Hooped Up

Knicks’ owner James Dolan has not commented on Isiah Thomas’ status since last March, when he awarded him with a contract extension on the way to a 33-win season. Dolan was upset following Sunday’s loss to Miami and immediately after the game spoke to Thomas about reducing Marbury’s role.

There are whispers around the league that Dolan has been contemplating getting rid of Thomas altogether. According to a source, NBA commissioner David Stern approached Dolan at the Board of Governors meetings last month in New York and told him, “Either you take care of it or I will,” referring to Thomas in the wake of the Anucha Browne Sanders verdict.

Dolan told at least two fellow owners that he owes Thomas approximately $24 million and that if he were to fire Thomas he will make him fight to get his money, according to a person familiar with the conversation. Dolan refused to pay former coach Larry Brown the remainder of his contract, forcing Brown to have Stern arbitrate a settlement last year.

New York Daily News