Is Isiah Thomas a Pistons coaching candidate? Depends who you ask
by Matt Watson on Jun 7, 2011 6:35 PM EDT
in Detroit Pistons News
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PrintFrom Marc Berman of the New York Post late last night (hat-tip PP):
The Post also has learned Thomas is not expected to be a candidate for the Pistons' vacant head-coaching job, despite a report out of Detroit. Two sources told The Post Thomas would not be considered by Pistons president Joe Dumars because Dumars does not want to jeopardize their friendship.
From ESPN's Chris Broussard this evening:
While Knicks fans fret about the possibility of Isiah Thomas returning to New York, the Detroit Pistons are considering Thomas for their vacant head coaching position, according to league sources.
Thomas is not the leading candidate, sources say, but he is on Detroit's short list along with Mike Woodson, Kelvin Sampson and his former Pistons teammate Bill Laimbeer.
[...] Widely regarded as the greatest player in franchise history, the Hall of Famer could return to a club that has suffered through three straight losing seasons.
While Thomas' performance in the Knicks' front office left much to be desired, he has enjoyed success as a coach. He led the Indiana Pacers to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2000-2003 and helped develop Jermaine O'Neal, Jalen Rose and Ron Artest into stars.
The "report out of Detroit" that Berman mentions originated as a simple hypothetical put forth Monday by Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News, which Terry Foster incorporated into a column last night.
Here's Goodwill's original suggestion:
Isiah Thomas also could have a formal chat with Dumars. The former backcourt mates speak regularly, and during Thomas' last visit to The Palace, during Dennis Rodman's jersey retirement, he was in Dumars' suite.
Thomas' issues have been well-documented during his time in New York, although it should be noted the Knicks were a mess well before he set foot in Madison Square Garden. Thomas does have experience in developing young players during his time as an executive in Toronto and as head coach in Indiana.
While Thomas' interest level isn't known, he still feels a strong emotional bond with the team and the city of Detroit.
Make of this what you will, but understand that the fact Broussard works for the Worldwide Leader doesn't make him any more or less plugged in than a newspaper beat guy. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if Berman's sources include Thomas himself. Stay tuned.
(Note: I completely re-worked this post after seeing Broussard's tweet -- trying to merely update the original text while keeping it somewhat coherent was too much work.)
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"Chris Broussard via Twitter":http://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/78225768307621888
“Isiah Thomas on Pistons’ list of coaching candidates, sources say. Not top candidate; on list w/Mike Woodson, Kelvin Sampson, Bill Laimbeer.”
Did Isiah Put Himself On The List?
Hermosa Beach as Hell!
by V. on Jun 8, 2011 4:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I was surprised too
since I saw this right after reading the article on PistonPowered.
And he followed it up with this good news:
Pistons had interest in talking with Mark Jackson before he was named coach in Golden State.
Of course they wanted to talk to him.
They wanted to tell him “There’s no chance in hell you’ll get hired here. Please stop standing outside our offices.”
Terrence J. is feeling a bit fishy...
by Trout Jefferson on Jun 7, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Gores added, as Jackson Charlie Brown'd away:
“And your commentary is an embarrassment and a farce! Get hired elsewhere so America can turn of the mute button!”
This signature is false.
I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU JACKSON! THE BUMS LOST! THE BUMS ALWAYS LOSE!
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
nope
Steel Magnolias.
Do it Jores!
by Mike Payne on Jun 8, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
the other lebowski guy said that or something similar to it in lebowski movie
by jadedeed2327 on Jun 8, 2011 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Favorite movie ever.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
Let's Take The Other Side Of This
El Logo himself, Jerry MF West, participated in the decision. As increasingly annoying as he is an announcer, I liked him when he played, he played with a lot of smarts and guile.
Look at it this way, he knows how to correctly pronounce the word “rebounds”.
Hermosa Beach as Hell!
by V. on Jun 9, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
There is no reason Laimbeer shouldn't be on our coaching staff.
Whether it be as the head coach or an assistant. None of these guys will be bring staffs with them, why not hire in Laimbeer?
Terrence J. is feeling a bit fishy...
Agreed
I’m not completely sold on him as head coach (altho he might be perfect) but most def he should get an assistant coach nod
I smell a troll
I have jumped on this train, 100%.
by brgulker on Jun 7, 2011 8:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I take credit for convincing you the last 5-10%
naturally because i like taking credit for things.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
It wad starting to get awkward, one foot hanging out of the train car and all.
by brgulker on Jun 9, 2011 9:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
coaching staff of awesomeness
Mike Woodson head coach
Bill Laimbeer assistant
Brian Shaw assistant
Shaw and Laimbeer were both assistants last year who werent retained by their respective teams, so if they aren’t offered head coaching positions they could be assistants for the pistons.
Entirely off-topic but needs to be said
It is completely and entirely awesome to have Matt Watson around so much. For those here who weren’t around in DBB’s early days, it was work like Matt has done lately that attracted this community (me included) and built this blog. It’s like having a real sports writer, not an ESPN talking head, leading our direction. I know that during the regular season he’s way too busy to contribute like he has lately, but man, anybody else noticing how awesome DBB has been lately?
