Mr. Congeniality

In Day 7 of the Zeke Trial, Isiah "Zeke" Thomas and James Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman (and thus, NY Knicks owner), took the stand. (Click for Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)

Let's start with Dolan. During his time on the stand, he testified that Browne Sanders performed her job, sometimes incompetently, and that he was patient with her, but that she was ultimately fired for interfering with MSG's own internal investigation into her sexual harassment claims. He contended that she was improperly attempting to influence their employees to support her claims, even asking for $6 million to not file suit - which Dolan, of course, rejected. This testimony ended the defense case presented by Dolan and MSG.

While all this may be true, Dolan should be charged with perjuring himself with his "yes" reply when asked whether Zeke had done "quite a good job" as the Knicks coach and president.

Next up was Zeke to serve as the first witness in his own defense. The defense team brilliantly played up his affable traits, from his humble beginnings to his NBA triumphs to his megawatt smile. He even brought up how mama taught him how to treat women . . . I will leave this one all alone, and just say that I think he was laying it on a little thick. He countered all of the accusations made by Browne Sanders, acknowledging that he may have cursed but denying that he ever harassed her in any way. He said he didn't know what to do with her nor how she "fit" with him and the program. He also countered the bad press he has received, like getting fired as the Indiana Pacers coach. He says that happened because Larry Bird is a Celtic and he's a Piston. Yup, definitely laying it on thick. He finishes up his testimony later today.

As I said from day 1, this looks like it's going to come down to he said-she said, and who wins that is whichever party the jury likes better. A beauty contest, if you will.

My money's still on him.