How many of you would be startled to discover Isiah Thomas has been creepin’ round Billy Hunter’s back door to get his job?
How many would be stunned to learn Florida International University’s current head coach is angling in due course to replace the executive director of the Players Association should its membership feel flogged (compromised following so many compromises) by David Stern upon the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement or if negotiations again break down and additional salary (games) get forfeited?
How many would be surprised to find out Thomas, a former president of the union during his playing days, is coiled to commandeer the slightest insinuation of instability and insurgence?
Let’s see a show of hand.
According to a pretty piped-in informant, skulking and stalking are exactly what Thomas has been doing as Hunter tries not to lose further frontage to one clearly identified Nor’easter after another:
Namely, commissioner Stern stage-managed by 29 owners; players poised to push for immediate decertification if a deal can’t be struck during this extensive bargaining session; weighty agents counseling clients that leadership is limp; and growing frustration among even Hunter’s staunchest supporters.
It’s impossible to conceal such stress and strain.
“Hunter and [current president] Derek Fisher have the same looks on their faces as Johnny Fontaine did when Michael Corleone ‘asked’ him to sign a contract to appear five times a year at the casino,” observed column contributor Michael Catarevas.
Twice before in the last year or so, I left call-back messages for my old tag-team partner, to no avail. Usually I stop short after being stiffed once. It’s now three times and I’m actually starting to enjoy it. Except I can’t say for sure if my source has the goods on Thomas, and that ain’t right. A given, however, is he’s positively capable of coveting Hunter’s sphere of influence (or, for that matter, Joe Paterno’s fumbled oblong one) and swanky $3 million annual salary.
Should an opening occur any time soon, the union’s search committee might want to check out how successful Thomas was the last time he and Stern haggled.
In the spring of 2000, Thomas was the Hawks’ first choice to become head coach. But before he could gain approval from the commissioner, he was told to detach himself as majority owner of the Continental Basketball League (a conflict of interest was cited). Despite already having built a home in Atlanta, Thomas vehemently refused. That prompted the Hawks to retract their offer. Ownership did not want a long, ugly court fight with the league.
Shortly thereafter, Pacers president Donnie Walsh proposed to Thomas, but was barred by Stern from signing him. Walsh convinced owners Mel and Herb Simon to be patient so Thomas would have time to sell the CBA. Looking to latch on to a minor league, Stern bid $9M, figuring he might as well start his own (Developmental League) for anything above that figure.
Thomas was outraged. He felt Stern purposely low-balled him because he knew how badly he wanted to coach. Kinda the way Hunter must feel knowing how badly his players want to play.
So, Thomas showed Stern! He let the CBA go out of business and got nothing.
This just in from column castigator Frank Drucker: “In honor of today’s date — 11/11/11 — nbastore.com is showcasing Isiah Thomas jerseys … $49.95, plus shipping, handling and out-of-court settlement.”
* Last Friday, Kings coach Paul Westphal flew to Phoenix to inform assistant Truck Robinson he would not be re-signed for a third season, a source revealed. Robinson, the former All-Star forward, and unruly rookie DeMarcus Cousins often squared off (no punches thrown, or at least landed, as far as I know) last season. By now, you’d think unless you’re Gregg Popovich, voices of authority would know better than to challenge the incessant insolence of a potential franchise player. What was Truck thinking?
Here are two recent examples of why will owners lose money no matter how much the players give back:
The other day, three Pistons execs flew to Spain to eyeball Duke second-rounder Kyle Singler, whom they drafted four months ago. They spent a week. On top of that, their European scout has been following Singler around for a month. I don’t even follow college basketball and have seen the 6-foot-8 forward enough times (37) over the last four seasons to know he’ll be an excellent pro.
Then you’ve got the Timberwolves. I truly appreciate under-appreciated Rich Adelman, who has had one losing full season (32-50 in 1995-96) in the last 18. But what possessed Glen Taylor to pay him $5M per guaranteed for three years? By the time Adelman signed, there was no other NBA head-coaching option. Moreover, Minnesota owes Kurt Rambis roughly $4M on a stretch payout schedule.
The answer, I’m told, is because Adelman would’ve been perfectly content to take a season off, as he did between Sacramento and Houston. It took a lot of cajoling and persistence to get him to consider the Timberwolves, who correctly judge Adelman to give them a big credibility boost.
Still, I’m just sayin’ …
This just in: Kobe Bryant has agreed to become Italy’s new prime minister until the lockout is over.
Column chondriac Richie Kalikow reports: “Javaris Crittenton changed his name to ‘Meta World Violence’ and has deduced that Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 plan is nothing more than Moses Malone’s ‘fo-fo-fo’, adjusted for inflation.”