Today, part-time Knicks consultant. Tomorrow, the world.
That’s at least what Isiah Thomas is thinking.
Two summers ago, three months after being fired as president and coach, Thomas boasted to a confidante he will one day resume power and run the Knicks. Thomas figured he just needed time out of the spotlight to repair his image.
Thomas may have taken the first step yesterday to ruling the Knicks again, when he was named a part-time paid Knicks consultant while remaining as coach of Florida International University in Miami.
The NBA, however, is investigating the new contract because NBA front-office personnel are not permitted to have contact with college players during most of the year.
Knicks owner James Dolan and Thomas remained friends after he left the organization for FIU following his demotion to advisor. On the surface, Dolan appears to be helping out a desperate compadre seeking an NBA return. But the public-relations damage of giving Thomas a position and paying him is a sickening blow to their loyal fan base still reeling from the LeBron James loss and who detest Thomas for what he did to the franchise.
The Knicks claim not to read anything more into it, that he is not on a fast track to supplant president Donnie Walsh or become his GM. Walsh has one guaranteed year left on his contract and his health has become an issue this summer after neck surgery placed him in a wheelchair.
But when The Post reported two weeks ago Thomas visited the Garden’s offices at 2 Penn Plaza for several hours to meet with Dolan and others, the club denied it was a job interview. So with Dolan, anything’s possible.
The Knicks believe Thomas can be an asset in recruiting free agents in 2011 and 2012, that players regard Thomas differently than the media does. Chris Paul, a 2012 free agent, considers Thomas one of his idols.
“I’m excited to once again be a part of the New York Knicks organization. I was honored to have been asked to help during the recent free-agent recruiting process, and believe that this new role takes full advantage of my skill set as an evaluator of basketball talent,” Thomas said in a Knicks statement. “While I will of course continue in my role as FIU’s coach, I look forward to working with Donnie [Walsh], Coach [Mike] D’Antoni and all of the Knicks staff to help bring a championship back to New York.”
Thomas, fired by the Knicks in 2008 after embarrassments on and off the court, was cited during last month’s Amar’e Stoudemire press conference for helping in the recruitment. Thomas also was dispatched on the eve of James’ decision to meet with one of the members of his entourage whom he knows.
Walsh said he hoped there wouldn’t be fan backlash.
“He’s not in a decision-making role,” Walsh told The Post. “He’s not in the position he was before. It’s basically an advisory position. It’s not like he’s taking over the franchise. I hope fans give him a chance in that realm.”
In an ESPN.com interview, Thomas said, ” I’ll be available to [Donnie]. I’ve always said that if there’s a GM position that should ever open that I would be interested in going back to the NBA for the right spot and the right opportunity.”
The NCAA said yesterday schools can allow its coaches to pursue other compensation agreements as long as it does not violate NCAA bylaws on scouting and contacting college players.
“I couldn’t be the GM,” Thomas said of doing both jobs. “But we checked with the NCAA and you can do it. I’m excited about what we’re building here at FIU and that will continue to be my main focus. In my spare time, when I do have time, just like I’ve always done, I’ll consult and advise the Knicks whenever they ask for my help.”
The team’s statement says Thomas “will assist the team’s senior management in various capacities, including player recruitment.”
Asked about Thomas’ future, Walsh said, “I’m not getting into any future. He’s just here as a consultant.”
“Isiah Thomas brings unique experience as a Hall of Fame player, coach, executive and owner, and we believe having him as part of our organization will be extremely beneficial to the team’s success,” Dolan and Walsh said in a joint statement. “He will provide valuable insight and analysis of young prospects from around the world. Isiah will remain head coach of FIU, and that will continue to be his primary responsibility.”
Thomas has four years left on his contract with FIU, which he coached to a 7-25 record in his first season. FIU athletic director Peter Garcia told The Post he is fine with the arrangement, saying Thomas first broached the possibility a couple of weeks ago.
“For sure it’s unprecedented,” Garcia said. “Obviously, we’re OK with it. He’s our basketball coach. I’m happy with what he’s doing with a basketball program. If the Knicks value him that much to make him a consultant, we’re fortunate to have him.”