NEW YORK (AP) Isiah Thomas all but ruled out taking over as coach of the New York Knicks this season, saying Monday it would be ``impossible'' for him to be both team president and head coach.

``The responsibility that I have here, president of the Knicks, we're in a state where I think it would be impossible for me to do both jobs and do them well,'' Thomas said. ``Again, we're trying to get healthy and we're trying to dig ourselves out of a big hole. I don't think I would do this organization justice if I did both jobs.''

Despite that statement, Thomas would not give assurances that Don Chaney will remain the coach for the rest of the season. New York entered Monday night's game against Dallas 15-23.

``I would never say that about anybody,'' Thomas said. ``This is sports. Those types of broad statements are just not realistic in the sporting world we live in.''

Monday marked one week since Thomas pulled off a blockbuster trade with Phoenix, sending four reserves, two draft picks and the rights to guard Milos Vujanic to the Suns for Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway.

The Knicks played poorly in Marbury's first two games before ending a four-game losing streak with a victory Saturday over Milwaukee.

Reporters saw Thomas working with Marbury and other players at the team's shootaround Monday morning, the first time Thomas was seen giving instruction to players. Thomas said he told Chaney of his tutoring plans beforehand.

``It's about passing on knowledge, it's about helping the players,'' Thomas said. ``I just some things I saw that I wanted to point out, just passing on stuff you want to give to people on your team.''

Hardaway made his first start for the Knicks on Monday night against Dallas, replacing Keith Van Horn (bruised kneecap). Van Horn is listed as day-to-day.