March 2003 New York Knicks Wiretap

New Knick Norris looks forward to fresh start

Dec 31, 2003 8:50 PM

HOUSTON (AP) The newest New York Knick, Moochie Norris, is disappointed to be leaving Houston but thrilled to play for one of his idols, Isiah Thomas.

``Just to go up there and be around him, I'm sure he'll come down and show me some things,'' Norris said Wednesday before boarding a plane to New York. ``He's one of my favorite point guards of all time _ him and John Stockton.''

Norris, who played five seasons for the Rockets, was dealt Tuesday along with center John Amaechi, who is expected to be waived. In exchange, the Rockets received forward Clarence Weatherspoon.

It's the first deal for Thomas, the former Detroit Pistons star, since he replaced the fired Scott Layden last week as Knicks president.

``I was a little disappointed about leaving Houston because it's home,'' Norris told TV station KRIV.

Norris was averaging 2.7 points and 1.6 assists for Houston this season. He was a second-round pick by Milwaukee in the 1996 draft.

Associated Press

Tags: Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, NBA

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Knicks' turnaround coincides with Thomas' arrival

Dec 31, 2003 8:49 PM

NEW YORK (AP) The new boss watches home games from the tunnel near center court, standing only a few feet from the seats occupied for several years by Woody Allen.

Isiah Thomas has been a strong presence since becoming president of the New York Knicks, who needed a jolt to turn things around. A change at the top apparently was the answer.

``You've got to give him some credit for bringing some accountability. You have to give him credit for challenging us,'' guard Allan Houston said after New York extended its winning streak to four games _ the team's longest in 23 months _ with a 29-point victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

New York's last three victories have all been by at least 20 points, something the Knicks haven't done since 1997.

``I definitely think we're playing different,'' said Keith Van Horn, whose offensive production has picked up considerably the past six games _ five of which came after the Knicks fired Scott Layden and replaced him with Thomas.

Many of the players credited a renewed commitment to defense as the primary reason, though they grudgingly acknowledge the change in atmosphere has made a difference.

While Layden was nonconfrontational and low key, Thomas has challenged players to their faces and in the newspapers.

Layden was rarely seen during games. Thomas is hard to miss standing a few steps behind the scorer's table.

Layden shied away from saying anything of substance. Thomas shies away from shying away.

``Isiah spoke to us about supporting each other, trusting each other and having confidence in each other, and I think we took that to heart,'' Van Horn said. ``We took what he said and have really brought that to the court. He definitely helped our mind-set going into games.''

Though the change at the top drew most of the attention, other recent but more subtle moves have contributed to the turnaround.

Coach Don Chaney has installed second-year guard Frank Williams as the starter at the point, reinserted Kurt Thomas into the starting power forward spot and began bringing Antonio McDyess off the bench.

Williams is more of a penetrator and creator than the player he replaced, Howard Eisley, and Kurt Thomas has settled back into a comfort zone after temporarily being replaced by McDyess in the starting five.

``It's been almost a flip-flop because what I wanted for the second unit was what I hoped Kurt would get for us, but McDyess is giving it to us. The second unit comes in very solid now,'' Chaney said.

Isiah Thomas, a Hall of Famer who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, has been proactive in making roster changes. He jettisoned one of Layden's projects, 7-foot-5 center Slavko Vranes, taking lottery pick Michael Sweetney off the injured list and trading one of Layden's favorites, forward Clarence Weatherspoon, to the Houston Rockets for Moochie Norris.

Thomas is well aware his players may wonder who's next to go.

``Until we turn this around, they'll speculate about everything,'' he said. ``One of the costs of playing poorly is you're subjected to that.''

Thomas' next move could be a deal involving one of the team's four point guards, with the most likely candidate being Charlie Ward since his contract expires after this season and can be bought out immediately.

``We have to be a team that's very unconventional and very creative in going out and getting players,'' Thomas said.

In the meantime, he hopes his new team can continue to win during a part of the schedule that is not particularly daunting.

The Knicks play Chicago on Friday, New Jersey on Sunday and Cleveland on Tuesday before former coach Jeff Van Gundy returns to Madison Square Garden next Thursday with the Houston Rockets

Tuesday's victory began a stretch in which the Knicks will play nine of 10 games at home. The four-game winning streak has moved them within five games of .500, and they are only 3{ games behind the first-place Nets in the league's weakest division, the Atlantic.

