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I hated his jealously-driven, racially-based comments about Larry Bird and loved to see Larry Legend give Zeke the boot as soon as he took over the Pacers. I wanted to strangle him in last year's All-Star Game as he left Antoine and Paul Pierce on the bench while the less-deserving likes of Vince Carter and Brad Miller got serious run, so I took great pride in watching the Celtics knock the Pacers out of the playoffs in the first-round.

That all being said, and despite how much I want to gag myself every time I see him kiss Magic Johnson, Thomas is doing something very interesting with the Knicks.

Granted a one-armed monkey could have been more successful than Scott Layden, but in just about a month, Thomas has taken a middle of the road, excruciatingly boring team, and transformed them into a squad that gives annoying New York fans something to talk about again.

Obviously I'm talking about Stephon Marbury -- or Starbury as he likes to be called. New York's protocol son, who has already failed once at a return to the Metro area, but will eventually return to the player that he was last year in Phoenix, instantly turns the Knickerbockers into a playoff team in the crappy Eastern Conference.

And what did he give away? First, Antonio McDyess, whose stay in the Big Apple was as about as productive as the combined playoff game plans of Mike Martz and Mike Sherman. Next, Howard Eisley, the recipient of a ridiculous Scott Layden contract that opened up room for Stephon, and then Charlie Ward, one of the most consistent Knicks over the past decade who New York fans were unhappy to see go, but who also didn't have a place on the team with the additions of Marbury and Moochie Norris. (Did you know that before the trade Charlie Ward's 10 years as a Knick gave him the second longest tenure in the NBA with one team behind Reggie Miller)

Throw in Penny Hardaway, whose skills have disappeared quicker than Jeff Van Gundy's hair, but is still a veteran that can do some damage, and the Knicks are a much better team.

Now people are saying that Thomas might have a deal in the works that would Rasheed Wallace to town in exchange for maybe Van Horn -- who would be a riot to watch play in Portland -- and others. If this deal goes through, no matter how much of a cancer Rasheed can be -- the Knicks will be the real deal (at least as far as the East is concerned).

But with all the good he is doing, there is one Thomas rumor out there that if true would ruin everything positive that Isaiah has done. I understand that Don Chaney may have worn out his welcome in New York and I would not disagree with his firing, however, if Chaney's firing is followed by Thomas naming himself coach, the Knicks will be right back where they started.

The man just can't coach, and if I know Isiah, that is exactly what he will be doing in New York very shortly. As a Celtics fan, I can't complain, I love seeing the Knicks fail and even more, I love seeing Thomas fail, but until that happens, I guess I just have to take a deep breath and cross my fingers that his massive ego gets in the way.

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