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**USSKittyHawk** · 07-07-2006, 07:51 AM

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.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/sp...gewanted=print

Playoffs huh? No comment.

**USSKittyHawk** · 07-07-2006, 08:10 AM

I have a distinct feeling that was Dolan's goal to Isiah. Make the playoffs or you get fired.

KVIP112 · 07-07-2006, 08:11 AM

good feeling kitty. i think the same too. and i see zeke here for the 2007-2008 season if you know what im saying...

**Gotham2krazy** · 07-07-2006, 10:06 AM

Well, Isiah did it his first three years, it's just that he didn't get too far. At least we know our young guns will be developing under his coaching.

**Truknicksfan** · 07-07-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Playoffs huh? No comment.

What are playoffs? You mean you can actually play games after the last game of the seaon in the NBA? News to me!

(Guess its been too long

)

This team can only make the playoffs IMO if we make some moves this offseason. Im not saying we need any big time player or anything, but it would be nice to get some role/defensive players in here. Also we need to lose some of our log jam in the backcourt.Even if we dont get much back for them, or we just bury them in a hole in my backyard, aslong as they dissaper.(Out of JC,Nate, Steph, Jalen, Steve,Q I would love to see Jalen,Steve and Q hit the road)

The Future7 · 07-07-2006, 11:21 AM

We can easily make the playoffs with the team we have IMO. We have so many talented players. There is no reason we shouldnt be able to make the playoffs if they just learn how to play as a team. I'm going to trust Isiah for the 06/07 season just because he seems determined enough to get us far.

**0oh_S0o_FreSh!!** · 07-07-2006, 11:40 AM

Definately, zekes coaching style isnt that complex, because if he was like LB, he couldnt understand himself, cuz thats how dumbe he is, just look for the knicks in the playoffs in 07, i gotta go watch the summer league game, later!

Cabron_James · 07-07-2006, 03:43 PM

Sets New Goal?????

So what was the original goal???

Pain5155 · 07-07-2006, 06:51 PM

well it could happen if the knicks have a winning record, a few game under .500 wont cut it like it used too. I dont expect that this year clubs under .500 will make the playoffs. The eastern conference teams are getting better.

EwingStarksOakley94 · 07-07-2006, 07:02 PM

I agree, we could make the playoffs with the talent we have. but, we could just as easily have another 23 win season. i'm not expecting anything. hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised next spring.

**Truknicksfan** · 07-07-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

We can easily make the playoffs with the team we have IMO. We have so many talented players. There is no reason we shouldnt be able to make the playoffs if they just learn how to play as a team. I'm going to trust Isiah for the 06/07 season just because he seems determined enough to get us far.

We all said the same thing when LB came here.....

EwingStarksOakley94 · 07-07-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truknicksfan

We all said the same thing when LB came here.....

sooooo true

Zuca · 07-08-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truknicksfan

This team can only make the playoffs IMO if we make some moves this offseason. Im not saying we need any big time player or anything, but it would be nice to get some role/defensive players in here. Also we need to lose some of our log jam in the backcourt.Even if we dont get much back for them, or we just bury them in a hole in my backyard, aslong as they dissaper.(Out of JC,Nate, Steph, Jalen, Steve,Q I would love to see Jalen,Steve and Q hit the road)

You can start moving Francis with Jerome James in a big move...

NY trade Francis to Minnesota, Jerome James to GS and Maurice Taylor to Seattle;
Indiana trade S-Jax to Portland;
Portland trade Miles to NY;
GS trade Adonal Foyle to GS, Mike Dunleavy Jr and Cabarkapa to Wolves;
Minnesota trade Ricky Davis to GS, Jaric to Indiana, Hudson to NY and Madsen to GS;
Seattle trade Mikki Moore to Minnesota and Danny Fortson to NY;

NY: Say what you want about Fortson, but he can help this team MUCH more than Taylor can... A defensive tough forward that have some baggage, but has an expiring contract like Taylor have... Miles is a fine talented SF, that need some motivation... Being in a team where everybody need to shakeup things, maybe Isiah can get him going and help him to live at least some of his talent... Foyle is a great role player, a nice lockerroom presence that every coach loves to have... Definitely better than have JJ at this point! Hudson is a fine backup PG, Isiah can try to move him with Q or Jalen Rose in the trade deadline if he wants to...

Indy: Jaric add more help with his versatility, can play PG,SG and SF...

Portland: They want to move Miles and get SJax, which is more suited to play some SG than Miles...

GS: Foyle is fine, like I've said, but now is time to free more PT to the young bigs... JJ has a cheaper contract, and may be more motivated, since he will be the starting C in this Warriors team, at least when season starts... Ricky is more of a defensive SF, fits better than Dunleavy at this moment. Madsen can be useful as a third stringer PF/C...

Minnesota: They already have two PF's in KG and Griffin, so Madsen still won't be much used. Mikki Moore at least is a C, and Minny can use him more... Cabarkapa is a versatile soft SF/PF that may earn some minutes there. Francis and Foye may be a dangerous combo, they'll be switching positions (as 2 and 1). Francis is an improvement over the Jaric and Hudson rotation. Dunleavy can fit with this team, because he is a good passing SF, and Francis isn't much of a passer... So Dunleavy help in this Francis void.

Seattle: With Sene signed, there will be even less minutes for both Moore and Fortson. They add in Taylor a backup scoring PF that can play also some SF, and fits better with the other players...

A big improvement for EVERY teams and players!

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