``We're right there, we're not that far behind,'' Van Horn said. ``We just have to keep reminding ourselves of what brought us to this point of winning four in a row.''

Associated Press

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New York acquires Norris from Houston

Dec 31, 2003 9:03 AM

NEW YORK (AP) Reserve forward Clarence Weatherspoon was traded Tuesday from the New York Knicks to the Houston Rockets for point guard Moochie Norris and center John Amaechi.

It was the first trade engineered by Isiah Thomas, coming just eight days after he took over for fired Knicks team president Scott Layden.

The Knicks had been in buyout talks with Weatherspoon, who is signed for two more seasons for $12.2 million. Instead, Thomas found a trading partner in need of frontcourt depth ever since suspending and then releasing forward Eddie Griffin.

Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy criticized his team Monday night after a loss to Seattle, pointing out the lack of rebounding as one of the team's main flaws.

``I'm just thinking about how we can get better. Obviously, we're not good enough,'' Van Gundy said.

Weatherspoon, an 11-year veteran, averaged at least five rebounds in every season before this one. He appeared in 15 games for the Knicks before being placed on the injured list shortly after Thomas was hired. He averaged 3.8 points and 3.3 rebounds.

In Norris, the Knicks are adding another point guard to a roster that already includes three _ newly installed starter Frank Williams and veterans Howard Eisley and Charlie Ward. Norris was the backup to Steve Francis in Houston, where he averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 assists this season.

Norris' career averages are 6.2 points and 3.5 assists for Houston, Seattle and Vancouver.

``It means added help. With the way Don (Chaney) wants to play, we want to give him the luxury of having different guys that can play a different tempo,'' Thomas said. ``As we continue to shuffle and retool our roster, at some point in time we may have an overload at one spot.''

Amaechi, acquired by the Rockets during the preseason for Glen Rice, has been on Houston's injured list all season. Although Amaechi has two more years remaining on his contract, the Knicks plan to waive him, Thomas said.

The Knicks made two other roster moves, placing forward Michael Sweetney (knee tendinitis) and backup center Michael Doleac (back spasms) on the injured list.

The Knicks also are considering signing forward Leon Smith of the CBA's Gary Steelheads.

Smith, who was at Madison Square Garden before Tuesday night's game against Miami, was the last first-round pick of the 1999 draft straight out of high school and was waived by the Dallas Mavericks. He played briefly for Knicks assistant Lon Kruger with the Atlanta Hawks.

``We looked at him and had a chance to talk to him, and later on down the road we'll probably revisit that,'' Thomas said.

Associated Press

Tags: Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, NBA

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Moochie becomes a Knick

Dec 30, 2003 7:36 PM

MSG Network in New York has announced that the Knicks have acquired guard Moochie Norris and center John Amaechi from the Houston Rockets in exchange for forward Clarence Weatherspoon.  Knicks boss Isiah Thomas has been in discussions to buy out Weatherspoon since taking over from Scott Layden last week.

More information as it comes to hand

MSG Network

Tags: Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, NBA

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Leon Smith on verge of becoming a Knick

Dec 30, 2003 2:35 AM

Isiah Thomas wasn't kidding when he said he'd be "unconventional" in rebuilding the Knicks.
Troubled Leon Smith, a former first-round pick out of high school who's burning up the CBA, will become Thomas' first player acquisition, possibly by today, sources said.

Smith, 24, left his CBA team, the Gary (Ind.) Steelheads, yesterday to fly to New York for an official "48-hour tryout." Smith is expected to take a physical and meet with Thomas.

Smith is a 6-10, 235-pound forward/center who last played in the NBA for the Hawks in 2001, then coached by Knick assistant Lon Kruger. Smith had a rough Chicago childhood after his mother abandoned him when he was 5 and lived in state custody at several children homes. When with the Mavericks, in 1999, he attempted suicide by reportedly swallowing 250 aspirin

"He's as close to being ready for the NBA than since I've been with him," Gary coach Dwayne Ticknor told The Post. "He's matured."

"As a manager you have to come in and manage the situation," said Thomas. "You have to inspire and motivate. It's not about fear. It's really about inspiring."

