Knicks-Pacers,
one more time
For Isiah, a return to Larry’s kingdom
By FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-156866c.html
Knicks president Isiah Thomas returns tomorrow to Indiana, where he coached for three seasons before being fired by old rival Larry Bird.
They used to callously call John Starks "psycho boy." Patrick Ewing was peppered with disparaging comments that were borderline racist, while Latrell Sprewell once got into a staredown with a heckler who, standing five feet from where the former Knick was being interviewed, screamed, "You're a real role model, Latrell" over and over.
The loathe and hate relationship between the Knicks and adoring supporters of the Indiana Pacers has a long history. Always intense, their games in Indianapolis at the old Market Square Arena and now Conseco Fieldhouse are unsuitable for children under 18 or for NBA players with thin skin.
Tomorrow, when the Knicks return to Indiana for the first time since Thanksgiving Day, the rivalry adds a new dimension as well as a new target.
"I plan on going," Isiah Thomas said. "I'll be proud to be there with my team."
Thomas, the Knicks' president, led the Hoosiers to a NCAA championship and always will be a legend in Bloomington. Larry Bird, the Pacers' president, is a legend throughout the entire state.
That distinction is worth noting since Bird fired Thomas as head coach last September after Thomas failed to guide the Pacers out of the first round of the playoffs for three straight seasons. The firing rekindled an old feud between Thomas and Bird, one that was enhanced when Thomas was brought aboard in December to return the Knicks to prominence.
Thomas has brought the buzz back to the Garden and the Knicks back on their way to the playoffs. But make no mistake, there isn't a Zeke Mystique at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Thomas wouldn't say whether or not he expects the fans to embrace him. A mixed reaction is more likely. Two months ago, prior to the Knicks' win over the Pacers at the Garden, Thomas referred to his former team as "my players." Afterward, he walked into the visiting team locker room and greeted several Pacer players. Bird, who didn't make the trip, was not thrilled by Thomas' actions.
Once again, the Thomas-Bird rivalry is the perfect backdrop for a game that is important to both teams for very different reasons. Despite being routed by Detroit yesterday, Indiana (56-21) is moving closer to having the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Knicks are 36-41 and still are mathematically alive to finish as high as fourth in the Eastern Conference. Of the Knicks' final five opponents, the Pacers are the only team with a winning record.
If the Knicks can steal a win tomorrow, they could conceivably win out and finish with a 41-41 record. After tomorrow, the Knicks have home games with Chicago and Cleveland and road games at Washington and New Orleans.
But the Knicks haven't produced a quality road win in weeks. Since Lenny Wilkens became head coach on Jan. 15, the Knicks have only won road win against a team with a winning record, March 14 in Milwaukee. And they had to overcome a 26-point third-quarter deficit to do it.
In fact, the Knicks' two best road wins - at Minnesota and Memphis - came before the calendar turned to 2004. Thomas wasn't even hired yet when the Knicks defeated the Timberwolves. The victory against the Grizzlies predates both Wilkens and Stephon Marbury.
Kurt Thomas, who has appeared in two playoff series between the Knicks and Pacers, understands as well as anyone how tough it is to win in Indianapolis. Four years ago, Thomas became a villain when he exchanged punches with former Pacers guard Jalen Rose on Christmas Day.
Tomorrow, he won't be the only Thomas the fans will be looking for.
"It's a lot of fun," Kurt Thomas said. "The fans really get into it. But that's just how I like it."
one more time
For Isiah, a return to Larry’s kingdom
By FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-156866c.html
Knicks president Isiah Thomas returns tomorrow to Indiana, where he coached for three seasons before being fired by old rival Larry Bird.
They used to callously call John Starks "psycho boy." Patrick Ewing was peppered with disparaging comments that were borderline racist, while Latrell Sprewell once got into a staredown with a heckler who, standing five feet from where the former Knick was being interviewed, screamed, "You're a real role model, Latrell" over and over.
The loathe and hate relationship between the Knicks and adoring supporters of the Indiana Pacers has a long history. Always intense, their games in Indianapolis at the old Market Square Arena and now Conseco Fieldhouse are unsuitable for children under 18 or for NBA players with thin skin.
Tomorrow, when the Knicks return to Indiana for the first time since Thanksgiving Day, the rivalry adds a new dimension as well as a new target.
"I plan on going," Isiah Thomas said. "I'll be proud to be there with my team."
Thomas, the Knicks' president, led the Hoosiers to a NCAA championship and always will be a legend in Bloomington. Larry Bird, the Pacers' president, is a legend throughout the entire state.
That distinction is worth noting since Bird fired Thomas as head coach last September after Thomas failed to guide the Pacers out of the first round of the playoffs for three straight seasons. The firing rekindled an old feud between Thomas and Bird, one that was enhanced when Thomas was brought aboard in December to return the Knicks to prominence.
Thomas has brought the buzz back to the Garden and the Knicks back on their way to the playoffs. But make no mistake, there isn't a Zeke Mystique at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Thomas wouldn't say whether or not he expects the fans to embrace him. A mixed reaction is more likely. Two months ago, prior to the Knicks' win over the Pacers at the Garden, Thomas referred to his former team as "my players." Afterward, he walked into the visiting team locker room and greeted several Pacer players. Bird, who didn't make the trip, was not thrilled by Thomas' actions.
Once again, the Thomas-Bird rivalry is the perfect backdrop for a game that is important to both teams for very different reasons. Despite being routed by Detroit yesterday, Indiana (56-21) is moving closer to having the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Knicks are 36-41 and still are mathematically alive to finish as high as fourth in the Eastern Conference. Of the Knicks' final five opponents, the Pacers are the only team with a winning record.
If the Knicks can steal a win tomorrow, they could conceivably win out and finish with a 41-41 record. After tomorrow, the Knicks have home games with Chicago and Cleveland and road games at Washington and New Orleans.
But the Knicks haven't produced a quality road win in weeks. Since Lenny Wilkens became head coach on Jan. 15, the Knicks have only won road win against a team with a winning record, March 14 in Milwaukee. And they had to overcome a 26-point third-quarter deficit to do it.
In fact, the Knicks' two best road wins - at Minnesota and Memphis - came before the calendar turned to 2004. Thomas wasn't even hired yet when the Knicks defeated the Timberwolves. The victory against the Grizzlies predates both Wilkens and Stephon Marbury.
Kurt Thomas, who has appeared in two playoff series between the Knicks and Pacers, understands as well as anyone how tough it is to win in Indianapolis. Four years ago, Thomas became a villain when he exchanged punches with former Pacers guard Jalen Rose on Christmas Day.
Tomorrow, he won't be the only Thomas the fans will be looking for.
"It's a lot of fun," Kurt Thomas said. "The fans really get into it. But that's just how I like it."
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