New York Knicks Wiretap

Thomas Will Stay As Knicks Coach

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."

Via ESPN


Curry Bugged By Bench Role

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."

Via New York Post


Isiah On The Firing Line

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."

Via New York Post


Knicks Dec 2007 Archive

  • Crawford Sits As Bulls Win

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

  • Marbury Back With Knicks; Crawford Hurt

    Isiah Thomas said he didn't think Stephon Marbury would play today against Chicago, but he may be forced to suit up after Jamal Crawford injured his right hand.

  • Boxer Jones Works Out With Knicks

    Roy Jones Jr.

  • Stephon Marbury To Return In 2008

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

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

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

  • Ewing: Curry May Not Have Big Apple Mentality

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

  • Knicks Say They'll Fight Grievance Filed By Marbury

    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.

  • Miami Among Suitors For Skiles?

    Just-fired Chicago Bulls' Coach Scott Skiles will have a job next season, and his team will improve.

  • Marbury Doesn't Travel, Likely Won't Play

    Stephon Marbury did not travel with the Knicks to Orlando on Tuesday and is not expected to play in Wednesday night's game against the Magic, according to a team official.

  • Marbury To Play Against Magic?

    His bereavement leave finally over, Stephon Marbury is expected to rejoin the Knicks for a third time when they play in Orlando tomorrow night, according to two sources.

  • Curry And Randolph May Be Bench-Bound

    The Knicks rallied from a 23-point second-half deficit Sunday at the Garden with Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph on the bench.

  • Jackson Doesn't Foresee Trading Bryant

    The trade deadline is almost two months away, but Coach Phil Jackson doesn't see Kobe Bryant going anywhere, the strongest such statement by a Lakers official that their top player will still be their property at season's end.

  • Kobe Becomes Youngest To Reach 20,000 Point Milestone

    Kobe Bryant scored his 20,000th career point Sunday, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach the milestone.

  • Knicks Still On Kobe's List

    The Knicks were on the list of four teams Kobe Bryant asked to be traded to late last spring, Bryant acknowledged for the first time Saturday to a small group of reporters.

  • Tension Boils Between Q-Rich, Isiah

    Isiah Thomas' quick third-quarter hook of Quentin Richardson led to a wild bench altercation that illustrated the mounting frustration and chaos of Team Titanic II.

  • Isiah: I Like Where We're Headed

    "I like the direction we're headed," Isiah Thomas said Friday, before the Knicks lost to the Bobcats.

  • Marbury Files Grievance Over Fine

    Stephon Marbury, away from the Knicks indefinitely, has filed a grievance with the league over his $195,000 fine for missing a game last month in Phoenix after an argument with Isiah Thomas, The Post has learned.

  • Daly: Zeke Should Get Off Bench

    Chuck Daly, who won two championships in Detroit with Isiah Thomas as his point guard, said he believes the Knicks have quit on their coach, and its time he should leave the bench.

  • Marbury Misses Practice, Unlikely To Play Friday

    Knicks' point guard Stephon Marbury was away from the team again Thursday, and Coach Isiah Thomas wasn't sure when he'd return.

  • Mills Seething With State Of Knicks

    According to a high-ranking Garden official, Garden President Steve Mills is seething over the state of the franchise as well as the damage Isiah Thomas has done to Mills' reputation.

  • NY Fans Plan Parade To 'Fire' Isiah Thomas

    New York Knicks' Coach Isiah Thomas could get a giant pink slip -- from fans.

  • Artest Still Has Eye On Knicks

    Two years ago - when Indiana put Ron Artest on the trade market - his agent told The Post that if the Queensbridge native wasn't dealt to the Knicks, he'd just opt out of the final year of his contract and sign with them as a free agent.

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

    Officials at Madison Square Garden last night ejected a fan when a Knicks' fan showed his deep frustration with the slumping team and held up a sign demanding that Coach Isiah Thomas -- who was sitting just feet away -- be canned.

  • Isiah May Take Himself Off Bench?

    With his team coming off its latest embarrassing performance, Isiah Thomas said Tuesday he may have to shake up his roster if the Knicks don't show signs of recovery from their 7-17 start.

  • Knicks' Legend Oakley Busted For DUI

    About three hours after Charles Oakley turned 44, Georgia cops busted him for driving under the influence early Tuesday.

  • Irate Isiah: Our Heart's Missing

    An irate Isiah Thomas last night lashed into his Knicks with more fire than he has in his two seasons as coach following their latest humiliating massacre - ranting the team has shown "no heart," "no courage," and "no pride.

  • Retirement Crossed Marbury's Mind

    Stephon Marbury asked a Knicks PR official if he could skip speaking to media indefinitely to help him better cope with the loss of his father, and admitted that retirement crossed his mind.

  • Curry's 'Guarantee' That Wasn't Spurs Pacers

    The Knicks are even being burned by erroneous guarantees attributed to them.

  • Isiah Has Supporter In Pacers' O'Neal

    "I think the players have to put up a little bit more effort for the coach," Jermaine O'Neal told the Indianapolis Star of the Knicks.

  • Marbury Expected Back Against Pacers

    Stephon Marbury is expected to make his return tomorrow versus the Pacers - and this time for good, according to a family source.

  • Aguirre: Eddy's Problem Is Zach

    Knick assistant Mark Aguirre said slumping Eddy Curry may be freaked out by the presence of Zach Randolph.

