Just do it: Bench Frye

By MARC BERMAN

SAN ANTONIO – For six regular-season straight games and for six straight preseason games, David Lee has badly outplayed Channing Frye in every phase.

It will be interesting to hear Isiah Thomas try to spin it again tonight before the Knicks play in San Antonio about why he will stick with the same starting lineup. Frye has been so bad that Thomas has been forced to bench Frye to start the third quarter the past three games.

The unspoken reason is Thomas does not want to ruin Frye’s confidence further. It’s too last for that. It's already rock bottom. One Frye acquaintance told me this morning that Frye’s whole game is mental and he tries to visualize his good games when things are not going well. The 6-11 big man has got all the physical tools to be an All-Star, and a first-team All-Rookie selection as he was last season.

Isiah is also being political and protecting Frye's once immense trade value. (Denver, the Nets and the Lakers love him). Frye was the eighth pick in the draft. The rugged Lee was the last pick of the first round - 30th. By benching Frye for Lee would damage that stock.

In Houston yesterday, Thomas said he feels once Frye’s shots start falling, everything will take care of itself and he’ll be better defensively too. But right now nothing will go down for him. He was 1 for 4 in 18 minutes for two points in Houston and is shooting 21 percent. He’s averaging 3 points a game.

The guards are carrying the Knicks now. The young Eddy Curry and Channing Frye tandem, which truly is what will make or break Isiah Thomas when the James Dolan evaluations come in, is looking suspect. Thomas admonished the beat writers yesterday in Houston, saying it’s only five games and be patient with Frye.

It’s six games now. And counting.

Simmons had an interesting comment in the second half of his NBA preview that I didn't see posted here yet:

Random prediction: I just feel like he's going off this season. Pencil him in for between 29-31 a night and official Evolutionary Bernard status. And while we're here, get ready for career years from Chris Bosh, Parker, Randolph, Arenas and Chauncey Billups (contract year), as well as making-the-leap years from Caron Butler, Ray Felton, Deron Williams, Jameer Nelson and Josh Smith and out-of-nowhere years from Jamaal Tinsley, Nick Collison, Hakim Warrick, Mo Peterson and David Lee (if Isiah plays him, which he should), as well as a two-man race for "Rookie of the Year" between Brandon Roy and Rajon Rondo that leaves everyone wondering, "Wait, where's everyone else?"

DLee needs to start.

Balkman also needs to play much more.

I'm not giving up on Frye yet, but he needs to come off the bench. He needs to be shaken out of his stupor and we need Dlee to set a rebounding tone from the jump.

You can't say a guy is Tim Duncan and than trade him. Channing Frye is Isiah's number 1 fixture to his management acquistions. He clearly said he wouldve taken him as pick 1--he was the coup de grat--this is Isiah's leagcy right here with the Knicks--channing frye.

Isiah can't give up on Frye. It's just not gonna make any sense. Isiah has no choice but to do everything he can to get Curry and Frye to play better. Even LB said that they were the future of the team and it's crazy to now go away from that after 6 games. I like to evaluate teams in 20 game intervals. Frye may soon be on his way to the bench, but I hope not. We're gonna need him to play well and I don't want to ruin his confidence even further by giving up on him so early.

By the same token I do love Lee and always have. It wouldn't bother me to see him starting. He really lacks confidence in his shot, tho. Teams would expose him in that regard if he's out there early. They'll just back off him and dare him to make the shot.

Posted by franco12:

Posted by BRIGGS:

You can't say a guy is Tim Duncan and than trade him. Channing Frye is Isiah's number 1 fixture to his management acquistions. He clearly said he wouldve taken him as pick 1--he was the coup de grat--this is Isiah's leagcy right here with the Knicks--channing frye.

are you quoting isiah with the comparison to td?

A good GM would tell the press the same things- and just like isiah told us, lie when it served his interests.

Exactly. I'm surprised anyone bought that statement by Isiah.

I think it is important to remember that Frye is coming off a major knee injury. Injuries can effect players physically and mentally. Also he is under the microscope in NY. That is tough spot if your team is winning or losing. I can't think of a worse place that any of the NY franchises has been in than the Knicks are in now. Frye needs to be given the time to comeback and improve on the player he was last year.

You are right. I thought that he needed surgery. I know that he only played in two summer league games because he was still recovering. I hope he gets back on track soon. He has alot of talent and a great work ethic.

Posted by Solace:

Posted by wsdm:

Posted by franco12:

Posted by BRIGGS:

You can't say a guy is Tim Duncan and than trade him. Channing Frye is Isiah's number 1 fixture to his management acquistions. He clearly said he wouldve taken him as pick 1--he was the coup de grat--this is Isiah's leagcy right here with the Knicks--channing frye.

are you quoting isiah with the comparison to td?

A good GM would tell the press the same things- and just like isiah told us, lie when it served his interests.

Exactly. I'm surprised anyone bought that statement by Isiah.

Wow.

I guess asking for accountability is asking for too much. I guess now I can go tell management at my company that I will finish 100 projects this year. When I don't accomplish it, I'll simply say "I lied" and all will be forgiven. Thanks for that brilliant piece.

I bet your company spins to certain people just like the Knicks' GM and all other GMs do. What's with the attitude in the last sentence of your reply?

He does, he commits fouls and turns the ball over.

Posted by nixluva:

Isiah can't give up on Frye. It's just not gonna make any sense. Isiah has no choice but to do everything he can to get Curry and Frye to play better. Even LB said that they were the future of the team and it's crazy to now go away from that after 6 games. I like to evaluate teams in 20 game intervals. Frye may soon be on his way to the bench, but I hope not. We're gonna need him to play well and I don't want to ruin his confidence even further by giving up on him so early.

By the same token I do love Lee and always have. It wouldn't bother me to see him starting. He really lacks confidence in his shot, tho. Teams would expose him in that regard if he's out there early. They'll just back off him and dare him to make the shot.

LB sad that Curry and Fry are our future. Do you really want it to be this way?
So now he is gone and we see this future is coming...