http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/SPORTS01/610030336/1108


By MIKE DOUGHERTY
THE JOURNAL NEWS



(Original publication: October 3, 2006)
GREENBURGH — Those most responsible for the win-or-else mandate hanging over the head of Isiah Thomas are hoping to provide a little more wiggle room.
Loyalty comes in many forms.
Thomas assembled the entire Knicks roster. He brought Stephon Marbury home. He gave Eddy Curry a second chance. He drafted Channing Frye into the NBA. He made Jamal Crawford a rich young man.
"I think it's definitely a different situation than what a lot of other people in his situation went through, being that he's done right by a lot of us," Curry said at yesterday's Media Day before the Knicks flew to South Carolina for training camp. "There is pressure to go out there and, in a sense, play for him and win some games."
Nobody is certain what constitutes significant improvement, the catch phrase owner James Dolan uttered prior to moving Thomas back onto the sidelines. It's probably a long way, though, from the 23 wins posted last season under the direction of Larry Brown.
"We were the laughingstock of the NBA," Crawford said. "It's like we had all this talent and this high payroll, and were losing."
A repeat performance guarantees more changes, starting with Thomas.
"He was very instrumental in bringing all of us here," Crawford said. "I think guys really trust him. I know that for a fact. I think guys are motivated this year, motivated to prove a lot of people wrong."
Thomas appears unfazed.
Of course, the smile might fade after the first losing streak of the season. The pressure is only going to increase. Winning is the only cure, and the Knicks haven't finished above .500 since the 2000-01 season.
"I'm very excited to get back on the bench," Thomas said. "In terms of what is significant improvement, only Mr. Dolan will be able to judge that, and what he decides at the end of the day, we'll all live by.
"I've lived with daily pressure all my life. Growing up the way I grew up, it was life or death every time you walked outside your door. My job is to make our players comfortable operating under pressure, because pressure comes with what we do."
Thomas vowed to make the game fun.
"I think the first thing I need to deal with is instill the confidence back into the players, make them confident about what they're doing, make them smile again, make them like basketball," he said.
Nobody was pointing fingers at Brown.
There were some winks and smiles, however, when the players were reminded of the 42 different starting lineups he employed.
"It's just a whole different attitude in here," Marbury said. "A whole different feeling."
The fresh start comes with unbridled optimism.
"At least I get to play," Steve Francis said. "There ain't going to be no inconsistency. Am I going to play? Am I not going to play? Am I going to start? Am I going to sit? ... Last year was so inconsistent. You never knew what was going on. I think for us all, we have to put that behind us. It was a tough season, especially for myself and some of the veterans. Stats were down. Wins were down. Everything. We just gotta bounce back."
The roster wasn't exactly turned over. Jared Jeffries is the only significant addition. Despite overwhelming evidence that chemistry issues will conspire to ruin another season, Marbury is convinced things are going to get better with Thomas presiding over every huddle.
"I think we can be stronger than what we were last year," he said. "I think we're going to be stronger than what we were last year. I don't think we have a choice."
Notes: Curry had to undergo another battery of cardiac tests in April before he was allowed to return to Chicago for the summer. He came back 12 pounds lighter and ready to play a bigger role. "I had a crazy amount of tests I had to take to make sure everything was still fine," Curry said. "Everything was great." ... The hearing to determine whether Brown is eligible to collect any portion of the $41 million left on his contract when he was fired resumes today in Manhattan, but Thomas is free to open training camp in Charleston. ... With a crowded backcourt, Quentin Richardson appears to be expendable, but he's not interested in negotiating a buyout like Maurice Taylor did. "Naw," he said. "I don't plan on doing anything like that. I'll let the chips fall where they may. I plan on going out and playing hard and doing what's asked of me.

dude, your titles are about sensational as the NY Posts.

Posted by martin:

dude, your titles are about sensational as the NY Posts.

Sorry. I didn't mean to make a duplicate thread on the post. If the titles were more headlining it would be understood. Have I offended you in some way? Are you concerned that maybe the players approached the season wrong last yr?

I liked the title "Knicks Blow Off Zeke".

Just playing devil's advocate, not predicting this will happent but.........The Knicks are excited to play for Isiah. This is good. The Knicks feel they owe this season to Isiah's loyalty. Okay, something that will motivate this bunch is not a bad thing. but to play devil's advocate, what if Isiah and Dolan get into a fight. Isiah stabs Dolan and is fired. A new coach is brought in. Who do the players play for then? Do they quit because Isiah isn't coach anymore?"

Nixluva I'm not saying Isiah will stab dolan, or that he will even be fired. I'm asking the question of what happens if he gets fired. This again raises question marks for me. We need these players to play for their own pride. I'm glad they are embarrassed about last season. They should be. It should be motivation to turn it around. But they can't play for Isiah. They must play for New York!!!!! This is a good rallying cry for this year and Isiah this year. But going forward into the future we need these guys to be self-motivated and move on from the LB/Isiah nonsense.

Some people have a harder time losing weight than others. Curry will never be Charles Atlas. Neither was Barkley, or Frank Thomas. That doesnt stop them from doing their jobs. I believe curry needs to be in the 270-285 range to do his job best. No lower than 270 and no higher than 285.

Hey the important thing is that Curry as well as many other Knicks DID make a much bigger effort to get ready this off season. The guy according to QRIch, worked harder than he's ever seen him work. QRich has worked out with him since before he was in the NBA. Now that doesn't mean that he was working as hard as some others might work, but in comparison to his own usual work level, he picked it up. If he's lighter and fit, that's a good thing. He should be able to take part in the full training camp and that's important.

I've said this before, but only 3 Centers scored at a higher rate than Curry per minute, Shaq, Yao & Big Z. If he's better prepared this year and shows more passion on BOTH ends, this guy is gonna have a BIG year for us.

the negativity starts to get to even you I see.

that's all I'm saying.

I liked the explanation he tried to give.

Posted by martin:

Posted by SeatsBlue:

Posted by martin:

dude, your titles are about sensational as the NY Posts.

Sorry. I didn't mean to make a duplicate thread on the post. If the titles were more headlining it would be understood. Have I offended you in some way? Are you concerned that maybe the players approached the season wrong last yr?

you didn't offend me in the least, but don't you find the title misleading in the least? What does Curry losing weight THIS offseason have to do with LB (that's what you did highlight, right)? Everyone realizes that Curry couldn't do more than a couch potato's exersize regime for the FULL SUMMER and many months proceeding that and could not even participate in the first 4 days of training camp with the Knicks cause of his heart.

Perhaps you can connect the dots for me that link Curry's weight and LB. I don't have 1 iota of thought there.

Yeah, I think the most important thing is how he does on the court. If he weighs 220 but stinks that's not as good as 350 and dominating.
I think the only significance of the weight loss is that it shows some commitment over the summer. I just hope he's in good shape wind wise and has his quickness.

-Captain obvious

Posted by fishmike:

you cant argue his shape directly impacts his effectiveness. He's slow on D, slow to help and slow to rebounds, and he tires quickly. Hmmm.....

I heard the other day from Peter Vescey that it's important that he's in shape. So now I agree with you.