The Knicks are in such a puzzling downward spiral that Daily News reporters can't even agree on what's up with their favorite team. After coach Isiah Thomas kicked the whole team off the court during practice yesterday for lack of "hustle," the paper's main article claims that there is "increasing speculation that Thomas is on the verge of being fired." "It is a three-ring circus" among the players and staff, said a source. "It's getting worse." But Mike Lupica, the paper's legendary sports columnist, says "Isiah Thomas can't get fired for anything … Jimmy [Dolan, chairman of the Knicks] still believes in Isiah, and there is no reason to believe that he's going to stop any time soon." Lupica suggests Dolan and Thomas stand in the middle of the Garden have a town-hall-style meeting, listening to what their paying fans have to say about the way they are destroying New York's team. They'd never do it, but we're desperately hoping that when fans start speaking with their wallets and stop buying tickets to watch team's debacles, the pair will start listening up. That or Jimmy's dad, Charles, will finally pull off his belt and whup the team (and his son) back into shape.

Can we say "whup"? Does that make us sound too butch?

Thomas Kicks Knicks Out Of Practice [NYDN]
Jim Dolan Still Listening to Isiah Thomas [NYDN]