Particularly galling to Knick fans was Dolan's decision to give Allan Houston a 6-year contract for $100 million in 2001 when no other team had offered Houston more than $75 million.[citation needed] Houston retired due to injury after just four seasons, and the Knicks only reached the playoffs once over the duration of his expensive contract. He is currently under fire from many Knick fans for recent transactions made by the organization.[citation needed] In a recent Sports Illustrated players poll, Dolan received the most votes as the worst owner in the NBA.[citation needed]

After the 2004-2005 season, he signed Larry Brown to a 5 year, $50 million contract to coach the Knicks. After just one season he bought out Browns contract for $18 million. Brown walked away with $28 million for coaching one year.