Isiah settles for excuses, blames garden crowd for loss
December 11, 2007 – 10:10 amThe talk of the town this morning is, Isiah Thomas had some words with a few behind-the-bench season ticket holders. Isiah said something to the effect that the fans are the cause of the losing because they’re no sixth man.
Apparently it is not enough that Isiah hand-picked every single player on the roster, he wants to approve Knicks fans as well if the Knicks are ever to start winning since he took over as GM and coach. Picture 19,763 questionnaires to fill out every night prior to 41 games, just to make sure Isiah thinks you’re fan enough to go to a knicks game. Would “are you from Chicago?” be on there?
I admit the crowd is a factor wherever you play this sport, no doubt on that one. Teams typically play better at home (unless your team is the Orlando Magic, who mysteriously are much more stellar on the road this year than at home) and home games should be something the team to looks forward to playing throughout the season.
I also admit MSG fans are pretty bad fairly often. They’re too quick to boo. Last year at this time, I was going to all the home games wearing orange and blue; I was infuriated with the garden’s tendency to boo too early. I have no explanation for it other than NY people too often are impatient. Maybe they drink too much coffee, maybe they don’t like paying thousands of dollars for tickets every night. they’re too demanding out of the gates.
MSG fans are also very knowledgeable, however, and Knicks fans are the most loyal fans I’ve encountered. More than once, I’ve gone to a game and the crowd knows and reacts to calls faster than the NBA ref can blow the whistle. I’m amazed by it, but it is true, if there were a basketball IQ test, I’d put money on the garden fans coming out on top of all the NBA’s teams, and that includes Boston. The people who sat next to me up in Boston asked me who Scott Pollard was, they didn’t even know their own team’s players, I had to tell them.
This year, it doesn’t bother me as much that they boo early and often at the garden, or that they chant fire isiah, or that they chant “Jeff Van Gundy.” Isiah yelled back last night that JVG was chased out of town by the fans, and I’m not buying that because Van Gundy quit on account of James Dolan. It was Ewing who was chased out of NYK by the media and the fans (shame on you, NY, for ousting a legend), true, but Van Gundy got out of dodge because he didn’t want to work for Dolan, or with Layden. As far as I can tell, Isiah hasn’t earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Ewing and Van Gundy because those people brought a winning culture to New York; Isiah hasn’t experienced much of a winning culture since led the pistons to championships in 89 and 90 AS A PLAYER.
This is NYC, and there are nearly infinite sayings that convey the message that the only thing New York cares about is results. The bottom line counts, not redirecting blame for that bottom line. If the home team gets down by 20+ they’re going to boo and they did. If the home team fights to come back, they’re going to appreciate the effort, which they did by cheering the knicks on in the second half.
Yet if your team is 6-14, I don’t give a rat’s ass what the rest of the conference is doing, winning 6 games out of 20 possible is garbage, a prelude to a high-lottery pick season while your fans were eagerly anticipating playoffs for the first time in years and years. Isiah has had enough time to turn things around in New York. New York is not an easy place to succeed, of course, maybe Isiah Thomas can’t do it here after all.
It is interesting for me to hear Isiah slip up, because he never slips up. Coincidentally, the ABS law suit was settled by MSG earlier in the day, and that may have some leverage on Isiah’s ability to appeal the decision of that law suit as he originally intended he would. Some Knicks fans believe Isiah hasn’t been fired because of this appeal. It is plausible Isiah now feels he can turn his back to the basketball court and focus on anything other than the game people are paying to see; the game I presume he’d been brought here to win.
What’s the worst that can happen for Isiah, he gets fired for violating team policy and gets paid to leave in another battle in court over a large contract still in its infancy? Sound familiar? Do you sense a pattern? Larry Brown, ABS, now Isiah? Cash in while you can.
Why hasn’t the rotation changed with all this losing? Fourteen losses out of twenty. Repeating the same conditions and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. Unless of course you don’t want to coach the team and want to get fired. Want to get paid to leave. In that case, I would keep the same lineup for the rest of the season.
114 Responses to “Isiah settles for excuses, blames garden crowd for loss”
FIX THE KNICKS !!!!!!!
START W/ THIS ……
Zeke gets shown the door. Bring in Donnie Walsh as GM and promote Herb for the rest of the year. Make a big run at Phil Jackson in the off season.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=509~3179~991~557&teams=20~20~18~18&te=&cash=
THEN………….
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=990~2782~739~25~556&teams=23~23~23~18~18&te=&cash=
That gives us a starting 5 of A.Miller, Q, Artest, ZBO, and Dalembert. The bench is then Jones, Crawford, Balkman, Lee, and B. Miller. Deep bench - Collins, JJ x2, and Chandler.
That would leave Sac w/ a starting 5 of Bibby, Martin, Garcia, Rahim and Curry. They get 8 mill. cap relief in Malik next year.
Philly would be Marbury, Korver, AI, Evans, and Morris They get 20 mill cap relief next year.
This would allow those 2 teams to continue to rebuild when the FA class is deep. It would also allow the Knicks to climb out of the cellar.
Phil should be able to run the triangle w/ Miller, Ron and ZBO. He might even be able to get Kobe to switch coasts w/ him.
JUST BLOGGIN’ but what else is there to do when you are in the basement.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:43 am
Isiah was right about the fans.
Even the best players in their sports (A-Rod) don’t perform well when they were booed.
A-Rod wasn’t booed last year and he won the MVP.
The year before that…they booed him and he had a horrible season (by his standards).
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 11:49 am
The Knicks are paid the highest payroll in the league to come out and perform despite the notoriously hostile crowd conditions that have existed quite frankly for decades prior to Thomas’ arrival. If the Knicks can’t do what’s been asked of them, that is, play basketball at a high level, they can’t play in NYC, and trades should be made. Remember when Isiah said “this isn’t charity,” to Antonio Davis? Same sh*t applies to himself and to the team. New York sports fans aren’t going to change any time soon. They’re set in their ways, too late for them to change.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:02 pm
DVJ,
Don’t be a homer. They deserve to be booed out of the building. They suck. I’d love to support Zeke and/or the roster as it exists now. The excuses are wearing thin. Is it the media, the fans, the distractions, NYC itself ???? When does Zeke or the players own up and take responsibility for their actions and crappy results ?
When is he going to learn that you don’t have to even be good here, you just have to give 100% effort for 48 minutes and the fans will cheer you win or lose ? Sorry, but the man just don’t get it and I doubt he ever will.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:06 pm
This is one of those rare cases where both sides are right. Sure the Knicks deserve to be booed.
But you’d have to be an stupid not to think it’s going to have a negative impact on the team.
But what fun is trying to pick up and team that’s down? Why not go for their throats? Who care if Eddie Curry is sensitive? Let’s shatter whatever is left of his self-confidence.
