The Knicks Fix

Steve Francis is back in body but where is he in mind? Now that the trade deadline is over and he's still an Knick -- I still don't see a buyout before the season ends -- what is he going to give you off the bench? If it's what we saw Wednesday in Philly, Isiah Thomas might be better off going to Mardy Collins, who might be an offensive liability but at least gives you a determined effort on defense (and attempts to get over the top of screens).

Thomas needs to show no loyalty to Francis at this point. He didn't buy him out and didn't (or wasn't able to) trade him. Francis owes the Knicks more energy than what he brought in Philly. The Knicks started off great in that game and when Francis and the bench came in, the competitive spirit flatlined. You can look at the absence of David Lee as a reason, but a veteran like Francis needs to take more of a leadership role. If he'd rather go through the motions and goof-off with his buddy Nate Robinson, then Thomas has no reason to play him. Not on a team that is desperate for wins as they try to race for a playoff spot.

Francis overdribbles (it's long been a knock against him) and when he drives too often gets himself into trouble with no outlet. It disrupts the offense and kills any flow the Knicks may have developed. He's not a very good defender and with the balky knee probably is even worse than usual. But he can be a useful player when he's under control and plays the role Thomas needs him to play behind Stephon Marbury.

Thomas had words with Francis during the game in Philly, but carefully said it wasn't just Francis he was mad at.

“It wasn’t necessarily directed at him, but it was directed at that whole second unit and the way they came in the game," Thomas said. "What didn’t happen and the position it put us in. I was upset with that whole second unit and the way they responded to the situation.”

The second unit put the Knicks into a hole that was too deep to climb out of. And instead of their usual mid-game run blowing open the game, all it did was get them back into it, at least within five. It wasn't nearly enough, especially with Kyle Korver knocking down everything he threw up.

Side note: How about knocking Korver down a few times to get him out of his rhythm? You got six fouls! Sure, he's a good free throw shooter, but punishing a shooter is one way to get him out of a hot streak.