<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Much of the attention focused on the Knicks coaching staff so far this season misses the point. The "will he stay or will he go" drama surrounding head coach-team president Isiah Thomas ignores the basic point that the current Knicks roster is both extremely young and set in place. Because of the expensive long-term contracts of players like Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, and Steve Francis, there is little flexibility to make significant trades until 2009. Instead of speculating about Isiah's future, a far more salient question concerns what he will do at developing the young players on the Knicks roster. Whether Thomas is around next year or the year after that, Channing Frye, David Lee, and Renaldo Balkman will be. The first signs in this regard ? the buyouts and waiving of Maurice Taylor and Jalen Rose ? were big gulps of fresh air in contrast with Larry Brown's veteran-first attitude. Although the buyouts were pricey, each player received more than 75 cents on the dollar to go away and play for another team; it made a strong statement of commitment to the Knicks' young players. The moves assured them playing time now and in the near future. As fans in Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston would be happy to tell you, it takes more than playing time for young players to develop. However, Isiah has been in this position before. In his previous coaching stint, helming the Indiana Pacers between 2001 and 2003, he shepherded the development of several young players ? helping them turn from prospects into productive NBA players.</div> Source
