By Alan Hahn
SACRAMENTO – Team Turmoil and it’s wayward point guard put up as much of a unified front as it could, but when you can’t defend and can’t make layups and can’t take care of the ball – all transgressions that have plagued them over the past five games – not even effort can overcome that kind of controversy.
Kevin Martin scored 43 points, including seven in double-overtime for the Kings, who defeated the Knicks 123-118, Friday at Arco Arena. The losing streak is now at five for the Knicks (2-6), who are also 0-3 on this West Coast road trip from hell, which started with Stephon Marbury’s flee in Phoenix. It ends Saturday in Denver against the Nuggets.
Isiah Thomas, who coached Friday’s game with Game 7 intensity, said he had no concerns about what the potential of an 0-4 trip could mean for his status as coach.
“We got a lot of basketball left to play," Thomas said. "There’s a long season left. We haven’t even got to Game 10.”
The Knicks started 2-6 last season as well. Thomas' job status was an issue then and it is one now, at least on the periphery. Just another log to toss on the fire.
“It’s a tough week, definitely a tough week," Eddy Curry said. "But this is our job, to respond to the pressure and win games. Right now we’re not going a good job at winning games.”
The Knicks twice had chances to win Friday. David Lee, who had a monster game (career-high 24 points and 16 rebounds in 49:54) starting in place of Zach Randolph (funeral), missed on a put-back at the buzzer to send the game into the second overtime. Curry missed a layup at the buzzer of regulation to force overtime.
“Just missed it," Curry said of his point-blank look. "Can’t blame it on anybody but myself. Isiah put me in a position to win the game and I didn’t come through. I’ve got myself to blame for that.”
Curry and Lee weren't the only ones troubled by missed chippies, which has become as much of a concerning epidemic as the poor perimeter defense.
“It’s a team-wide failure," Thomas said. "We had plenty of opportunities to win the game. We missed our opportunities. Layups, free throws, turnovers; you name it, we did it.”
Curry led the Knicks with 27 points and 9 rebounds and Jamal Crawford added 24 points but shot 9 for 27 from the field. Stephon Marbury, who came off the bench for a second straight game, played 43:44, the third most of any Knick, and had 15 points and 4 assists.
Mardy Collins, who started in his place, played less than half of that time (18:41). But in reality, Marbury didn't play much at the point. Thomas used him more at shooting guard and rotated Collins, Crawford and Nate Robinson (17 points) at the point guard position.
Marbury, who went AWOL on Tuesday when informed that he was headed to the bench, played his second game as the NBA’s most expensive sub.
“A decision was made for me to come off the bench; I’m willing to take on that role,” Marbury said. “I’m not happy and comfortable with that, but that’s something I have to do because the coach made a decision to do that.”
After pouting for a day, Marbury now says “I’m not going to cry about it” and now says he feels the benching is “definitely lighting a fire under me.” He even went as far to suggest he could compete with Manu Ginobili and Jason Terry for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Forrest Gump might liken daily chats with Marbury to a box of chocolates.
Thomas, a Hall of Fame point guard, sounded as if he was describing himself when he outlined his requirements for the position.
“We need organization within the team, we need our team to be organized out on the floor,” Thomas said. “Understand the bonus situation, understand time, clock, clock management, game situation, foul situation, timeout situation.
“That’s what the PG is supposed to do: understand the mismatches, make sure the ball is in the right place at the right time,” Thomas continued. “All of those things he is capable of doing. I think he’s excellent in doing them, we just want him to do it all the time.”
Comments (21)
The Kings tried desperately to lose this game. We refused to let them. We had so many opportunities to win, beyond Lee and Curry. I hate to think how many open jump shots were missed in the two overtimes. We can score. We don't know how to win.
The Kings tried desperately to lose this game. We refused to let them. We had so many opportunities to win, beyond Lee and Curry. I hate to think how many open jump shots were missed in the two overtimes. We can score. We just don't know how to win.
I'm not going to watch anything on MSG until the Dolans get rid of Thomas and Starbury. I'm done with this team.
Let's go Nets!
Hey Boss,
Don't say it if you don't mean it. Besides, until the Dolan's take the Dolan's out of the equation it ain't gonna matter.
It's gonna be sweet to see how badly Denver is going to beat Isiah and the Knicks. They're still upset they somehow lost to them already and we all know how much Karl hates Isiah. I think it would be great if this is the last game Isiah ever coaches as a Knick. He needs to GO!!!
The Knicks deserve all the bad karma they get as long as Isiah is still in the organization, as does Dolan. Since that ridiculous extension, Knicks have lost 21 of 27 games. Serves them right.
