Isiah Thomas is the person responsible for assembling the 23 win roster in New York, and during media day yesterday the players constituting the NBA's most expensive roster put their faith in their leader.

"I think it's definitely a different situation than what a lot of other people in his situation went through, being that he's done right by a lot of us," Curry said at yesterday's Media Day before the Knicks flew to South Carolina for training camp. "There is pressure to go out there and, in a sense, play for him and win some games."

"We were the laughingstock of the NBA," Crawford said. "It's like we had all this talent and this high payroll, and were losing."

A repeat performance guarantees more changes, starting with Thomas.

"He was very instrumental in bringing all of us here," Crawford said. "I think guys really trust him. I know that for a fact. I think guys are motivated this year, motivated to prove a lot of people wrong."