Knicks 2007-2008 season review? We sucked, the end.
April 18, 2008 – 10:41 am
Here is a good review of the 2007-2008 Knicks. I’m basically so sick of the Knicks in their current incarnation that I can’t bring myself to write upon this season at this particular moment. Maybe later. There are plenty of links to the right of this page that have more season reviews, but for me, it all boils down to this:
33-23-33-23
No, that is not the combination to my knicks colored luggage. Those are the amount of games the knicks have won in each of their past four years, out of 82.
For whatever reason, some very sick and twisted individuals consider this to be good enough, but for this fan, it will not do. It is not much fun to watch your team be the laughing stock of the league for the past four years, especially when in the previous decade the team was so competitive.
So I look forward to the draft in hopes of a high pick.
And hopefully a better coach too because this team doesn’t want or know how to play defense. How many points did they give up to Indiana the other night, 135?
>>>
In other news, I want to say thanks for nothing to Jim Dolan for pulling out of the Moynihan Station project at the last minute. He could have made up for the idiocy of destroying the old Penn Station for some garbage office space and a dark, cramped and sticky MSG, but instead will dump more of his misused money into gutting the garden and giving it a fresh coat of paint and some new seats. Now if you watch this propaganda by MSG, it will sound so much better, because let’s face it, it is propaganda, but it is my belief that the scrapped plans to build Moynihan and a new Madison Square Garden would have helped the city of New York far more in the long run. Just another blown opportunity by the Dolans to do the right thing at the right time. Their short-sightedness is reaching legendary status in record-breaking time.
13 Responses to “Knicks 2007-2008 season review? We sucked, the end.”
Theres something about the history of the Garden that makes me greatful that they are not moving. We are already losing Yankee stadium and the rich history that comes with it.
By johnQ on Apr 18, 2008
I hear that JohnQ. but i’ve been to some of these other arenas in the NBA and, 1960-2008 history aside, when you look at some of the new comfort and technology, we are clearly behind.
But also, if they’re gutting it, is there much difference from a new building other than its geographic location? If you saw the video and pics, doesn’t look like the MSG of the 90’s or of 70 or 73…
By knicksdefense on Apr 18, 2008
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to visit other arenas except Continental A arena (IZOD center ?). I’m sure your point is valid.
By johnQ on Apr 18, 2008
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2008/04/18/2008-04-18_mark_jackson_denies_he_left_yes_to_take_-1.html
the last quote is interesting because it is almost verbatim what walsh was saying at the time of his departure from indiana.
By knicksdefense on Apr 18, 2008
KD,
I think there is a prepared speech for different situations in the nba. How many times have we heard the same thing at the end of games from different players ?
By johnQ on Apr 18, 2008
Good bye Thomas!
By ed drossman on Apr 18, 2008
Walsh fires Thomas, keeps him with the franchise for ‘input’
ESPN.com news services
Updated: April 18, 2008, 5:29 PM ET
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NEW YORK — At long last, Isiah Thomas is out as head coach of the New York Knicks.
But he’s not totally gone.
In one of the most anticlimactic firings in NBA history, incoming Knicks president Donnie Walsh announced late Friday afternoon he was relieving Thomas of his coaching duties. But Thomas, still owed $18 million after receiving a long-term contract extension 13 months ago, will remain in the organization with no official title.
“I think Isiah remaining part of the franchise is good for the organization,” Walsh said on a conference call with reporters. “I value Isiah’s knowledge of the game and his opinions, so I will use him as a resource. Isiah will be reporting to me. There will be nobody reporting to Isiah.”
Thomas was 56-108 in his two years as head coach, taking over following the firing of Larry Brown in the summer of 2006.
Walsh replaced Thomas as team president April 2 but wanted to wait until the season was over before making a decision on the coach. The Knicks finished their 23-59 season Wednesday, matching the franchise record for losses.
“I can’t tell you really where we failed,” Walsh said. “The bottom line is we haven’t won, and the team didn’t look like it was motivated to try to win.”
Walsh, who has stated that his long-term goal for the Knicks was to get significantly under the salary cap by the summer of 2010, said he would begin the search for a new coach immediately. Former Knick Mark Jackson is among the candidates.
