For the first time this preseason, Isiah Thomas acknowledged he “expects” to make the playoffs, but his remark came with a huge qualifier.
“If we’re healthy – there were a lot of factors that came into play last year – I expect us to make the playoffs,” Thomas said.
Health is a major issue with every club and the good teams get through it. The Knicks’ health problems could derail them. Eddy Curry is playing with a torn labrum in his shoulder, Quentin Richardson is coming off back surgery, Renaldo Balkman missed the preseason, Jared Jeffries will miss the first two weeks of the regular season, Jamal Crawford is coming off a stress fracture and Stephon Marbury is coming off a season filled with a chronic ailments.
Crawford yesterday made the boldest prediction of any Knick all preseason, saying they should make the playoffs, injuries or not, and be a factor for the Eastern title. Naturally, Crawford has never made the playoffs in his career – the player with the longest drought.
“It’s about time we turned the corner,” Crawford said. “We’re as deep as any team. It’s not like injuries should hold us back. There’s no excuse this year. Making the playoffs, we won’t be happy with. We honestly feel like we’re as good as any team in the East.”
Thomas, who likely will be dismissed if the Knicks don’t make the playoffs, acknowledged he should be blamed if they fall short.
“I can’t separate myself from the team’s achievements or disappointments,” Thomas said. “Whatever we do together as a group, we’ll all take the blame for.”
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Friday in Cleveland, the Knicks will be one of the last six teams opening their season. It will be the Cavs’ second game and home opener. . . . Thomas believes the Eastern race will be incredibly tight. “I don’t see a supreme team out there yet,” Thomas said. “I think the whole year, only a couple of games will separate four through 10.”