FRANCIS RETURN (AND BIGGER ROLE) AT HAND
By BRIAN LEWIS
February 7, 2007 -- Gone are the whispers of a buyout, the questions of whether Steve Francis will ever play a major role for the Knicks, or even play at all.

The guard, out since Dec. 29 with right knee tendinitis, said yesterday he'll likely return on the Knicks' three-game western swing - meaning he could be back as soon as Saturday in Utah, or no later than a week from today.

And with Stephon Marbury (knee) playing in pain, coach Isiah Thomas yesterday finally said there will be a role for Francis - perhaps a big one.

"I'm not sure," Francis said of his return date before the Knicks' 102-90 Garden win over the Clippers.

"I'm not going to say a specific date. I've been feeling great in practice. I've been shooting the ball pretty well. I'm just trying to get my conditioning where it needs to be."

Asked if he'd be back before the All-Star break, he said, "It's a strong possibility. A very heavy, strong possibility."

After Saturday, the Knicks play Tuesday at the Lakers and Wednesday at Golden State before the break.

"He's looking pretty good, and he can possibly be back maybe before the break," Thomas said.

"He looks good to me."

Francis missed eight straight games from Dec. 9 to Dec. 22. Then, after an aborted three-game return to the court, he shut it down again.

He's averaging career-lows of 10.8 points and 3.5 assists in his two dozen appearances so far this season.

Francis retreated to Houston's West Side Tennis Club to do his rehab work with John Lucas, as former Knick Penny Hardaway had done earlier, sparking reports that he might be forced to take a buyout of a massive contract that will pay him $16.4 million next season and nearly $17.2 million the season after that.

Despite never publicly mentioning the possibility of a buyout, Thomas had remained vague about whether Francis would ever get back his spot in the rotation - until now, that is.

Yesterday, Thomas made it clear the guard's experience at the point puts him squarely in the Knicks' plans going forward this season.

"He gives you some veteran savvy in the backcourt," Thomas said of Francis, who turns 30 this month and has lost much of his explosion, but still shoots a league-best 92.5 percent from the foul line.

"When [Stephon] Marbury goes out, or if he goes down, at least you've got some savvy back there, someone who understands the position and is still the same kind of threat offensively, can get to the basket, can get to the foul line and is an excellent rebounder.

"He definitely brings another level of savviness to your team."

can never have enough savvy

Just in time to shine him up for the trade deadline.

Isiah is being a bit transparent on this one.

If he can package Frye and Francis what could he yield?

Pau?

I never thought I'd say this but I'd be shocked if we did any trades of any kind this season.

We all know how important savvy is. Malik Rose practically oozes savvy. He needs a mop cause someone is gonna slip on all that savvy.

I like Francis better than Nate as our backup PG. It just boils down to whether he will be happy with 15-20 minutes a game.

Posted by Elite:

if Francis can accept a lesser role and a backup energizer than he will do just fine..... but i dont see him accepting that

Maybe, maybe not. He has kept his mouth shut and been a good soldier so far.

Posted by Bippity10:

I think Steve is a headier version of Nate and can do well in that role. He doesn't bring the same spark Nate does but he also doesn't bring the same sideshow. As long as he can accept restricted minutes this is not a bad thing, and hopefully he can play well so we can trade him for a young player like the one we gave up to get him.

LOL, maybe a Francis for Okafor trade is in the works.

In all seriousness, I don't think it really matters. This jams up the backcourt even more, but it gives Marbury some rest. I can honestly say, however, that I don't think this will improve the wins total though.

Posted by Queeniepop:

We are fine without Francis.

yeah, when francis left it was addition by subtraction- look what we got from steph since then.

So if we have to shut down Marbury you guys rather have no Francis at all? Absurd.

I am of the belief that we should acquire at least 12 PG's. That way if one goes down we have a replacement for him. Except for the 12th guy. In that case we'd be screwed.