Isiah Thomas staged a one-hour, chewing-out, film session yesterday to underscore the importance of getting Eddy Curry more touches. Steve Francis, who had a miserable seven-turnover performance in Wednesday’s 104-94 loss to Toronto, took the brunt of Thomas’ lashings.
The whole practice lasted 2½ hours – a marathon at this juncture of the season. It’s desperate times with the Knicks in a virtual three-way tie for eighth place with Indiana and Orlando and injuries to Jamal Crawford, David Lee and Quentin Richardson threatening to submarine their playoff bid. Plus, Curry is weakening and getting more frustrated.
Thomas said the session featured, “a lot of screaming, a lot of yelling.” Asked if Francis is still trying to master the Curry offense because he’s missed so much time, Thomas snapped, “He understands it today.”
Curry was upset after Wednesday’s 104-94 loss because he felt he didn’t get the ball enough. Tonight, the Knicks host the Hornets and Curry will go after his old Bulls teammate, Tyler Chandler, who also is having a breakthrough season. “We’ve been talking back and forth for a few days,” Curry said.
When Curry got the ball in Toronto, he didn’t do much good with it, committing six turnovers. He went to the line for 11 free throws but made just five. He finished with 13 points and has been on a downturn since Crawford’s injury. Curry admitted he misses Crawford’s alley-oop feeds.
Thomas said he is not trying to get Curry 20 shots a night, but he wants the offensive set to start with a pass inside to Curry, who felt there were openings to throw him the entry pass. Thomas said he wants the ball to go inside more than ever to create a double team and have the Knicks work it to the open man.
“It’s safe to say we’ll do what we’re supposed to do,” Thomas said. “That’s not something (Curry) has to fight through. It’s something we have to do a better job. It’s safe to say we have an understanding how to win games and why we lose games.”
Francis was forced into a 39-minute stint because Richardson’s back lasted just one quarter. Francis started in the backcourt with Stephon Marbury and he’s played a lot of point guard with Marbury shifting off the ball. That’s because Marbury has been ablaze from the arc, making 50 percent of his 3-pointers the past six games.
“A lot of good things happen when he gets the basketball,” Thomas said of Curry. “He gets to the foul line. We take good shots when he gets the basketball. He moves the ball.”
Thomas said the club also is not caught out of position and able to get back on defense, helping its transition defense.
“We know where shots are coming from,” Thomas said. “It’s a safe way of playing offense. When we don’t have it in his hands a lot, it gets kind of risky. It’s different when it goes inside-out instead of staying on the perimeter every now and then.”
After the game, Curry had a heated dialogue with Francis and Marbury. He said the guards are not getting him the ball enough, adding “I know it’s not personal. I’m not mad. At the time I’m mad, but after the game I realize what’s going on.”
Curry admitted yesterday, “Yeah, I was pretty upset.”
As for Thomas’ rage, Curry said, “That’s him. We take the message and try to get better from it. We realize it’s not to doubt anybody. It’s just to get better.”