To me the only reason to boo, is if they don’t play hard. Now that seems to be the case. But all too often in these situations, people jump on the boo bandwagon no matter what is happening in front of their eyes.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:18 pm
the garden fans are often negative. who told anyone it would be different? was the roster assembled thinking the garden fans would never boo?
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:25 pm
MKF,
Is Curry a multi-million dollar athlete or that same oversized 8th grader being picked on because of his size ? Its not a fan’s job to coddle the athlete that they paid good money to see when he only puts forth a lackluster effort. He’s being paid really well. Tell him to buy some thicker skin.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 1:00 pm
JohnQ I understand what your saying but if you actually think Curry is not giving any effort….your crazy.
Yeah, I get on him when he’s not playing well but I’m not booing him like those stupid fans behind the Knicks
bench. Curry is out there busting his ass and we want him to be perfect. Every mistake he made last night was booed.
EVERY TIME? EVERY TIME? EVERY TIME?
You can’t be serious about that.
Why didn’t they boo Crawford when he was chucking up those horrible shots?
They are picking on Curry because they want him to be soemthing he’s not.
He doesn’t play defense to well….ok, neither does Amare, Yao and a host of other centers.
He doesn’t rebound in double digits…..ok, Yao is the tallest man in the league and he just cracked the 10 rebound mark. He’s averaging 10 on the dot.
Let Curry just play!!!
How can he get better when it’s constant changes around him?
Adding Zach is no cake walk for Eddy. It might be a lot easier for Zach to adjust but Curry only has a low post game.
Let the big man develop. I keep saying this……the kid is 24!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Those fans booing behind the bench should never be allowed to come back to the Garden.
They must’ve been saying something else to have Isiah go back and forth with them…..
That makes no sense.
If I was there, I would’ve said something to those fans. Maybe even threw something at them.
Then she went to the press LOL.
Dumb bitch!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:09 pm
the mistake could have been the ZBo trade. the knicks were a better team last year from what I can see.
Zach is a good player, probably the best player on the knicks as I have said on here numerous times before, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a good fit for the team, the other 14 guys on the roster, considering who they are, and what they can and can not do for this basketball team.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Sorry Defenders, blaming the fans for a Knick loss is a lame excuse. The fans may boo at the introcuctions and the first time the Knicks fall behind, but if the team stays competivive on the floor, the fans will turn around and cheer every basket, every defensive stop and chant “Lets Go Knicks” instead of “Fire Isiah.” This happened during the Chicago game and the Milwaukee game–the last Knick home victory. I believe Isiah understands this, so his comments regarding the fans after last night’s game is surprising.
I have supported Isiah throughout this ordeal, but I disassoiate myself from the notion that the fans are responsible for the latest debacle. It’s Isiah’s job to motiveate the team to play with extra intensity nothwithstanding who they are playing in front of, and perhaps even becsuse they are all in a state of adversity.
Even at this stage, I want Isiah to stay on as coach for the duration of the season, if only to preserve continuity. Unless Isiah himself concludes that he has lost the support of his players, or cannot make a a trade to make things better, I am not convinced that his termination will do anything to improve the team’s play and will only cause further disruption.
If MSG has settled with ABS as a prelude and excuse to fire Isiah, then nothing we say or do will matter. What is clear is that the team
cannot languish in this current malaise very much longer; something has to happen–a trade or two, a resignation or a termination. I still hold hope that both players and coach can turn things around. KFL
By Post - up Prince on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:21 pm
DVJ
are you saying it is nobody’s business what Isiah says to the crowd of fans at the garden? those fans can say whatever they want to whomever they want. this isn’t communism, freedom of speech is one of the founding tenants of America. those same fans are the people that are funding Isiah and the Knicks’ paychecks. a seat behind the bench must cost $2-3K a night. Consider anything the crowd says a customer comment card.
don’t deflect the entire blame on to the crowd or the weather outside last night or what Layden did five years ago, when is there ever going to be a time when someone in the organization is held accountable for TODAY’s 6-14 knicks?
maybe the game should be played behind closed doors at the Knicks practice facility and the knicks fans can fill up the garden and watch 41 home games from closed-circuit television on the new Jumbo Tron screens. Anything else is unfair conditions to the knicks basketball team.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:25 pm
good post Post-up Prince.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Post up you say
“The fans may boo at the introcuctions and the first time the Knicks fall behind, but if the team stays competivive on the floor, the fans will turn around and cheer every basket, every defensive stop and chant “Lets Go Knicks” instead of “Fire Isiah.” ”
Last night we got booed for the first time in the 2nd quarter. Then the Fire isiah chants came soon after.
Then the Kniks made their run and the crowd was cheering because we started showing effort.
Then we come up short and the boos and fire isiah chants come back.
The fans that do that type of shit deserve to be scolded. I really hope Dolan has told Isiah to just be himself.
Answer the media’s questions the way you want to…be yourself Isiah.
That’s what Patrick use to do and I loved him for that.
So Isiah talked a little shit back to the fans…their lucky that’s all he did.
When the Knicks put together a little winning streak they jump right back on his dick.
Fuck those fans!!
I know I said Isiah should be fired before but after thinking about it…why?
Why should he get the blame?
Like Barkley said….the players have to go out and perform.
I don’t want to hear Isiah has to motivate these guys…their paycheck should be enough.
You don’t hear people saying that shit about Lawrence Frank, Pat Riley or anybody else thats having a bad start.
I’m with you Isiah….you can only do so much.
I still think we should trade Curry and Steph but I also think the boos are way out of line.
If they want to boo…..let them boo!!!
I tell you this though….if they keep booing….the athletes are all going to develop what I like to call
the “fuck you 2 attitude”. Steph already has it….Zach is almost there also.
Don’t let that attitude stretch down the bench.
Then we’re really fucked.
Those were some fake ass fans!!!!!!!!!!
Any fan that continuosly (spell check) boo their home team are some fake ass fans.
Where the hell is BARF and Lives?
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:33 pm
LMAO @ post 4,
“Don’t be a homer”…
DVJ,
C’mon bruh…the way you rant and rave on this blog, you mean to tell me you wouldn’t be one of the “boobirds” at the Garden?????
To use one of your sayings….
Please.
Do you think those people want to boo the Knicks? As someone previously mentioned, all we want to see is effort, even if we’re not winning games.
Hell, sometimes I get the feeling they get TIRED of booing them…..
They have to take “boo breaks”…….lmao…….
Seriously, Zeke has got this all wrong. I know there’s a lot on his plate and he’s been through alot, but to blame the fans booing for the Knicks putrid effort is chronic denial.
He needs to ask himself, what came first…the booing or the uninspired play.
By Bronxboy in Md on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:40 pm
“I know I said Isiah should be fired before but after thinking about it…why?
