JustBlaze
BBW Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2006
- Messages
- 6,111
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 36
<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
