Knicks' Former Coach is Banned from Contacting Players

Ex-Knicks coach Isiah Thomas is not allowed to have any contact with his former players. This was part of his agreement with the team's new CEO, Donnie Walsh, who replaced Thomas as the Knicks' president. Thomas went 56-108 leading the team, including this season's 23-59 disaster, which is the team's 7th consecutive losing season.

Walsh banned Thomas from contacting the players due to fears that he would try to undermine whoever becomes the new coach. However, the agreement does not prohibit Thomas from speaking with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan.

Mark Jackson is the top candidate to become the team's next head coach. Jackson is the former point guard for the Knicks and is currently an NBA analyst with ABC, ESPN and the YES Network. He's a 17-year NBA veteran who ranks 2nd on the league's all-time assists list and played 7 seasons with the Knicks. Even though he has no coaching experience, Jackson has a good relationship with Donnie Walsh and is expected to meet with the team sometime soon.

Under the tutelage of Isiah Thomas, the Knicks became one of the NBA's most worst teams. In his 2 years as coach, Thomas won only 1/3 of his games. If Jackson accepts the position, he will inherit the mess created by Thomas. Walsh says that he wants a new coach in place by the draft in June, when the Knicks will finally have their lottery pick again after giving up their last 2 to Chicago in the Eddy Curry trade.