March 2007 New York Knicks Wiretap

Thomas Will Stay As Knicks Coach

Dec 31, 2007 4:47 PM

The New York Knicks may keep changing the lineups, but not the coach.

Isiah Thomas said Monday he would remain as coach, nearly two weeks after saying it would be fair to evaluate his performance in a "couple of weeks."

"We'll keep moving in this direction," Thomas said Monday when reminded of those comments after practice.

Asked what direction that was, Thomas responded: "Me as the coach."

ESPN

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Curry Bugged By Bench Role

Dec 31, 2007 4:56 AM

Knick center Eddy Curry had 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench against Chicago on Sunday, but he clearly is not eyeing the league's Sixth Man Award.

"I'm definitely not embracing it," Curry said. "But what can I do? I've got to go out there and use the minutes I have and try to be productive. If I don't play a lot of minutes, I don't play a lot of minutes. There's nothing I can do. I can't sub myself in the game. I'm not going to go to him crying and whining about starting. It's not me. I've never been like that. I'm not going to start being like that."

In Orlando, Curry started but played five minutes. Curry said he thought he might be benched after playing significant time with the second unit at practice in the last few days. Thomas informed Curry during the morning shootaround that he would come off the bench, making Curry feel, "numb."

"It definitely bugs me," he said. "I think I'm a starter in this league, but I guess not on this team."

New York Post

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Isiah On The Firing Line

Dec 31, 2007 12:20 AM

Isiah Thomas has made it through 2007, but even his players were wondering how long he can last in 2008 after a 100-83 loss to the Bulls yesterday.

"You can't help but think about it," center Eddy Curry said of Thomas' possible firing if the team doesn't turn it around. "We're trying to win games. But I think it's definitely in the back of some people's minds."

The Knicks put a fitting ending to the year at Madison Square Garden, falling to 8-21 in another uninspired game.

Though Curry said the players are wondering about Thomas' future, they don't want to see him fired.

"We're really trying and we hope our owner knows that we're trying," said Curry, who came off the bench for the first time since Dec. 28, 2005 in Orlando. "We don't believe that it's (Thomas') fault that we're losing like this. We just, for whatever reason, can't run that corner."

New York Post

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Crawford Sits As Bulls Win

Dec 31, 2007 12:14 AM

Jamal Crawford missed the Knicks' game against Chicago on Sunday because of a bruised right hand, leaving New York without its normal starting backcourt.

Stephon Marbury was back with the team after missing most of the month following the death of his father but wasn't in uniform, and it isn't known when he will rejoin the lineup.

Crawford, who leads the Knicks with 19.2 points per game, was hurt Friday during practice when he banged his hand into a teammate's knee. X-rays before Sunday's game were negative, and the Knicks didn't say how long Crawford would be out.

ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Marbury Back With Knicks; Crawford Hurt

Dec 30, 2007 6:15 AM

Stephon Marbury started his New Year's Resolution a few days early as he returned to Knicks' practice on Saturday after nine days away from the team.

It was his third return to the team since his father Don died on Dec. 2.

Marbury participated in all of the team's drills in Greenburgh and stayed after practice to shoot jump shots and layups to try to get back in game shape.

On Thursday, Marbury told a Knicks' public relations official that he planned to return to the team some time after the New Year.

Isiah Thomas said he didn't think Marbury would play in today's game against the Bulls at the Garden, but Marbury may be forced to suit up because guard Jamal Crawford is listed as questionable with an injured right hand.

Crawford, the Knicks' leading scorer (19.2 ppg), said he bumped his hand on a teammate's knee during Friday's practice while trying to fight through a pick. Crawford will have X-rays this morning to determine the extent of the injury.

New York Daily News

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Boxer Jones Works Out With Knicks

Dec 28, 2007 5:24 PM

Roy Jones Jr. believes he is proof that the New York Knicks can recover from getting beat up.

"Look at me. My last three years was really, after I beat John Ruiz, it just went downhill for a minute," Jones said Friday. "That happens. But the true professionals come back through that. If you're a true professional, you can battle back through that. That's when you find out what they're made of."

Jones took time from training for his Jan. 19 bout against Felix Trinidad at Madison Square Garden to join the Knicks for workouts at their training center.

"Shot was a little suspect, but nobody got close enough to him," Knicks' Coach Isiah Thomas said. "I don't think anybody wanted to challenge him for fear that he may punch him."

Jones has plenty of basketball experience having played in the USBL for the Jacksonville Barracudas. Following a game on June 15, 1996, he scored a technical knockout of Eric Lucas to defend his IBF super middleweight title later that night.

