The Knicks’ decision to bring Isiah Thomas back into the organization is already drawing a sharp reaction from fans, and not the good kind.
On Wednesday, the New York Basketball announced on X that Thomas will take on a management role with the franchise. The Pistons legend is set to join the board of directors when the Knicks become a public company in the first week of the season.
Thomas is no stranger to New York. He previously served as the Knicks’ president of basketball operations from 2003 to 2008, and during the final two years of that stretch, he also named himself the team’s head coach.
That history is exactly why the announcement landed so badly with a lot of fans, who quickly filled the comments with frustration.
“Knicks finally win a ring, and Dolan is doing whatever he can to bring us back to the NBA basement,” one fan said.
“Born in Chicago, played college at Indiana. Detroit Pistons legend.
Coached Pacers but always got a job in NY. Why isn’t he ever back at the Pistons in their organization?
Seems weird,” another fan said.
“How the h**l Zeke is still getting any job, let alone a BOARD position, is beyond my comprehension,” another fan commented.
Other responses followed the same tone.
“Just keep him away from the team and any real decision making,” one fan commented.
“One thing Isiah always did unwaveringly was be a loyal vote for Dolan. No surprises there. Just keep him away from Leon, Coach Brown and the boys,” another fan commented.
“What an incredibly dumb move, but so typical of Dolan,” another fan said.
According to The New York Post, Thomas’ new job is a standard board of directors position that reports to shareholders and does not involve roster decisions or basketball operations.
Still, the backlash makes sense given Thomas’ past in the Knicks’ front office. During his time as president of basketball operations, New York reached the playoffs only once, in the 2003-04 season, and was knocked out by the rival New Jersey Nets in the first round.
Thomas’ tenure also included a major legal case. In 2006, former franchise executive Anucha Browne Sanders filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him, alleging that Thomas subjected her to insults and unwanted sexual advances and that she was fired for reporting his behavior.
The case went to trial, and in October 2007 a Manhattan federal jury ruled in Thomas’ favor on personal damages while awarding Sanders $11.6 million in punitive damages. MSG and James Dolan were held liable for the payment.
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