07-07-2006, 07:51 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Sexy Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 11,655
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Isiah Sets New Goal: The Playoffs
Quote:
Beads of sweat dotted Thomas's forehead — a fitting look for someone with an invisible guillotine hanging over his head — but the sweat came with a smile. Thomas may be working under a one-year ultimatum, but he seemed perfectly happy to be in charge of his own fate.
"It feels good to kind of get back on the bike and start riding," said Thomas, who had not coached since 2003, with Indiana. "I'm pretty enthusiastic myself. I love basketball and I really am in love with the game. It's a great game. I don't make it any more than it really is."
"My goal is to get to the playoffs. As a coach, I want to be coaching a playoff team," said Thomas, whose Pacers teams made the playoffs in each of his three seasons. "That will be our thought from Day One, and that's what we'll push them towards. Come April, we want to be still lacing them up."
Curiously, Thomas and Brown never listed the playoffs as a goal before last season. In retrospect, their caution was well founded. The Knicks lost their first five games and never got close to .500. In a season when 40 victories was enough to make the postseason, the Knicks finished with 23.
"Everyone has gotten better, and we have to develop and get better from within," said Thomas, who is also the team president. "We have our eyes on a couple of situations, but we're not chasing anything. I'm pretty comfortable with what we have."
Although Thomas spoke in generalities Thursday, a few changes are already evident. He has been drilling defense all week, whereas Brown — regarded as a defensive coach — rarely made it an emphasis in practices last season.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/sp...gewanted=print
Playoffs huh? No comment. 
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