Knicks President Says Isiah Thomas Did ‘A Lot of Good Things,’ Will Not Return to New York Front Office

Exhale, Knicks fans. You’re not returning to the bad old days of Isiah Thomas‘ reign anytime soon.

Oh, there is still a strong possibility of a return to struggles similar to what the team experienced during Thomas’ seven-year run as general manager, since then-MSG president Steve Mills is back in charge. Thomas just won’t be involved this time.

“No, Isiah will not be coming back to the Knicks,” Mills said Monday in a radio interview. “I’ve known Isiah for a long time. I think he has a lot of good things going on in his life. He just finished getting his master’s at Berkeley. He’s on NBA TV. He’s doing a lot of community work through his foundation.

“I actually think, with his background and what he was able to get accomplished, he’s probably an excellent candidate for the executive director’s job at the NBA players association.”

Thomas, 52, has focused on TV work since driving the Florida International men’s basketball program into the ground. The Knicks missed the playoffs six out of seven years Thomas led the front office, a remarkable accomplishment in a sport where more than half the league qualifies for the postseason.

Mills does have a point about one thing, though. Thomas would fit in perfectly with the players association, where Billy King‘s nepotism and infighting within the union have left the organization in disarray.

Photo via Flickr/mase4ya2002