James Dolan

Do you get bothered as the guy that writes the check with not how much the guys make?

We can make the argument they deserve it, they have a special skill, but where the sports changed in your ownership over the 30-some-odd years, where now it's, oh, you only have to play 65 games.

You have to still be eligible for postseason awards.

Or, hey, load management's going to be a thing.

Do you get bothered, again, as the guy that writes the check, that...

We're not asking these guys to do that much.

We're saying play basketball.

Take it seriously.

We understand a lot of work goes into it.

That guys are finding reasons not to play basketball a couple times a week.

Not our guys.

They do lead the league in most minutes played.

But overall, for the sport, is it an issue to you?

Yeah, he went 12 deep a couple nights ago at the Garden.

Every guy on the bench got into a game.

They all played meaningful minutes.

Last thing on Thibodeau.

Sorry to go back to it.

Do you think he was surprised?

Or do you think he kind of saw it coming just based on interpersonal relationships and how things had evolved for him?