Thomas Says It's Really All the Fans Fault

It’s your fault. You may have thought that forking over a huge amount of money for a ticket gave you the right to boo the Knicks, but the coach disagrees. In a season that takes one bizarre turn after another, the latest tops them all, Isiah told the fans that the Knicks are losing because they boo. "We're missing layups because you're booing,” Isiah told some fans during last night’s loss. Right! Perhaps fans are booing because your team is missing layups, Isiah.

Maybe this is all a ploy by Thomas to get fired so he can go home and collect his money from Jim Dolan. Then again, maybe he has just completely lost touch with reality. Before the game, the Knicks announced that they had settled Anucha Browne Sanders’ sexual harassment suit "at the strong request of" David Stern. The Knicks and Browne Sanders settled the lawsuit for $11.5 million while the jury awarded her $11.6 million in punitive damages. The amount of compensatory damages was to be decided as the case resumed this week. By settling, the Knicks avoid paying Browne Sanders' legal fees and any additional damages while Browne Sanders gets the money faster an won't face the possibility of an appeal.

Despite settling, MSG and Thomas still seem to think they did nothing wrong. “I am completely innocent,” Thomas said, which is an interesting conclusion to draw when a jury finds you guilty and you agree to pay out millions of dollars.

But, personal responsibility is a foreign concept to the Garden. Otherwise Isiah might realize that he put together this team, the highest-paid in the NBA, and he coaches it. This is his team and the court of public opinion finds him guilty of running it into the ground.

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By Peter Trinkle in News on December 11, 2007 12:03 PM

Comments [rss]

jaycjay

Fans really should look beyond petty things like the score, won/lost record, and standings. It's been a long time since we had in New York a pro sports team that has distinguished itself above all others. I used to boo the Knicks, through a few years of mediocrity, but not any more. Hail and cheer: the most entertaining team in professional sports!

Kojak

He should Coach the Liberty in the WNBA. Those girls need a leader with the balls and the courage to molest them. Hell I know I wouldn't. Those chicks are butch.

If anyone can do it, Isiah can.

iralarry

Looks from these posts the fans have been booing Isiah all along, not just the team.

zodak

boooo!!!

UpperEastSighed

How come a convicted sex offender is still an NBA coach? Do you have to sexually harass dogs to offend the public?

jibbly

Jeff - You are absolutely correct. Sometimes I catch myself thinking how ridiculous it is to be cheering and losing my head at a meaningless fast break dunk at a 9point deficit.

My theory? Isiah is waiting for the Dolans to give him the ol' heave-ho so he can collect a buyout deal. The Dolans in turn are waiting for the situation to get so bad that Isiah quits meaning they don't have to pay him the millions.

This is why both sides are smiling and pretending nothing is wrong. They couldn't care less about the team, the fans, or the franchise.

Steven

Fans are stupid. Ad long as they keep coming to the Garden and spending money Thomas and Dolan are happy.

Best way to revolt is STOP GOING TO THE GARDEN.

Jeff Baum

Isiah clearly doesn't notice how LOUD the fans cheer when even the smallest thing goes right. Every time the team cuts the deficit to single digits the place goes nuts! The Garden is so desperate to cheer, the rare wins or strong play feel like a playoff game in there. Fans are hitting the extremes these days. The negatives just far outweigh the positives.

Jeff Baum

Isiah clearly doesn't notice how LOUD the fans cheer when even the smallest thing goes right. Every time the team cuts the deficit to single digits the place goes nuts! The Garden is so desperate to cheer, the rare wins or strong play feel like a playoff game in there. Fans are hitting the extremes these days. The negatives just far outweigh the positives.

matukonyc

Even with Isiah gone, Jim Dolan will still be making the kinds of decisions that put him in place to begin with. Don't expect big changes until the Dolans are out of the mix.

ChampionOfTheSun

Blaming NYC sports fans is a perfect way to get them to stop booing. I'm sure they'll be quiet now.

ed_Extinct

before the boo's the Knicks were losing—explain that one you arrogant d-bag

thedroog

not that this is groundbreaking, but isiah has always been an arogant a--hole (dating back to his playing days), so his comments aren't all that surprising. certainly disappointing, yes, but not surprising.