Thomas was under the gun from the moment he moved to the bench, but
that was his own doing. The greatest difference between Randolph and
Thomas is that Randolph had to manage players that Omar Minaya gave
him.

Isiah coached the players that Isiah gave himself.

Certainly Randolph deserved better than to be caught somewhat
off-guard by a midnight hit on the West Coast (after a win, no less).
But he did survive the embarrassing tailspin from the past season and
everyone knew (even Willie) that a good start this season was
imperative.

It didn't happen, so off with the head.

I've often heard from people in pro sports that the best jobs are in
management, because coaches are always the first to get fired. General
managers -- hey, I covered Mike Milbury -- often avoid the guilotine
by laying the head of the coach they hired on the chopping block
first. It often pacifies the masses and buys a little time to get it
right.

Isiah had already failed as the team president, with several
off-target moves and questionable actions that often undermined his
coaches, especially Larry Brown. So when he took over as coach, he
already had two strikes against him. Isiah knew it, why do you think
he was so reluctant to move to the bench? They might as well have
yelled, "Dead man walkin'!" when he hit the tunnel for his first game.

And I don't buy the racism angle one bit with either of these men. But
I admit I do see a similar bias: fans and the media are intolerant of
people who don't win.

Oh and another way Willie is no Isiah? Isiah got tight with the right
people. Somehow, he still has a job.

* *

Congratulations to the classy, hard-working Doc Rivers and the Boston
Celtics. But one drawback to them winning the championship within a
year of making marquee trades is that it promotes the idea that you
can just do the Etch-a-Sketch shake with your roster in one summer and
turn your team into a winner.

The Celtics' situation is rare (and I hope Danny Ainge sends Kevin
McHale a chunk of his championship winnings). First you have to have
one star-quality player, then have the assets to acquire two more and,
of course, these players have to be available. It helps to have a good
buddy running the team of the big-ticket player you're trying to land.