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djsunyc
Posts: 44929
Alba Posts: 42
Joined: 1/16/2004
Member: #536
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http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/37929.htm THIS MAY QUIET SOME RUMORS
January 10, 2005 --
While Isiah Thomas was short on praise for coach Lenny Wilkens, the Knicks' president said after last night's 113-105 bounce-back win against Portland that his club is not underachieving to a point where a change needs to be made. Thomas said the Knicks might be a .500 club this season, and that's where they reached last night.
With Wilkens' job security becoming a hot issue following Saturday's matinee massacre in Cleveland, the Knicks removed some speculation with a fiery, passionate and effective Garden performance. The Knicks snapped their season-worst four-game losing streak, climbed back to 17-17, and should become a winning team again tomorrow when they host the 3-29 Hornets.
"If I make a statement, it's one of those things where you say it's the kiss-of- death statement," Thomas said. "I'm not into making bold statements. But if I don't say anything, you guys say I didn't say anything nice about him. So I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't."
Isiah's strongest support of Wilkens came when he said, "Every time we lose a game, it's not the coach's fault. The players have some responsibility also. I have no issue with what he's done."
But Thomas lowered expectations about the club, saying it is at best a 43-win unit. That would put them four games above .500 at season's end.
"Progress is being made," Thomas said. "We're probably a .500 team, maybe a little better than that. That's what it looks like, teams who win 42, 43 games. We don't think we're a 60-win team. Sometimes you have to take your lumps, sometimes it's on national television, in front of a packed house."
Isiah cited injuries to Jamal Crawford and Michael Sweetney as being difficult to overcome against teams such as Cleveland and Miami. "Unfortunately, [Saturday] was embarrassing for everyone," he said. "Without Crawford and Sweetney, we're just not at those teams level right now.
"I don't think we're at the upper echelon of the league. Our record is indicative of who we are, what we are. And our record is nothing to be ashamed of."
The night began stuffed with tension, as owner James Dolan and Thomas met secretly under the stands before tipoff. But one day after looking like zombies in Cleveland, the Knicks were buzzing from the opening possession, as Nazr Mohammed tipped in a miss on the team's fourth offensive rebound.
Making his first start as a Knick, in place of injured Tim Thomas, Jerome Williams hustled his way to 15 points, six rebounds, four assists while diving onto the court several times for loose balls. And rookie Trevor Ariza took advantage of some extra minutes with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting, capping his night with a wonderful fastbreak alley-oop slam off a feed from Stephon Marbury.
Seven Knick players hit for double figures, led by Allan Houston, who had a much-needed breakout game with a season-high 25 points.
he put this current squad together. he's not saying "i like our group" like you know who. he knows what needs to be done. now it's a matter of whether or not he can do it. i like what i hear but i'll wait another year to see if he can back it up. |
