KNICKS' FRYE BENCH-BOUND
By MARC BERMAN
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February 5, 2007 -- Channing Frye has been banished from the starting lineup as Isiah Thomas continues to move the chess pieces to find the right combination for his talented - if mismatched - roster.

Thomas has said he wants a stronger interior presence and will go with a two-center look of Eddy Curry and Jerome James -likely into the All-Star Break. Frye responded with 18 points off the bench in Saturday's 94-86 victory over the Magic in Orlando and played rugged defense, but he didn't sound pleased about his demotion.

"I know I earned that spot," Frye said of his starting role. "Coach wants to change stuff up, that's fine. My thing [is] do the best I can. If we're more successful with me coming off the bench and we're winning games, hey, I'll ride with it. Whatever it takes to get [into] the playoffs."

The James' insertion was the best-kept secret in Florida during their three-day stay, with the news media not finding out until 30 minutes before Saturday's tip-off. "Isiah wanted it that way," James said.

James kept the facade going before the Orlando game, telling a reporter he wasn't sure if a lot of family was coming down form Tampa because he couldn't assure them he would play.

Thomas said he's got to get more out of Frye, snubbed from the All-Star Weekend's Rookie-Sophomore Challenge. Thomas said he believes he would be better not always being on the court with Curry.

"What we've done to Channing was turn him into an 18-foot jump shooter and he's much more than that. Much better than that," Thomas said. "It gives us an opportunity in that second unit to play through Channing and get him some post touches."

Plus, Curry could use the help defensively. "Jerome brings a defensive presence to the game and it allows Eddy to roam and challenge some shots a bit more," Thomas said.

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Although Thomas never announced it, Stephon Marbury retained his captaincy from last season. During training camp, Thomas said he would pick the new captains, but stayed with Marbury, who is turning into a better leader. He has been the most outspoken Knick regarding Curry's All-Star snub. The Knicks play just four games in the 10 days leading to the All-Star Break, which Marbury said will be a huge help for his sore left knee.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02052007/sports/knicks/knicks_frye_bench_bound_knicks_marc_berman.htm

Now I'm not one of these posters that looks threw Quotes and turn a a comment into some theory about Larry Brown being fired or why the kincks will never win unless we trade the whole roster, but this is crazy. YOu have David Lee out producing Frye. You have Dave Lee getting more minutes then Frye. YOu have David Finishing more games then Frye. YOu have Dave Lee going to the Sophmore Allstar game instead of Frye. Wow, another reason why he should be benched. Looks like he is taking starting for granted.

I know, this whole team is delusional i have never heard so many people that think they are better than they are, he earned his starting spot like jj

Doesnt really sound like hes getting that much of an attitude. He thinks he earned his starting role. He probably has earned it more than Jerome James. What would you rather him say?

Agreed, thats why its very unclear why thomas has a job in the first place, all season long everyone knew he needed to go to the bench for his own good and become the focal point of the second unit and get more post touches and more shots in the flow of the offense.....

Instead our coach with no credentials made him ineffective to showcase curry to save his own job, he does little for the betterment of the team, he makes questionable decisions and his starting lineups are starting to rival larry which is scary, its only a matter of team before this experiment fails. But he has to justify the james signing somehow.