ESPN’s Steven A. Smith is reporting that Lenny Wilkens will resign as New York Knicks head coach tomorrow morning.

Said news comes just hours after New York was victimized by an off-balance buzzer beater by Houston’s Scott Padgett, the Rockets’ 92-91 win at MSG being the Knicks’ 9th loss in 10 games.


(life’s rich Padgett)

Tracy McGrady, showing no fatigue following his successful return to Orlando on Thursday, scored 35 for Houston, winners of 5 of their last 7. Jamal Crawford (6 for 19) had a typically rotten shooting performance, matched by Kurt Thomas and Nazr Mohammed (a combined 8 for 25).

I can’t see Isiah Thomas taking over the coaching reins because it would be physically impossible for Zeke to glare over his own shoulders.

For those who continue to insist that there’s little drama to be found in the NBA’s 82 game regular season, tell it to the Spurs and Suns. On second thought, just watch the highlights, they probably wouldn’t take your phone calls.

(UPDATE : The following is from Knight Ridder News Services :

Lenny Wilkens resigned on Friday night as Knicks coach and will be replaced by assistant coach Herb Williams, according to a league source.

The stunning development came just hours after Scott Padgett’s jumper at the buzzer gave the Houston Rockets a 92-91 victory over the Knicks at the Garden. Within minutes there were rumors flying around the arena that Knicks president Isiah Thomas had fired Wilkens, the legendary coach whom Thomas hired last Jan. 15.

However, a team source denied that Wilkens had been fired and would only say that Wilkens was contemplating resigning.

“Lenny is doing some thinking right now,” said Thomas, who met with his coach for two hours after the loss. “We’ll see where he’s at in the morning.”

Asked if Wilkens was considering stepping down, Thomas said: “That I don’t know. This is a tough situation. And I would imagine that he’s probably in his thought process where Hubie Brown was in his thought process. Hubie was the Coach of the Year last year. Lenny coached us to the playoffs last year.” Brown resigned from the Memphis Grizzlies in December.)