SPOUTING THOMAS
Isiah speaks: No talks with Jax Cops to lure of NBA Touts Liberty
A rehabbing Carmelo Anthony watched a minute of Liberty practice Thursday and Knicks assistant coach Jim Cleamons stopped by earlier in the week. But that was the extent of the KnicksLiberty interaction on and around WNBA’s Media Day, which really was Isiah Day.
In a jampacked press conference Thursday at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, Thomas aggressively hawked the Liberty/WNBA product for 25 minutes and admitted he has made no attempt to talk to Knicks president Phil Jackson because, he said, it only would be misconstrued. Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said “a giant brick wall’’ separates the franchises.
After being named Liberty president — and potential partowner — three weeks ago, the perception is Thomas, the exKnicks president, is being groomed by owner James Dolan to be Jackson’s successor when the 69yearold Zen Master retires after — or before — his fiveyear contract expires. Thomas left the Knicks in disgrace in 2007 after a stint that included two 2359 seasons and being named in a sexual harassment lawsuit against the Garden.
“Because of the perception I haven’t [tried to talk to him],’’ Thomas said. “I think all of us in this building, we all share the same building, we all root for each other. We all want each other to do well. We all want each other to win.’’
Asked if he wanted to return to the NBA one day, Thomas didn’t rule it out. Since 2008 Thomas has told confidants his goal is one day to make a triumphant return to the league.
“You never know where life takes you,’’ Thomas said. “I don’t think there’s anyone in this room who can say three years from now I’ll be here. I live in the present. This is where I’m at today. I’ll do the best job I can possibly do here. You never know where you’re going to end up.’’
Laimbeer, a longtime Thomas ally dating to their days playing for the “Bad Boys’’ Pistons, was more emphatic that Thomas is here to rebuild the Liberty, not to endaround his way back to the Knicks.
“No way. No way, shape or form,’’ Laimbeer said when asked if Thomas could help the Knicks. “He’s made it clear to me and everybody that world is nonexistent. If you go down that road it would be the stupidest thing you do. It’s a clearly defined, giant brick wall between the two situations. He’s all about the Liberty, and he’s entered in this with ownership capacity. That’s what he is right now.’’
Jackson has been mute on the Isiah subject — even on Twitter — but he knows Thomas has helped the Liberty behind the scenes for months.
Liberty star Tina Charles, a Queens product, said she’s happy Thomas has a chance at redemption, and acknowledged he did a poor job with the Knicks.
“I’m a big Knicks fan,’’ Charles said. “We all know what happened when he was here with the Knicks. He left a bad taste in our mouths. I’m glad he has another opportunity to improve on what happened to the Knicks.’’
Thomas said he expected the announcement, which came three weeks ago, he was running a women’s team to be met with furor because of the sexual harassment trial. On Thursday, the Women’s Sports Foundation launched a petition calling for the WNBA’s Board of Governors to block Thomas’ involvement with the Liberty.
Though the Garden paid more than $11 million in damages to Anucha Browne Sanders after being found liable for “a hostile work environment,’’ Thomas has told friends for years he never found the ruling an indictment of himself.
“I’ve always maintained my innocence,’’ Thomas said Thursday. “I’ve moved on from that. Our organization has moved on from that. I’m proud of the way I’ve lived my life and proud of the man who stands before you.”
Thomas said he considers himself “an activist for equality’’ and cited his late mother, Mary, as a “female activist’’ who has a street named after her in the Thomas’ hometown of Chicago.
Dolan and Thomas met with Liberty players Saturday before the opening day of practice. The Liberty open their season June 5.
“It was necessary to meet, discuss and have an open forum to let them ask questions and give our side,’’ Thomas said.
Laimbeer said he’s had Thomas work on the court just once — with rookie point guard Brittany Boyd because they have similar playing styles.
Thomas, who received a round of applause from the assembled Liberty players when he finished speaking, made impassioned pleas to the large media throng to return to cover his squad. Dolan hired Thomas partially in the hope his name will sell tickets, as the club has suffered declining attendance in recent years and is losing money. Thomas drew a giant media crowd Thursday, but needs to draw fans to the Garden.
“You being here today really helps us, and I encourage you to come back,’’ Thomas said. “Don’t just walk away today and never come back. That would be hurtful.’’
Charles said it’s not Thomas’ role, though, to sell tickets.
“I think we’re going to create that interest — it’s not about him,’’ Charles said. “It’s about the 12man roster.’’