Thomas criticized the officials after the Knicks' 103-94 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night.

"I see a lot of other players drive to the basket and get fouled and go to the foul line, and I don't understand what he's done to receive the type of treatment he's getting and the lack of respect he is getting from the officials," Thomas said after Saturday's game.

"Moving forward, I would hope that he would be treated just like other star players are treated when they get fouled. ... There is only so much a player can really take before his game is seriously affected."

Thomas, operating under Madison Square Garden's strict media policies, is usually careful with his words. But he may have been frustrated after the Knicks' second tough loss in two nights. New York lost 105-103 in Dallas on Friday night, with Marbury having a shot blocked on a drive to the basket in the closing seconds.

"I see a lot of players get calls that he doesn't get, and I see a lot of contact out on the perimeter that happens to other players around the league and they go to the foul line and he doesn't," Thomas said.

"I don't understand that. I would hope that by me saying this that maybe this would change for him one day, because this year has been difficult for him and myself and all of us watching the way the non-calls happen for him."

The Knicks are among the league leaders in free throws attempted per game. Marbury attempts 5.2 per game.