MARBURY ENJOYS FRYE'S COOKING

By MARC BERMAN

KNICK NOTES Stephon Marbury gave Knicks rookie Channing Frye the highest praise yesterday, comparing him to Tim Duncan.

Frye, making his first start with Eddy Curry sidelined with a strained calf, finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and is becoming a surer mid-range shooter than the departed Kurt Thomas.

But Marbury was talking in a whole different league than Thomas for this 6-11 big man who's in the early running for Rookie of the Year. "I think Channing is going to be like Tim Duncan in maybe three, four or five years," Marbury said. "They play the same way."

Marbury had expressed frustration in his role, but realizes all the pick-and-rolls he's running with Frye is benefiting the team. Teams converge on Marbury and Frye is still being left open, even after scoring 20-plus points in four of the last six games.

"If we hit shots, that creates opportunities for Marbury and Jamal Crawford," Frye said.

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Chris Webber, a Detroit native who considers Knicks president Isiah Thomas one of his idols, admitted he was disappointed the Knicks did not make a pitch for him last February when Sacramento shopped him around the league. Thomas did not make a bid, scared off by Webber's knee and already in full-blown rebuilding mode.

"I definitely was interested in being there," Webber told the Post. "I was upset that it didn't happen. I understood, too, that type of risk Isiah would be taking at the time with my knee. I understood it."

It has turned out well this season for Webber, a perfect fit with Allen Iverson. Webber scored 19 points with nine rebounds in yesterday's loss, scoring on a putback to send the game into overtime. But then he missed two key shots in the extra session.

Thomas was not interested, as he was dealing with a similar case in Allan Houston. Webber, who underwent the same type of microfracture knee surgery that ultimately led to Houston's retirement in October, said he plans to play another five seasons, even though he believes his surgery was even more severe than Houston's.

"I was just disappointed he retired," Webber said. "You don't want to go before your time. He could still play. His body wouldn't let him. I really felt sorry for him. I was told I had the most extensive, I had the most damage. I'm blessed."

Plus, all the Zeke haters should take note that he did not even glance at Chris Webber last year. he was smart not to, it was a risk that was far greater than the reward. Another smart move by Zeke.

Plus, all the Zeke haters should take note that he did not even glance at Chris Webber last year. he was smart not to, it was a risk that was far greater than the reward. Another smart move by Zeke.

That's true; one poster kept guaranteeing we'd get C Webb. I'm sure we're all very glad we have Frye at PF instead. Now make him our permanent starter, Larry!

Marbury is good for a crazy comparison like that.

But how about the fact that KT took a shot at Marbury when talking about Steve Nash. And Marbury didn't look to take a shot at KT while talking about Frye.

When Frye hits jumpers opponents fear it. They let KT shoot his jumpers all day. Frye frees up the guards with picks so they could do there thing. KT sets weak as picks so that he could get his pick and pop.

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by Ira:

I'm very pleased about Frye, but comparing him to Duncan is going a little overboard.

I have no problem with our leader going a little overboard in a manner that compliments and gives confidence to a young teammate. I like it a lot, actually.


[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 11-27-2005 5:38 PM]

Agreed. He predicted Amare would be a monster too in time.

The quote was elaborated a bit more in the NYT game recap.

After his effort yesterday, Channing Frye drew the highest possible praise from Stephon Marbury. "I call him the Young One. I think Channing's going to be like Tim Duncan in the next three or four or five years," Marbury said. "Once he gets the feel of the N.B.A. game, which will probably be in, like, February, early March, that's when I think he'll take off."

[Edited by - tomverve on 11-27-2005 7:50 PM]

Hey if Marbury buys into making Frye into the next elite big man and feeds him the ball, we are only gonna be that much better for it.

The gusy did make KT look like almost like an allstar, imagine what he can do with a guy who actually has game?

I mean is it not refreshing to see the guy shooting of the pick and pop actually JUMP on his jumpshot? KT jumper was good, but man was it slow and ugly.

And unlike KT, Frye can make layups and finish inside in genereal with both hands. Which means he can also roll to the basket of the pick makin the play harder to defend.

If he develops a consistent go to move in the post that he can use on regualr basis to draw a double team, then the Duncan comparisons can start. He alredy showed a hooks with both the left and the right. He just needs to get a turnaround to work from both sides, I'v seen him do the up and under, so he is def getting there.

Imagine having two 20 and 10 bigs starting? I thought the Bulls were supposed to have the next dominating frontcourt of the NBA lol.

Zeke liked Frye cause he reminded him of Duncan.

If somebody cloned Tim Duncan he would come out looking just like Frye but with a few more blocked shots

I think Steph just means that Frye can be an elite big man.

Posted by BRIGGS:

than steph doesnt know wtf he is talking about. tim duncan is known from day 1 in college right through the nba as being an elite level rebounder and lane defender--channing frye is having trouble guarding haslem tonight--actually he is getting schooled. Channing is going to be a good player, but he is no tim duncan

Yeah and he's too old to learn anything new. Damn Zeke, why did you draft this bum??

Too bad Frye didn't have a good game tonight, then we could have Briggs raving about our next Duncan.

Just a little sarcasm. Comparisons to Duncan are certainly rather optimistic at this point.