Why should he get the blame?”
because he alone designed the squad that is 6-14?
how do you define success for this team? is 10-10 something to write home about? if the knicks were 10-10, should we be happy considering the 23/82 and 33/82 win seasons of the past two years? for almost the rest of the league, almost the rest of professional sports, .500 is mediocre. we have to win 8-straight to get back to mediocre basketball, and we’re only 20 games into the season.
where is the silver lining?
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Knicksdefense
“are you saying it is nobody’s business what Isiah says to the crowd of fans at the garden? those fans can say whatever they want to whomever they want. this isn’t communism, freedom of speech is one of the founding tenants of America. those same fans are the people that are funding Isiah and the Knicks’ paychecks. a seat behind the bench must cost $2-3K a night. Consider anything the crowd says a customer comment card.”
I agree…but to keep coming to the games and booing? What type of shit is that.
They probably don’t even know the game of basketball that well and they just boo because everybody else was.
All I’m saying is…don’t say shit directly to Isiah’s face and think he won’t say something back.
There was more said in that exchange and I think we’ll know what it was when Isiah talks about it.
The fans at the Garden are horrible.
Did you hear the cheers in the crowd when Dirk was going off in the 1st quarter?
All that is sarcasm fro the crowd. Don’t tell me that it happens all over the NBA because this isn’t the first time
Dirk has played here. He didn’t get anywhere near the amount of cheers he got last night.
When the Knicks play at home…it’s like their on the road.
When they play on the road….it’s like their at home LOL.
I’d rather them play on the road.
What’s really fucked up is that 4 of our next 6 are at home.
If I was Isiah I would tell the team “fuck the crowd”
Just go out and play. Let me deal with the crowd.
At the same time, I would rip into the teams ass (no homo) and make them play better.
All this while I’m working the phones looking for a team to take Curry and another team to take Steph.
Remember…..1st round picks this year is what we want and NEED!!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Also Knicksdefense..you say
“freedom of speech is one of the founding tenants of America.”
There is no more freedom of speech in America.
That ship has sunk.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I understand what you’re saying DVJ, I’ve never booed the knicks at the Garden in my life. I guess the fans are just trying to force Dolan to make a change. they feel stuck.
most of us here had hoped for a 42-46 win season and now we’re sitting here talking about the lottery in mid December. i thought we were going to prove those experts wrong, but it seems our expectations for the season have shifted drastically from 44 wins to OJ Mayo in a matter of just a few weeks.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:51 pm
The simple point is that excessive booing has a negative impact on a team. Sometimes a good boo gets a team going. Right now it obviously isn’t.
It’s like all those pain in the ass ARod “fans” the past few years…they negatively affected him, plain and simple.
How much an athlete makes or whether they shouldn’t be affected by it is besides the point… they ARE affected and now those fans, are making it harder on the team.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I can’t get over how that dumb bitch went to the press with her story LOL.
Go ahead Isiah!!!
The Knicks are the only team in the league that doesn’t have a home court advantage.
Having that advantage hsa nothing to do with the players.
It has everything to do with the crowd.
If the other team comes in knowing all they have to do is get up by 10 points and the crowd
will turn on the Knicks…..that’s what their going to be shooting for.
All they will want is to get up by 10 points and then the “home crowd” will do
everything else. They will boo and the Knicks will become unrattled and eventually lose
the game.
Sounds like a good plan if your on the visiting team doesn’t it?
Fuck those fans!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:51 pm
DVJ…
I hear lots of anger and frustration in your posts…
Undoubtedly the same anger and frustration that folks paying good $$ for tix feel.
there’s no doubt in my mind, DVJ….you’d be leading the booing at the Garden!!
By Bronxboy in Md on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:53 pm
And let’s all be honest…we want MSG to be a nightmare for every other team in the league. Now the word on MSG is get up on the Knicks early and the fans will rip them apart.
Every other team loves this…MSG is an easy place to play for them now.
Do the fans have nothing to do with this?
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:53 pm
DVJ,
have your opinions been suppressed on this blog? the internet may be all we have left for freedom of speech, and I’m going to continue to use it for that purpose.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 2:54 pm
“The simple point is that excessive booing has a negative impact on a team.”
Minnesota Knicks Fan,
I concur and said as much this morning. Unfortunately, I have no proposed solution to that problem other than these two options:
1. start winning
2. play the home games in the knicks practice facility and air the games to the fans in the Garden on closed-circuit television jumbotrons.
otherwise this booing phenomenon will continue indefinitely.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Personally, after sitting by families of players, I don’t like booing because I know their families are sitting there. That’s just me.
Now the counterpoint is if we all want the Knicks to crumble into ruin and have Isiah fired, then, by all means boo away. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a little change around the Garden.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I understand what your saying Knicksdefense….I also can’t see any other solutions.
However..when you say
“otherwise this booing phenomenon will continue indefinitely.”
If that’s the case…so will the losing.
These boos are much worse than last year.
Bronxboy said
“I hear lots of anger and frustration in your posts…
Undoubtedly the same anger and frustration that folks paying good $$ for tix feel.”
Can you really tell that?
I owuldn’t boo at all…in fact…I would go to a Knicks game with a sign that says I love Isiah and wait for somebody to say
something to me.
Isiah is not the problem. However, I agree that he needs to change the starting 5 like I said before.
The starting 5 is what’s killing us. We don’t open up games strong.
You can sit here and blame that on Isiah but when are the PLAYERS going to learn?
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:11 pm
change the starting five, that would get my vote for the next thing the knicks should try.
hope they do it, because there are a lot of options on this team besides steph jamal q randolph and curry. one of those guys could wind up being wally pip.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:15 pm
DVJ I kinda agree with you(I am not saying that team has played well) because they have stunk up the joint
but despite the fans fustrations I feel the booing certainly does not help as far as they players are concerned
and when you say that the opposing teams get up for it I feel that is gotta be part of the pregame talk and that negativity will spur the
visitors on
I am not sure what season ticketholders should do, but as for those who buy by the ticket if they cannot stomach the inconsistency, and lack of effort
their best protest will be not going to a game at all
PS I want the Knicks to excel, but as of now it aint happening…I am hoping for a turnaround but they seemto be regressing like they did under LB after the win streak ended
By SaipanKnickster on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:23 pm
“The simple point is that excessive booing has a negative impact on a team. ” -MKF
The shitty product on the floor night in and night out has a negative impact on the fans !!!
“I agree…but to keep coming to the games and booing? What type of shit is that.
They probably don’t even know the game of basketball that well and they just boo because everybody else was.” -DVJ
These are season ticket holders ! Are they supposed to throw out the tickets and eat the cost ? They have more right to say something than the average fan IMO. They have paid their dues.
2000 x 41 = the right to be heard.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:31 pm
It’s become a nightly ritual: The Garden crowd erupting periodically during Knick games and chanting, “Fire Isiah.” Last night, it began in the third quarter.
And through it all, owner James Dolan does nothing. His counterpart in Dallas, Mark Cuban, doesn’t blame Dolan for not listening.
