Are Isiah’s Days With Knicks Numbered?

Through the turmoil of last season, the “evident progress” edict from Garden chairman James Dolan that hung over his head and the boos from the home crowd, Isiah Thomas always had one critical element that kept him on solid ground: the loyalty of his players.

But after the most publicized coast-to-coast move of Stephon Marbury’s career, even that last bit of stable ground may be crumbling. If Thomas loses his players - and the signs were evident in several disgusted expressions after Wednesday night’s 84-81 loss to the Clippers - his position as the team’s president and coach could be in serious jeopardy.

If the Knicks return home with a 2-7 record after this four-game West Coast swing, which continues tonight in Sacramento against the Kings, a change may be inevitable. Dolan is said to have already lost his patience with the poor start.

After an apparent order from Dolan following Sunday’s 75-72 loss to Miami at the Garden, Thomas took a tough stance to hold Marbury accountable for his inconsistent play. Marbury, a team captain, responded by abandoning the team in Phoenix on Tuesday and returning to New York. On Wednesday, he flew to Los Angeles in time for that night’s game.

Then Thomas gave him almost 34 minutes of playing time in the loss to the Clippers - after his other players reportedly voted to bench Marbury for the night.

“My goal is to try to win a basketball game” was how Thomas tried to explain it. As a result, he may have risked losing his team.

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