Weekly NBA losers: Isiah Thomas’ latest controversy, Charlotte’s Larry Brown, Michael Jordan, and Bob Johnson deserve each other, Chris Mullin a lame duck with Warriors

October 26 08

Every Sunday, HoopsVibe The Blog will review the NBA’s biggest winners and losers of the past seven days.

The Losers …

Loser #1: Isiah Thomas

I don’t know what happened with the sleeping pills on Friday. I do know Thomas is in a no-win situation. If the Hall of Fame guard overdosed and shifted blame to his seventeen- year old daughter, then he has both addiction and parenting issues. If the sleeping pills belonged to his daughter then he is off the hook publicly, but has a sick child.

Neither scenario is appealing. Of course, the first priority is to ensure the Thomas clan is healthy. Still, somehow, ‘Zeke’, when supposedly lying low, is again on the front pages and creating controversy. Whatever happened at his Manhattan home, I can’t imagine this helping his damaged reputation.

Loser #2: Michael Jordan and Bob Johnson of the Charlotte Bobcats (and Larry Brown)

I just read Bobcat coach Larry Brown is unhappy with his power forwards. ‘Play The Right Way’ claims he can’t use out of shape Sean May and feels the rest of his fours aren’t ready to contribute.

The nomad sideline boss had a meeting with Charlotte executive and minority owner Michael Jordan to discuss the roster. And so it beings …

In all of Brown’s coaching stops (there are too many to list), he quickly grows frustrated with his players and begs management for changes. When given new players, he again grows frustrated and again begs for changes.

I have no time for Jordan and Johnson as a front office/ownership team. His Airness’ public appearance fees and 106 and Park’s penny-pinching have soured a great basketball market in Charlotte.

A whining Brown is something to behold, though. Can I get ah men Joe Dumars? Perhaps, in some weird version of karma, Brown, Jordan, and Johnson truly deserve each other.

Loser #3 Chris Mullin, Front office Golden State Warriors

I see the signs. You see the signs. Everyone sees the signs. Mullin, who has no contract for next season, is a lame duck by The Bay.

After all, ownership got their way and suspended Monta Ellis. Recently, Stephen Jackson and Don Nelson both bypassed Mullin to discuss contract extensions with executive Robert Rohan.

I hope Nelson has Mullin’s back. He owes his former star. After all, Mullin rescued Mr. Mismatch from the coaching scrap heap and supported him when he wanted to renegotiate his bonus money with the Warriors two summers ago.

It doesn’t look good for Mullin. I think the kiss of death was Baron Davis’ free agent departure and the revelation that a deal was in place before things fell apart.

Click here for Sunday winners, featuring Baron Davis and the Clippers, Shaun Livingston, and Darius Miles.

What do you think of Thomas, Brown, and Mullin? Is there another NBA player, coach, executive, or team who had a rough week? Get at us in the comment box and come back to HoopsVibe NBA Blog for this week’s winners. Photo courtesy of tremain falk.

10 Comments: Weekly NBA losers: Isiah Thomas’ latest controversy, (...)

Posted by
Dsmooth
on 10.27.2008

The issue with Larry Brown and his diva demands.As a GM, What do you do?Get rid of your young up-and-comers (which Brown despises) and either destroy their confidence or throw away your franchise’s future? ORGrab a bunch of hard working vets and go for the playoffs this year only! (cuz you know he’s going to bolt anyways!)? .

Posted by
sebastin telfairs gun
on 10.26.2008

MJ you were the best during your playing days. Please stop trying to run a team, because all you do is run them into the ground. Oh yeah Larry Brown... what did you expect when you took this job, please stop coaching im tired of you whinning, if you want to win stop taking jobs like the Knicks and Bobcats, your not fooling anyone the Bobcats are a young team and you hate young players so why even bothing, it must be ego. .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.26.2008

I respect that NY was a dream situation ... but he also had to look at the pieces and history of those involved with the Knicks. It refelcts on his judgement. He may have wanted to leave the Pistons, but his personal situation overshadowed the team and created issues. I don’t agree with how Brown left. Still, thanks for commenting and year, brown is a great teacher ... no doubt about that ... .

Posted by
Don’t Hate the Hall of Famers
on 10.26.2008

The Knicks were a dream job for him. If you could have a your dream writing job as for example espn.com wouldn’t you leave HV for it. Even if you have had success here. Larry likes challenges he is a rebuilder he took the pistons to there destinations he likes to move on and teach. .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.26.2008

Sorry DHTHF, didn’t see your other comments ... Thanks again for reading and posting! I’m not sure what to make of Thomas’ situation and Mullin is a popular guy who has friends and will find work elsewhere. Perhaps, Indiana or New York as an assistant to Donnie Walsh? Thanks again ... .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.26.2008

Hi ’Don’t Hate the Hall of Famers’ ... Thanks for commenting. I agree Brown is a great teacher and, in some ways, a great coach. And there is no problem with wanting the right players. Problem is, Brown is never happy constantly complaining about who he has. It’s a problem for GMs who have to endure his constant bickering and complaining. It was an issue in Philly and then in Detroit. Frankly, although Brown seems like a nice enough guy away from the court, his professional judgement is questionable ... leaving a great organization and team in Detroit for the Knicks. What is that? And money wasn’t the issue, because Brown had already made a ton! It’s also the way he leaves and creates a climate of instability. Sometimes I wonder if he is worth it! I have a feeling Detroit’s front office, ownership, and even some players who grew tired of his act would agree. Still, thanks for commenting ... I agree Brown can teach basketball, though .

Posted by
Don’t Hate the Hall of Famers
on 10.26.2008

Chris Mullin was the one who turned the warriors back around with moves he made. It’s disrespecful that they just gave Nelson a 2-year $12 mil extension before they took care of Mullin. Mullin was the one who brought Nellie back and supported him when the upper management didn’t. Well if things don’t work out. Maybe Chris can go help Larry Bird out in Indiana .

Posted by
Don’t Hate the Hall of Famers
on 10.26.2008

Lauren Thomas has problems. It’s been a known fact for a couple years she has issues. I believe Isiah when he said it was his daughter. I think the truth will come out. I think the media need to stay out of his personal life. And fu*k the police, they are the biggest crooks of them all .

Posted by

on 10.26.2008

There is no way Larry Brown turns around the Knicks, they got worse under his rule ... that is a fact. Brown has created a skeptical media and fans by crying wolf every two years, everywhere he is ... .

Posted by
Don’t Hate the Hall of Famers
on 10.26.2008

I don’t see a problem with Larry Brown wanting better players for a position. If he feels that aren’t gonna play the right way in his system, you make changes plan and simple. It only takes Brown 2 years to get results. he could’ve gotten the Knick s turned around with one more year. Give him the support he needs so he can finally send this team to the playoffs .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Weekly NBA losers: Isiah Thomas’ latest controversy, Charlotte’s Larry Brown, Michael Jordan, and Bob Johnson deserve each other, Chris Mullin a lame duck with Warriors

The Losers …

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