FRYE BURNED OUT
By MARC BERMAN

Untouchable rookie Channing Frye now will have his butt touching the bench at tip-off.

Seeking an on-court leader, more toughness, and hustle, Larry Brown has jostled the Knicks' starting lineup again, turning to veteran Antonio Davis as the starting power forward.

The Knicks will need all the toughness and leadership they can muster when they play host to the scorching Nets tomorrow at the Garden. Stephon Marbury officially is the captain, but Davis is emerging as the Knicks' leader.

Frye has slumped since his 30-point explosion vs. Milwaukee on Dec. 12 when he looked like the second-coming of Bob McAdoo, the former jump-shooting All-Star big man.

In the past five games, Frye, who is off-limits in all trade discussions, has averaged 10.3 points as teams have adjusted to the eighth pick in this year's NBA Draft. Frye had been the one shining light to this otherwise sickening season.

Frye, who could be hitting the rookie wall after 25 games, still isn't rebounding enough and has trouble defending big men on the perimeter.

"You get scouting reports on kids and you try to take away his jump shot," Brown said. "We're trying to get him to post up a little more, put the ball on the floor a little bit more. I think he's just learning every day."

Burly Davis took Frye's spot in the starting line Friday against Utah — and, more importantly, finished the game — when the Knicks broke their seven-game losing streak with a 98-90 win. Brown said it won't be a one-night stand.

Friday's starting lineup was the 17th different one used by Brown in 25 games. Davis grabbed a loose-ball offensive rebound and saved a ball from going out of bounds late in the game. He also was able to stick with Utah's Mehmet Okur at the perimeter (0 for 3 from the 3-point line). Meanwhile, it looked like summer league again for Frye as he picked up five fouls in 10 minutes.

Perhaps Davis most impressed Brown on Wednesday vs. San Antonio when he delivered a crushing foul on Tony Parker, fed up with the guard's forays to the hole during the Knicks' 109-96 loss. It was a long time coming. Three Spurs surrounded Davis, who didn't back down. In fact, he pushed Duncan, who wanted no part of the Knicks' new enforcer.

"Even in the games we lost, I haven't seen him change in terms of his effort, how professional he is, how hard he works, how much he competes," Brown said of Davis. "He's 38. That's why it's so important having him on the team with so many young kids. I can't imagine us all not playing like that."

Imagine it. Before defeating Utah, the Knicks were a disgrace lacking defensive effort in dropping five straight Garden games. The Utah victory was a one-night holiday gift; the Jazz were playing without Andre Kirilenko and Carlos Boozer.

The Nets come in having whipped Miami on the road, winners of five straight and boasting the fearsome trio of Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd. Yesterday, the Knicks (7-18) all wore fresh white headbands to practice, perhaps symbolic of a fresh start.

"They're as good as anyone right now," Brown said of the Nets. "They're playing great. It's a huge test. They're a conference team, a rival and an elite team. When I looked at the East, I looked at Jersey as having those guys healthy the beginning of the year, I thought they would be a terrific team and they're starting to play that way. New Jersey is an elite team in my mind."

*

Brown hasn't ruled out Eddy Curry (ankle sprain), who has missed four straight games, from playing vs. Nets . . . Marbury's bruised hand is fine. He practiced, and his consecutive-games-played streak of 270 games will continue tomorrow.

great move. everyone else in the starting 5 with the exception of Ariza lack the grit and nastiness needed to play at Brown's tempo.

I think it's dumb. The Knicks aren't winning anyway. They might as well ride out Frye's growing pains.

Posted by Rich:

I think it's dumb. The Knicks aren't winning anyway. They might as well ride out Frye's growing pains.

With the media and fans the way we are, IMMHO Frye is best learning off the bench against second liners. He may also have hit a semi rookie wall.

if you can remember what ben gordon did last year frye should play a similar role this year for new york