<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> October 31, 2006 -- Nobody seems to be predicting the Knicks for a playoff berth. Not even Isiah Thomas, the roster's architect. Thomas has yet to prove he is a great coach. But yesterday he showed he can dance, sidestepping around whether he feels the Knicks are playoff material. With the season opener looming tomorrow in Memphis, Thomas backed off a summer statement in which he said the playoffs are "a realistic goal". Yesterday, he sounded as if it was more of a longshot. In a very telling moment, a reporter asked Thomas if he agreed a set top-six existed in the Eastern Conference and the last two playoffs spots were an even grab between the remaining nine clubs. "I sure as hell hope it's even because if it's even, then we're in there," Thomas said. "If you're telling me 1 through 6 is slotted and 7 through 15 is kind of even, it's the happiest premise I've heard." </div> Link