“That would be the biggest mistake you ever possibly could make,” Cuban said before the game. “If I let you guys general manage, I’d be a bigger idiot than people already think I am.”
“All the chants out there probably make you stronger in your convictions as opposed to make you question yourself,” Cuban said.
The feedback I pay attention to from the fans is, ‘Are the hot dogs hot, is the beer cold, are sightlines good, are you being treated with professionalism and courtesy?’ That’s what I want to know from the fans.”
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:34 pm
“These are season ticket holders ! Are they supposed to throw out the tickets and eat the cost ? They have more right to say something than the average fan IMO. They have paid their dues.
2000 x 41 = the right to be heard.”
I can’t believe you just said that LOL.
So does that make them more of a fan than you?
Should their voice be heard more than yours or anybody else on this blog?
The fans are just that…..fans!!!!
They have no say so regarding the building of this team.
Only thing their allowed to do is go watch….THATS IT.
If you want to get in Isiahs face and talk shit….since you pay so much for your tickets, expect to be curesed back at by Isiah.
Fans are like groupies without the sex.
May sound funny but it’s true.
The fans only job is to go to the games and cheer or boo…your choice.
Getting in a coach’s face and talking shit doesn’t fall in any of those categories.
She lucky Isiah didn’t call her a bitch.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I’m not saying that they are better than non season ticket holders. I’m saying that they should not be ridiculed for expressing their opinions. If I was close enough to Zeke at a game, I would deffinitely voice my opinion. He could respond however he likes but he can’t ignore them. They are just speaking the truth.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:44 pm
The fans aren’t being treated with professionalism. Professionalism entails that you freaking try and put up a decent effort, which I am not seeing.
I can’t believe some people are actually blaming the fans for booing. What do you expect them to do? Shower them with praise and flowers everything they get blown out by 20+ points?
And it’s not the points we are losing by…it’s the WAY we are losing. It’s clear that we lose by our lack of defensive intensity.
Man I would be okay if all of our players sucked and we were getting beat. But what irks me as that these guys are pretty good, yet they just don’t care.
That is as unprofessional as you can get. Not caring what your customer thinks of you.
Instead of blasting fans for booing, maybe Isiah should apologize on behalf of their players for not playing defense. Maybe Isiah should apologize for not taking Curry off Dirk. But of course he wouldn’t do that.
By DNM on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:44 pm
just one rich guy kissing another rich guy’s ass. nothing new around those parts of midtown manhattan.
did they at least ask him about getting knocked out the box in the first round last season by the warriors? that would have been something.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:46 pm
“They are just speaking the truth.”
JohnQ how do you know that?
Do you know what they said?
DNM says
“But what irks me as that these guys are pretty good, yet they just don’t care.”
How do you know they don’t care?
Those guys are out there playing hard but they are just getting beat.
Yeah, I joke them and I redicule them all the time but I would never go boo Isiah in
his face.
You people talk down on people when they can’t do their job to their full potential.
I wonder how many people here do their jobs to the best of their potential.
We all want Curry to be top 5 centers in the league.
Are you top 5 in your positions at your place of employment?
Are you trying to be top 5 or do you not really care about that?
hmmmmmmmm
Take it easy on the kid in person.
I don’t care what you say about him on the blogs because he can read that when he’s home
with his feet up doing whatever he does after the game.
How would you perform if someone was booing you at work everyday or just talking down on you
while you was trying to get work down.
People are amazing.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 3:59 pm
DNM says
“But what irks me as that these guys are pretty good, yet they just don’t care.”
How do you know they don’t care?
Those guys are out there playing hard but they are just getting beat.
So you’re telling me that you can’t intrepret body language? When you just stand around on defense, don’t jump for rebounds, you’re telling me that I should not interpret that as not caring?
Are you serious?
“I wonder how many people here do their jobs to the best of their potential.”
Don’t assume we don’t. If I am not doing my job to satisfaction, I will be told so.
These guys aren’t even performing at a satisfactory rate. Forget full potential.
By DNM on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:03 pm
DNM says
“Don’t assume we don’t. If I am not doing my job to satisfaction, I will be told so.”
By who?
Your customers or your boss?
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Also don’t assume Curry doesn’t care.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:08 pm
If I am managing money for clients and I’m consistently underperforming the market…I will be told so by BOTH my clients AND my boss.
If I’m a waiter and my service sucks, I will be told so by both my customers AND my boss.
I would have an obligation to both.
By DNM on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:10 pm
“Getting in a coach’s face and talking shit doesn’t fall in any of those categories.”
so she left her expensive seat and walked down to the court and got in isiah’s face while Isiah was facing the court trying to coach the knicks to victory? sounds like a MSG security breach to me–in lieu of the MSG brawl and the malice at the palace, no less.
I thought isiah turned his back to the knicks game and started talking back to the fans behind the bench.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:10 pm
The crazy thing is that Dolan is so freakin’ stubburn that he won’t fire Isiah. The T-Wolves have the same freakin’ thing with McKale. The owners ego’s are too big to admit a mistake and find someone better.
I would have thought the $11.5 million may have had an impact…but apparantly not.
This is going to be a long season.
The good news is we’ll get a good draft pick.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:14 pm
DVJ,
I don’t know what they said but it had to be derogatory in regards to the team or how Zeke runs it. What about any of that isn’t truth ?
If they really do care it doesn’t look like it on the court. I agree w/ DNM that its written all over their faces.
I’m starting to think that if Isiah shit on a plate and told you it tastes like ice cream, you’d eat it and smile !!!! Don’t be taken by the choir boy smile, Zeke is the true snake oil salesman. He’ll do anything to deflect the blame from where it belongs.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:15 pm
You guys love to tap dance don’t you?
There’s a reason why I don’t get in depth with my comments.
The reason is because I know I’m blogging with the smartest fans in the world.
If I’m wrong please let me know so I can start to get in depth.
Since you all know so much….
who started the conversation between the bitch…oops, I mean fan and isiah?
Did Isiah turn around and start the argument?
Let’s see what Isiah has to say?
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:16 pm
“I’m starting to think that if Isiah shit on a plate and told you it tastes like ice cream, you’d eat it and smile !!!!”
Wow….thanks John Q.
I’ll keep it to myself what I’m starting to think about you.
Don’t assume it’s bad though.
Your reaching now.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:19 pm
DVJ
isiah probably won’t say anything else about it because of James Dolan’s policies to speak to no one about anything. he had two opportunities to bring up what happened during the post-game interview that aired on MSG directly after the game but instead chose correctly to say what Dolan wants him to say, which is essentially nothing. always nothing. nothing to the fans, nothing to the media, whole lot of nothing going on.
to be honest, if they were winning everyone would be happy, but they are not winning, so the turmoil continues to multiply.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:21 pm
ignorance is bliss DVJ.
Give credit where credit is due. Zeke built it, Zeke teaches them, Zeke motivates them, Zeke is in charge of minutes and gameplan and its my fault they lose because I boo ???
