Larry Brown used a record 42 different starting line-ups and would make a point to start certain players in their hometowns, making the front office believe that the coach was purposefully tanking the season.

Brown and Isiah Thomas also thought that the club should play different styles.

"Isiah wanted Larry to play like the Phoenix Suns," one source said. "Larry told Isiah that maybe he should coach the team."

The Knicks' front office also believed that Larry Brown was playing Jackie Butler ahead of Jerome James because Butler is represented by Keith Glass, the son of Brown's agent, Joel Glass.