With the persistent and unsubstantiated speculation that Isiah Thomas intends to take Lenny Wilkens's job, Thomas declared on Tuesday that he would never coach the Knicks.

Thomas was emphatic, bordering on angry, as he delivered that message in a pregame news conference arranged to rebut the rumor.

"I have no interest in coaching," he said. "I don't think I'll ever coach the New York Knicks."