Everything they've written is a total lie. Fratello told [News beat writer] Frank Isola not to go with the story when he called me in Sacramento. I told him I didn't have the job, as far as I knew. I told him I didn't want him to be wrong, but he went with it anyway.

"Then they come back the next day and say I killed it. What a crock of [bleep]!" Fratello said. "There never were any negotiations.

"We never talked about a penny, a day, or responsibility.

"I went to sleep that night thinking I was still in the race and woke up with 38 cell-phone messages [on two phones] of congratulations, or anger than I hadn't confided in my kids and parents."

Even after confronting Daily News NBA columnist Mitch Lawrence via phone yesterday, Fratello still couldn't figure out why the paper went with the story authored by Lawrence. Or why Fratello wasn't quoted saying what he told Isola instead of being quoted as saying, "No comment."

"Lawrence apologized," Fratello said. "He told me maybe he should have made the call himself. That something might have been lost in translation. I had told Isola not to write something wrong about me.

Playa, When it comes down to it Chaney was kicked to the curb
Remember: vultures always circle their prey

I am so glad this came out. Now this yanks the damn rug right out from under ALL the Isiah haters. Idiots.

Those writers in the Daily News are not going to openly admit that they screwed up. To add insult to injury, the NY Post (of all papers) comes out today was the source to expose the whole drama for the lie that it was.

The Daily News beat writers owe Mike Fratello, Isiah Thomas and Don Chaney all an apology.

Had that story not come out in the Daily News, then things would NOT have went down like they did on Wednesday.

[Edited by - HARDCOREKNICKSFAN on 01/16/2004 16:26:13]

Martin, getting paid by New York was never an issue, financial compensation is no substitution for humiliation: "Fire Chaney" chants or the comments made "he should've been fired 2 years earlier" by someone in the press was nothing more than pressure on Thomas, who should've held his ground but gave in due to the VG's blowout in the Garden.

Usually when somebody is fired, its on the spot....not coliseum style waiting for the thumbs down verdict. I like Zeke in the new GM position but the firing was a bad call and Zeke disrupted Chaney's 4 game win streak.

Posted by Bobby:

Martin, getting paid by New York was never an issue, financial compensation is no substitution for humiliation: "Fire Chaney" chants or the comments made "he should've been fired 2 years earlier" by someone in the press was nothing more than pressure on Thomas, who should've held his ground but gave in due to the VG's blowout in the Garden.

I agree with the whole humiliation thing but Chaney knew what he was getting into. Also, when you say "...Thomas, who should've held his ground but gave in due to...", I call that coming to the end of an evaluation period and making a decision. It just happened to coinside with VG's blowout.

Usually when somebody is fired, its on the spot....not coliseum style waiting for the thumbs down verdict.

On the spot? When you want to replace a coach you don't do it until you have found another to replace him with.

I like Zeke in the new GM position but the firing was a bad call and Zeke disrupted Chaney's 4 game win streak.

huh? 4 game win streak? You mean Zeke disrupted with the Marbury trade?

Posted by MaTT4281:

didnt we already lose 2 games by the time we got marbury??? the only thing i could think of was the 'spoon for norris trade. And we all know the spoon woulve made the difference after those 4 games, dangle a big mac above him and he might have gotten 10-15 rebounds

FRrank Williams was the key behind us winning those 4 games. Yea we lost 2 games after that, but that was because"FRANK GOT HURT" People try and push Frank to the curb when he was just showing the knicks brass he was a leader at the point. Frank Williams haven't even showed us all he can do. IMHO Zeke pulled the trigger to fast with the last trade and actually dragged his feet on dismissing Chaney.

Martin , you of all people should understand what I am saying. I just believe the trade could have been delayed until we found out what Frank was going to do with "FINALLY" GETTING A CHANCE TO START.

It was a talent and ticket move ordered by Dolan and Zeke was ready and willing . Knicks fans all of a sudden get amnesia on how we are notorious for getting got "big names" Roster instead of unfusing youth like Frank Williams and used our trading pieces for a much needeD PF.