The Sports Truth

Isiah Thomas has shown “significant and evident progress” as coach of the Knicks this season, says Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan.

As a result, the worst executive in the history of team sports received a multi-year extension today. After all, his team does possess the 8th best record in the most pathetic conference the world of athletic has ever seen.

New York is 29-34, having already surpassed last season’s victory total, sure,; but perhaps the bar should be set a little higher than 23-59 regardless of who is coaching. David Lee has emerged as an exciting sixth man and Eddie Curry is actually a feared post presence - but might Dolan be drinking from the poisonous Isiah Kool-Aid a bit too soon?

“I think every player has done well under Isiah,” Dolan said. “I think we have a great future.”

Compared to what? John Kerry in the White House?

Putting aside the seasons of Lee and Curry, Thomas has benefitted from injury good fortune this year. Quentin Richardson, Steve Francis and Jamal Crawford have all missed significant periods of time, shortening the rotation and removing the difficulities of finding floor space for players who occupy the same roles on the court.

Meanwhile, in case we didn’t emphasize it enough earlier, the Eastern Conference is a joke. Toronto sits in first place in the Atlantic Division … by five games … with a record of 34-29. This is the same team that had the first overall draft pick a few months ago and would be fighting for its playoff life in the West.

Why didn’t Dolan at least wait until after the season to reward Thomas? Why didn’t the fact that he instigated the brawl with Denver play any role in this decision? Why can’t Isiah at least be stripped of his general manager duties?

We’ll probably never receive any of these answers. But Knicks fans will be treated to first round playoff exits for years to come.