In short, thanks Matt. It feels like the old days!!
/brown nose’d
//ass kiss’d
///full homo’d
Do it Jores!
by Mike Payne on Jun 7, 2011 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 19 recs
I’m bringing chips!
WORD PLAY
Ever since I'm back where my brother went, that's what my tomb will say.
Not sick of my WORD PLAY and general nonsense? Check me out at hollywoodsloce.tumblr.com
by Biz Markie Moon on Jun 7, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hmm. Matt Watson returns and there are all of a sudden a lot of positive things happening for the Pistons…… COINCIDENCE?!? I think not.
by garrettelliott on Jun 7, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Matt Watson actually helped close the deal with Gores
according to anonymous sources
Hey Watch Those Gay Slurs!
As Grant Hill would be more than happy to tell you, you’re better than that, MFMP.
In the beginning, it was MW’s name which was recognized with DBB, and it was Matt’s work which made the board what it is today.
Hermosa Beach as Hell!
by V. on Jun 8, 2011 4:32 AM EDT up reply actions
the "full homo".
Michael McPayne wrote:
///full homo’d
V. likely does not recognize MFMP’s play on “no homo”, a popular and very played-out piece of internet slang derived from sexually-uncomfortable dudes and/or rappers like Cam’Ron saying “no homo” after praising another male, or referring to the male body, as examples.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=no+homo
No slurrage here, Elderstatesman of Detroit Bad Brothas
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
Thanks. Was Having A Little Fun With MP..
.. but I guess he and I both misunderstood. My bad, sorry.
Hermosa Beach as Hell!
by V. on Jun 8, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I Have Several Wealthy Gay Industrialists In My Peer Group
..just so you know.
In one of the companies in which I’m a partner, we have quite a few gay folks. Please be rest assured I am just as miserable to them as I am everyone else in the firm.
Hermosa Beach as Hell!
by V. on Jun 9, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Whats all the hub bub about happy people?
I’d personally prefer to work with someone who is gay than someone who is unhappy.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
If we hire Isiah Thomas as our head coach, I want JOD's head.
Not only is he not that good of a coach, he would be a constant distraction. I’m passing. Thank you very much.
WORD PLAY
Ever since I'm back where my brother went, that's what my tomb will say.
Not sick of my WORD PLAY and general nonsense? Check me out at hollywoodsloce.tumblr.com
well not only that but it would make it so awkward when we kicked him to the curb for Laimbeer 3 years from now.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
as a knick fan, run awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy put crosses at the door throw holy water at him if he attempt to join the piston and most importantly pray my friends. PRAY.
If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?
~ Vince Lombardi
by JETSFANF0RLYF3 on Jun 7, 2011 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Agreed.
Tom Gores is way too smart to bitch his newest business that way.
Well at least that’s what I think he is, after watching his very encouraging press conference.
Isiah was an amazing player. I grew up idolizing him as a kid. But now he is anything but a realiable cornerstone to building an honest, blue-collar defensive, hardworking team.
I think it’s more likely that Lebron is going to score just 6pts in the next game, than Isiah Thomas coaching the Pistons next year.
Not a great idea
but if I was Gores and a gun was to my head (to have to hire Thomas), I would make Laimbeer the head coach and make Thomas the assistant with the Spurs’ current assistant, Mike Budenholzer. I know the Laimdizzle would scare the hell out out of Thomas if he stepped out of line and Dumars wouldn’t be able to protect him.
That's the issue
With several big crappy contracts and a ridiculously unbalanced roster, Detroit’s problems can’t be fixed with a simple, “well OK, let’s just make some moves now that the ‘moratorium’ is over.”
I loved Zeke to death as a player
I’m old enough to remember rooting for Detroit in the PRE-Bad Boys days, and the long trip to the back-to-back ‘ships. No way any of that happened without Zeke. No way we would have been close, even with the rest of the roster (and league) the same, with another good point guard subbed in for Thomas on Detroit’s roster. In contrast, I can imagine Detroit winning as much without any other Piston of the era, assuming a good player in place of the missing guy. Even Laimbeer, who played so well and was so central to the team’s identity . . . I could see Detroit doing pretty darn well if we had had another “good” center. But not without Zeke.
Having said that, Isiah as a head coach for the Pistons in 2011? Buffoonery.
by Toledo Joe on Jun 8, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I wonder if Joe feels pressure to give a lot of the ex-Bad Boys work?
“…So we’ve stopped outsourcing web design. Mahorn has downloaded CorelDraw and Agguire’s learning JavaScript.”
by Jon(athan) on Jun 8, 2011 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
JoD
Zeke
Lamb
Mahorn
I’m for Zeke as head coach only if those guys are next to him. And there is no way the locker room is going to be divided with them in there. Holy shit if those 3 are hired…
"...Fat garbage." -- FS31
I’m for Zeke as head coach if his name is Bill Laimbeer.
WORD PLAY
Ever since I'm back where my brother went, that's what my tomb will say.
Not sick of my WORD PLAY and general nonsense? Check me out at hollywoodsloce.tumblr.com
by Biz Markie Moon on Jun 9, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
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