December 14, 2006 -- Not only did Isiah Thomas bench David Lee in last night's blowout win over Atlanta for Jared Jeffries, but the Knicks president/coach sounded as if Channing Frye will also be demoted when he returns, possibly next week.

It's a stunning development, as Jeffries was signed to fill the small forward position, but last night he made his first Knick start at power forward, alongside Eddy Curry, and made a strong case to remain with 15 points on 7 of 8 shooting, with 7 boards and 3 steals in 24 minutes.

Lee, surprised last week when Thomas said he would eventually return to the bench when they get healthy, was back with the second unit, playing just 21 minutes, with 7 points and eight boards. The Knicks' grittiest player did not gripe after Thomas explained his decision that Lee's absence devastated the second unit.

Thomas said without Lee, the second unit had "no punch."

"It probably caught him by surprise," Thomas said. "I spoke to David again to remind them it's a young core we've got to build and develop and want to keep them around together. They have a special chemistry. Channing, David, Nate (Robinson), (rookie) Renaldo (Balkman) some."

"Whatever Coach decides to do with the lineup, who comes off the bench, who plays well together, he's smarter on this stuff than I am," Lee said.

I think that David Lee is still a little upset and took the thinking man's approach by saying "he knows more about this stuff than me"

Some may say it's a dig, other's will say if he's right, he's right, and if he's wrong, he's wrong.

I know that makes no sense, but it's like you are at the dinner party and you are talking to your boss and you don't like him and you definitely can out perform him, but because of his experience, you have to listen to him, but you still question it.

He's only a good boss based on results....let's hope this continues to translate into wins.

Do you think JJ is a good shooter? No doubt JJ is a better defender than Lee but his skills are woeful and you will see that after a while. I am trying to figure out how Marbury starts. I still say you trade Lee or Frye and get a guard

I still feel we would be better with Lee and JJ in the starting lineup. Why not both? JJ does want to stay at PF though.

Jeffries is 6-11 and very thin, but a better rebounder than Channing Frye and perhaps a better complement to Curry because he doesn't need the ball. Signed as a small forward, Jeffries said he'd love to stick at PF.

"It makes it easier on me, every team has to send three guys on Eddy," Jeffries said. "That gives me offensive rebounds, points I wouldn't normally get."

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

I still feel we would be better with Lee and JJ in the starting lineup. Why not both? JJ does want to stay at PF though.

Jeffries is 6-11 and very thin, but a better rebounder than Channing Frye and perhaps a better complement to Curry because he doesn't need the ball. Signed as a small forward, Jeffries said he'd love to stick at PF.

"It makes it easier on me, every team has to send three guys on Eddy," Jeffries said. "That gives me offensive rebounds, points I wouldn't normally get."

because than you would have 2 defenders who could double down on Curry when he gets the ball in the post. JJ and Lee are not a threat from 15 feet out except maybe as cutters and an occasional outside shot.

What did Dolan say about THAT other coach not developing these second year rookies?

Yeah, this coach is doing a much better job.

Nate's minutes are up and down.

Lee gets jerked out of the starting rotation.

Frye stinks under him and now he's apparently losing his starting job.

Even Balkman's minutes are up and down now with most of them likely to disappear as the team gets healthy.