GTFOH !!!!!
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:31 pm
KD… that’s is true about the nothingness. If he gave them something maybe the reporters wouldn’t have been digging so deep as to talk to some fan who Isiah gave a hard time too.
The whole thing is really a nothing story.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:32 pm
You know what’s funny… we sound like one of the Hater web sites.
It’s a long time since we had the Curry is better than Howard debate.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I give isiah credit though, he really is a survivor. nobody else in the world would have survived this long in gotham with these kinds of results. he knows whose opinion counts (dolan) and he knows what to do about it, so he stays. his contract was recently extended. he’s probably not going anywhere so play with the lineup because this one isn’t working.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:39 pm
maybe next season we’ll be good enough to make the eight seed.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Say what you want but I’m glad Zeke is giving the SHIT back!
According to Hoop hypes Zeke turned around while the crowd was
shouting Jeff Van Gundy and yelled back ” You got rid of him too!”
Also Chis Mullin declined EVER coming to NY, stateing ” I like the Way they percieve
my Legacy there NOW! I wouldn’t want to be put in a position where that would turn!”
Who in their right mind would want to Coach here?????? NO ONE!
Thank God Zeke has the balls to give the Crowd shit back!
I could give a shit about our record now! I’ll wait and see whats on the table as far
as trades which will happen! As I have posted from the begining of summer!
ARTEST OR BUST 2007-2008!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:51 pm
MKF,
I don’t think we are haters. I’ve bled orange and blue since I was a kid. This last 6 years has been the worst out of the last 30. I LOVE the NYK.
That being said, I’m absolutely fed up and get no enjoyment out of watching the games. My friends laugh at me for pumping up the team in the off season. I find myself in a bad mood at times because I feel like I care more than anyone in the organization does. When is it enough ????
They should be thankful that they don’t get paid on effort.
I am inching closer to taking a hiatus from watching this train wreck every other night.
The only analogy I can make is if I had a dog that I loved but he bit me everytime I trusted him, I’d get rid of that dog.
By John Q on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Knickdefense
We have 62 games left and your talking about 8th seed next year?
Re-read that post! Since when have you become Isola?????????
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 4:56 pm
“Who in their right mind would want to Coach here?????? NO ONE!”
why would no one want to coach here? you sign on for five and you leave after one if things don’t work out? why do you and BARF think Isiah is the only game in town? This is NY, people still want to coach here and people still want to play here too.
I’m sorry you, Peaceman, have the audacity to call me Isola after years of blogging together as knicks fans, not to mention last nights game in the last post. Fuck you, by the way.
“I could give a shit about our record now! ”
that makes one of us peaceman. I care about the knicks record now. I care about making the playoffs some time this decade.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Yeah KnicksD
We have 4 more losses that the Raptors in 4TH place of the Entire Eastern Conference!
That says we are Fucking eliminated from the playoffs??? No, Fuck you!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:04 pm
that’s some sick shit to blame the fans for losing. looney tunes shit. i though it was okay to blame the media for all their BS for years since the time of ewing altering public perception and trying to influence management, but you can’t blame the fans for losing that’s just the biggest load of horse manure I’ve heard in my life.
to steal BLANKET_STATEMENTS’s statement, Man up Isiah.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Weren’t those booing fan the same ones that booed Ewing?
Because they can afford $82,000 for season tickets that makes them
more of a fan then us?
I can live with coming up for soultions to get in the playoffs when we are only
4 games Down in the loss column to the Raptors as 4th seed in the conference!
I will continue to watch and root for these Knicks! And, I stand pat on my statement
that its too early in the season to worry about our record and give up on this team!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Peaceman,
you misunderstood about one thing. I want this team to make the payoffs. look at the comments of the last post. I’m for this team, I’m hoping it gets better, I’m watching the games, but there is no avoiding the fact that right now they’re at the bottom of the entire conference. you can’t blame that shit on me. I’m not spinning jack schitt when I say that if the playoffs were to start today, they would not make it. that is the reality of the situation. stop blaming people for the knicks problems. the knicks are losing. wake up peaceman. I don’t care how much you curse or make threats or call me names.
where is the silver lining? tell me why the knicks are going to start winning when they are not winning right now? because of a trade that currently has no basis in reality? Isiah is refusing to change the lineup. how are they going to change the losing culture this year? eddy curry is protesting zach’s arrival by not playing 110%.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:17 pm
FIRE FRANK! FIRE RILEY! FIRE SKILES!
Where are those chants?
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:20 pm
KnicksD
I’m not blameing you for anything! And the playoffs are a long way off
for every team when you have more than 75% of the season left!
Yeah we need to make changes! The Knicks are not better than Dallas, we lost to a much better team so why is everyone
in give up mode?
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:26 pm
i honestly don’t care about frank, riley or skiles. i care about the knicks, that’s who i watch, that’s what we blog about, why we wear the colors, all that.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:34 pm
i’m not giving up, i was being pessimistic i admit due to recent events.
i hope your right peaceman. your loyalty has no bounds.
i’m looking for the silver lining, i honestly can’t find it right now.
you’re not blaming me for the losses but isiah is blaming the fans.
somebody, anybody, where is the silver lining?
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:37 pm
So, let me get this straight. Isiah turns around and says a few things to some fans sitting behind the bench. He most likely recognizes the fans since they’ve been sitting there for decades. There is no claim that he speaks to the fans in a harsh, loud, or otherwise disrespectful tone. What he says to the fans is probably true. (If loud, supportive fans can assist a team’s play, you would think that the inverse is true as well.) One of those fans, eager to make herself part of the story, rushes to press row to disseminate as broadly as possible a conversation (really a venting) that Isiah had intended to be limited to a few people. And somehow this brief, minor venting becomes “ISIAH BLAMES THE FANS”.
Jeez. It’s no wonder Isiah feels the need to keep his guard up all the time. You could tell by looking on his face at the postgame press conference that he was mortified that these innocuous comments by him were out there and likely to be national news.
Who in their right mind would want to coach this team and deal with the NY media? I know Phil Jackson has said he would never want to deal with the media here. Who would?
By Marc R on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Peace,
Its not Dallas. They are the better team so I hope we were all realistic in thinking that we would be lucky to pull off an upset. Its the back to back drubbing by Philly that gets my ire up. There is no excuse to lose both of those games. Was it the boobirds that made us lose in Philly. Place blame where blame is due.
By JohnQ on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:45 pm
I don’t know exactly what Zeke said to the fans,but it sounded like he was defending the players.
I gonna stay with the ship…….
The Knicks are my team. My friends are laughing.My wife is hanging in there with me.
I want IT to fix this,but,yes, his time is running out.
We need to make a move…trade for someone……….Artest,PLEASE!
We may have to give up Lee,Nate or Balk,b/c no one wants Curry,Q,Jamal or Marbury.Keep Zach.
