"The Beginning of the End"?

by Seth on Jun 21, 2007 9:20 AM EDT in Miscellaneous Comment 6 comments

I'd just like to pass along this article by Martin Johnson of the NY Sun. Mass quotage:

"Thomas has weathered the fallout that followed last December's brawl during the Knicks-Nuggets game at Madison Square Garden, he's muddled through calling the fans names, and he's survived a sexual harassment lawsuit. Tack that onto a job performance that has included one of the worst seasons in franchise history and salary cap mismanagement that borders on scandalous, and it should be clear that bullets won't kill this regime. It will have to die of natural causes."

Those causes are approaching faster than anyone realizes. By this time next year the Thomas administration will have had four-and-ahalf seasons in office, and it's entirely likely that a 42-40 record and a quick and dirty playoff dismissal by their cross river rivals will be all the team has to show for it. Thomas could be a darling of the press and that track record wouldn't save him; and of course, Thomas is instead a lightning rod for everything that is wrong with the Knicks. I'm assuming that the Knicks will improve slightly again but not enough to be a contender, even in the Eastern Conference. After next season, Thomas will almost certainly realize that he has reached a point of diminishing returns in this position and jump ship to another hoops job where he can start over."

Hmm. Click the link and read the whole article and let us know your impressions in the comments. Do you think Isiah's skipping town soon? And if he did...who, realistically, would you want to replace him?

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comparison

im giving isiah the eli manning treatment this season. if he can show me something in the first half of the season, ill keep the faith. if not, he's toast in my book (not that my book matters but regardless).

"In fact, one plausible scenario is that the Knicks do make the playoffs and then get a resounding firstround thumping from a Chicago team aided by the players drafted with the picks Thomas traded to the Windy City. "

i dont necessarily agree with this statement because i have a hard time seeing tyrus thomas, michael sweetney and this years #9 pick giving us a thumping. but im sure gordon could put up 40 and deng 25 (or, God forbid, kobe putting up 70) - and the bulls could win in 5.

i really think these isiah firing talks should be put on the back-burner until at least the calendar turns to 2008. im willing to give isiah one more chance, but this is it. im not gonna sit back and watching more losing throughout this decade, its been long enough.

Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on Jun 21, 2007 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

improvement

listen, i'm not blind to the bind that the knicks are in generally, but isn't martin johnson setting the bar for improvement a little low? 5 to 7 games? we could've improved by that many if we hadn't had all those injuries last year alone.

what if eddy keeps building on what looked like a growing offensive game and learns to bound and play a bit of d? what if lee keeps developing and learning? balkman and nate get under control? crawford starts playing smarter and takes advantage of his telekinetic bond with eddy? marbury keeps playing like a smart and explosive pg? collins provides tough backcourt d and calming point presence off the bench? frye starts blocking shots and develops his post game to compliment his money jumper?

i'm not saying all of even most of these things will happen. but any of them are plausible, and any could be a huge help to the knicks getting better. i don't think the knicks will suddenly transform to a great team, but i do think they will be better next year, and setting the high point at a 7 game improvement is utterly stupid.

by riise on Jun 21, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry

that should read

"all, or even most"

by riise on Jun 21, 2007 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

improvement

Agreed. With a draft pick to shore up some gaps and a healthy squad, as well as this being the first year in a while in which we don't have a brand new coach, I think the Knicks could actually be a legit playoff team. I also think "Love Don't Cost a Thing" is a classic film, though, so who knows.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Jun 21, 2007 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

injuries

My problem with statements of that direction is....

Injuries happen. Period.

They are part of every professional sport and they should be considered as part of a schedule. Sure, they don't always happen to half your squad, but 1-3 injured players per season for 5-10 games is a range one should prepare for...
(Kicks probably more...)

Cya Wraith

by wraith on Jun 22, 2007 6:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs