KNICKS IN CELLAR'S MARKET

Isiah Thomas' refusal to include rookie Channing Frye in a trade package would seem to put the kibosh on any hopes the Knicks have of landing Kenyon Martin from the Nuggets.


February 10, 2006 -- POETIC justice reared its droll, ottoman-sized head Wednesday night; on the very evening of the Grammy Awards, the Knicks earned worst record of the year.

Payola, anyone?

In the interest of fair quibble, it should be noted the 14-36 Bobcats are technically the NBA's doormats. However, they've won their last three, so logic dictates Bernie Bickerstaff's Cats, aroused by stampeding rookie Raymond Felton, are on course to abdicating their dubious distinction no later than the middle of next week.

After all, Isiah Thomas' contemporary production of West Side Gory, flaunting a seven-game losing streak and 13 defeats out of 14, hits the great southwest tonight against New Orleans/Oklahoma City (Chris Paul and Speedy Claxton are hurting), then infect Houston and Dallas.

During the above stench, er, stretch, Thomas' English Muffins have reached triple figures exactly four times — twice in OT and twice in garbage time, losses by 26 and 19.

I'm thinking twice about investing in that John Starks Ticket Plan.

With or without Stephon Marbury, there's no point.

To their credit, the Knicks lead the league in turnovers (17.35 per), and personal fouls (26.29).

That's not all; the Knicks also have substantially more suits — law and empty.

I suppose that's why Larry Brown is getting such latitude to weed Thomas' freshly planted garden. Column castigator Frank Drucker has learned Isiah told his coach if he does a good job renovating the 15-man roster, he's going to let him and Gene Hackman pick the jury.

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I was amused to read speculation by beat writers (or did they simply print the propaganda fed to them by the Knicks' publicity staff without fact checking?) regarding Isiah's no-show for last Sunday's game against the visiting Rockets. The guess work was he was tying up the final details of a trade or attending to some other team business. Either scenario (or both) might have been true, of course. As a rule executives get all sorts of work done at the pre-game and after parties of a Super Bowl, Isiah's event-of-choice.

Let's see if I understand Isiah's latest leak to the locals: The Knicks, who already have a bid on the table for Earl Watson (Jamal Crawford to the Magic in a three-way deal involving Steve Francis and others, no matter what big white lies marginal NBA player/fringe official Otis Smith is telling the Orlando media), offered Penny Hardaway for Kenyon Martin, knowing the Nuggets would need luxury cap relief in the next three years should they pull the trigger for Stevie Franchise.

In full pursuit of Martin, Isiah's next breath extinguishes any possibility of acquiring him by refusing to make Channing Frye available in a package. After transmitting that junk trade, how much longer do you honestly believe the conversation lasted?

That's one reason why the exchange of ideas between the two teams got out so fast. The other reason is devious; to make things uncomfortable between Martin and the Nuggets, to rile him up. Should Kenyon believe Denver is trying to trade him, as opposed to New York (and others) coveting him, he's liable to cause a commotion and demand a trade.

In that same vein, contrary to reports oozing out of the Knicks' front office and coaching staff, there has been no contract with the Blazers in months about Darius Miles. Isiah may not have called lately about the sidelined forward (due back from knee surgery after the All-Star break) but other teams definitely are making serious inquiries, say sources.

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Gilbert Arenas currently ranks fourth in NBA scoring, averaging a career-high 28.2 points. LeBron James is the only player that has scored more points for a team with a better winning percentage than Arenas' Wizards.

Since the 1969-70 season, only 10 players have been ranked in Top Five in ppg at the All-Star break and did not make the All-Star team. None of those were averaging at least five assists per. Arenas currently is ranked 16th (5.9) in assists.

Only two players have ever entered the All-Star break averaging more than 28.0 points per game and not made the All-Star team — Dick Barnett in 1965-66 (finished at 23.1) and World B. Free in 1978-79.

In other words, Arenas got stiffed. And he wasn't alone. Chris Paul, whose Hornets have greatly exceeded the most optimistic pre-season expectations — nobody's more responsible for their 25-23 record — was also shafted.

Interesting how the East's head coaches put no value on Arenas' comprehensive stats — third in the league in minutes and 3-point field goals made, sixth in free throws made, and ninth in steals — while the West's head coaches completely overlooked where Allen's 19-30 Sonics are in the standings.

I say, if not Paul, then definitely Carmelo Anthony rather than Allen. How can a guy be dominating the way Anthony is on a regular basis, winning three games at the final buzzer, and not be showcased in Houston? It's a travesty!

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This just in: The newest NHL infraction — two minutes for booking.

I thought people here said that Vescey said the opposite about Isiah offering Frye on NBA TV?