INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Isiah Thomas was fired Wednesday as head coach of the Indiana Pacers, a surprise move that came only seven weeks after Larry Bird as president of basketball operations. Thomas, an NBA Hall of Famer, led a young Indiana team into the playoffs each of his first three seasons, but they were knocked out in the first round each year. He was 131-115 in three years. -- Pacers couldn't reach their potential under him... still a bit surprising.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Man, so much for that BS "Bird-Isiah" getting along just fine BS. I guess Isiah would have had too many flashbacks to that bad inbounds pass against Boston. I read an article about that. After Boston scored the basket, the ref was gonna whistle for a timeout. Thomas demanded the ball instead. He inbounds. Bird steals it under his own basket. Layup. The ref turns to Isiah. "Now do you want a timeout?"
Why are you shocked that the Pacer's new President of Basketball Operations (guess who) would fire Thomas in favor of the Pacer's previous assistant coach. This is delicious. I'm still giggling about how the Pacers pulled this off, and likely few fans will complain.
Barring an injury to Jermaine, the Pacers will represent the Eastern Conference in this year's finals. Isiah is a bum.
You have to respect him as a player, but I think as a coach too...Although, when Bird was hired, I knew his days were numbered... He'll be back somewhere next year...
I respect him. Yeah... I respect him about as much as Larry Bird did on that infamous steal of Isiah's inbounds pass. hehe hey, Larry Bird fans do not have to respect anyone that Larry doesn't respect.
This is a bad move by Indiana. Not because he is a good coach but that he may end up as a TV analyst. I think he is a horrible at it. Indiana should have taken one for the basketball watching nation.
well at least we dont have to see him grinning by the sidelines anymore. guy thinks good coaching is putting on a smirk like everything's going according to plans even though paul pierce is kicking them out of the playoffs.
So, he failed as a Coach, a General Manager and a League Commissioner. This level of failure is not easy, and must be noticed and appreciated.
Top Ten New Jobs Isiah Will Get 10: Cashier at NBA Store in NYC 9: Head Coach of a High School in French Lick 8: Indiana Pacers Director of Laundry and polishing Larry Bird's shoes 7: Head Coach of the Raptors 6: New Colgate Spokesman 5: Detroit Pistons Starting PG (he still looks 30) 4: ESPN Anchor 3: Color Commentary for TNT 2:He "Retires" (then does something else in The NBA and drops out quickly) 1:Excuse Mr. Stern i'll be taking your job now
Dont get me wrong, I am glad Larry pulled the trigger although with only a month to go until camp opens and with so few candidates out there I was a bit shocked. After watching the press confrence and ESPN it appears his old friend Rick Carlisle could possibly be the coach. I would also assume that Larry would not pull the trigger unless he could get someone HE wanted to coach the team.
