NYPOST:Trevor Ariza, the high-flying swingman whom Isiah Thomas stole in the second round in 2004, believes the Knick president did not want to trade him to Orlando - but had to, to please coach Larry Brown.
Ariza faces Brown's Knicks tonight in Orlando - playing against his former team for the first time since getting shipped to the Magic along with Penny Hardaway's expiring contract in the Steve Francis trade one month ago.
"I don't think Isiah wanted to see me go at all," Ariza told The Post yesterday. "That's the business."
That's the business of dealing with Brown, who warred with Ariza during their brief time together, calling him "delusional," and not playing him in 16 of 52 games.
One of Ariza's buddies told The Post that Brown rattled Ariza's psyche by "forbidding" him from shooting jump shots.
"Forbidding you to shoot would hurt the confidence of a 30-year-old, let alone a 20-year-old," Ariza's buddy said.
Ariza did not deny Brown's order, saying "Coach Brown has a different style of basketball. ... I'd like to have more freedom."
Ariza can't wait for tonight now that Orlando coach Brian Hill is giving him minutes.
"I'm definitely anxious," Ariza said. "When I wasn't playing, people in New York forgot about me, forgot what I was capable of doing. They didn't know my game has grown and that I still can do it. I know what I can do. All I need is the time. I'm confident in myself, and I wasn't given the opportunity to play."
After the trade, Ariza said, Thomas thanked him for not firing back at Brown.
"He thanked me for being professional about the situation," Ariza said.
If Brown leaves this summer, perhaps Thomas can re-sign Ariza, a free agent.
Still, Orlando assistant GM Otis Smith said the Magic still have interest.
