ducks
02-20-2006, 08:25 AM
Isiah shopping
to please Larry
BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
HOUSTON - Isiah Thomas dismissed Antonio Davis' claim that the team president and coach Larry Brown are not on the same page.
"Larry and I talk every day," Thomas said. "We both knew that this would be a hard job but we're both working to make it better."
Davis, who was traded to Toronto two weeks ago, called his former team a "circus" and a "mess." Davis also revealed that Brown and Thomas have different philosophies on how to build a team. Brown, who coached Davis in Indiana, felt that the media twisted the comments and later said that he and Thomas are in fact coexisting peacefully.
Brown has said that Thomas had asked him to devise a list of the types of player he wants on the roster. Brown later claimed that he delivered such a wish list to Thomas back in October.
With the trading deadline looming on Thursday, the Knicks are talking to several clubs about potential deals. Thomas has had conversations with the Nuggets about power forward Kenyon Martin and with Orlando regarding point guard Steve Francis.
The most plausible scenario has the Knicks acquiring Portland's Theo Ratliff, a 6-10 center/forward who played for Brown with the Sixers. Thomas says he is committed to revamping the roster with Brown's help. The Knicks' two most recent deals - signing Qyntel Woods and trading for Jalen Rose - were moves that Brown endorsed.
Thomas has maintained a low profile in recent weeks and politely declined to comment when pressed further about his relationship with Brown.
"No one is happy with our record but I can tell you we're going to get better," Thomas said. "That's what everybody is working toward. That's what we all want."
With the Knicks' record at 15-37, Thomas' job performance has come under scrutiny. The feeling among league executives is that Thomas upgraded the roster last summer but that he didn't acquire enough veterans to work with Brown.
Several of Brown's former players with the Pistons also noted that Brown is looking for toughness and leadership. That's why the Knicks' pursuit of the high-maintenance Francis doesn't make much sense, unless Thomas is thinking about trading Stephon Marbury - which is easier said than done.
to please Larry
BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
HOUSTON - Isiah Thomas dismissed Antonio Davis' claim that the team president and coach Larry Brown are not on the same page.
"Larry and I talk every day," Thomas said. "We both knew that this would be a hard job but we're both working to make it better."
Davis, who was traded to Toronto two weeks ago, called his former team a "circus" and a "mess." Davis also revealed that Brown and Thomas have different philosophies on how to build a team. Brown, who coached Davis in Indiana, felt that the media twisted the comments and later said that he and Thomas are in fact coexisting peacefully.
Brown has said that Thomas had asked him to devise a list of the types of player he wants on the roster. Brown later claimed that he delivered such a wish list to Thomas back in October.
With the trading deadline looming on Thursday, the Knicks are talking to several clubs about potential deals. Thomas has had conversations with the Nuggets about power forward Kenyon Martin and with Orlando regarding point guard Steve Francis.
The most plausible scenario has the Knicks acquiring Portland's Theo Ratliff, a 6-10 center/forward who played for Brown with the Sixers. Thomas says he is committed to revamping the roster with Brown's help. The Knicks' two most recent deals - signing Qyntel Woods and trading for Jalen Rose - were moves that Brown endorsed.
Thomas has maintained a low profile in recent weeks and politely declined to comment when pressed further about his relationship with Brown.
"No one is happy with our record but I can tell you we're going to get better," Thomas said. "That's what everybody is working toward. That's what we all want."
With the Knicks' record at 15-37, Thomas' job performance has come under scrutiny. The feeling among league executives is that Thomas upgraded the roster last summer but that he didn't acquire enough veterans to work with Brown.
Several of Brown's former players with the Pistons also noted that Brown is looking for toughness and leadership. That's why the Knicks' pursuit of the high-maintenance Francis doesn't make much sense, unless Thomas is thinking about trading Stephon Marbury - which is easier said than done.