Spring Break
Danny Ainge has a plan that will bring the Celtics back to the glory days of the 80s
Matt Burke
Issue date: 4/27/04 Section: Sports
Marbury is your classic "guy who thinks he can carry the load, but always comes up a bit short" (much like his jumper). He's always on the bubble when it comes to true "All-Stars" in the league and for good reason...he's not on that level. He's not on the level of a Garnett, Kobe, McGrady, Duncan or Kidd. The aforementioned are players that can take over a playoff game. Marbury has never proven that he could do so, despite ample opportunity. He had the opportunity to prove nay-sayers wrong this year against the Nets, but he once again missed big shots down the stretch (see Game 3).
And that's not to say Marbury was the sole reason the Knicks lost, because it most definitely was not. When they inherited Hardaway, they inherited Ken Griffey, Jr. in shorts. The one time heir to Michael Jordan's throne is nothing more than a marginal player these days and I dare the Knicks to try and trade this guy because they will find absolutely no takers. He's just another big name player with a big time contract and diminishing skills (sounds familiar with Allan Houston still on the payroll).
Thomas, who has already done incredibly horrible jobs with Toronto and Indiana (as coach), may have saved his best (or worst depending if you're a Knick hater or lover) for last. It's tough to recall such a great player who had such a disaster of a time in his post-player career. Thomas has dug the Knicks a bigger hole and one that they won't be able to climb out of for the foreseeable future. They will have the same mediocre team for the next three-plus years and there is no ingenious tradeable way out of it.
Meanwhile in Boston, Ainge has found a way to go from being the hero shooting guard on the 1986 Championship team (aka the greatest NBA team of all-time) to the most hated man to grace the parquet floor since part-time snake oil salesman, Rick Pitino. During a ceremony in January Ainge was present to honor former teammate Cedric Maxwell during halftime of a Celtics game. When Ainge was introduced to the FleetCenter crowd he fell victim to boo's usually reserved for the Bill Laimbeer's of the world.
And that's not to say Marbury was the sole reason the Knicks lost, because it most definitely was not. When they inherited Hardaway, they inherited Ken Griffey, Jr. in shorts. The one time heir to Michael Jordan's throne is nothing more than a marginal player these days and I dare the Knicks to try and trade this guy because they will find absolutely no takers. He's just another big name player with a big time contract and diminishing skills (sounds familiar with Allan Houston still on the payroll).
Thomas, who has already done incredibly horrible jobs with Toronto and Indiana (as coach), may have saved his best (or worst depending if you're a Knick hater or lover) for last. It's tough to recall such a great player who had such a disaster of a time in his post-player career. Thomas has dug the Knicks a bigger hole and one that they won't be able to climb out of for the foreseeable future. They will have the same mediocre team for the next three-plus years and there is no ingenious tradeable way out of it.
Meanwhile in Boston, Ainge has found a way to go from being the hero shooting guard on the 1986 Championship team (aka the greatest NBA team of all-time) to the most hated man to grace the parquet floor since part-time snake oil salesman, Rick Pitino. During a ceremony in January Ainge was present to honor former teammate Cedric Maxwell during halftime of a Celtics game. When Ainge was introduced to the FleetCenter crowd he fell victim to boo's usually reserved for the Bill Laimbeer's of the world.