New York Post

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Sam Smith: Crawford, JYD and Davis for McDyess, Ward?

Dec 29, 2003 3:36 PM

Isiah Thomas hit the ground in New York style last week, leaving victims wherever you looked. And that could be good for the Bulls.

Within hours of becoming Knicks president, Thomas moved to buy out the contract of Clarence Weatherspoon and cut second-rounder Slavko Vranes, the 7-foot-5-inch project from Serbia and Montenegro. Thomas ripped second-round 7-footer Maciej Lampe for poor work habits, berated the team for allowing Latrell Sprewell to curse out owner James Dolan during a home loss to Minnesota without a response and had rookie Michael Sweetney activated because Thomas didn't know if he was worth keeping. He also made it clear Antonio McDyess, who was benched, isn't crucial to the team's future. "I wouldn't say we live and die with his health," Thomas said.

This is what the Bulls need to do (according to Sam Smith): Get McDyess and Charlie Ward, the latter having fallen to third point guard with Illinois' Frank Williams starting for the Knicks. Combined, McDyess and Ward make almost $20 million and are in the last season of contracts. The Knicks are looking to compete now. Would the Knicks take Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams? Probably not Williams. The Bulls might have to sweeten the pot with Crawford. Or Kirk Hinrich. The point is getting $20 million off the books [for Kobe Bryant].

Chicago Tribune

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Teams eye Eddie

Dec 28, 2003 8:07 AM

Several teams are interested in signing recently0released and troubled forward Eddie Griffin.

It is said that the Knicks, Nets, Raptors, Pistons, and Heat are interested.

In fact, Nets president Rod Thorn has offered Griffin a contract likely for one year at the league minimum.

"We've talked to everybody we need to," Thorn said of a background check on Griffin. "We've done our due diligence regarding him. He's an introverted kid, obviously. He doesn't do a whole bunch of talking, but we feel he has a chance to be a very good player. You don't find guys with that size and that kind of talent."

New Knicks president Isiah Thomas is also interested but won't say whether or not he would be contacting Griffin's agent, Arn Tellum.

Thorn excepts Griffin to make a decision early this week.

New York Daily News

Tags: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Several teams eyeing Griff

Dec 27, 2003 9:06 AM

"The Nets and Knicks are among the teams lining up hoping to sign (Eddie) Griffin, the 6-10 problem player recently released by the Rockets."

It is said that at least seven teams are willing to take a chance on Griffin.

If he is signed, Griffin would likely get a one-year deal for the league minimum.

New York Post

Tags: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Magic interested in Thomas

Dec 27, 2003 8:58 AM

"A league source said that if (New York Knicks) forward Kurt Thomas becomes available, the Magic would be interested in making a trade."

Thomas can opt out of his contract this summer.

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel

Tags: New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, NBA

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Chaney given until New Year?

Dec 26, 2003 11:17 PM

It is not a stretch to assume Don Chaney has four games between this weekend and the new year to save his job as coach of the New York Knicks.

Isiah Thomas has been on the team's president for only a few days, but already he didn't like what he saw Tuesday night when Latrell Sprewell returned to Madison Square Garden with curses and taunts in a Minnesota Timberwolves' victory that dropped New York's record to 10-19.

``Something happened in our house (Tuesday) night that I hope won't happen again,'' Thomas told reporters on Christmas Eve before returning home to Indiana. ``I look at what went on in our house, it was something that won't ever happen again. Right now, we're down. Sometimes people kick you when you're down. We've got to stand up and we will stand up.''

Thomas, who replaced fired team president Scott Layden on Monday, planned to rejoin the Knicks on a three-game road trip that began Friday night in Memphis and included stops in Miami and Orlando. The Knicks play their final game of 2003 at home Tuesday against the Heat.

With an edict from owner James Dolan that the team ``must'' make the playoffs, Chaney will be under extra scrutiny in the first few games of the Thomas era to see if he is the right coach to lead the Knicks out of the Layden era.

Thomas, who has already called the Knicks a ``sick patient,'' made three minor personnel moves by waiving 7-foot-5 center Slavko Vranes, a second-round pick on the injured list all season; placing forward Clarence Weatherspoon on the injured list; and activating rookie first-round pick Michael Sweetney, who was taken by Layden with the ninth pick of the first round last June.