Continue to root for Knicks losses. Each one means there's that much better of a chance for Isiah to go and make sure you boo him during home games!!!
what happened to the tight 8 man rotation that seemed to work so well the first few games of the season?
i know z-bo and balkman are out, but zeke was making so many lineup changes last night, that there was never time for the group on the floor to really gel. This didn't happen until the fourth quarter. They should've been clicking like that the whole game.
Don't fault Marbury. He looked real good, I thought. Even on defense. The problem is the lack of all around consistency (jamal only playing in the fourth, curry and lee lapsing on defense, q rich being really on and (mostly) off.
I saw the potential this team in the fourth quarter of the Denver game. the difference: an on-the-court leader. This will never be Marbury. The answer is Randolph.
Give this team some time to gel with Randolph back. I know things look a bit bleak right now, but I really do think they still could be a good team as assembled.
I think it's safe to assume that the last game Isiah coaches for the Knicks will be the last game Isiah coaches in the NBA. Can you imagine another GM hiring him as a coach? Or another owner hiring him as a GM? (My career advice to Isiah: Start a draft evaluation service. Any GM would be a fool not to contract for your services.) I’ve been in favor of giving him this year to see how far he can take the roster he assembled. But only because he did such a great job last year of gaining their confidence and support. If he can create order out of the chaos . . . and put down the rebellion . . . then I’m not completely opposed to keeping him. But if things are this bad, this early in the season . . . even though it’s not totally his fault . . . there’s a lot to be said for making a change now, so new management and a new coach still have most of the season to shape this team. Basically, what Isiah’s lost at this point is the benefit of the doubt. It might not be completely fair that he’s on a hair-trigger. But it’s justified, nonetheless.
The question is: Who replaces Isiah? I know a lot of people around here don’t like Van Gundy. I did. His teams play tough, hard-nosed basketball. And they win. I know Laimbeer is waiting in the wings for an NBA job, but can we please not hire another Piston from that era? The karma just ain’t right. Is Kiki the answer for GM? I don’t know. The problem is . . . Dolan doesn’t either. That’s what frightens me.
Trane,
keep the Hateraid going! I wonder how many people standing
Close to your head, can hear the Ocean?
please bring jeff van gundy back to ny. he knows how to be tough on a team and thats what this team needs and of the last two teams he has coached both have always been playoff caliber teams..99'knicks anyone? Then maybe we can get Ewing back to coach eddy how sweet would that be? some people are speculating houston to work with the team as well maybe we shoudl just pull that whole team back together to run this team....dont wry im not completly serious but it would b nice to have ewing and van gundy as coaches
OK, Card – then what’s your formula? I articulated the standard I think Isiah should be held to. What do you propose as the kind of performance-based standards that should determine how long Isiah is employed by the Knicks? Or do you feel he should have a life-time appointment, like a Supreme Court justice? How long can he continue to fail with our blessing? There's nothing wrong with letting somebody else build off the assets he's brought to New York, while cutting our losses on the chaos. Also, it's interesting that you take it so personally that you have to not only disagree, but attack at the same time. I know, I'm being manipulated by the big bad MSM. It's a convenient excuse. (But actually, no -- I simply watch the Knicks.) Will it still be as satisfying a month from now? Next spring? Next year? If the team is still losing at the rate they are now?
I shouldn’t be surprised by it at this point, but I still don’t understand this blind devotion by New York Knicks fans to Isiah Thomas. For long-time team fans, he was a hated opponent. As a member of our organization, he’s been competent at best. (And that’s generous.) Some successes but easily as many failures. If he loses the team at this point . . . enough is enough. Look – he’s done some good things. He’d clearly be leaving a more talented roster than he found. Great. But if HE loses them . . . let somebody else come in and take control. It’s not as though we have some hall of fame coach who needs to be retained at all costs. He had his shot . . . it didn’t work. Again, it’s wasn’t totally his fault. It’s not totally fair. A few fewer injuries last year, and things might look different now. But where we’re at now is, ultimately, his responsibility. And as Michael Ray said: The ship be sinkin’. I said, if he can keep it afloat, I wouldn’t be opposed to keeping him . . . at least for a while. But I’d be just as happy to see what a new management team could do with the assets that Isiah has amassed. Luck is a part of any game, and any season. Isiah has been unlucky, in addition to the mistakes he’s made. (Ooh . . . loyalists don’t like it when you say Isiah Lord Thomas has made mistakes – it’s like blasphemy – well, deal with it.) Because none of that changes the current state of chaos. Either he creates order out of it, or . . . sayonara, Isiah . . . (sounds like a song).
Fire Thomas, bring back Van Gundy, hire Ewing, and Dolan, please sell the team already!
And bring back Dave Checketts.
