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**Da Grinch** · 10-11-2006, 10:34 PM

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GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Last season, the Knicks spent so much time bickering among themselves and with their coach, Larry Brown, they rarely had any energy left over for their opponents.

When Isiah Thomas got Brown's whistle, those who have seen him coach before knew he would create an environment where antagonism flowed in a different direction.

Knicks fans will get their first look at Thomas' team in the preseason opener Friday night against the Nets at the Garden. At least in terms of a more open, up-tempo offense, the difference should be noticeable. But Nate Robinson boldly predicted Wednesday that the transition from Brown to Thomas would be about much more than that.

"Everybody doesn't think we're going to be able to do it, but we're going to prove everybody wrong," the backup point guard said after practice. "This season is going to be a great one and one to remember to go down in history."

It is easy to make grandiose predictions when the first game that counts is still three weeks away. But after only eight days of practice, Thomas quietly has tried to duplicate an insular mentality that worked for him in .Indiana -- one that capitalized on players' innate disdain for outsiders and doubters.

Not that anybody has noticed, with the ongoing chorus of mini-eruptions from players still bashing Brown. Wednesday, it was Steve Francis' turn.

"There was so much stuff that went on last season that basketball didn't seem to be the focal point of the players on this team," said Francis, who called it "the worst thing that I've ever experienced as a basketball player in my career."

Francis is not alone in applauding the up-tempo, motion-oriented offense Thomas has installed. But Robinson appears to be the only Knick willing to predict that this team will be different in the standings, not just in style.

"It's like we're Atlas," Robinson said. "We're holding the world on our shoulders. Everybody's against us, so that's a good thing for us."

Thomas said Wednesday he has a "tingly feeling" in anticipation of his debut.

"He preaches that we've got to be hard-nosed regardless of anything else," Robinson said. "We've got to protect this team, the guys who are in orange, blue and white, every day. He just says, 'Don't let anybody come in here and step on our faces.'

"Once we start winning, guys are going to be like, 'See, I told you the Knicks were this and that,'" Robinson said. "Nah. Once you're against us, you're always against us. That's how I feel."

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basket...vote18535433=1

When people see this team i think they will be very pleased.

i have a question for the board .

What would be considered "working" for the knicks backcourt of marbury francis and crew?

i dont think they can get their #s(20 and 8 for marbury 19 6 and 6 for francis) and be a productive team even in a more uptempo enviroment but i think they can work out just by being more professional and in lesser minutes and stats be more well rounded players ....for one reason no one needs to carry this team offensively , so there is no need to conserve energy on the defensive end...which most star players do.(i never know why people get so outraged about it unless they were flagrantly not trying) and with JC and nate in reserve 2 guys who easily have starter talent and possibly star talent, i think at guard they can really hammer teams with a fast paced game...i just dont see too many guards who can take a pounding from marbury's bruising style and then being able to run and gun with nate who i think is in the top 5 as far as fastest players in the league. or alot of teams period who have 2 backcourt defenders able to defend marbury and francis...both are used to having teams focus on them , but maybe now neither will get the defensive attention they were previously getting.

frank9007 · 10-12-2006, 12:23 AM

Quote:

"He preaches that we've got to be hard-nosed regardless of anything else," Robinson said. "We've got to protect this team, the guys who are in orange, blue and white, every day. He just says, 'Don't let anybody come in here and step on our faces.'

"Once we start winning, guys are going to be like, 'See, I told you the Knicks were this and that,'" Robinson said. "Nah. Once you're against us, you're always against us. That's how I feel."

My boy Nate is drilling a pre-emptive strike at the haters and the people that will jump on the bandwagon.

Kiyaman · 10-12-2006, 07:12 AM

It looks as if little Nate see a crack in the PG-Leadership department that he will squeeze into if Marbury & Francis wink their eyes this season.
GO FOR IT Nate!!!

**USSKittyHawk** · 10-12-2006, 10:11 AM

I hope you right Nate, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. We haven't done a damn thing since Ewing left, so I expect some fans to not get their hopes up.

KVIP112 · 10-12-2006, 02:26 PM

I think the team is gonna play like on now that zeke is our coach and not lb.

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