Lacking a Franchise Player, Reality Sets in for the Knicks

Summary

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When asked by a reporter what was the difference between the Celtics' successful rebuilding plan - which has seen them go from being one of the NBA's worst teams last season to a leading contender for the title in 2008 - and the faltering blueprint he has employed, [Thomas] smiled and prefaced his succinct reply with an unprintable word before uttering "Kevin Garnett!" And so it is indeed that simple an answer. While the Knicks have shown signs over the past two weeks that they are becoming a much more cohesive and competitive group, at 13-28 going into tomorrow night's (Friday) game at the Garden versus the Philadelphia 76ers, .they are desperate for a superstar caliber player around whom they can erect a championship squad.

(ProQuest: ... denotes obscured text omitted.) As the Knicks exited the court on Monday after losing by 109-93 to the Boston Celtics in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday game at Madison Square Garden, a fan directed this comment to the team's president and coach: "Hey Isiah, I guess it's back to reality huh!" The observer's statement, while well out of Thomas's earshot, was a reference to the recent upturn experienced by the Knicks, who coming into the matinee match with the Celtics had won four of their previous five games.

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Lacking a Franchise Player, Reality Sets in for the Knicks

(ProQuest: ... denotes obscured text omitted.)

As the Knicks exited the court on Monday after losing by 109-93 to t...

See the full content of this document

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