  • Knicks Eyeing Deal?

    Could Eddy Curry be on his way out in New York?

  • Curry Not Heading To The Bench

    Though Isiah Thomas hedged a little on Wednesday when asked about Eddy Curry remaining in the starting lineup, there were indications yesterday no change will be made in the middle for tonight's game at Chicago.

  • Marbury Expected To Sit Once Again

    Knicks' point guard Stephon Marbury is expected to miss another game tonight as he continues to regroup emotionally following the death of his father.

  • League Won't Punish Knicks For Legal Woes

    NBA Commissioner David Stern won't punish Isiah Thomas or Madison Square Garden for their roles in a sexual harassment trial that embarrassed the Knicks and the league.

  • Mullin Wants No Part Of Garden

    Chris Mullin recently told confidants he's leery of working for the Knicks, feeling it could be too big a task to turn around.

  • Broken Toe Keeps Sixers' Williams Off Court

    After taking a hard shot while driving the lane during Saturday night's 105-77 win in New York, 76ers' guard Lou Williams talked about how sore his head and shoulder felt.

  • Thomas Sidesteps Question On Whether He Yelled Back At Fans

    When Isiah Thomas was asked to clarify whether he had an exchange with fans seated behind the bench, Thomas paused and said, "I just want to make sure our team stays focused.

  • Thomas Says Knicks Fans Are To Blame

    "He said it’s the fans’ fault because they don’t have a good sixth man," said Mara Altschuler, who has season tickets in the front row near the Knicks’ bench.

  • MSG Settles Suit With Browne Sanders

    Fired Knicks' executive Anucha Browne Sanders has settled her sexual harassment suit against the team that fired her - days before a judge was to decide how much the team owed her in damages.

  • Too Much, Too Soon; Marbury To Sit

    Grieving over the death of his father, Stephon Marbury is not expected to play Monday night when the New York Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks.

  • Benching During Blowout Bothers Randolph

    Not liking what he was seeing from his prized offseason acquisition, Knicks' Coach Isiah Thomas yanked Zach Randolph from the lineup early in the second half of Saturday night's embarrassing 105-77 loss to the 76ers at Madison Square Garden.

  • Rose To Isiah: Keep Me Inactive

    Malik Rose has asked Isiah Thomas to keep him on the inactive list while requesting the club look to deal him if playing him is not in its plans.

  • Crawford: Knicks Don't Play Hard Every Night

    In a damning remark, Jamal Crawford yesterday said the team doesn't play hard every night.

  • Grief May Bench Marbury

    Stephon Marbury is leaning toward not playing tonight against Dallas because he believes he came back too soon after burying his father Donald Marbury Sr.

  • Report: Thomas' Job Safe With Knicks

    Despite back-to-back losses against the woeful Sixers, New York Knicks' Head Coach Isiah Thomas was reportedly told by owner James Dolan that his job is not in jeopardy.

  • Stephon Marbury Returns, Pulls Self At Half

    Stephon Marbury's heart told him to play, but his body and mind simply couldn't respond.

  • Marbury Opts To Play, Will Face 76ers

    Stephon Marbury participated in the New York Knicks' shootaround Friday, a day after his father's funeral and was expected to play against the Philadelphia 76ers.

  • Knicks Once Again Tops Forbes List Of Most Valuable NBA Franchises

    The Knicks' struggles on and off the court didn't keep the team from remaining the NBA's most valuable franchise for the third straight year, according to a list compiled by Forbes.

  • Standing Room Only At Don Marbury's Funeral

    A standing-room-only crowd packed the funeral for Stephon Marbury's father on Thursday, including famous basketball players and residents who considered "Mr.

  • Knicks Could Be Without Curry Against Nets

    The New York Knicks still won't rule out Stephon Marbury for Wednesday night's game against the New Jersey Nets, and now the status of Eddy Curry is in question after he sprained his ankle.

  • Marbury May Play Wednesday

    Isiah Thomas left open the stunning possibility Tuesday that Stephon Marbury - despite losing his father just three days ago - might play Wednesday when the Knicks visit the Nets.

  • Marbury Continued Playing Unaware Of Dad's Death

    Stephon Marbury played the second half of New York's loss to Phoenix on Sunday night unaware his father had been taken to a hospital, where he died before the game ended.

  • Marbury Learns Of Father's Death After Loss

    Stephon Marbury's father, Don, died after attending the Knicks’ game at Madison Square Garden.

  • Marbury's Father Dies Sunday Night

    Don Marbury, the father of Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, died Sunday night during the team's home loss to the Suns.

  • Source: Comeback Against Bucks Saves Isiah Thomas, Knick Coaches

    Isiah Thomas' claim that coaching in New York is like being on death row every day is a feeling that his assistant coaches apparently experienced Friday night as well.

  • Wizards Win After Honoring Earl Monroe

    Caron Butler scored 29 points, Antawn Jamison had 28 and the Washington Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors, 101-97, Saturday night in a game in which each team was missing its best player.

  • Knicks' James Has No Timetable For Return

    Knicks' center Jerome James says he has not been given a timetable on his return but expects to be back within six weeks following surgery that removed a cyst-like growth on his foot.

  • Despite Blowout, Richardson Still Not Impressed By Celtics

    Quentin Richardson is not backing down from his remarks that he was not in "awe" of the Celtics' Big Three.