This was a mismatch from the start. Isiah Thomas came in to save the New York Knicks, but he has made too many moves to really be judged. He has not given either a head coach or a player a long enough period to be evaluated properly. The lineup is constantly changed via trades and coaching preferences. He has not given the team salary cap breathing room, but that would have been a tall order for any GM. He has made the team younger and more exciting. He can at least hang his hat on that.
Stephon Marbury is the player that has all these great numbers except for his team's record while he ran the show on the court. Everywhere he has gone (and left) has had a common denominator. When he was running the floor, his team struggled. When he was traded away, his former team improved while his current team had difficulties. It is unfair to put the blame on his shoulders. But it is what it is.
He only had one year of college experience. But that was a long time ago. He basically forced his way out of Minnesota because Kevin Garnett signed the big contract and he would not have been able to also. He wanted to be the top Timberwolve, and that was not about to happen with "The Kid" wearing their jersey.
So he grumbled his way out of town. He went to New Jersey and did not make a big impact with the Nets. He then moved onto Phoenix in exchange for Jason Kidd. Basketball was alive again in Jersey with Kidd. Phoenix then traded him to New York and improved the next season. It is not fair to say he brought down the Knicks because they were a terrible team when he arrived.
Larry Brown is a coach that wants it done his way. Marbury does not seem comfortable in his offense and this past week, the quotes in the newspaper have shown that. Marbury is not the type of point guard for a Larry Brown-run team. Isiah had to think of this prior to signing the coach. Maybe he figured just putting a lot of big names in one place would be justified eventually.
It may be early in the season, but the handwriting is on the wall for a rocky marriage. Someone has to give. Either Isiah has to admit that it may have been a mistake either in trading for Marbury to begin with or pairing him with Brown. It will not be easy to find a taker for Marbury because of his big contract. He will have to take on another salary cap hit player to do so. And we have seen where that will get them.
Larry Brown is not going anywhere for the time being. But should Isiah risk putting together a team to suit the coach only to see him pack up and leave after two or three seasons? A tough decision for him, indeed.
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