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Thomas returns to sideline to coach Knicks vs. Grizzlies

Nov 1, 2006 - 3:56 PM New York (23-59) at Memphis (49-33) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - Isiah Thomas' mandate as coach of the New York Knicks is to show significant progress this season.

Thomas begins his quest to preserve his job with the Knicks, who look to bounce back from one of the worst campaigns in franchise history when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.

New York failed to make the playoffs for the fifth straight season in their only campaign under Larry Brown, a Hall of Famer who did not see eye-to-eye with many of his players before being fired in the offseason.

The Knicks won just eight of 41 road games in a season that saw them go 2-12 in December and 1-11 in February. Madison Square Garden Chairman James Dolan turned to Thomas, the team president who coached the Indiana Pacers for three seasons, and ordered him to make significant progress with the Knicks.

Brown's departure will likely allow Stephon Marbury more on-court freedom. The 10-year veteran guard averaged just 16.3 points last season, his lowest total since 1997-1998 with Minnesota.

With the league's largest payroll, the Knicks need to rely on a young frontcourt of Channing Frye, David Lee and Eddy Curry, who averaged 13.6 points in his first season with New York after four with the Chicago Bulls.

Despite ranking 27th in scoring (92.2) last season, the Grizzlies came within one victory of tying the single-season franchise record. They had the league's best scoring defense (88.5) and were sixth in opponent field goal percentage (43.6).

However, Memphis's postseason again ended on a sour note with a four-game sweep by the Dallas Mavericks. The Grizzlies have lost all 12 postseason games they have played.

This season, Memphis must open the campaign without leading scorer and rebounder Pau Gasol, who broke his left foot while playing for Spain in this summer's World Championships, where he was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

A former Rookie of the Year, Gasol averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds last season but is not expected to play until January.

Reigning Sixth Man Award winner Mike Miller averaged 13.7 points and hit nearly 41 percent of his 3-pointers last season. However, he was bothered by a toe injury in preseason.