Isiah Thomas is a freakin' GENIUS

This article made me realize a couple of things. Zeke hasn't really been doing much of anything resembling coaching this season... that's been obvious to anyone who's taken an even cursory glance towards Madison Square Garden - he hasn't been trying, or even bothered attempting to LOOK like he was trying, but he promised miraculous turnarounds and championships right up until the bitter end.  And he's now going to be paid $18M MORE to stay the hell away from anyone in the NY organization.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is an act of inspired businessman-ship.  Take someone like Popovich, who has turned himself into a burned-out, hypertensive, raspy voiced codger trying to eke every last bit of production out of an eternally aging and under-talented roster.  Yes, he's well paid.  But he'll be paid, over the course of his decades-long career, somewhat less than what Thomas will ultimately collect for rapidly and transparently crippling one of the flagship franchises of the NBA. 

This indescribable act transcends business, sportsmanship, and even basic morals.  This... this debacle is an utter work of ART.  I have a whole new level of respect for that man.