Dolan Gives Isiah Ultimatum "Now or NEVER!" <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">CHARLESTON, S.C. - With owner James Dolan watching the Knicks' second day of training-camp practices here, Isiah Thomas had his first chance to show the boss he deserves to stick around past this season. Dolan has given no concretebarometer Thomas must reach to save his job, but the pressure Thomas is feeling is tangible because of the owner's one-year ultimatum. After practice, Thomas was asked if the Knicks are trying to prove Larry Brown and the pessimists wrong. Thomas' response was telling. "I would say I'm in a tough situation," Thomas said. "I really don't have a lot of time to think about proving somebody wrong. I got to prove to my boss that I'm right. Even though some of that is out there, my focus is directly in my face. I hope I get it done." Dolan departed yesterday afternoon for the Rangers' opener and declined to meet with reporters. Last October in Charleston, Dolan hosted a relaxed buffet breakfast with the beat writers at the team hotel, when all seemed so right in the Knick world. But one day after Brown's contract arbitration hearing concluded, it was no time to schmooze with the writers. Dolan did not address the team collectively, but met individually with most players and staffers Tuesday night and yesterday morning. Thomas revealed he will not sacrifice the Knicks' future to garner more victories to impress Dolan. And apparently, he is not permitted to add more payroll by trading expiring contracts like Jalen Rose or Mo Taylor, the latter of whom was already bought out and signed with the Kings. "I've prided myself on two things, being true to the game, true to the New York Knicks," Thomas said. "I won't compromise the Knicks for my personal benefit." But will Dolan see the big picture of a young core developing and not count Thomas' victories? "When it's all said and done, we'll know that answer at the end," Thomas said. "I don't know how that will be judged. I know that's what I will keep in mind, making sure first and foremost the No. 1 thing is the Knicks." Thomas made it clear the decision for him to be Brown's successor was all Dolan's. When asked generically when he knew he wanted to be a coach, Thomas took it literally in the present. "When Mr. Dolan told me I had to coach," Thomas said, laughing loudly. "It was news to me." Yet Thomas indicated that coaching is in his blood more than being a team executive. "I love being in the gym," Thomas said. "I've been socialized all my life to wake up and go to the gym. I'm very comfortable in the gym. When I don't go to the gym, that's when I'm out of my element. I like being out on the floor." </div> Source
