Isiah Thomas On His New Job, His Old Jobs, Success and Failure
April 17, 2009 – 6:15 am by Will BrinsonIsiah Thomas is one of the most recognizable names EVER in terms of coaching and managing in basketball. That’s because he’s failed. A lot. (Not as a player, of course, just when running teams.) Instead of a lot of intro stuff, let’s dive right in: there’s plenty of good discussion that he has with Dan LeBatard:
On FIU messing up his introduction and calling him “Isiah Thompson”:
“I kind of took it in stride. You know, when President Obama was being inaugurated, the Justice, he made a mistake. So mistakes are made. And I just kind of took it in stride and we move on.”
On taking a step back in the business and being humbled.
“We all need to be humbled at some point in time. When you reach the top of your profession and you’ve won as many championships as I had, you sometimes need to go back and start over. When you look at society right now, there have been all kinds of CEOs, etc. knocked off the pedestal and knocked down. And you have to work your way back up and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.”
Why first year free?
“Actually, it was something – I’ve made a lot of money in the game of basketball – and I wanted to do something to signify my belief in the university and give back to the kids and students who are going to give back to me.”
On convincing parents to send kids there:
“The way I’ve conducted myself over my playing career and life, I don’t think I’ll have a problem with that. Some parents have even named their sons after me.”
Isiah Thomas on if this is a publicity stunt, his failure in New York, his biggest regret and the full interview after the jump.
On this being a ‘publicity stunt’:
“You can either choose to look at the glass as half empty or half full. Fortunately, I have a name that does bring a lot of attention and we can shed some light on some of the good things at the school.”
On the effect of his new job on the school:
“No I don’t, in terms of sales. But it’s safe to say that every place I’ve gone, we’ve had people attend games, attendance has always gone up. People have always come out to see my teams play or see me play.”
On failing in New York:
“Well, actually, I look at the Knicks and that’s the one – I regret I wasn’t able to fulfill and deliver what they wanted in terms of delivering a championship.”
Biggest regret:
[LOOOOOONG PAUSE] “I guess in every, um, trade you make you’re never going to be 100% accurate. I’ve probably made some mistakes trade-wise, but that’s what you try to do – put together the best possible team and deal with the hand you’re dealt. And when I got to New York we were very depleted in talent …”
Not one big mistake?
“No, I think you’re good enough to pick them out.”
There’s plenty more in this 20 plus minute interview and it’s totally worth listening to.
Listen to Isiah Thomas on 790 the Ticket in Miami with Dan LeBetard
Tags: 790 the Ticket, College Basketball, Dan Lebatard, FIU, Florida International University, Isiah Thomas, Miami Dolphins, NBA