“I think there are a lot of good candidates out there, and I’m going to start compiling a list trying to find out who’s the perfect guy,” Walsh said. “I know Mark, I had a lot of respect for him as a player, he was one of the smartest guys that ever played for us in Indiana. He’s always been a guy I thought would make a fine head coach, and I’ll certainly interview him. He’ll be one of the guys on my list, along with others.”
Thomas’ tenure with the Knicks has been marked by a number of embarrassments.
This season alone, Thomas was found to have sexually harassed a former team employee, feuded with point guard Stephon Marbury and benched center Eddy Curry — the players Thomas acquired in the two biggest of a number of moves that never panned out.
Still, Walsh said he believed Thomas could contribute to making the Knicks a better franchise.
“I feel like some of the bigger events that happened on the way with Isiah overshadowed some of the good things” that he accomplished, Walsh said.
“I will be in touch with Isiah a lot,” he said.
2008-04-18 @ 09:47:20 pm
By Orange and Blue on Apr 19, 2008
KnicksD
Seems like Thomas will no longer be in a position to directly influence the outcome of the organizational decision making.
Thomas is out as Headcoach but is retained in an “unspecified” role where he will report directly to Walsh.
Here again is my theory on why he would stay on, which I put out about 2 weeks ago, seems like my speculation had merit.
“I put forth this theory about a week or so ago why I thought Isiah would stick around.
Namely that given in the next several years, the Knicks might be in position to draft high round talent, and that Thomas has a bonafide record of solid drafting and talent evaluation, which would seem to fit with the mandate of rebuilding but building towards competitiveness while freeing cap space for 2010. My theory goes this way, basically that in order to become talent the Knicks will have to do well in the draft. Thomas has done so with late to mid round picks, and that while in Toronto he drafted all star calibur talent with those high draft picks. young inexpensive talent fits perfectly into Donnie Walsh’s mandate of rebuilding while clearing cap space.
Other factors I stressed in Isiah staying on was his obedience to his Bosses’ mandates, (media policy) and resignation to take blame for the ordeal. Those factors speak to loyalty, which is a factor very important to Dolan.
Lastly, I pointed out that while the team will look to clear cap space by 2010- for the free agent spree- he will likely look to save cost within the organization. A precursor is suggested in the example of the Larry Brown firing, wherein Thomas was designated with the Head Coaching duties, whilie still having to work with some of Browns assistants- whom Dolan did not fire. Put this fiscal conservatism in a greater context of player personnel buyouts ot players, Isiah brought in (Rose, Taylor) and others bought out from the Layden regime, and there is a strong inference that Isiah would not be entirely removed from the organization.
Good luck mike, enjoy this forum, where looking for bloggers who can flesh out their arguments. We have a great debaters tradition on this blog.”
By Orange and Blue on Apr 19, 2008
Defenders
Now that the Isiah as headcoach should be fired topic and when is moot. Fanatics will be holding a trial part two on what Isiah’s future should be.
All are welcome to stop by and cast their vote at the end of the trial.
So let me know what is the opinion in these parts as to the firing of Thomas but his continued stay in the “unspecified” role?
By Orange and Blue on Apr 19, 2008
Vic Bit
Did I not elaborate on why Thomas would stay on.
Now there seems to be some speculation as to whether Thomas ouster from the HC and GM/President of Basketball Operations titles is either
a) some form of keeping Thomas in the loop and with some degree of reemerging in the future with the franchise, once Walsh retires;
or
b) a dignified why to effect Thomas’s constructive discharge from the organization-think the movie office space, where that clerk kept getting reassigned to smaller offices, cubicles, then the basement, and they stopped effectively paying him.
Which one I don’t know. I think the answer may be more towards a) b/c while he tried to approach his duties under the no rebuilding mantra, set out by Dolan, when it became painfully apparant that that route was faulty, the organization needed someone to take the bulls eye of Thomas, and sell rebuilding towards a 2010 free agent class. Hence enter Walsh. Why b/c the fans were not going to buy a change in tune from a head of organization who tried to sell them no rebuilding but failed in that objective.
What are the thoughts of the Fanatics?
