Results tagged “tomthornton”

The Pistons defeated the Knicks by an astounding 91-61 Saturday in a game that was the low point of the current season...and that's really saying something. Jamal Crawford led the team in scoring with 14 points. Yes, 14. In case you're wondering, the Knicks have scored fewer points in a game (58 back in 2000), but this is still a considerable embarrassment. Interim Coach Herb Williams has a lot of work to do to salvage the current road trip. His coaching opponent Larry Brown also make his life more difficult by expressing interest in the Knicks job, then denying it the next day.

After their third one-point loss in seven days on Friday night, Lenny Wilkens decided he had seen enough. He met with Isiah Thomas after the game, then announced his resignation on Saturday.

The Knicks may have even topped their two narrow losses to Chicago by allowing seven 3-pointers and 38 points during the final quarter in Toronto. Jalen Rose (who is Isiah Thomas' latest object of desire) led the charge with 24 for the Raps, who are essentially a starless team since trading Vince Carter to the Nets for a collection of role players. Jamal Crawford looked rusty in his second game back from a turf toe (!!) injury, and nobody else seemed able to pick up the slack on offense.

These losses (especially the one to the Hornets last week) have put Lenny Wilkens' job in serious jeopardy. Isiah Thomas has sworn that he would never install himself in the coaching role, but the New York media have never really put much stock in that. Given Thomas' proclivity for trades, expect some shifts in both players and coaching before next month's trade deadline.

The Nets suffered a severe blow to their comeback hopes when it was announced yesterday that Richard Jefferson will be out with an injury for the remainder of the season. Jefferson ruptured ligaments in his left wrist, which requires surgery followed by four months of time in a cast or in physical therapy. The team wasn't exactly dominating opponents even with RJ's 22 points a game, so they're in even more trouble now. Expect Vince Carter to pick up some of the scoring slack, and don't be surprised to find the Nets in the draft lottery this summer.

The shooting was the story, as the team shot an amazing 59% for the game. The Knicks raced to a double digit lead at halftime, and despite a decent rally from the Blazers in the second half, the Knicks continued to hit shots and never trailed in the second half. Allan Houston led the team with 25 points, and Stephon Marbury continued to put up hot numbers with 20 points and 12 assists. The best number of all was the offensive balance, as seven Knicks finished in double figures. On the losing side, Zach Randolph led the Blazers with 27, while Coney Island legend (and Starbury cousin) Sebastian Telfair make his MSG debut with 2 points and 7 assists.

The Heat started well and never really let the Knicks into the game, capitalizing on the Knicks' lack of an actual center by, as Bill Walton might say, throwing the ball to the big fella and getting out of the way. Shaq had 33 along with 18 rebounds to lead Miami, while Dwayne Wade added 21 as he continues his ascent to stardom (having Shaq on his team seems to have helped a lot). As for the Knicks, they shot almost 51% for the game but were outrebounded handily and didn't get enough shot attempts to climb back in the second half.