KNICK NOTES
Kurt Thomas insists he’s not worried about his persistent foul trouble because it’s “part of the game.”
Even if Thomas claims he’s not worried about having his minutes and productivity hindered by silly fouls, Latrell Sprewell is.
“I’ve been talking to Kurt since we’ve arrived,” Sprewell said. “He always gets the slapping-down fouls, holding, something silly. You can count on one or two game.”
And even though Thomas claims his reputation gets him some phantom calls, Sprewell wasn’t buying it.
“No, I think he’s out there doing silly stuff at times. Some he doesn’t commit, but at times he does things he shouldn’t do,” said Sprewell, adding that Thomas’ mouth also gets him in trouble. “It’s important to be cordial and not go in screaming and shouting at them.”
Added coach Don Chaney: “It hurts because we need him in games. I’d like to see him become more aware. That’s something he’s going to have to work on.”
Thomas averaged 18.4 points and 11 rebounds through the first seven games, but only 11.3 and 4.7 the last three. He’s fouled out of two of those, and averaged just 29 minutes. And while his sore Achilles tendon is a reason, the biggest reason is his ill-advised hacks.
“It gives y’all something to right about. I don’t even worry about it. Fouls are part of the game,” Thomas said. “I play aggressive. I don’t play ticky-tack basketball. I play hard, with a lot of energy, a lot of emotion. That leads to fouls.”
Does it ever. Thomas has already fouled out five times in 10 games (the record is 26) and committed 50 fouls in 352 minutes, including a foul away from the ball Saturday that erased Sprewell late dunk and led to a technical foul. The Knicks lost the game by one.
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Charlie Ward, who has missed the last four games with a strained right leg, is improving but still listed as day-to-day. Don’t expect to see him suit up tomorrow night in New Orleans.
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The Knicks used the big backcourt tandem of Sprewell and Allan Houston to their advantage during the second quarter Monday vs. Detroit, but tomorrow they’ll be facing Baron Davis.
“We got good mileage out of it, taking advantage, but they made adjustments,” Chaney said. “If I see a way to use it, I’ll use it.”
