KNICK NOTES
MIAMI – The advice Isiah Thomas has received from four of his trusted basketball people is what some Knick fans have said for two years – blow it up and start over.
However, the Knicks’ new boss said he’s not ready to do so – not just yet, and not after winning two straight on the road.
“I spoke to four people I respect a lot,” Thomas said before the Knicks destroyed the Heat 100-80 here last night.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to on this situation has given me the advice to start all over, blow it up, get under the salary cap and [stink] for five years. Before I go that route, I will give guys enough firepower to go out and win games.”
Those supporters of having the Knicks attempt to move under the cap are oblivious to it taking five or so years – around the time Allan Houston’s $100 million contract expires.
That’s how buried they are – with an $89 million payroll that’s $43 million over the salary cap.
“When I’m talking about rebuilding, we’re not talking about rebuilding the team, we’re talking but rebuilding our salary cap,” Thomas said.
“I can’t think of an organization that’s been saddled with this type of debt structure, that’s blown it up and started all over. I want that to be my last resort. I don’t want to come in and put a team out there that [stinks] for five years to get better.
“It’s my last resort, not my first option. Before I push that button, I want to explore every possible option to make us better.”
One way of beginning the process of getting under the cap is letting Antonio McDyess’ $13 million contract come off the cap this summer. But you know Isiah is going to look to trade the pact and get some value.
* Could Thomas’ first acquisition be another power forward – one with an assault charge against him that’s put him under house arrest?
Just to show how much differently Thomas goes about his business compared to former GM Scott Layden, Thomas admitted that, “I would be interested, yeah,” in signing Eddie Griffin, a free agent.
The Rockets bought him out after his legal problems.
“Isiah likes guys with a chip on their shoulder,” Toronto GM Glen Grunwald said.
Seven teams are after Griffin. Layden went after Griffin before the February trade deadline, but that was before his assault charges.
* Thomas huddled with Maciej Lampe to clear the air over his biting remarks two days ago that questioned Lampe’s “work ethic.”
Keith Kreiter, Lampe’s agent, attended last night’s game in Miami and believes Thomas made the critical remarks to “light a fire” under Lampe because he sees vast potential.
* Latrell Sprewell figured no Knick would interfere with his James Dolan tirade last week.
“Most of the players knew the circumstances,” Sprewell said. “They know that none of what I was saying was directed toward them.”