If Thomas tries to shake up the Knicks with a trade, he'll need to find a team willing to take on one of the long-term contracts given out in recent years.

Thomas would likely try to package one or more players with expiring contracts (Antonio McDyess, Charlie Ward, Michael Doleac) together with Shandon Anderson (signed through '06-07 for $23.7 million), Howard Eisley (owed $20.7 million through '06-07) Keith Van Horn ($30 million through '05-06), Weatherspoon ($12.2 through '05-06) or Allan Houston ($57 million through '06-07).

Two of the Knicks' other potentially movable players, Kurt Thomas ($5.9 million) and Othella Harrington ($3.1 million), have contracts that expire after next season.

``You always want the best players,'' Thomas said. ``There aren't a lot of those walking around. We have to find other creative ways to beat the bushes and come up with talent.''

PASSING RILEY:@ Don Nelson passed Pat Riley for second place on the career coaching victories list when the Dallas Mavericks beat the Toronto Raptors 111-94 Monday night. The 1,111th victory of Nelson's 26-year coaching career came in his 3,000th NBA game as a player or coach.

``Any time Pat wants this record back, he can have it. All he has to do is go back into coaching and coach some more,'' said the self-effacing Nelson.

``The way I look at myself, to be quite honest _ there are some great, great coaches. Pat Riley's one of them, and Red Auerbach and Lenny Wilkens, any of the guys who have gotten up in that 60-percentile of winning percentage.

``I'm passing some good ones, but I'm not in their caliber or their class,'' Nelson said.

Phil Jackson is the winningest coach in NBA history in terms of percentage, entering this season with a success rate of nearly 73 percent. Billy Cunningham is second with a .698 winning percentage, and K.C. Jones was third at .674.

Riley retired with a winning percentage of .661 in 21 seasons with the Lakers, Knicks and Heat, making the playoffs in all but his final two seasons. Wilkens, who was fired by Toronto at the end of last season after amassing 1,292 victories, had a career winning percentage of .537.

Nelson's career percentage is .570.

``I'm a good basketball coach, but there are lots of guys like me around that do a good job. I've just been fortunate to do it for a long, long time. And to be quite honest, I don't even want to pass them. I shouldn't even be up there with them,'' Nelson said.''

FREE KOBE:@ Kobe Bryant plans to be a free agent next summer after opting out of his current deal with the Lakers, although he says his preference is to remain in Los Angeles.

But will it be with his current team, or with the Clippers?

The Lakers' co-tenants at the Staples Center will be one of the few teams with enough salary cap space to offer Bryant anything close to what Lakers owner Jerry Buss can offer. And, there's a school of thought that says Bryant will want to remain in a large market if he leaves the Lakers and signs elsewhere.

With San Antonio and Utah the only other teams expected to have major cap space, what better large market than the one he's already in?

``I've never really been a free agent before, so I'd kind of like to see what's out there. Now it doesn't mean that I want to leave the Lakers, you know my preference is to stay here,'' Bryant told ABC in an interview that aired at halftime of the Lakers' loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

``That's not something that I'm going to harp on during the season or dwell on during the season. It's something that when the time comes, you know, I'll think about it.''

Associated Press

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Thomas wants Knicks improvement now not later

Associated Press

On the Block

Indianapolis Star

Thomas first goal: Make Knicks tougher

NY Post

Time for Chaney to go?

NY Post

Sprewell fined $25,000

Associated Press

McDyess' knee is acting up

New York Times

Latrell tees off on Dolan

New York Daily News

Mavericks not interested in Mutombo

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News

Knicks fire Scott Layden, hire Isiah Thomas

Associated Press

Isiah takes over in New York

Associated Press

Layden out, Thomas in

ESPN

Growing support for Chaney

New York Times

Chaney in trouble?

New York Daily News

Knicks still shopping Thomas

New York Daily News

If nothing changes, Thomas wants out

New York Daily News

Knicks Thomas angry but still comes up big

Associated Press

Chaney: McDyess limping

New York Daily News

Houston sits for third straight game

Associated Press

McDyess rips Knicks

New York Post

Knee may keep Allan out again

New York Daily News