When Don Chaney took over the Knicks as interim coach, it was assumed he would have the season to show if he was up to the job.  But with a 4 - 9 record, the suits at MSG are hovering.

Mike Wise of the New York Times reports that head honcho Jim Dolan is taking the unusual step of accompanying the team on a three-game Texas road trip.  Dolan doesn't usually go on regular season trips.

Team officials are hovering over Chaney's practices like school superintendents over a first-year teacher.

Wise observes that Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Dave Checketts and Jeff van Gundy took the team's soul with them when they left.  He concludes, "Now is not the time to think about dumping the new coach or detonating the roster. Now is the time to see if Chaney can get this team to care enough to turn this season around."