Play the Rook,let’s see what we got.
I would get IT ONE more move this year to save his job.
By D L T Knicks on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Okay Marc R, so it’s not only the fans fault but the blogs and the media’s fault for publishing anything other than what James Dolan’s PR people release double-spaced and left-aligned.
I see.
“What he says to the fans is probably true.”
to what extent? at what point does a home crowd stop being unfairly harsh and a home team just start to suck? is passing the ball directly to the other team any indication of sucking? frequent air-balls any sign of anything? over dribbling? not moving the ball? poor shooting from the field?
Assume what he said is probably true. is the road record then any indication of the knicks ability to compete with the other teams in the league? or is that unfair too because most eastern conference teams don’t play well on the road? In fact, only three eastern teams have winning road records.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Excellent post Marc R. !!!
That bitch should be banned from the Garden.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:53 pm
DLT Knicks, I’d give up Lee right about now for Artest. Anything to make them win a few games.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Let me take a different approach. If you recall the wins against the Jazz and the Bucks, the Garden crowd are eager, willing, and enthusiastic to cheer on the home team. The fans practically can’t wait and are ‘raring to go’ applaud this team.
You put forth the effort,play the right way and start winning then the booing will stop. It’s that simple. Even with all the travesties that have taken place, the Garden crowd, unfortunately or fortunately, will cheer on a winning Knick team.
By MAK - Isiah The Genius on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Good post Marc R. I agree.
The silver lining is that, though we are tired of excuses, there are in fact quite a few excuses surrounding these Knicks. Let’s look at them.
Isiah is sued.
Curry is hurt.
ZBo is new.
Marbury goes crazy.
Marbury’s mentor dies.
Marbury’s father dies.
Am I tired of excuses? Yes. But you can’t say that the leagues top teams have dealt with this same kind of stuff.
I can’t help but wonder, what will the Knicks be like when the dust settles. One truth in sports is you are never as good as you think, and you are never as bad as you think.
By Minnesota Knicks Fan on Dec 11, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Here’s a silver lining! We have no where to go but up!
I honestly think Dolan will ease up on trade denials!
Here’s another silver lining, the Curry experiment is OVER!
Here’s another silver lining, Rose wants to be traded!
Silver, Silver Silver!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:00 pm
@MAK
Good point. The fans will boo. They just want to see effort,hustle.
Even after the 2 bad loses to Philly, the fans still cheered on the team after they were down by 25 to Dallas.
They are us!
They/we want to win so badly.
I’m upset, I want to see the Knicks get better,NOW!
It’s been too long since we had a winning team.
By D L T Knicks on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:04 pm
peaceman, what are we going to do about curry? he looks worse than kevin duckworth out there lately. what do you mean the curry experiment is over? do you mean that isiah is going to sit curry or zbo?
tomorrow we find out.
thanks for the silver lining peaceman and minnesota knicks fan.
my silver lining is the bench that never plays, but if they never play, it can’t be a real silver lining can it?
free wilson chandler.
tomorrow we find out.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:05 pm
@Peaceman
What should be done with Curry,if we can’t trade him?
By D L T Knicks on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Now that it’s public info, Artest will most likely end up in NY
this season, but not because of Basketball. His Daughter was born with one Kidney(1/3 of the population is but has no idea)
and the one she was born with has a large tumor! She will most likely recieve RX @ Sloan Kettering and if she needed a
transplant it would be @ BI downtown by Zo’s team. I pray that Ron never has to ask for a trade because it would be bad news!
I hope he comes here without his daughters health declineing! As it looks now, she has an excellent chance for recovery,
but will most likely need a transplant in the future!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:14 pm
sorry to take a shot at eddy and duckworth like that, all i meant is this is not the same eddy curry i raved about last season.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I’m sorry to hear that peaceman. very sorry, hope it turns out well for the artest family.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Curry will collect splinters!
I hope Steph gets the green light to SCORE!
He can help this team more as Starbury than Marbury!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:18 pm
so sit curry. right next to jerome james?
and start randolph morris?
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Morris?…..oh no.
He is not ready for prime time.
By D L T Knicks on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:28 pm
@ Peaceman…
We don’t need Marbury to be “Starbury”…
Giving Steff the green light doesn’t equate to more W’s.
We need the “Steady” Marbury of last season, which was probably his best all-around season.
By bronxboy in Md on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I would speculate that Curry will be mandated as follows
1. Not start
2. Lose weight
3. Work with a handed picked special trainer
for ultimate loss of body fat and Cardio vascular improvement!
No way Zeke trades him. He will slowly make his way back to the starting lineup
only if he deserves it! Whatever trade we make will be geared for someone besides
Lee to play center. The players on the block appear to be NATE, Chandler, Morris, Rose
and our 1rst round draft pick! I wouldn’t rule Balkman out of a trade either!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:35 pm
“our 1rst round draft pick!”
really? no. aren’t we keeping that this year?
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Bronxboy
Your right if your talking about his Defense, but this predictable
and D-league defendable Curry 1rst option is History, opening up and taking
advantage of Steph’s scoreing ability!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Only if it’s protected! What or where is last years draft picks?
We don’t own a second rounder, Portland does for Nichols!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Curry SHOULD have a big man coach….should be Ewing,a true Knick,but is now helping Howard.
He needs help with his boxing-out,shot-blocking and rebounding(he should have about 10-15 boards/gm)
I just don’t think he wants to win or dominate.
By D L T Knicks on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:47 pm
DEFNDERS! I’ll say it again, DEFENDERS! Adversity and Frustration is ruling the THREAD I see… The name DEFENDER denotes STRENGTH, COURAGE, CHARACTER, FEARSOME, HONOR, PROTECTOR, GUARDIAN, TRUE.
PEACEMAN, I salute you my Brother from Another Mother, for trying to accentuate the POSITIVE… I know you were not alone in this endeavor DEFENDER, so I salute ANY/ALL that have stayed stronged and stood tall despite the ugly loses.
THESE ARE BASKETBALL GAMES…
If YOUR FANDOM causes you to lose REAl PERSPECTIVE, than you need to check yourself before your wreck yourself. Most of you in here THOUGHT we WERE TO KISSY KISSY, to SPIRITUAL, I believe one said RELIGIOUS, yet no Theology or Doctrine was ever prescribed or even mentioned, EVER. I for one, have always believed in one should “treat people the way they would like to be treated.’ Human kindness, human decency, mutual respect, true fellowship.
WHERE DID IT GO!
With that said, I’ll leave a little somethin somethin for EVERY DEFENDER to chew on. I gotta bounce! WTF! WOW!
Today’s Quote
Happiness grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers’ gardens.