ESPN

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Stephon Marbury To Return In 2008

Dec 28, 2007 6:02 AM

Stephon Marbury has been away from the Knicks for eight straight days and will not be back at the Garden for Sunday's game against the Bulls, but the Knicks' starting point guard plans to return to the team "sometime after the New Year," according to a Knicks PR official.

The official spoke with Marbury yesterday to address speculation over the grieving guard's status with the team. Questions over Marbury's future with the Knicks were fueled by Isiah Thomas' comments after Knicks practice Thursday.

"I don't know," Thomas said when asked if there was a chance Marbury would not return to the team this season. Marbury missed practice yesterday and has been in and out of the lineup since his father, Don, died on Dec.2 after suffering a heart attack while watching the Knicks-Suns game.

A few hours later, Thomas' comments were broadcast on the radio and a team spokesman contacted Marbury to confirm that he would return to the Knicks and shoot down any conjecture that the Coney Island product had plans to leave the team.

Marbury told the official that "he's never given anyone in our organization any indication that he wouldn't come back."

New York Daily News

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Isiah On Marbury's Return: 'I Don't Know'

Dec 27, 2007 4:49 PM

Isiah Thomas' confidence in Stephon Marbury's return to the New York Knicks this season appears to be waning.

In a media availability at practice on Thursday, Thomas was asked if Marbury will return to the Knicks at all this season.

"I don't know," Thomas said.

A little more than 24 hours ago at the Knicks' morning shootaround in Orlando, Thomas said the Knicks are, "expecting Marbury back at some point in time this year."

Marbury has missed eight of the Knicks' last 12 games as he grieves the death of his father Don. Thomas and the Knicks have given Marbury as much time as he needs.

ESPN

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Ewing: Curry May Not Have Big Apple Mentality

Dec 27, 2007 7:26 AM

Knicks legend Patrick Ewing acknowledged last night that disintegrating Eddy Curry may not have the mental makeup to succeed in New York.

Ewing, the Orlando assistant, understands more than anyone what it takes to prosper at the Garden. The ?Big Fella" received more boos and catcalls than any Knick.

?I don't know if he came into camp in shape or not," the likely Hall of Famer told The Post. ?You have to have a strong mind to play in New York. Not too many people can play there."

The boos that wash over the Knicks at the Garden have become a big issue in their freefall. Ewing is an expert on the topic.

?I think it's a great place to play," Ewing said. ?When you're doing well, they'll let you know. When you're doIng bad, they'll let you know. It's a great check. You have to check yourself."

?Everybody gets tired of it," added Ewing, who asked for a trade after 15 years. ?All you can do is perform to the best of your abilities. They know when you're playing to the best of your abilities and playing 100 percent."

New York Post

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Knicks Say They'll Fight Grievance Filed By Marbury

Dec 27, 2007 7:20 AM

Stephon Marbury did not accompany the Knicks' trip south for its game Wednesday against the Orlando Magic, but he was still part of the pregame conversation: Coach Isiah Thomas indicated the club would fight the grievance that Marbury filed which stemmed from his being fined a game's pay for skipping a trip to Phoenix in mid-November.

Thomas said the Knicks would not reconsider the fine which approaches $200,000 of the $20-million-plus salary Marbury is scheduled to make this season.

ESPN

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

Discuss
Miami Among Suitors For Skiles?

Yahoo!

Marbury Doesn't Travel, Likely Won't Play

New York Daily News

Marbury To Play Against Magic?

New York Post

Curry And Randolph May Be Bench-Bound

New York Daily News

Jackson Doesn't Foresee Trading Bryant

L.A. Times

Kobe Becomes Youngest To Reach 20,000 Point Milestone

Yahoo.com

Knicks Still On Kobe's List

Ken Berger/Newsday

Tension Boils Between Q-Rich, Isiah

New York Post

Isiah: I Like Where We're Headed

New York Daily News

Marbury Files Grievance Over Fine

New York Post

Daly: Zeke Should Get Off Bench

New York Post

Marbury Misses Practice, Unlikely To Play Friday

ESPN

Mills Seething With State Of Knicks

New York Daily News

NY Fans Plan Parade To 'Fire' Isiah Thomas

Sports Illustrated

Artest Still Has Eye On Knicks

New York Post

Knicks' Fan Ejected From Garden For 'Fire Isiah' Sign

New York Post

Isiah May Take Himself Off Bench?

SI.com

Knicks' Legend Oakley Busted For DUI

New York Daily News

Irate Isiah: Our Heart's Missing

New York Post

Retirement Crossed Marbury's Mind

New York Post