Warriors forward David Lee was "really surprised" to hear the Knicks had re-hired Isiah Thomas.

"Whether right or wrong, Isiah was cast as the person that was the reason things went downhill in the last six or seven years," said Lee. "Now to bring that back is something I didn't expect."

Lee, a former Knick, was drafted by Thomas in 2005. He admits that he "liked" Thomas as a coach, although he wasn't as sold on his general managing skills.

"Do I think he's a bad guy? No. Do I think he means well? Yes," Lee said. "But I don't think the execution was always there.

"I absolutely respect him as a basketball mind. He knows his X's and O's and he has a great approach to the game. I don't think too many people would question that, especially from a coaching standpoint.

"I don't know as an administrator how good he is."