Herb Williams - get those suits pressed ... as you once again will be an NBA head coach. Maybe as soon as Tuesday 11/20.
As for the GM position - a fellow named Glen Grunwald is Isiah's #2. He was the Raptors GM, succeeding I. Lord Thomas there. He's ready to go.
Zeke is not the problem-even the players will tell you he doesnt shoot, defend, stop 3's, stop turnovers, make layups etc.., Do you really think another coach would get more out of this team? Pleeeeze. "Snitchbury" is the problem. If we had a true vocal ,positive leader on the court at the point it would help this young team alot. "Snitchbury" is talented but is far from an on-court leader.
MARBURY AINT THE PROBLEM.THEY NEED TO RUN IF NOT THEY AINT WINNING WITH CURRY IN THE POST.TRUE STORY.MARBURY AINT THE PLAYER HE USE TO BE BUT HE CAN STILL SCORE BUT NOT WITH ZEKE COACHING STYLE ITZ LAIM...........................
Trane,
I agree with most of your comments about the end of the line for Isiah, but I would not fire him this season for several reasons:
1) it makes the organization look like more of a joke and reduces the chance to land a legit GM/coach. It's better to wait for the offseason; also because...
2)I don't want to see Herb as an interim coach - we've been down that road. he didn't really impress me then and the players won't play for him now w/o Isiah
3) I actually think Isiah is on the right track -WHAT!! - yes u heard i!!! He is holding the players more accountable, not justifying their defensive/intensity lapses like he did last year. He was right to sit Marbury down -- his defense has been worse than last year (see cleveland, orlando, miami's mediocre point guards lighting him up and blowing past him!). The Miami game looked like the worst of last year's efforts and deserved a strong reaction. (he reminded me of Scott Skiles for a minute).The blame I give Isiah for Steph's actions is that he became too close with a player who doesn't deserve his trust - bad judgment. But he isn't scared to make changes!
Now, I say he does a few things to save the season:
a) really make Steph earn the job back - last nite was a decent start - the team needs to see that so they don't quit on him
b) cut Q's minutes and increase Jeffries' - I don't think he is as big a bum as evereybody else; he needs minutes and shots to build confidence - and Q has been way too erratic on offense and defense to deserve the time he is getting.
c) cut Crawford's minutes with Q and Fred Jones. He has been as big a culprit as Steph and Curry. We can get the big shots in the 4th Qtr without the turnovers and bad defense in the 2nd and 3rd.
I have season tickets, so i'm hoping the team doesn't implode!!
Rich – I don’t completely agree with you, but it’s a pleasure hearing from someone who doesn’t scream “hater” the minute there is ANY criticism of Lord Thomas. I think your prescriptions for success are a good start, but not nearly enough. Isiah’s greatest success last year was that he was able to gain the team’s confidence, enthusiasm and support after the disaster year under Larry Brown. That’s really the only reason he deserved to be brought back. Because, you’re right, a coaching change is a huge disruption that this team didn’t need. Especially after buying into the current coach. Things seemed to be very positive all around moving into this year. But nobody could have anticipated a meltdown 7 games into the season. And a rebellion. If he’s lost the team, then a new coach wouldn’t be any more disruptive than the current chaos. I don’t know that it’s that bad. But it ain’t good. And now the question is, will things get better or worse from here. Yes, he needs to deal with Stephon and Jamal and Q (who I still think might surprise us and return to last years’ form – if not, he’s no use to us). But Isiah also needs to get back the confidence and enthusiasm we were seeing last year. I see a team just going through the motions right now. Zeke has a LOT of work to do, which should probably include at least some juggling of personnel. I think it’ll be pretty obvious if things are getting better or worse. If Zeke has lost this team . . . he’s got to get them back . . . or we need to bring someone in who can. That might give you the best shot of getting some satisfaction out of those tickets.
sorry to say but i can tell alot of u don't have b-ball iqz nor knows how to play basketball.the knicks got more talent then eva zeke don't even play chandler yess he is a rookie but he can block shots an rebound i would play him a balkman they will shutdown guys.i'm a fan or marbury but i know the knick will be better once he an zeke are gone...but i would cut zeke first cuz marbury can still play..all zeke has done is help his hometown team out...no doubt your all fanz but alot of fan have no idea about what they talking about.i played ball alot was a feen played ball in 20 degree temp.there is alot of p.g in the league that i can whoop there asses on a 1on1.nelson is garbage.parker is alrite.gibson i'll destroy.etc.itz krazy how these guys make it to the league.crawford can average 20+ he can consistently take the ball to the hoop an draw contact...itz easy to be great it starts with the mind but if your a p**sy your gonna suck plain an simple there is refs they not going to block your shots everytime keep taking it to the hoop an u will have success..............
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