Today’s Scripture
“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
Today’s Word
Do you need more joy in your life today? God promises that joy is found in His presence, and if you believe in a greater power, spirit, entity, whatever it is or you choose to call it, then its presence lives inside of you! That joy manifests when you focus your mind and heart on the (I choose to call it Father today)Father and begin to praise Him for what He’s done in your life. The Bible says that He inhabits the praises of His people. When you begin to praise and thank Him, you are in His presence where there is fullness of joy. It doesn’t matter where you are or what’s going on around you, you can access the joy that’s inside of you at anytime, day or night. And know this: God wants you to experience His supernatural joy and peace at all times. That’s why He chose to live inside of you and give you an endless supply. Don’t waste another minute feeling overburdened and discouraged. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength, and you will move forward in victory on the path of life He’s prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for an endless supply of joy. Today, I choose to cast my cares on You and give You the praise, glory, and honor You deserve. Let joy flow through me today so that I can be a witness of Your goodness to those around me. Amen.
I normally would say “Keep it POPPIN,” but that just doesn’t seem quite right today….
A NEW YORK SPORTS FAN FOR LIFE. NO MATTER WHAT! NO MATTER WHO! NO MATTER WHERE! NO MATTER WHEN!
MORE IMPORTANTLY, I’M THE BIGGEST FAN OF LIFE! FOR THAT REASON I AM ALWAYS STRIVING TO BE HAPPY!
I’m Audi
By cooleyhigh on Dec 11, 2007 at 6:56 pm
DaVonn: On the one hand you say that because the players are highly paid professionals, they should not need much motivation from a coach; on the other hand you say:
“If I was Isiah I would tell the team “fuck the crowd.” Just
go out and play. Let me deal with the crowd. At the same time,
I would rip into the teams ass (no homo) and make them play
better. All this while I’m working the phones looking for a
team to take Curry and another team to take Steph.”
Thus, Isiah is ultimately responsible for teaching professionals to play like professionals or go out and trade for players who will play
that way. Here we agree.
My point is that Zeke can’t accept the status quo. He must do something to change the tempo: alter the lineup, ride someone’s ass, get a trade done, or some combination thereof. Playing the balance of
the season in the hope of getting a high lottery pick is not a satisfactory answer.
Lives! Are you reading these posts. Weigh in. KFL
By Post - up Prince on Dec 11, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Where’s STEADY also?
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 7:13 pm
check over on knicks knation, I saw BLANKET_STATEMENTS over there today trailblazing a path to two years ago.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Dallas shoots 58% in the 1st half Knicks shoot 28% ball game…. Those FACTS somehow translates to the clueless fans and even more clueless media that the issue was Isiah telling the fans his opinion of them. they get to chant their opinion of Isiah while he’s trying to work so why not?.. He’s supposed to stand there and take like a good little…. I’ve supported KNick teams that had no chance where the ‘stars’ were guys like Ken Bannister. I’ve supported teams that had Ray Williams and Michael Ray Richardson and Spencer Haywood. IN the end Michael Ray and Spencer’s priority was getting the game over with to get back to the drugs available after. I also used to go to Pace College in the 70’s when they practiced there. Not ‘drinking the koolaid’ or an MSG employee. Just a long time fan emabrassed by the team play but also by the fans who think they will accomplish something by being abusive idiots at the games. Stay home…donate your tickets to charity. The team may be playing badly, but the fans are becoming the laughing stock of the league. A story ran on the Web yesterday saying ‘why would any professional athlete want to play in NY’? good question. They also said that the myth that NY Sport fans are the most knowledgable is now confirmed… I would include the media in that group. No game analysis just how and when the fans booed…. anybody here could write that… I miss writers like Dick Young…
By venom on Dec 11, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Who really has the hardest job at Madison Square Garden?
It’s not Isiah Thomas.
How would you like to be the vice president of ticket sales or the vice president of marketing for the Knicks today?
I got to watch third graders sing Christmas songs at the Poughkeepsie Galleria this morning, so my Journal News colleague, Jeff Gold, inherited the follow up to last night’s public relations disaster. And it doesn’t sound like Thomas was the least bit contrite.
And that’s his right.
I personally believe every fan who was in attendance last night deserves a handwritten thank-you note, along with a piece of the court signed by a Knicks legend. Thomas is apparently going to bat for his players, who do not respond well to malice.
We saw it happen last year, too.
Does anybody remember one of my first blogs? Malik Rose admitted the booing was making a number of teammates panicky. Several players were pressing to avoid making anyone in the stands unhappy. Thomas is sending the same message.
Here are some of the highlights from today:
“I know the team I coach and the players I coach,” Thomas said. “You can gauge their emotional response and when they’re aggressive and when they’re tentative. And right now, my team is a little tentative and a little hesitant. My job is to get them going, to get them aggressive and to get them confident. We love our fans, we appreciate them, we just want to give them a better show, and they want a better show. It’s not complicated.”
There was no apology.
“If there is one thing that I hope all of you know about me or will learn about me, I fight ‘til I die. It’s not about giving up or quitting. To me, it’s win or die. And I literally mean death. I don’t mean walk away. I mean death. That’s how I approach it. We got a job to do here. We’re going to get it done. I’m confident we have the right players. I’m confident we have the right people and we’ll dig our way out of this. It’s been done before. We’ve done it before. We did it last year and we¹ll do it again this year.”
That’s a more logical approach than scolding fans during a game.
It will be interesting to see how the crowd responds tomorrow against Seattle. The best thing for Thomas and everyone involved might be the sticks-and-stones approach.
By knick knack on Dec 11, 2007 at 8:15 pm
venom
fact: You would not know this, but in the last post we, blogged here in real time on what we saw in the game.
this is a capitalist society we live in here. people pay money for their seats, how can you honestly tell them what they should or should not do while they’re at the game?
the fans aren’t going to change, you should know that by now. booing is a tradition at the garden. they boo the frekin’ kids that come out and do the competitions during timeouts.
the root of the problem is not the fan, is not the sports writer. the disorder from outside is a reflection of the disorder from within. the root of the problem is james dolan and his nero-like rule at MSG.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Someone mentioned that it has been a long time since we had the “is Curry better than Howard” talk
Here, let’s have it now:
Is Curry better than Howard? No.
Is Curry better than the funky smelling white guy down at the Y? No. That dude at least bounds.
By PC on Dec 11, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Its funny Dan Dickau is playing with the Clippers right now against da Nets….thats pretty cool.
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Good to see Cooley post!
Guys it’s a long way from over! The Knicks played hard without Marbury againstshould not affect the outcome
an Elite team last night! This hangover is from the Philly games!
This Knick team has a mental block that can be changed. From the summer time nothing but venom has been
written by our own press! The MSM has lots of influence on NY fans! Yes we do have SOME of the most intelligent
fans in the world, but we also have SOME of the dumbest fucks in the world too!( see Knicks Knation)
Excuses, excuses , excuses! Sorry but we do have them! I wish we didn’t!
1. Curry and his family almost lost their live’s by thugs before the season. Baggage? Yes!
2.ABS wasn’t the best way to start the season! Lupica lead the violins playing for poor ABS’s destroyed dreams!
