Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The Tragedy That Is The Knicks
By
Peter Trinkle
Published Apr 8, 2008
Modified Apr 8, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Peter Trinkle
Published Apr 8, 2008
Modified Apr 8, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photo Nate Robinson, Eddy Curry, and Stephon Marbury during a March game against the Miami Heat by AP/Frank Franklin II
Are the Knicks under Isiah Thomas the worst team in the history of sports? According to New York Magazine, they just might be. Jeff Coplan’s piece offers the most complete and depressing summary of the Knicks during the Dolan era. From designating Knicks as “the Church of Lowered Expectations” under Dolan to describing the “rolls of flab” peeking through the Eddy Curry’s jersey, everyone--with the exception of Malik Rose and David Lee--is subject to withering criticism.
According to the article, the horror began when Jim Dolan wanted a big name to run the Knicks, trying to get Magic Johnson and ultimately hiring Johnson’s recommendation, Isiah Thomas. We might argue problems started earlier--the Patrick Ewing trade for Glenn Rice instead of letting Ewing's contract run out--but Coplan's account of the Isiah era is thorough and fills in some new details. Like:
- The Knicks apparently kept a microphone on at the scorer’s table to eavesdrop on conversations between the press and players.
- A Rockets scouting report basically confirms the fact no one on the Knicks plays defense or even tries to.
- And of course there's plenty about Isiah, Dolan and Stephon, the three main players of this tragedy.
Coplan's best-case scenario is Isiah being fired and Dolan on “new meds”. And, as Anucha Browne Sanders so smartly said, “There’s no way to fix the problem when the problem is ownership.”
Tagged
basketball
Donnie Walsh
isiah thomas
jim dolan
knicks
sports
Peter Trinkle
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .