Posting and Toasting: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Along The Olentangy for Ohio State Fans!

"The Beginning of the End"?

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?

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

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  

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  

sorry
that should read

"all, or even most"

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

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  

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  

come to think of it...
I'd say this is the end of the beginning, if anything.
Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Jun 21, 2007 5:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Posting and Toasting: Blogging the Knicks Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
Start posting about the Knicks »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Images-2_small
Are we getting greedy here?
Fundament_small
The Source Of Grumpiness

Recent FanPosts

Mikebredit_small
Recap : Knicks Night Live 09/02/10
Tumblr_kulqye3cof1qa9za4o1_500_small
Thoughts on Chandler
Mikebredit_small
Carmelo Collage! New Info
Small
'Future Power Rankings'
Mikebredit_small
The Rotation Situation
Small
Sports Guy on Dolan
Mikebredit_small
The NBA Hockey Assist
Mikebredit_small
Nuggets Trying To Send Melo To The Wolves, Kings And Nets
Small
Idea to Acquire Melo...
Small
Russia V. Puerto Rico Recap

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS

SBNation.com Recent Stories

NEW YORK CITY NY - AUGUST 12:  Kevin Durant #5 looks on during the World Basketball Festival USAB Showcase at Radio City Music Hall on August 12 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for Nike) +4 updates

FIBA World Championships 2010: Team USA Routs Iran 88-51, Clinches Top Spot In Group B

Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West, right, shoot over Indiana Pacers' Jeff Foster in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, April 13, 2009.  (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) link

Celtics Sign Free Agent Delonte West

Rose +2 updates

FIBA World Championships 2010: Team USA Ekes Out 70-68 Win Over Brazil

More from SBNation.com >