And the biggest pile of rubble is ...

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published December 14, 2007

Talk about implosions. Wasn't it just a few years ago that everything was beautiful with the New York Knicks? The Atlanta Falcons? Britney Spears?

Now it's all a mess. This week, all three are at rock bottom. (It can't get any worse, can it?)

Where did it all go wrong? How did it all go so bad? Who is in worse shape?

We break it down in a tale of the tape and disclose who has had the biggest implosion.

	ATLANTA FALCONS	NEW YORK KNICKS	BRITNEY SPEARS
The beginning	Played their first preseason game on Aug. 1, 1966.	The New York Knickerbockers played their first game on Nov. 1, 1946.	Born Britney Jean Spears in Kentwood, La., on Dec. 2, 1981.
First signs of success	Made the playoffs for the first time in 1978.	Made playoffs for first time in 1955.	Won on Star Search at age 9.
Big break	Made it to Super Bowl XXXIII in 1998 season.	Led by Willis Reed, won first NBA title in 1970.	Joined Mickey Mouse Club in 1993.
The good old days	Made playoffs for seventh time in 2002 with QB Michael Vick.	With Patrick Ewing, began 14-year playoff run in 1988.	Beginning with … Baby One More Time, began string of No. 1 hits.
Recent good times	Just three years ago, went 11-5, won the NFC South and made it to the NFC title game.	Just three years ago, went 39-43, but that was still good enough to qualify for the playoffs.	Just three years ago, had No. 1 world hits with Toxic and Everytime.
First signs of trouble	Vick purchased land in Virginia for "training" dogs.	Hired Isiah Thomas as president in 2003.	In January 2004, married childhood friend Jason Allen Alexander … for 55 hours.
Next sign of trouble	Raid of Vick's property revealed fighting pit bulls.	Fired coach Larry Brown in 2006; Thomas became coach.	In September 2004, married kevin Federline, had two children.
Beginning of the end	April 25, 2007 — Vick's cohorts testified against him.	Anucha Browne Sanders accused Thomas of sexual harassment and Madison Square Garden of unfair firing.	Got divorced, shaved head, in heated custody battle for children.
Chief nemesis	The federal government, the NFL, PETA.	Stephon Marbury, all of New York, the NBA.	K-Fed, VMA Awards show, child protective services.
Rock bottom	In same week, Vick sentenced to 23 months in prison, coach Bobby Petrino quit.	Lost harassment case, agreed to pay out $11.5-million.	Pregnant again?

The final analysis

So the Knicks are a wreck off and on the court, they're in last place and recently lost to Boston by a score of 104-59. But this is nothing that can't be cleaned up by telling Isiah to turn in his office badge and keys and starting over with another president/coach (Larry Brown?).

The Falcons now don't have a coach or a decent starting quarterback just a few months after having one of the brightest young coaches and quarterbacks in the league. And Britney? Oh goodness, reports that she is pregnant again (she is denying it) leave us all in a cold sweat.

But in the end, the biggest mess? The Atlanta Falcons. No quarterback, which means no one wants to coach this team. And, seriously, you don't want those PETA people after you.

[Last modified December 15, 2007, 00:13:10]