Dolan just wants fans in seats and games in the post season. He's not hard to figure out. If you can convince him that a player can give him that he'll co-sign.

Isiah actually wants to win. He's not happy that he's not found the same success and respect as his pal Dumars. I believe that isiah thinks his time is coming tho. I can tell that he thinks he's got a team that he can start to win with.
He wants very much to put together a team that can give him the respect and glory that he craves. So he's willing to make a deal with the Devil and take on a guy like Zach if he thinks he can give this team a real shot in the East.

Isiah has great confidence in his ability to relate to young players of today. He has a good track record so far and most of his players love to play for him. The Generation X players are non conformist and Isiah does well with most of those guys. They live by a street code of respect and Isiah understands that and how to get thru to those guys. I think he's not scared of the risk, cuz it's not as much of a risk for him. If this was some other coach, say Sloan, then that might be a problem. They'd be at each others throats. Isiah tho feels he can handle him and that he'll flourish here with this group.

Posted by 4949:

The question I have is, if he's so been trying to 'right a ship adrift', then why' in the world does he keep on taking questionable chances? Zach with his troubled past is the latest thing that could end up sending Thomas on his way. I'm trying to get into what it is they're thinking. I'm trying to get into they're minds. Why would an Owner and a GM want to take such a huge chance on ruining thier reputations, by taking all of these chances. Back to more Dolan searches.

Here's my take on it.

Dolan is a recovering alcoholic and a born again christian, so he believes in second chances and redemption.

Isiah got his drug infested brother off the streets and effectively saved his life. I think he's got something of a savior complex such that he thinks he can turn around people's lives, and he has good enough rapport with his players to keep him invested in such notions.

So together Dolan and Isiah see themselves as not just obtaining guys with good character, but imbuing them with it, and doing the Lord's work in the process. I don't think they are necessarily conscious of such notions, but I do think Isiah is smart enough to know how to push the right buttons to keep Dolan invested in him by playing off those sentiments.

It might simply be as simple as telling Dolan something like:

"New Yorkers believe in second chances if the player performs -- just look at how they embraced Sprewell. But the problem with Spree was that Carlisimo, Layden and Van Gundy disrespected him; something I would never do. Ditto with Camby. Marcus' run would have been much longer here if management knew how to get the best from him, like I was able to do with Artest and Jermaine. Plus, I loved Amare, I would have kept Camby and drafted Amare and we'd have one of the best frontcourts in basketball today.

It's all about giving players the confidence to turn things around, to show them the righteous path, so that they may fulfill their god given promise."

That kind of thing. Isiah is always good for a gumbo of ego, religion, inspiration and charisma.

[Edited by - blueseats on 07-01-2007 12:45 AM]

why would u want to hear anything that comes out of that idiot's mind anyway? after the first couple "du-ums" you'd switch to another channel or read another article anyway.

the only thing Dolan is concerned with when it comes to us the fans is subscribing to Cablevision, buying tickets to Knicks games & buying up Knicks merchandise... what do you possibly think we as fans can do to help the situation other than supporting the team we root for?