Thomas Emphasizes Intensity and Focus
By DAVID PICKER

GREENBURGH, N.Y., Nov. 7 — One day after the Knicks veered from embarrassment to excitement before losing to the San Antonio Spurs, Coach Isiah Thomas stressed the need for consistency.

“We got to get to a point where we can sustain intensity, concentration and energy,” Thomas said Tuesday after practice. He repeated that message numerous times during a 10-minute meeting with the news media.

It was clear which players Thomas was alluding to. The Knicks fell behind by 23 points late in the second quarter, so he inserted four reserves, who sparked a 12-2 run to close out the half. The second half began with four starters on the sideline.

The San Antonio lead swelled and dipped like a wave in the second half. The Knicks cut a 90-71 deficit to 92-91 with 4 minutes 6 seconds remaining before the Spurs swatted them away in a 105-93 victory.

The Knicks (1-3) begin a three-game trip Wednesday in Denver. Thomas will be expecting a steady dose of intensity, concentration and energy. Through reporters, he warned his players — starters and reserves — about the consequences of not meeting those expectations.

“The players that perform and play that way will play for me,” he said. “The players who don’t play that way, won’t play. That’s as simple as I can put it.”

He added: “I have zero favorites. I’ll bench anybody.”

The most noticeable player benched Monday was Channing Frye, who came off the court with 3:34 left in the second quarter and did not return. Frye has started all four games this season, but he has regularly looked as lost as he did against the Spurs.

Frye, a second-year power forward who was drafted by the Knicks with the eighth pick over all in 2005, shot 0 for 5 from the field against the Spurs and did not score. He is averaging 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 22.3 minutes this season.

It will be disheartening for the Knicks if Frye’s early-season woes turn into an all-out sophomore slump. Frye is viewed as an integral part of the Knicks’ rebuilding process. They spurned trade offers for him last season because, they said, they believed he could become a franchise player. If Frye fails to meet expectations this season, then the Knicks’ road map to progress will have to be altered.

“Not one bit am I down,” Frye said. “I’m a little bit frustrated, but it’s more because we’re losing.”

Frye showed glimpses of promise last season, averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 65 games. He frequently led the Knicks in scoring early in the season and was considered at one point to be a contender for rookie of the year. But Coach Larry Brown changed lineups throughout the season, and Frye’s minutes and his role fluctuated. His season ended March 21, when he sprained a ligament in his left knee.

Frye said he did not expect to begin this season as well as he did last season. “I’m on the blackboard,” he said, meaning that he was no longer able to catch teams off guard. “But I was expecting to shoot better.”

Frye usually has a fine touch from the outside, but he is shooting only 21.9 percent this season.

Thomas offered two explanations for Frye’s recent struggles.

“One is the emergence of Eddy Curry, his inside presence,” Thomas said. Curry, the Knicks’ starting center, is second on the team in points (18.0) and rebounds (8.3). “If you remember last year, Channing scored a lot for us inside, and he really was our inside presence. He was able to get to the foul line a lot. Now Eddy’s taken over that spot.”

The Knicks have emphasized Curry’s role on offense this season, working to pass him the ball near the basket. Frye, who is more suited to playing from the perimeter than from the post, has been pushed to the outside. Too far, perhaps.

The second explanation, Thomas said, was that he was not running plays for Frye to receive the ball close enough to the basket. “I got to do a better job of that,” Thomas said. “That’s not Channing’s fault.”

Thomas said he had no immediate plans to change his starting lineup, meaning that Frye’s next opportunity will come at tip-off against the Nuggets. But the benching will still be fresh in his mind.

“Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to really say: You know what? Let’s get our act together,” Frye said.

Through reporters, he warned his players — starters and reserves — about the consequences of not meeting those expectations.

oooh, that's a no-no...

yawn

Posted by djsunyc:


“Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to really say: You know what? Let’s get our act together,” Frye said.

Really, all it takes a slap? I want locker-room passes to the next game.

Oh Mr. Miyagi. You have such soft hands.