THE FRYE IS FALLING
CHANNING'S STARTING JOB IN DANGER

By MARC BERMAN

The idea of trading Channing Frye last season was blasphemy - as much as Larry Brown tried.

But with David Lee emerging as a major force, Eddy Curry becoming the go-to guy in the post and 6-foot-11 Jared Jeffries soon to return, Frye appears to have lost his status as one of Thomas' chief building blocks - and perhaps is close to losing his starting job.

Frye's trade value was sky-high last season, but Thomas would not budge. His value has dropped, but there's still interest in the 23-year big man selected eighth overall.

The Cavaliers have taken a long look at Frye this season, according to a source, before he got injured eight days ago, spraining his left ankle. Thomas has always had interest in Drew Gooden of the Cavaliers, whom he wanted to swap for Kurt Thomas before Cavaliers ownership put the kibosh on it two years ago.

The Lakers were so enthralled with Frye they were willing to depart with Lamar Odom in a package last season. Sadly, it looks like Thomas erred big-time in choosing Frye over Lakers teenage center, Andrew Bynum of Metuchen, N.J, who is averaging 8.3 points-per-game. If Frye wasn't there, Thomas would have taken Bynum, which at the time was considered a major reach, but now would look pretty good.

Frye said believes he's still two weeks away from returning, though he ditched the crutches a few days ago. But Isiah Thomas gave a hint that Frye's role might be decreased, and he could be removed as starter. Plus, Thomas this week called the Knicks Eddy Curry's team.

When asked if Frye would regain his starting job, Thomas said, "Definitely." But then he added, "Unless Jeffries comes back first."

Thomas would not elaborate but Jeffries was signed for his versatility. If Thomas is really stuck on having Lee come off the bench, he could insert him at power forward and keep steady Quentin Richardson at small forward.


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Thomas, fighting for his basketball life, said in Detroit he felt this was "professionally, the most pressure" he has faced. It was a stunning remark considering how many big playoff games and championship-round games Thomas has played.

"It's different now you have to inspire, motivate and educate," Thomas said last night. "You have to do it in an environment that's particularly tough where you have a lot of doubters and have a lot know-it-alls.

"You don't have quiet classroom to teach in. We do have obstacles. That's not to say we can't overcome them. Don't misunderstand me. They're not complaints. They're acknowledgements. You acknowledge the pressure and acknowledge the atmosphere."


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Patrick Ewing was in attendance again last night as the halftime ceremony promoted MSG Network's 50-Greatest Garden moments series. . . . Jared Jeffries will get reevaluated tomorrow and could be cleared for full-contact practice. Thomas said he didn't know how many practices Jeffries would need but hoped not many. Jeffries said that he would be back Dec. 15 in Indiana, but it seems like it could be sooner.


[Edited by - McK1 on 12-03-2006 10:09 AM]

shoulda sold high on Frenchy.

most deplore his methods but IMHO, Brown saw the future.

LB is a good coach, but he went about everything the wrong way last year. His defensive mind would be good with these Knicks, but at the same time, he probably would be stifling our offense. The bottomline is LB had to go. He just caused too many distractions that this team did not need.

Trading Frye for Odom would have been a good trade, but Frye is still a solid player. I am not sure if Gooden is the answer for us. IMO he is only slightly better than Lee and Lee will get better so why give up Frye to get back something you already have. I say we keep Frye and let this kid develop. He will get better and was playing much better before the injury. Unless we are going to get a true defensive, shot-blocking, rebounding beast in return, we should keep Frye.

Posted by nyk4ever:

Posted by holfresh:


The problem with the Knicks is that they have too many people are the same talent level...They have to make some trades...

Holy sh!t... hell has frozen over, Holfresh has said something negative about the roster!

You must have miss my trade Francis tirade...Jamal is a necessary evil but I have almost had enough of him as well...Too many guys needs playing time at this point but well will see...
So when are you going to comment on the changing of the culture...Nothing from you about that this year....Obviously you must have noticed Isiah has this group thinking about playing hard night in and night out...I thought by now I would see you and Bip all over these pages...What happened?

I like what I'm seeing to be honest except defensively, we stink...But I think when the players see they are playing hard and not winning they will understand that improvements won't be made until they make defensive stops...We have to stop thinking there is an answer out there waiting to be had at PF...Everyone in the league wants one...As a Knick fan, I have waited until they got the right compliment to Ewing for a Championship run and it never happened...They tried Kiki, Ro Blackman, H20, Starks, Jonny New...Develop the players you have until the right opportunity comes along...We had Dlee and Frye, so we have to work with that....

Marbs legs seems to be getting under him now and Q has been solid all year and Curry is coming along...We can work with that...Let DLee, Frye,Craw,Stevie,Nate, etc battle for the remaining time on this roster...It's a good thing...Until that player come along like Weed did for Detroit...Right now lets work on style of play and changing the culture...I can't wait to see you give Zeke props...it's going to be a blast...

actually late in the game, lee did a heck of a job against bosh, he only has problems agains bigs that can go perimeter off the dribble, and there are not many bosh's in the league.. actually bosh gets his against every PF in the league.. whats new?

They have to rehabilitate his value before they entertain trade offers.

Posted by tkf:

Posted by martin:

Posted by tkf:

actually late in the game, lee did a heck of a job against bosh, he only has problems agains bigs that can go perimeter off the dribble, and there are not many bosh's in the league.. actually bosh gets his against every PF in the league.. whats new?

Bosh getting his is OK by me... but Lee NOT getting his is not. Lee is not ready to start and is better off the bench IMHO. Same with Frye.

so who would you rather have off the bench? lee for frye....

Curry, JJ, Q, Marb, Fran. Both Lee and Frye off the bench. Use Frye/Lee off the bench at C/PF.

Nan.... Lee needs to starts. A bench of Frye,Balkman,Crawford,Mabury,Nate would really get he job done.
Curry
Lee
JJ
Q
Francis
Need to start!!!!!!!

Posted by Anji:

Nan.... Lee needs to starts. A bench of Frye,Balkman,Crawford,Mabury,Nate would really get he job done.
Curry
Lee
JJ
Q
FrancisNeed to start!!!!!!!

Whats with this infactuation with Francis? Are you guys that fed up with Marbury that you are honeslty comfortable with Francis running the point? This guy is a turnover machine in crunch time. Theres been about 3-4 games where he has either coughed the ball up in crunch time or threw up a horrible shot to cost us dearly.

Francis is useless playing the 2 aswell because when he curls off of screens and recieves the ball, instead of catching and shooting, he catches and dribbles which allows the defender who just got screened to catch up to him which defeats the whole point of screening in the first place. The only way he scores is if he gets bailed out by a foul or in the open court.

Im kind of tired of Marburys act aswell, but moving Francis would be my first priority.

Man I felt the same way, until I watched the games. I don't know where Marbury's head is, but it is never in MSG when the game is on. Francis has played twice as smart as Marbury game in and out. Yeah Francis has had some bad turnovers but marbury has too, plus he takes terrible shots and withdraws from the game for Quarters and a half at times. Marbury is really stinking up the place and Francis is leading the team better then him. I know you see it........