Francis needs a rest
December 7

We can draw another parallel to last season’s disaster. Steve Francis was stuck on the sideline today with a sore right knee. He’s dealing with tendinitis, a condition that never goes away.

No wonder he looked to be a step behind.

Francis plans to sit out Saturday’s game against Milwaukee, and might need a week or more to rest and rehab.

“It’s been going on for awhile, but after last night, I really couldn’t even move,” Francis said. “A lot of people noticed it. I’m going to try to take it easy, try to strengthen it.”

He went for an MRI a month ago, so this problem isn’t a surprise.

Knicks coach Isiah Thomas did not offer a replacement. I’m guessing Jamal Crawford is back in the starting lineup.

And he stays there until Jared Jeffries comes back.

While the Knicks are temporarily down three starters, there is a silver lining. Thomas is no longer faced with any difficult lineup decisions. It figures. We finally had some real intriguing questions and most of the answers just fell right into place.

He can move Quentin Richardson to shooting guard when Jeffries is ready and get both of them on the floor at the same time. David Lee also gets to start at power forward until Channing Frye is healthy in a week or two.

It’s that simple.

And when Francis is feeling better, he might need to play reduced minutes because of the tendinitis. The former All-Star is already hinting a bench role might be what the doctor orders.

“It could be,” he said. “I’m just looking to try to strengthen it up more and be back to where I was. I haven’t even attempted to dunk the ball this year in a game, so you knew something had to be going on.”

We thought it was old age.

Francis doesn’t seem to care how the lineup issues work out when he is ready to return. Thomas can go with Stephon Marbury and Richardson in the backcourt and dodge a controversy.

“I did it before, earlier, so it’s no big deal to me,” said Francis, who ended up back in the starting lineup after one lousy game in Minnesota. “I just want us to be able to win. I’m worried about winning more than anything. Financially, I’m straight. Everything else is straight, but winning is more important.”

Posted by Nalod:

"hey stevie, how about wear these, they will make you feel good and Isiah will like the unity!"

Posted by TMS:

looks like Nate's gonna see alot more playing time.

Posted by JesseDark:

I would slide Q to the backcourt and start Balkman until Jefferies is ready. I think part of the problem is that we are too short in the backcourt. That is why you see so 2 guards having career nights.