Jalen and Mo T probably know they will be traded anyway.

Taylor breaks silence: Brown not only one to blame
Friday, June 23, 2006
BY DAVID WALDSTEIN
Star-Ledger Staff
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- As soon as the Knicks fired Larry Brown yesterday vice president for public relations Jonathan Supranowitz called the players and told them not to say a word to reporters.

According to one player, who asked not to be named, they are under a strict mandate of silence. This was made clear when only a few of them answered their phones.

Most of those who answered declined to speak, citing orders from the team. But forward Maurice Taylor was reached early in the morning before receiving the order (or, perhaps he simply had the courage to speak publicly), and said it was up to the players to turn things around for this troubled franchise.

"As players, we have to take responsibility for what happens," Taylor said. "We don't decide who coaches the team. It's not our job. It's our job to play for whoever the coach is, and I think we're all ready to do that."

Taylor said despite all the criticism Brown levied on the players, no one lost respect for him during the season.

"It's no secret that he had problems with some individuals on the team," Taylor said, "but he still had the respect of the whole team. So much went on over the season, and it was chaotic at times, but it was NOT just one person's problem. We were disorganized from top to bottom. We were all to blame. Now it's time to move forward and as players, do what we have to do to get better."

Taylor was one of several players who had his run-ins with Brown. In March he injured his left knee and was inactive for several games, but when the knee healed he expected to play at Indiana on March 7. But Brown left him off the active list and never informed him directly, leaving it to Supranowitz to tell the nine-year veteran.

Taylor was incensed at the time, saying, "It's typical of what goes on here. It's a slap in the face. Nobody ever knows who's going to play and who's not."

Yesterday Taylor was willing to forgive those transgressions.

"It's sad to see a Hall of Fame coach go like that," he said. "We all have to take responsibility for what happened."

[Edited by - rvhoss on 06-28-2006 7:42 PM]

lol...only reason I caught it because it was odd the only two that spoke were the expiring deals. I expect them in suits all year probably.

This is the 1st time that i've ever seen Isiah back away from taking credit for moves. He did it with Woodds too. He made it know right away that Larry wanted Woods. He made it know right away that Larry wanted Jalen and Francis too. I see no reason NOT to believe him. Usually IT is quick to take credit for any move, even if it turns out bad later. So I DON'T believe LB at all. Plus the fact that LB was clearly being manipulative and tanking on purpose, which is the only way to explain why he did things that he's NEVER done in his whole career. ie playing guys in their home towns, college towns etc. That's something you do in preseason or when a season doesn't matter. Lbe never took the season serious. ie his saying he use the 1st 20 games as an way to figure out how to use the players and who to play. WHAT? That's what preseason is for. In fact we've never had such a long preseason. LB had started working with the players in informal practices even before Camp. Camp was extended a couple of days. Then of course there's all the Starting lineups. So to me he's just a big liar all the way around.

Right now I believe Isiah will do the right thing. I don't think he's even worried about being fired at this point. That's a losing attitude. One thing he's never had is a lack of confidence. I think if he has to waive or buyout a player or 2, he'll do it. I suspect it may be necessary in order to make a deal of Francis work.