KNICK NOTES
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Pistons owner Bill Davidson smiled broadly and said “no comment” when asked about Larry Brown not showing up at The Palace for yesterday’s match.
Davidson looked like the smartest guy on the planet yesterday as his Pistons rang up their franchise-record 64th victory. Pressing the Knicks into early turnovers, the Pistons took a 34-9 lead after eight minutes and beat the Knicks in a misleading 103-97 final count.
Davidson, partly concerned about Brown’s health, let the coach go after two straight NBA Finals appearances. Now Brown’s Knicks are on course to set a franchise record for losses in an 82-game season with 60. The Knicks (22-58) also are fighting Charlotte and Portland for the league’s worst record.
Brown, suffering from acid reflux disease, may not be around to see it through. Herb Williams sounded like he’ll be the coach for the season’s final two games, today in their home finale against Charlotte and Wednesday at the Meadowlands against the Nets.
Williams said he spoke to Brown on Saturday and before yesterday’s game and he did not indicate if he’s coming back. A source said Knicks president Isiah Thomas told Williams on Friday he’ll likely finish the year.
“[Brown] has to make sure his health is intact,” Williams said. “We’ll get through these final three, four games and we’ll be alright.”
The Knicks fell behind by 27 points in the first quarter, with Ben Wallace flying around for blocks and dunks. The Knicks were without Brown, Jalen Rose, Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis and Quentin Richardson and without hope.
With the Pistons’ reserves in, the Knicks cut the deficit to six points with 23 seconds left but did not foul.
“That’s on me,” Williams said. “I didn’t want them to foul.”
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Pistons center Ben Wallace called the Knicks’ roster “a gift and a curse,” saying the makeup of the team is all wrong and their 22-58 record is not Brown’s fault.
“They have great players who know they can get it done. You put too many of those players together, it becomes a curse for you,” Wallace said. “You have no one willing to take a second seat, regardless of who’s coaching the team. They have a lot of great athletes who can control the game and dominate but they don’t have a lot of role players. That’s a curse.”
Weighing in on the Brown-Stephon Marbury feud, Wallace said: “Steph’s fighting for control of the team. Larry’s fighting for control of the team. When you have two guys with that passion, it’s going to end up like that.”
