Revisiting Dan Issel...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jul 14, 2008 8:48 AM MDT

For the second time in about four years, the Denver Post's Woody Paige is advocating for the Nuggets to bring the legendary former player, sometimes decent former coach and horrific former general manager Dan Issel back to the organization.

I agree with Paige that just because Issel made one stupid, racially insensitive remark - that he's since apologized for - he shouldn't be forever banned from the NBA (after all, Don Imus keeps making such comments and he can't get fired). It's also worth noting - as Paige does in his column today - that Issel won more playoff games in one season (six) than the Nuggets franchise has won collectively since. But I think that's more of a reflexion on the Nuggets organization and current head coach George Karl's ineptitude than Issel's abilities as a bench tactician.

But even though Issel was a great player and by all accounts a good and decent person, as detailed on this blog in late March he was a disaster as a GM. So while a lifetime ban for calling a fan a "Mexican piece of shit" may not be justified, trading away four first rounds picks (three of them lottery picks!), dealing Chauncey Billups for Tariq Abdul-Wahad (and signing him to $6 million per year!) and drafting Raef LaFrentz over four future perennial All-Stars should at a minimum give Issel a lifetime ban from front office work.

That being said, if the Nuggets wanted to bring Issel back as an assistant coach, consultant or broadcaster, it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Just keep "The Horse" away from any player personnel decisions.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Stiffs, you're on the money with this one. Issel - HORRIBLE gm. But he's as much a face of the Nuggets as Elway is for the Broncos. Give him a role. He deserves it.

Besides, I've guilty of calling a mutherfucker a Pabst Blue Ribbon swilling trailer park piece of shit when under duress. Does that destroy my legacy. I hope not.

by DeAngelo Starnes on Jul 14, 2008 11:23 AM MDT reply actions

He's just like Isiah Thomas!

Great NBA player? Check.

Horrible GM? Check.

Made bad remarks? Check.

by Anonymous on Jul 14, 2008 11:30 AM MDT reply actions

I can't begin to tell you how happy Issel's "momentary" racism made me, and still does. I knew from the moment it happened, that the Nugs would fire his inept ass. I still watch that video some nights when I need to get cheered up. It is the crossing of the bridge from awful to mediocre. I'm just waiting to cross the next bridge

I say keep him as far from the organization as possible. Who cares if he's an icon. OJ was an icon at USC. Rae Carruth was an icon at CU. If he gets his way into the organization again, who knows what havoc he could possible wreak.

by Robin Z on Jul 14, 2008 11:54 AM MDT reply actions

Robin Z,

I normally don't post...but...wow.

Comparing Issel to Simpson, and Carruth is a gigantic stretch.

He may have "murdered" our roster, but as far as I know he has yet to be accused of ending someones life. He was not the best ever, but he best our current coach.

Bring Issel back in a role where he gets to smile, shake hands, and help a disaffected fan base. Just keep him away from making decisions. Not that our current staff is light years ahead of him....

by johnnywyoming on Jul 14, 2008 1:52 PM MDT reply actions

I love the Isiah comparison, but OJ and Rae Carruth? That's a crazy stretch. Not invalidating your feelings, but that's waay out there.

by DeAngelo Starnes on Jul 14, 2008 2:02 PM MDT reply actions

I guess you guys never heard of Issel's 10 year bid in Rikers Island.

by Robin Z on Jul 14, 2008 4:59 PM MDT reply actions

Isn't it a bit coincidental that our Mexican player is no longer here and now we're talking about bringing back the Latino-basher???

Let's stop wasting our time here. He's a bum, and that's it.

by Eric on Jul 14, 2008 5:02 PM MDT reply actions

Oh man. That brought me back. The best part was the assistant coach saw it coming. Issel was as red as a strawberry and the assistant coach was trying to pull him into the tunnel. Issel thinks about it, stops and comes back and the rest is history. "Have another beer..."
I like the idea of having Issel on the bench. Someone has got to get in the refs ear and it's not going to be Karl. Also, how much coaching is Moe doing. From far away seems like he is there for the fans. I could be wrong.

by paterade on Jul 14, 2008 7:34 PM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.