How many sheep at the Garden boo because of that?
3. Zach losses his Grandmother who raised him. Life changing event!
4. Marbury throws the team in turmoil with his awol!
5. Marbury losses his father, who has a massive myocardial infarction while attending MSG, hearing Boos!
6. The Fans attack the Knicks with verbal abuse right behind the bench. Consider we were playing Dallas!
There is a lot of truth to what DVJ said in reference to how well could any of us perform their job
with someone screaming at you as you are surrounded by negativity? Could a bus driver hold it together
while all the passengers are telling him he sucks? Could the window washer 40 storys up stay steady if people
in the building were yelling at them hopeing they would fall? Could the NYPD or NYFD do their job
if the same people they were protecting started to scream at them while they were doing their job?
It is a known fact if you keep mentally telling someone they suck, they will start to believe it!
The people behind the Knicks bench who were taunting the Knicks need to be banned from
the Garden! Remember last year when Mike Breen suggested that fans doing the WAVE be banned from the Garden?
The Ewing and Barkley days are over, Barkley would of went into the stands and kicked some ass!
Curry got blasted last night by a similar play that Kobe got suspended for last year.( Spurs game)
Maybe Curry should level a Bowan like player with an elbow or some sheer force on an offensive
foul, not to hurt the person, just knock him on his ass and stir up some shit like last year where
this team came together! If thats what it takes so be it! You keep rideing a person hard enough and
they will SNAP!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:12 pm
good post peace.
i hope you’re right.
re: knicks fans being smart: if you’ve been going to the games, and you don’t find that to be the case? I can’t relate to you. let’s just say in my limited time on this earth, they are the smartest fans. negative and impatient? that too.
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:20 pm
chandler article written nearly a month ago:
http://www.nysun.com/article/66777?page_no=2
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Dan d doing pretty god with da clipers
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:39 pm
because of that great rebound win after that 45point spanking i said i’d hold off on second-guessing zeke til the new year but daaag, can’t help but wonder if this distracting fan banter (was this happening during the game?) is a way to help keep the fans off his back, too.
they’re a little behind schedule, but still hopeful for 7 december wins. they’re gonna hafta strap it up b/c a lot of these bottom-dwelling teams in the east are looking to make a bit of a run. it won’t be bunched up at the bottom for too much longer. wheat, say goodbye to chaff.
By Charles Follymacher on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Follymach
The Bulls are killing the Sonics at the Half!
Maybe you’ll get to see D-Nice play?
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:44 pm
They are boing the NETS guys ……..we are not da only team…I feel so muc better
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I like Kaman on the Clippers.
He got some moves.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Davonn
better thsn curry am I right?
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Dan D doing good stuff
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:54 pm
They r boing the NETS ……lol
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Dan D with a steal
By Knicksome on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Kaman plays tough! Reminds me of Jeff Ruland!
By Peaceman on Dec 11, 2007 at 9:58 pm
peace, i wouldn’t expect to see him playing so soon, but i guess it’s an opportunity to get his feet wet. i’ll see if i can find that game.
By Charles Follymacher on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I agree Knicksome
Kaman has some moves and more importantly he gets rebounds.
18 points and 14 rebounds tonight.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Venom: You are showing your age when you say you miss writers like Dick Young. I often agreed with Young’s columns and also would include the elder Vecsey of the N.Y. Times as well as Jimmy Breslin. We both go back aways as Knick fans.
I agree with Venom and Peaceman that the media is largely responsible for fomenting the current swirl of boobirds that have flocked to the garden this season. Many fans are indeed fickle and only fair weather birds. Some of course are understanbly disturbed after paying thousands of dollars for season tickets, only to see what appears to be an inferior, non-competitive product.
I also see Peaceman’s point about pushing a man so far that he can only “snap” — in this case back at the fans. The fans, however, are not the primary fault. Isiah’s comments today cited by knick knack’s good
post (#93) is a better reflection of his views: “We love our fans, we appreciate them, we just want to give them a better show, and they want a better show. It’s not complicated.” I loved his whole “do or die,”
Churchill-like inspirational statement and wish that the fiery competitiveness Isiah showed as a player could somehow be instilled in his players. Pure fire and desire may get us past Seattle tomorrow.
LGK
Cooley: Nice to have you back.
Waiting to hear from Lives and Steady. Anti and Barf are also on call call ror oomments.
This entire discussion has been quite soul searching. I find this blog to be a place of considerable refuge for passionate Knick fans who want the team to succeed, notwithstanding some heated disagreements as to who bears ultimate responsiblity: fans, coaches, player, owners, writers, etc. For now, I take comfort in our mutual expressiona of concern and a place to post perspectives not seen in the mainstream media. Thanks knicksdefense. KFL
By Post - up Prince on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:18 pm
BLOGZILLA/KNICKDEFENSE/STARBURYFAN
You deserve and have earned our REPSECT, and I thank you for keeping the THREAD alive. For over a week I have read and heard the frustration and disappointment in your posts, along with many others. Hang in there KNICK FAN. This period will pass. And, what will be, will be. A change is a coming, it always does, and that you can depend. The what, how, and when is yet to be determined. The why is obvious! Change is the only constant.
St. George, LIVES, STEADY, General, I extend greetings and peace to you and yours, and confident that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, it is well with you and yours.
There’s a lot of BBALL being played and completed this evening. Toronto looked good tonight, and my prayers go out to TJ Ford. Let’s hope his injury is not to severe. Clippers did there thing, Chicago is wearing out Seattle, but a comeback might occur, although highly unlikely, and Detroit looked pretty good too (Maxiel is a MANCHILD). My boy Jared Jack (he and my eldest son were the starting backcourt at a couple of HS’S & Summer league Teams) is killing Utah. I’ll be tuning in on San Antonio vs. Golden State. That should be rather entertaining.
We’ve got another game manana! Let us see what tomorrow brings. Go Knicks! Go Knicks!
Keep it POPPIN!
By cooleyhigh on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:51 pm
thank you for bringing your positivity defenders
post-up prince, cooleyhigh, Davonn, Charles Follymacher, Peaceman, Knicksome, Venom, knick knack, John Q, Bx in md, minnesota knicks fan, SaipanKnickster, DNM, Marc R, DLT KNicks, MAK, PC
thank you for what you bring to knicksdefense.com
thank you to the regulars who have been away, we notice when you’re not here.
A win tomorrow would make all of us feel good, no doubt.
I believe we can turn it around. we just need to do something different.
maybe the fans can get behind the team tomorrow and be the X-factor the knicks have been missing.
If anyone wants to represent and show the garden how to cheer for the home team properly check here:
http://teamexchange.ticketmaster.com/html/eventlist.htmI?l=EN&team=knicks
New post for tomorrow’s game in a second…
By knicksdefense on Dec 11, 2007 at 11:08 pm