FIU Panther Fan
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BB: On the road with Isiah: Las Vegas
On the road with Isiah: Las Vegas
Quote:He knows he's fortunate. His NBA career has dealt him the comfortable hand of not needing to coach for the money. If he gets canned in April, his pride may take a hit but his bank account will be just fine.
"I know the rest of these guys, they can't say that," says Thomas, who donated this year's salary to charity. "For them, this is about money and survival. Me, I'm here because I want to be here."
As he talks, a slow smile creeps across Isiah Thomas' face.
This isn't where he needs to be for now.
This is where he always wanted to be.
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07-31-2009 02:03 PM |
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FIUFanatic
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RE: BB: On the road with Isiah: Las Vegas
More and more "good" national exposure keeps happening about both Isiah, and FIU basketball. It's already known in recruiting circles who Isiah coaches for. That was not the case, on a national level, prior to April 14th, when he was hired as FIU's coach.
Quote:"Except on this steamy July Wednesday, Thomas wasn't easy to find because of who he is. He was easy to find because of what he was wearing.
In a sea of school-emblazoned golf shirts and T-shirts lacking only the work of a bedazzler to draw attention to them, Thomas stood out in a pale blue-checked shirt, a pair of navy blue dress pants and loafers.
There was not a single stitch representing Florida International on him -- not a logo, not an emblem, not even his new employer's initials.
As he hugged the side railing near the door, Thomas was taking a major risk in his anonymity … which would, of course, be the case if he weren't Isiah Thomas.
Without moving from his perch of more than six hours, the 48-year-old Thomas welcomed a steady receiving line of visitors. College coaches stopped by to introduce or reintroduce themselves, the various hangers-on and entrepreneurs who populate the summer-league circuit inserted themselves into conversations just to say hello, and spectators tried desperately to be inconspicuous as they nonchalantly walked by, only to whisper and rubberneck once they passed.
"Sure the recognition helps," Thomas laughs, "but that's the way it's been my whole life. That's not why I'm here."
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07-31-2009 02:19 PM |
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FIUFanatic
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RE: BB: On the road with Isiah: Las Vegas
Yet, another national story on Isiah Thomas written 2 days ago by foxsports.com
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/98672...ters-wrong
Quote:Thomas started the beginning of the July recruiting period in Cleveland. Then he went to Philadelphia before making certain to see some of the top local teams in Fort Lauderdale. After a week off, he was back in the gym in Las Vegas for a few days before stops in Los Angeles and Phoenix.
"You just put your head down and work," Thomas said. "That's all I'm doing right now. My main objective is to turn our program around."
"We can play for the championship," he added. "We're a Division I school that can play for the championship. We want to go out, recruit and get the best players."
That may be a little far-fetched, but Thomas does sound like someone who's going to stick around awhile.
(This post was last modified: 07-31-2009 02:29 PM by FIUFanatic.)
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07-31-2009 02:28 PM |
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