7 - Isiah

It was rumored that the AP had written Britney Spears’ obituary while she was going through her tough times, just so they had something ready to go in the (likely) chance things ended badly. In the same manner, I’m writing my Top 7 Moments of the Isiah era before it actually ends. Because I want to have something ready to go when it finally happens. Though I came into this era not liking Zeke (“Larry Bird would just be an average player if he were black,” walking off the court before Game 4 of the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals was over), but in the end, I gotta say he’s made my life more entertaining. Part of me hates him for making the Knicks a punch line, but I think if they hire Mark Jackson as coach, they’ll be alright. Anyway, there have been numerous Zeke jokes in this blog, so I think I need to pay tribute with my Top 7 moments.

7. In March 2007, James Dolan says the team has made “noticeable progress” while under Zeke. The team goes something like 2-13 after this announcement is made
6. Jalen Rose sums up the Isiah Era: “I put together our roster on NBA Live and we’re pretty good.”
5. During the 2006 NBA Draft, the Knicks select Ronaldo Balkman which nearly caused a riot in MSG. Though Balkman has turned into a serviceable player for a low first round pick, this was one of those moments you thought something great was going to happen and it actually did. I think I was anticipating the Knicks pick more than the 1st one. And Isiah goes and picks someone most people didn’t even have getting drafted.
4. . Portfolio.com reveals that Isiah lost $187 million over the years. $187 million. That’s essentially the GDP of the Marshall Islands (thank you Mr. Geography). (http://www.portfolio.com/executives/features/2008/04/04/The-Isiah-Thomas-Tax)
3. Larry Brown is paid $18.5 million to coach one season of basketball.
2. Isiah brings in Stephon Marbury. At the time, Starbury was hailed as the hometown boy who would be the savior. Instead, he went batshit crazy and now is more interested in selling $15 sneakers. I think teams still have draft picks from this deal. Just a microcosm of the Isiah era. Remember Knicks fans were excited to get him because he wasn’t Scott Layden.
1. It has to be the sexual harassment trial, doesn’t it? I mean the Marbury truck incident, the “I don’t give a fuck about these white people,” quote. It really was to cherry on top of the proverbial Isiah cake. I could probably do a separate Top 7 moments of this trial. Instead, I’ll be lazy and put this at # 1.

I’m not comfortable at all with this list. There are probably 20 moments that could be included. There has to be some crazy signing I left out. Oh well, that was the Isiah Era. (I was going to link to it, but Sports Guy beat me to it. The NY Mag article that absolutely destroys Isiah. Not only did it go in depth into every bad decision, it used creative adjectives to describe Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph. I highly recommend it.)

Add on after it actually happened: I’m disappointed in the Post. “Bye-siah”. Weak. You’re better than that NY Post.