RF Godfather
12-31-2003, 06:30 AM
As a Net fan, I have to say I have to applaud Isiah Thomas on his first acquistion. This guy has all the abilities to be a frontline point guard and for some reason the Knicks are winning under the Isiah Regime. Who knew?
Courtesy of NBA.COM:
Thomas Comments on Norris Acquisition
by Tom Kertes
New York, December 30, 2003 - Just prior to the start of the Knicks-Miami Heat game, Knicks President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas announced the trade of veteran power forward Clarence Weatherspoon to the Houston Rockets for point guard Moochie Norris and forward-center John Amaechi. The Knicks expect to waive Amaechi once the trade is completed. "If we are to improve as a team, the roster has got to be improved," said Thomas. "Moochie Norris is a very serviceable player. He's not a player you acquire just to patch a hole. He's had some success in this league."
Norris, a 6-1, 175-pound aggressor who attended Auburn and West Florida, has career averages of 6.2 points and 3.5 assists for Seattle, Vancouver and Houston. He currently owns the second-longest active playing streak in the NBA -- 304 consecutive games -- behind the Knicks' Shandon Anderson (531).
When asked how the acquisition of Norris -- a ultraquick quarterback who particularly excels in the open court -- might impact the situation of the team's incumbent veteran point guards, Thomas said "we have not contemplated, or had any conversations, about that." Norris has "three or four years left on his contract," according to Thomas.
Thomas compared his first few days on the job to the executive of a corporation. "You go in, exercise due diligence, and look at your assets," he said. "You talk to the supervisors, you get yourself up to speed. Right now, I'm still finding my way around. However, our main product is the product out there on the floor -- and, due diligence or no due diligence, we can not afford to take our time in solving our problems if we are to improve."
Of the team's markedly improved play since his arrival -- the Knicks have four out of five games -- Thomas said: "The players have responded. They are playing at a very high level."
"There are different ways to motivate people," added Thomas. "I have always tried to inspire rather than motivate through fear."
"I can tell you one thing, James Dolan is an owner who really wants to win," said Thomas. "The practice facilities here are the best, the arena is the best, the plane we are flying on is the best."
"Here in New york, we have to be the best. I have nothing but great respect for Mr. Dolan. He's about as good an owner as you'll find in the NBA."
...
Knicks fans, thoughts?
http://hometown.aol.com/nycsmart/images/3lksig%20copy.jpg
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, the National Wrestling Alliance proudly brings to you... it's NEW NWA-TNA Tag Team Champions of the woooorrrrllldddddd,
the 3... Live... Kru!" ~B-Jizzle (12/3/03)
Courtesy of NBA.COM:
Thomas Comments on Norris Acquisition
by Tom Kertes
New York, December 30, 2003 - Just prior to the start of the Knicks-Miami Heat game, Knicks President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas announced the trade of veteran power forward Clarence Weatherspoon to the Houston Rockets for point guard Moochie Norris and forward-center John Amaechi. The Knicks expect to waive Amaechi once the trade is completed. "If we are to improve as a team, the roster has got to be improved," said Thomas. "Moochie Norris is a very serviceable player. He's not a player you acquire just to patch a hole. He's had some success in this league."
Norris, a 6-1, 175-pound aggressor who attended Auburn and West Florida, has career averages of 6.2 points and 3.5 assists for Seattle, Vancouver and Houston. He currently owns the second-longest active playing streak in the NBA -- 304 consecutive games -- behind the Knicks' Shandon Anderson (531).
When asked how the acquisition of Norris -- a ultraquick quarterback who particularly excels in the open court -- might impact the situation of the team's incumbent veteran point guards, Thomas said "we have not contemplated, or had any conversations, about that." Norris has "three or four years left on his contract," according to Thomas.
Thomas compared his first few days on the job to the executive of a corporation. "You go in, exercise due diligence, and look at your assets," he said. "You talk to the supervisors, you get yourself up to speed. Right now, I'm still finding my way around. However, our main product is the product out there on the floor -- and, due diligence or no due diligence, we can not afford to take our time in solving our problems if we are to improve."
Of the team's markedly improved play since his arrival -- the Knicks have four out of five games -- Thomas said: "The players have responded. They are playing at a very high level."
"There are different ways to motivate people," added Thomas. "I have always tried to inspire rather than motivate through fear."
"I can tell you one thing, James Dolan is an owner who really wants to win," said Thomas. "The practice facilities here are the best, the arena is the best, the plane we are flying on is the best."
"Here in New york, we have to be the best. I have nothing but great respect for Mr. Dolan. He's about as good an owner as you'll find in the NBA."
...
Knicks fans, thoughts?
http://hometown.aol.com/nycsmart/images/3lksig%20copy.jpg
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, the National Wrestling Alliance proudly brings to you... it's NEW NWA-TNA Tag Team Champions of the woooorrrrllldddddd,
the 3... Live... Kru!" ~B-Jizzle (12/3/03)