Knicks coach Isiah Thomas has gone out of his way on several occasions to praise the Detroit organization this season. Some have theorized that he is keeping his options open in case Flip Saunders does not return as Pistons coach

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/493847p-415971c.html

I am pretty sure there is zero chance that Zeke ends up in Detroit ever, so it is unlikely that he will be here next season but I thought it deserved a little discussion for the fun of it. Forget that Tom Wilson is still alive and has a "do not let this man on the property" poster with Zeke's picture posted throughout Palace properties. Ignore the past relationship, and focus on the fact he is a coach like any other canidate.

So with that said could Zeke motivate the Detroit Roster and take them further than Flip? Would Zeke being loved by players throughout the NBA work for Detroit? What I mean by that is Tinsley and O'Neal from Indy have played their best for Zeke, and a lot of guys have talked to teams where Zeke has been just out of respect. So having him coach a top tier team does that help the Pistons in FA like Shaq's name has helped in Miami? Would the team be tougher and more focused?

I am not a huge fan of Zeke post Detroit so understand I am not endorsing this I am merely pointing out what some might say in his favor, since the negatives are well known.

Post playing career, he's the human tiki doll.

I would want anything to do with having him on the payroll in any capacity if I am the Pistons.

I really wouldn't want him as our coach. I don't think he's particularly great at it, and I don't want a "player's coach". I want someone who is hard-ass and gives a crap about defense. Is that Zeke? My instinct says no, but if you disagree, feel free to educate me.

I'd rather have Marco Jaric.

Actually I wouldn't mind having Zeke draft for the pistons. He really does have an impressive track record in the draft ranging back to his days in Toronto, far superior to Joe D.

I'm also of the opinion there's no way in hell Zeke drafts Darko. No support for that opinion other than the fact I will always love Zeke regardless of the horrible trades, average coaching and his love for the ladies. He was the Detroit Pistons when I discovered basketball.

What about a Dumars/Thomas 2-headed monster, Dumars handling the trades (keep zeke far, far away) and Zeke handling the scouting/drafts?

Time to boot John Hammond to the curb. God, I would love that.

I'd rather have Bill Laimbeer as our coach. make Isiah the head scout. a Bad Boys reunion.

Actually I wouldn't mind having Zeke draft for the pistons. He really does have an impressive track record in the draft ranging back to his days in Toronto, far superior to Joe D.

He has made some good picks, but he's also had good picks to work with (the ones that he doesn't give to Chicago, at least).

I'm interested to see how the much-criticized Renaldo Balkman pick works out.

True, true, about Zeke having good picks to work with. Still, it's not an exact science; drafting in the lottery is not as easy as is led to believe, or at least that's what I've learned from watching Joe Dumars in the lottery. Rodney White and Darko. Wasn't Mateen Cleaves a lottery pick, too? Jeez.

As for Balkman, I'm not sure what to make of him yet. I don't think he's that bad of a player, a good energy guy off the bench that has a nose for the ball and can block a shot or two. He's just not getting the minutes.

This may be way off but it looks like the knicks are coming to the conclusion that Channing Frye may not be a guy they want to build around choosing Lee and Curry instead. Frye's kinda soft and is strictly a jumpshooter when they need a rebounding type to play alongside Curry.

Who really knows?

No way Zeke takes a job where its obvious to everyone he's under Joe. I love Zeke, but not as much as he loves himself.

zeke sucks at gming, is overrated as a scout. his 'eye' for talent is complete bs. like camby, for example. not a bad pick at #2, except horrible when you look at who he passed over (ben wallace, ray allen, kobe, jermaine oneal, steve nash--even if you take out ben and nash, it still wasnt a 'genius' pick). and there isnt a more overrated player than frye.

but i dont mind zeke as a coach. i think his game management/x's and o's is avg, but no doubt he gets alot out of his players, and he actually is a draw for them, too. so i'd take him over flip, but i dont know if he's my dream coach.

but i dont mind zeke as a coach. i think his game management/x's and o's is avg, but no doubt he gets alot out of his players, and he actually is a draw for them, too. so i'd take him over flip, but i dont know if he's my dream coach.

I agree.

If Flip decides to leave, I'd look at some a couple more coaches ahead of thomas

I'd look at Mike Abdeonour about 493 people before Isiah.

Zeke would let Amir Johnson and Hooper split time at PF.

i wuldnt mind zeke as a coach if he has no say in personnel.

I'd rather have Bill Laimbeer as our coach. make Isiah the head scout. a Bad Boys reunion.
Works for me. You can't hold the fact that he didn't draft Ben and Nash against him, and everyone thought Kobe was going to be good, but NO ONE knew he was going to be that good.

Amir means "commander" in arabic.