<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>NEW YORK -- Ever since the Knicks traded for Steve Francis last month, people around the NBA have tried to figure out how the Knicks would use him. That group includes a puzzled Francis, who yesterday said that if he's not starting next season, he would prefer to move on."If it's a situation where they don't feel I'm a starting player on this team, then I guess it would be good to go in a different direction," Francis said during the morning shoot-around, "with no disrespect to either side."Francis, a starter his entire six-year career before joining the Knicks, has bitten his tongue since being relegated to bench duty shortly after the trade. He has started the past four games, including last night's 114-109 loss to the Toronto Raptors, but only because Quentin Richardson has been hurt.Yesterday he said he still wants to finish his career with the Knicks, as long as he is a starter."Hopefully next year, it'll change," he said. "Maybe this summer we'll begin to evaluate more as far as what my role is. I don't plan on coming off the bench next year."Coach Larry Brown responded to Francis' desire to start in typical Brown fashion: with a dig. He said Francis will have to earn the starting job in training camp next October."I'm happy he wants to start," Brown said. "That's why you have training camp. I would hope he's in a position to compete and earn the right to play. ... I generally always figure the players who deserve it put themselves in a position to start. That's why you have training camp."Francis stressed he isn't frustrated by his current bench role, and it would not become an issue for a while -- or, more accurately, for seven months."When does next season start?" he asked. "November? So next November, that's when it would be a big issue. Until then, I'll just play these games out and try to get accustomed to what we're doing."As for next season, Brown indicated that if Francis and Stephon Marbury are both on the team next year -- a big if -- he wants Francis handling the ball and Marbury playing shooting guard."The more I see him, the more I think he needs the ball on the break and, you know, running your team," Brown said. "I like Steph coming off screens, the ball coming to him. I like Stevie in pick-and-rolls, his athleticism. But, we're going to need some time to work it out."Team president Isiah Thomas, Brown and assistant coach Mark Aguirre flew to Chicago on Knicks owner James Dolan's private jet yesterday to attend the funeral of legendary DePaul coach Ray Meyer. Thomas, who grew up in Chicago, was recruited to play for Meyer back in the 1970s, but his mother insisted he go to Indiana instead. Aguirre played for Meyer and remained close to him over the years.</div>Source: http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?...2980.xml&coll=1
lol i love the knicks. I knew this wasnt gonna work. All there guards wanna start. they alll are starters if you put them on a different team. And whos gonna want Steve ? Him and his big contract.
The Knicks need to start Stevie. Use him at the point and Q at the 2 slot. Try to move Marbury if the deal's right for a stud.
Try to deal Marbury to the Wolves along with Jamal and Curry for KG and Trenton Hassell. Hass is a bad contract but is a GREAT defender so would be considered an " LB" guy.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FryedCurry @ Mar 22 2006, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Try to deal Marbury to the Wolves along with Jamal and Curry for KG and Trenton Hassell. Hass is a bad contract but is a GREAT defender so would be considered an " LB" guy.</div>Thats actually not bad. I still don't think they would do it but if they did they could have a decent lineuppg-Marburysg-Crawfordsf-Davispf-Eddie Griffinc-Curry
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FryedCurry @ Mar 22 2006, 02:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Try to deal Marbury to the Wolves along with Jamal and Curry for KG and Trenton Hassell. Hass is a bad contract but is a GREAT defender so would be considered an " LB" guy.</div>i'd never do that trade. curry is our center and jamal has been playing great lately. i like hassel tho. no way we are going anywhere with jerome james or frye at center. james gets like 5 fouls a game and frye is still learning how to play D.
The knicks are better off with Marbury. Francis is getting a bigger ego by the day. I used to like him with the rockets at one point but his selfishness in the last few years has really shown.
Same here, ever since the Magic trade I've liked him less and less. I also used to love Stephon Marbury when he played for the Suns, now I have trouble thinking of 3 players I hate more than him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jhowardfan @ Mar 22 2006, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>These knicks, when will they ever learn. :no1:</div>No, and Francis is showing off his real personality..What a PRICK
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kingjamez @ Mar 22 2006, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No, and Francis is showing off his real personality..What a PRICK</div>that's why i say get rid of francis. marbury's personality is not as bad as francis. at least marbury can back his talk up with good numbers. francis has been an instant turnover since he came to ny. i hope he gets the boot in the summer cuz i'm sick of his crappy play.
well neither of there personalitys are good! and i sure hope you didnt expect more than this..again another guy that thinks completely of himself..
nah i did i just hoped that it would work out and it certainly hasn't. i really did not like the trade we made. isiah is good at drafting players but he can't run a franchise.
Isaiah can't tie his own shoes, he's a complete idiot and completely incapable of running this organization. No complaints from me though, I love watching the Knicks lose.
