http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-spknix1126,0,1289177.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

Nothing is ever neat when Chicago and the Knicks butt heads.

In the Michael Jordan era, that made for some classic battles as a talented Knicks team struggled against a powerful Bulls squad.

Saturday night, however, it made for a classic mess as a struggling Knicks team was defeated, 106-95, by a struggling Bulls squad.

Talk about untidy: This one featured two injured Knicks starters, one ejected Bulls coach, 26 Knick turnovers and one booing home-town crowd.

Oh, and did we mention one very disgruntled Knicks point guard who didn't take a single shot?

The Knicks (5-10) have lost five of their last six games. Most disturbingly, they have won only once at Madison Square Garden and there seems to be a simmering feud between Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas, the coach he once considered a mentor.

Marbury, who was benched to start the second half of the game, was held scoreless and did not take a single shot the entire game. Afterward, Thomas said Marbury had not been feeling well, adding that he had missed the team's morning shootaround.

Marbury, however, said after the game he was feeling just fine. "I had enough 'I, me,'" Marbury said. "I wanted to play."

When asked if he was happy, Marbury said, "Nope."

It was Marbury's second straight poor performance as Thomas attempts to diversify his offense. Marbury scored only two points Friday night in a win in Boston.

The problems with Marbury weren't the only bad news for the Knicks, however; it appears that two of their starters will be out at least three weeks. Channing Frye, who twisted his left ankle in the first half, is expected to be out for four to six weeks. Quentin Richardson, who injured his right hamstring, will be out three to six weeks.

This could have been a good game for the Knicks, as by all accounts, this was a very beatable Bulls team. Chicago limped into Madison Square Garden having lost six straight, including a 123-108 loss to the 76ers Friday night. The Knicks had been hoping to build on their 101-77 win over Boston Friday night.

Instead, they played their worst first half of the season, digging a 22-point hole that ultimately proved too deep to climb out of.

"We didn't come out with much fire. We didn't have much go get 'em," Thomas said. "After the first half, I'm surprised we were even in the game."

The Knicks did have some impressive individual performances, especially from their bench, as they made a run in the second half.

David Lee scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Renaldo Balkman had 10 points and 13 rebounds -- all in the second half. Former Bull Jamal Crawford led all scorers with 26 points. Former Bull Eddy Curry had 20 points.

The big news, however, was who didn't come up big. In addition to Marbury's big zero on the scoreboard, Curry went 4-for-12 from the foul line. And in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks were trying to mount a comeback, he attempted a free throw that fell inches short of hitting the front of the rim.

Bulls coach Scott Skiles was ejected in the second quarter for arguing a foul, but his team was able to get its first win in seven games. The Bulls, however, traditionally struggle at the beginning of the season as a circus date at the United Center forces them to go on a two-week road trip. Last season, the Bulls started the season 0-9. The previous season, they opened 12-19. In both seasons, they rebounded to make the playoffs.

That rebound very well could have started last night, the last game of a seven-game road trip.

I'm loath to turn steph into a sympathetic figure, but I'm starting to wonder if Isiah isn't throwing Steph under the bus to save his own ass. You know, set him up a little bit, focus the fans attention on him rather than Isiah, give the sharks a little something to chew on, then cut him loose (trade or waive him) and look like the hero in the process.

I wouldn't put it past Isiah. remember when he first arrived he spoke of riding the subways and 'getting in touch' with the fans, etc. He seemed to know our thoughts and he'd regurgitate them back to us in many ways. Knowing we hated Layden's squad he said there was a disease on the team he needed to rid of us, he was brutal toward Chaney, and when after Shandon came up short for us as Houston's replacement in the playoffs and the fans were bitter and vile towards him, that's when Isiah chose to buy him out.

So routinely Isiah takes the pulse of the fans and serves them a head on the platter when he thinks that will win support, and with the masses clearly tired of Marbury, and with his own job on the line, he might be throwing the luggage overboard to keep his ship afloat.

"I had enough 'I, me,'" Marbury said

lol, & it only took him 11 years in the NBA to realize this?

Posted by BlueSeats:

I'm loath to turn steph into a sympathetic figure, but I'm starting to wonder if Isiah isn't throwing Steph under the bus to save his own ass. You know, set him up a little bit, focus the fans attention on him rather than Isiah, give the sharks a little something to chew on, then cut him loose (trade or waive him) and look like the hero in the process.

