Dolan: Isiah's Job is Safe (How?)

One day after an embarassing 28-point home loss to the woeful Philadelphia 76ers, James Dolan informed Isiah Thomas that his job as head coach of the New York Knicks is not in jeopardy. The Knicks sit at 6-13, which is good enough for last in the Atlantic Division. Thomas has been the president of basketball operations for four years, and head coach for over a year. During his tenure, the Knicks have made the playoffs just once, and that resulted in a first round sweep to the New Jersey Nets.

It is absurd that Thomas is still at the helm of the NEW YORK KNICKS! The Knicks were an elite franchise in the 1990s, and if it was not for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls they probably would have hung a few championship banners. This was a franchise who got criticized by fans if they did not win 50+ games in a season and play well in the playoffs. Now, fans before this season were googling over the prospect of winning 38 games and earning the 7 or 8 seed in a terrible Eastern Conference. Wow, have expectations changed!

Most importantly, Thomas was found guilty of sexual harassment this summer. That should have been the final nail in the coffin, but amazingly, Isiah continues to lead. Most people who commit sexual harassment are fired before it is proven, and then that person has to fight for damages due to an unlawful firing if he or she is innocent. Dolan and Thomas must be best buddies or something, because I cannot come up with any other reason as to why Thomas still is on the Knicks payroll.

For someone who was one of the best point guards and leaders in NBA history, Thomas has been a horrible executive and coach. He grossly underachieved in his three years with a loaded Indiana Pacers team, but they look fantastic to his horrific years with the Knicks. It is time for Isiah to go, and time for Dolan to hire a highly established individual (Jerry West type) to try and get the Knicks out of this big, big hole. It is very damaging for the NBA with how bad it has gotten in New York. The NBA needs Madison Square Garden to rock again. It is the mecca of basketball!

Pat Morgan

Marbury Walks Out on Knicks

After Isiah Thomas informed Stephon Marbury he would not be starting for the New York Knicks tonight vs. Phoenix, he threw a hissy fit and hopped a plane back to New York leaving his team behind. Marbury was not following team orders, and was thus stripped of his starting role. He could not handle that and spilt. Add this to the long list of selfishness from Starbury. Apparently the player who could not handle being Kevin Garnett's sidekick in Minnesota hasn't grown up at all the last ten years.

No one is doubting his talent and the sick numbers he has put up throughout the years. Until recently, Marbury was the only player besides Oscar Robertson to average 20 points and eight assists per game during the course of a career. Marbury has also done a few good things off the court as well. To make things more affordable for poor intercity athletes, his line of Starbury sneakers sell much, much cheaper than the likes of Nike. However, the negative things greatly outweigh his numbers and community outreach. Marbury is a cancer on whichever team he plays for.

His inability to handle being Kevin Garnett's number two man cost the Minnesota Timberwolves a potentially great thing. That combination may have competed for championships, but Marbury's ego could not handle being second best for the first time in his career. He was the man growing up in Brooklyn and then his one year at Georgia Tech. Being the man in the spotlight was more important than winning, which seems to be the situation today in New York. While Thomas was on trial this offseason, Marbury should have been bringing his team together, but instead he was out allegedly harassing interns and showing up all disoriented for live interviews. (If anyone can find Marbury's Mike'd Up interview, please send it to me!)

Marbury is also proof that numbers do not tell the hole story. You would think his numbers would put him on equal footing with Jason Kidd and Steve Nash. Well, he doesn't come close. Kidd replaced Marbury in New Jersey, and took a team Marbury couldn't get into the playoffs to the NBA Finals twice. Nash took over for Marbury in Phoenix, and took a team Marbury couldn't get past the first round to two 60+ win seasons and a Western Conference Finals appearance. For those who put too much stock in numbers, STOP! Marbury is GARBAGE! Well, he is actually a model citizen compared to his cousin, Sebastian Telfair.

Pat Morgan