Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer were the faces of “The Bad Boys’’ in Detroit during the late 1980s and early 90s. Now the Liberty’s head coach realizes, with Tuesday’s controversial hiring of Thomas as the team’s president, Laimbeer presides over “The Bad Girls’’ of the Garden — a squad he believes many hope to see fail.
And the recent backlash doesn’t bother Laimbeer. The latest has the WNBA reviewing the 2007 sexual harassment trial brought upon by former Garden marketing director Anucha Browne Sanders in which Thomas played a featured role.
“The spotlight is on the Liberty — that’s OK by me,’’ Laimbeer told The Post in a phone interview. “People are talking about the Liberty — now it’s detrimental. But people will pay attention — how are they doing, getting better, getting worse. I’m sure some people will want us to get worse. I never ran from that stuff.’’
Laimbeer won’t address the irony of Thomas’ involvement in a trial in which the Garden was found liable for a “hostile work environment” and made to pay $11.6 million. Thomas has owned up to the hostile work environment ruling, but vehemently denies he ever sexually harassed Sanders.
More important to Laimbeer, his players aren’t worried. And he admitted he wasn’t sure how they would react to Thomas’ hiring.
“It was unanimous that it was a great thing — I spoke with every player,’’ Laimbeer said. “There were a lot of ‘wows’ and ‘that’s so great.’ It was positive feedback across the board. I was wondering what everyone was going to say. I expected a good reaction, but the level of excitement exceeded what I thought.’’
Liberty players were not made available for comment as the WNBA is now reviewing details of the trial. WNBA president Laurel Richie had released a cryptic statement saying Thomas’ ownership role needs to be approved by the league’s Board of Governors.
Adam Silver, who presides as commissioner of both leagues, declined overtures to comment the past two days. And original Liberty president Carol Blazejowski, who left four years ago after a 14-year run and worked alongside Thomas and Sanders, wasn’t willing to endorse the move, saying “I prefer not to share any comments. I know about the announcement but really don’t have much to say.’’
Meanwhile, Laimbeer said he is happy owner James Dolan has the Liberty on his mind again. The floundering team missed the playoffs two straight years with average attendance a dismal 8,949 last season. Laimbeer’s contract option was not renewed in October. Behind the scenes, Thomas rallied to have Dolan rehire his buddy in January.
Now Dolan seems enthused about the product with training camp opening May 17 and the season opener June 5 at the Garden.
“James Dolan is involved, talking about us,’’ Laimbeer said. “That’s a great thing for the Liberty.’’
Laimbeer said he expects Thomas to help him pick the roster. But Thomas’ chief role is off the court, to rebuild interest in the team, sell tickets, schmooze the community.
Nevertheless, Laimbeer said he wants Thomas in the trenches.
“He said he wouldn’t be around training camp much,’’ Laimbeer said. “I want him there, want him to watch, put in his two cents. I have a lot of decisions on players. I value his input. I’m going to make him go.’’
Laimbeer even wants Thomas involved with their new rookie draft pick, point guard Brittany Boyd. “[Brittany] attacks, distributes, plays like Isiah,’’ Laimbeer said.
“Who better to communicate what can be expected of a lead guard in the pros? And he’ll be a great sounding board for me. He likes watching basketball and tape of things I miss. He won’t micromanage. He’s thinking big picture, growing the fan base. I’m thinking day-to-day basketball.’’
The concern for Knicks fans is Thomas is on audition and could succeed team president Phil Jackson in the distant future. Laimbeer said he doesn’t expect Thomas to give input to the Knicks, but the Liberty coach already has gotten input from Jackson, once a bitter rival when he coached Chicago.
Laimbeer said the Liberty uses some triangle principles and the two occasionally talk in the lunch room at the organization’s Tarrytown practice campus.
“Phil’s drawn some things on the board for me,’’ Laimbeer said.