The new boss watches home games from the tunnel near center court, standing only a few meters from the seats occupied for several years by Woody Allen.
Isiah Thomas has been a strong presence since becoming president of the New York Knicks, who needed a jolt to turn things around. A change at the top apparently was the answer.
"You've got to give him some credit for bringing some accountability. You have to give him credit for challenging us," guard Allan Houston said after New York extended its winning streak to four games -- the team's longest in 23 months -- with a 29-point victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
New York's last three victories have all been by at least 20 points, something the Knicks haven't done since 1997.
"I definitely think we're playing different," said Keith Van Horn, whose offensive production has picked up considerably the past six games -- five of which came after the Knicks fired Scott Layden and replaced him with Thomas.
Many of the players credited a renewed commitment to defense as the primary reason, though they grudgingly acknowledge the change in atmosphere has made a difference.
While Layden was nonconfrontational and low key, Thomas has challenged players to their faces and in the newspapers.
Layden was rarely seen during games. Thomas is hard to miss standing a few steps behind the scorer's table.
Layden shied away from saying anything of substance. Thomas shies away from shying away.
"Isiah spoke to us about supporting each other, trusting each other and having confidence in each other, and I think we took that to heart," Van Horn said. "We took what he said and have really brought that to the court. He definitely helped our mind-set going into games."
Though the change at the top drew most of the attention, other recent but more subtle moves have contributed to the turnaround.
Coach Don Chaney has installed second-year guard Frank Williams as the starter at the point, reinserted Kurt Thomas into the starting power forward spot and began bringing Antonio McDyess off the bench.
Williams is more of a penetrator and creator than the player he replaced, Howard Eisley, and Kurt Thomas has settled back into a comfort zone after temporarily being replaced by McDyess in the starting five.
"It's been almost a flip-flop because what I wanted for the second unit was what I hoped Kurt would get for us, but McDyess is giving it to us. The second unit comes in very solid now," Chaney said.
Isiah Thomas, a Hall of Famer who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, has been proactive in making roster changes. He jettisoned one of Layden's projects, center Slavko Vranes, taking lottery pick Michael Sweetney off the injured list and trading one of Layden's favorites, forward Clarence Weatherspoon, to the Houston Rockets for Moochie Norris.
Thomas is well aware his players may wonder who's next to go.
"Until we turn this around, they'll speculate about everything," he said. "One of the costs of playing poorly is you're subjected to that."
Thomas' next move could be a deal involving one of the team's four point guards, with the most likely candidate being Charlie Ward since his contract expires after this season and can be bought out immediately.
"We have to be a team that's very unconventional and very creative in going out and getting players," Thomas said.
In the meantime, he hopes his new team can continue to win during a part of the schedule..
Tuesday's victory began a stretch in which the Knicks will play nine of 10 games at home. The four-game winning streak has moved them within five games of .500, and they are only 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Nets in the league's weakest division, the Atlantic.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely