Knick Knation
Frank Isola

January 03, 2007
Could Ailing Francis Be Headed For a Buyout?

Former NBA head coach John Lucas had an interesting take on Steve Francis’ future in New York. Lucas, of course, is working with Francis in Houston and wonders if the Knicks are preparing to buy out the former All-Star guard.

HOWARD SIMMONS DAILY NEWS"That's the million dollar question," Lucas told the San Antonio Express-News. "Are they going to buy him out? They've got so much money and problems up there, you just have to wait and see. But, hey, if they bought out Larry Brown like that, they'll buy out anybody."

When I spoke to Francis’ agent yesterday, Jeff Fried said that his client is not seeking a buyout and that Francis will return to the team this season. Of course, it was interesting to hear Isiah Thomas mention the absence of Nate Robinson and Quentin Richardson as two prime reasons why the Knicks couldn’t beat Sacramento. The Knicks head coach conveniently failed to mention the absence of Francis.

I believe that the Knicks are eager to move Francis elsewhere and I feel that Francis would be open to leaving…but only for the right price. But whether Francis stays or goes will not have an impact on the Knicks' season. Thomas has the players to make a run in the Atlantic Division but it remains to be seen if that can be accomplished.

While fans seem excited about the Knicks this season, their record after 34 games is identical to last year’s mark when the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division were considerably stronger. David Lee has been a revelation and Eddy Curry has the promise to be an offensive force even if he provides zero defense and only a few rebounds per game.

Thomas used yesterday’s loss to bemoan not having Robinson and Richardson around. Richardson is expected to return for Friday’s game in Seattle and Robinson will return Wednesday against Philadelphia.

Assuming there are no injuries, Thomas will have his full roster (with the exception of unwanted Francis, of course). But don’t be surprised if trouble is on the horizon. Thomas will have to make some tough decisions. Does Robinson play over Mardy Collins? Is Richardson better suited to start at shooting guard? Will Jamal Crawford accept a back-up role?

Of course, there is the issue about starting David Lee. Opposing coaches rave about Lee and all wonder why he doesn’t start. The only rational explanation is that Thomas has to justify signing Jared Jeffries to a $30 million contract. Think about it, Thomas gave the mid-level exception in back-to-back years to Jerome James and Jeffries and neither player has made an impact.

As for yesterday’s loss, that was as bad as it gets. Brad Miller plays just eight minutes in the first half because of foul trouble and then gets ejected after three minutes in the second half. This is a game the Knicks have to win. But when the Knicks need a stop, they can’t get one. I thought Jeffries was supposed to provide shut-down type of defense.

The fact that Thomas would use part of his postgame press conference to talk about Robinson and Richardson not being available is depressing. Do you think Phil Jackson talks about not having Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown? The Rockets are missing Yao Ming and Miami hasn’t had Shaq since Nov. 17.

The reason why the Knicks have the league’s highest payroll is that it allows Thomas to fill out his roster with high-priced replacements that 90 percent of the league could never afford. Sure, Richardson is out but how many teams can afford the loss of a starter and still have Jamal Crawford and his bloated contract on the bench? The Knicks seemed to have more than enough to win with when they beat Utah with eight players.

When Thomas makes excuses it sounds as if he is speaking to James Dolan through the media as opposed to Larry Brown coaching the Knicks through the press. The excuses have to stop. When players sense that management is making excuses for them it will have a negative impact on the team. Accountability is something the Knicks desperately need.

oh, that would be a late christmas present. it's funny, Brown called Ariza delusional and then turned around and asked for one of the most delusional psuedo stars in recent memory. Francis probably thinks he'll go somewhere else and become a supastar again. I hate him so much.

The Knicks make my head hurt so much.