By Orange and Blue on Apr 19, 2008
Article by Old Man Adameck from the Bergen News listing the possible coaching candidates now that Isiah is done as head coach
Candidates for Knicks’ job Saturday, April 19, 2008
With Isiah Thomas’ Knicks coaching career now over, Donnie Walsh will compile a list of potential replacements, which is expected to include the following names:
The ‘A’ list
Mark Jackson: The former Knick and Pacer would bring major positive PR and may be a long shot in terms of experience, but Walsh’s Pacers reached three straight East finals and an NBA Finals with a coaching novice, Larry Bird.
Scott Skiles: His hiring could mean goodbye Eddy Curry (with whom he clashed in Chicago), but he could be the hard voice the Knicks need after Thomas’ Mr. Softee-like reign — if Milwaukee or someone else doesn’t hire him first.
Tom Thibodeau: The former Jeff Van Gundy assistant would bring the same much-needed defensive mentality he has to the Celtics, but would avowed JVG-hater James L. Dolan accept him?
The ‘B’ list
Rick Carlisle: He might belong on the “A” list, having won 61 games in Indiana after Bird (exerting the clout that once was Walsh’s) fired Thomas to hire him. But the Niles Crane look-alike has a history of being tough to work with.
Herb Williams: Some in the organization believe he deserves a true shot at the job after two interim stints, even if it’s as caretaker until Walsh’s salary-cap script reaches the 2010 free agent market.
Long shots
Patrick Ewing: Although he could get a courtesy interview, any return to New York likely would come to work with Curry (if he stays) as an assistant under Jackson, Thibodeau or Williams.
Jeff Van Gundy: May be best qualified candidate, but told the Houston Chronicle he won’t coach next season and Dolan (who said that JVG “quit” on the team in 2002) could exert veto power.
— Steve Adamek
With Isiah Thomas’ Knicks coaching career now over, Donnie Walsh will compile a list of potential replacements, which is expected to include the following names:
The ‘A’ list
Mark Jackson: The former Knick and Pacer would bring major positive PR and may be a long shot in terms of experience, but Walsh’s Pacers reached three straight East finals and an NBA Finals with a coaching novice, Larry Bird.
Scott Skiles: His hiring could mean goodbye Eddy Curry (with whom he clashed in Chicago), but he could be the hard voice the Knicks need after Thomas’ Mr. Softee-like reign — if Milwaukee or someone else doesn’t hire him first.
Tom Thibodeau: The former Jeff Van Gundy assistant would bring the same much-needed defensive mentality he has to the Celtics, but would avowed JVG-hater James L. Dolan accept him?
The ‘B’ list
Rick Carlisle: He might belong on the “A” list, having won 61 games in Indiana after Bird (exerting the clout that once was Walsh’s) fired Thomas to hire him. But the Niles Crane look-alike has a history of being tough to work with.
Herb Williams: Some in the organization believe he deserves a true shot at the job after two interim stints, even if it’s as caretaker until Walsh’s salary-cap script reaches the 2010 free agent market.
Long shots
Patrick Ewing: Although he could get a courtesy interview, any return to New York likely would come to work with Curry (if he stays) as an assistant under Jackson, Thibodeau or Williams.
Jeff Van Gundy: May be best qualified candidate, but told the Houston Chronicle he won’t coach next season and Dolan (who said that JVG “quit” on the team in 2002) could exert veto power.
— Steve Adamek
By Orange and Blue on Apr 19, 2008
KnicksD
Do you think you can do a poll on the Coaching Candidates listed in Adameck’s article?
Ok I’ve expended my blogger frequent flyer miles.
Gooday to all
By Orange and Blue on Apr 19, 2008
If the Knicks just fired Thomas, he’d sue for breaking his contract. Thomas knows that Larry Brown was given lost of money when he was fired and sued the Knicks. If Thomas was smart he’d do the same. But since the Knicks kept him in a reduced role and continued to pay him, he’ll be less apt to sue. Now they’ll keep him at a reduced role until his contract expires. They’ll also let him interview for jobs if he wants to.
This just shows what a bone head Dolan was for extending Thomas’ contract when he did. If Dolan didn’t expend Thomas contact, we’d be don with Thomas.
By ed drossman on Apr 20, 2008