I wouldn't put it past Isiah. remember when he first arrived he spoke of riding the subways and 'getting in touch' with the fans, etc. He seemed to know our thoughts and he'd regurgitate them back to us in many ways. Knowing we hated Layden's squad he said there was a disease on the team he needed to rid of us, he was brutal toward Chaney, and when after Shandon came up short for us as Houston's replacement in the playoffs and the fans were bitter and vile towards him, that's when Isiah chose to buy him out.

So routinely Isiah takes the pulse of the fans and serves them a head on the platter when he thinks that will win support, and with the masses clearly tired of Marbury, and with his own job on the line, he might be throwing the luggage overboard to keep his ship afloat.

That might be true but for the fact that Marbury has been beyond awful.

SImply fact, Marbury has been playing like crap. If he wants to play, then he needs to produce on the court. He cannot get run around and hand out 2 or 3 assist and call it a game. We need creators and guys that are going to produce in the crunch time. The opportunity is there for Marbury. It is up to him to take. IT is not doing anything other than showing Marbury that he needs to produce if he expects to play.

I think its funny that Isiah doesn't run his spin by his players. None of it is planned - its unbelievable, it just comes to him like a magical komodo dragon fairy in a plume of smoke. And, boy, Isiah just takes that baby and molds it into a masterpiece. I mean, he really doesn't give a ****. Francis offered to go to the bench, Steph had a tummy ache and couldn't start the 2nd half, Curry lost his manliness in a freak incident. This is all crazy stuff. Our beloved Zeke should be a screenwriter. But, let me tell you what Isiah didn't tell you - the fact is, Lenny offered to get fired and LB offered to pay his hard-earned loot back in installments. No one's feelings were hurt.

Isiah is the ultimate me first survival guy so yes he will throw Marbury under the bus if he thinks that will save his 10 mill a year job. I do not like Marbury at all but I respected when he came back in the game he didnt go in to me first shooting mode. He tried to move the ball and defend. The fact is Marbury has slowed to a point that he just isnt a great player anymore. He is a liability on defense, a below average guy shooting from outside and below average in feeding the post. He still can drive and dish though so he does have skills left to be productive as an individual.

Looking at Isiahs track record and looking at Marburys track record how could anybody be surprised that when the going gets tough they would turn on each other? I'm not surprised in the least

I'm loath to turn steph into a sympathetic figure, but I'm starting to wonder if Isiah isn't throwing Steph under the bus to save his own ass. You know, set him up a little bit, focus the fans attention on him rather than Isiah, give the sharks a little something to chew on, then cut him loose (trade or waive him) and look like the hero in the process.
I wouldn't put it past Isiah. remember when he first arrived he spoke of riding the subways and 'getting in touch' with the fans, etc. He seemed to know our thoughts and he'd regurgitate them back to us in many ways. Knowing we hated Layden's squad he said there was a disease on the team he needed to rid of us, he was brutal toward Chaney, and when after Shandon came up short for us as Houston's replacement in the playoffs and the fans were bitter and vile towards him, that's when Isiah chose to buy him out.

So routinely Isiah takes the pulse of the fans and serves them a head on the platter when he thinks that will win support, and with the masses clearly tired of Marbury, and with his own job on the line, he might be throwing the luggage overboard to keep his ship afloat.

I wanted Steph off the team and I still do but not at the expense of allowing Isiah to retain his position. Isiah again is showing his true colors the guy has absolutely no loyalty and only cares about saving his own career.

Even though I cann't stand the guy what Isiah is doing to Steph is wrong. He's getting penalized for the same things that almost everyone on the Knicks roster does. To make matters worse Isiah just flat out lies on the players first with the "Francis came to me about coming off the bench" now with the "Oh Steph was under the weather" clearly people this man has absolutely no intergrity or professionalism and does not belong as a NBA COACH OR ANY FRONT OFFICE JOBS PERIOD

This is just the beginning. You'll know its over when Steph admits that Isiah made him a better man.

Dissention?

Of COURSE there is dissension anytime you lose. That is not anything new.

There is dissension anytime players lose minutes.

They all think they should be playing, with few exceptions.

The challenge is how you handle the losses and come out the other side a better team.