Isiah: Get the ball to Eddy! http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...03-16_isiah_get_the_ball_to_eddy-1_print.html Fumes to feed big man BY FRANK ISOLA DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Posted Friday, March 16th 2007, 4:00 AM You'd think that Eddy Curry wouldn't be hard to find on the basketball court. At 6-11 and 290 pounds - before lunch - the Knicks' center is a huge target. And yet Isiah Thomas used yesterday's film session and practice to remind his players that feeding Curry isn't just the job of the dining staff at the team's training facility. It is a way of life for the Knicks in a very Patrick Ewing kind of way. "The primary theme of the year for us has been (getting Curry the ball)," Thomas said yesterday. "Every now and then you need to remind them." Thomas admitted that he did plenty of screaming as the Knicks prepared for tonight's game at the Garden against the Hornets, whose starting center, Tyson Chandler, is Curry's good friend and former Chicago Bulls teammate. Considering their relationship, Curry will not have a problem getting up to face Chandler. Getting Curry the ball, however, is becoming difficult for the Knicks. During Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors, Curry attempted just nine shots and grew increasingly frustrated with his lack of touches. He twice screamed at Steve Francis for failing to pass and was visibly upset after the game. Curry sat at his locker for 40 minutes before showering. "I was pretty upset," Curry admitted yesterday. The Knicks are at their best when they play inside-out. But with Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson sidelined, opposing teams use two and sometimes three defenders to surround Curry. David Lee's absence also has been a factor because Lee is a superb interior passer. "It's definitely different without Jamal," Curry said. "He was a guy looking at me for lobs. We're trying to fill that void. It's tough to play without him and David." Curry and Francis don't share the same on-court chemistry. In fact, Francis is known for dribbling incessantly rather than moving the ball. He blamed himself for Wednesday's loss after committing seven turnovers, including four in the final period. Thomas clearly was frustrated by Francis' poor decision-making, shouting at him at one point to "shoot the ball." It was a public display of emotion that Thomas rarely shows toward any of his players. But then, Francis is somewhat unique. Thomas and Garden chairman James Dolan have maintained since last June that acquiring Francis was the idea of former coach Larry Brown. Two weeks ago, the Knicks were on the verge of buying out Francis' contract, but those plans changed when Crawford suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Francis told several NBA players of the buyout talks and that he was hoping to sign with Houston, where he lives during the offseason. Considering Francis' criticism of Jeff Van Gundy after being traded from Houston to Orlando three years ago, it is unlikely that the Rockets would have signed him. Before Crawford went down, the Knicks didn't have a place for Francis. Now, the veteran guard is essential to their playoff run. That is a point that Thomas was trying to get across to him yesterday. "It's safe to say," said Thomas, "we have a very good understanding of how we win games and why we lose games." Q IN QUESTION: Richardson (back spasms) did not practice yesterday and may not be available to play tonight against New Orleans. Crawford attended practice but did not speak to reporters.
Bring back the Franchise! When does his contract expire? I would like to have him back as our starting PG in Rafer's place. If he wanna sign for a full MLE in the offseason, lets do it.
