[ThePundit]

See the article below from today's NY Post. Just when I think the Knicks couldn't become more of a joke, I'm proven wrong. What's next? Stephon Marbury takes a personal day to see Glory Road? After all, it's work-related isn't it?

CASE CLOTHES WITH FRANCIS
By MARC BERMAN

Steve just makes it on time
SAN ANTONIO - All logic and sense have left the Knick franchise.

Yesterday's Steve Francis fiasco was the latest example. Francis nearly missed last night's Spurs-Knicks game and was held out of the starting lineup after arriving before 55 minutes tip-off only after a private plane was chartered to bring the Knicks new guard from Orlando to Alamo City.

Incredibly, the Knicks - who lost 121-93 - permitted Francis to go home to Orlando after the Washington game Saturday night to collect some belongings.

But Francis was a no-show at yesterday's morning shootaround and called a club official during that practice to inform the club he won't make it for the game.

Francis told the Knicks his 6-month-old daughter was ill.

When Francis' camp realized a public-relations nightmare was ensuing if Francis missed the game, a plane was chartered to get him to San Antonio after he missed his commercial flight. A Knicks official said he was unsure who paid for the charter.

The Knicks' strictest dress code in the league, which forces players to wear suits and ties on the road, took precedence over Francis preparing for last night's game apparently.

Francis makes $13.9 million this season and has $49.7 million more left on his pact. Francis could have purchased a suit and tie in San Antonio or had his laundry dry-cleaned at the hotel.

According to an employee at the team hotel in San Antonio, slacks can be dry-cleaned for $7.50, dress shirts for $6.50. A laundry service also exists where undergarments go for $2.50 and t-shirts $3.75.

"What could we have done," Brown asked. "He had no clothes. I think we were all hopeful he'd be here [for the morning], and under normal circumstances, he would have been. It was the only chance he could go home and get some clothes.

Maybe if he was going to just wear [a polo-shirt] and jeans, he wouldn't have to worry about it, but we travel with ties and jackets."

According to his agent, Jeff Freed, Francis' daughter, Shaylin came down with a virus.

Francis' departure called into question whether he wants to be a Knick. The flaky Francis, who refused to go into a game a month ago, has given off a lukewarm vibe. Freed said he and the Magic mutually agreed to a trade and claimed the Knicks "were targeted from Day 1."

"He's thrilled," Freed said. "He's just in a little shock. He wanted to play in New York." That the Knicks allowed Francis to leave the team is baffling, considering he had not practiced with the club. No one needs to be with the team more than Francis, who also missed an optional practice Sunday.

marc.berman@nypost.com






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[Lefty Noob]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't see what the big deal is. He asked for -- and RECEIVED -- permission to go home and gather his belongings. If they didn't want him to go, they could have easily refused. So this part of the story is on the Knicks.

Okay, so when he does get home, he finds out his baby girl is sick and is hesitant to leave her. IF this is on the up-and-up, and sometimes its hard to tell, then bravo to him. His family SHOULD come before his work. I'm sure most of us have taken a sick day here or there to care for ill family members, especially young children. Should the expectations be different for Francis just because he's a pro basketball player?

Now, if it turns out there truly are alterior motives here, then I'll wind up eating some crow. But if he really, truly, genuinely didn't want to leave his sick baby girl, then I don't have a problem with that. In fact, I applaud it, and I wish more parents were like that.

[wedge]

I would agree with Lefty Noob if it wasn't Steve Francis. It could very well that it was a legimate reason and if it is true, I don't see how people would fault him for staying home with a ill 6 month old. I know I would.

However, Francis has a flaky history, at least recent, when it comes to his wanting to play. Two examples I can think of, one mentioned in the article. The other was last year which Mobley was dealt to the Kings. Orlando was in Boston that night and Francis was quite upset when he heard the news (They are very good and close friends). He admitted he wasn't focused on the game and didn't score until just before the break. The Magic were blown out 119-101.

[EmpireWF]

The only thing Knick fans have to focus on is the fact (surely it will be) that Francis will be dealt in the off-season.

You can pretty much tell that Isiah will use him for some godforsaken move to add more money, years and less winning talent to the team. It's become the Knick way.

[ThePundit]

If it was just his kid, I would totally understand.

But he went home first for clothes. Why was he excused for that?

The problem wasn't only with Francis- there is a bigger issue here: The Knicks are a rudderless ship where anything goes.

When Antonio Davis got suspended for 5 games for going into the stands, he took a vacation and didn't come to practice. This was evidently okay with Thomas and Brown. Did you ever hear of players just not showing up? Now this Francis thing. That's where my Marbury comment came in.

Empire: The Knicks couldn't give Steve Francis away. Not with all the money he's owed. So I'd be shocked if they were able to deal him. And even if they did, they'd have to take back someone elses stiff and knowing Isiah, he'll be worse than Francis and make even more money.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

When Antonio Davis got suspended for 5 games for going into the stands, he took a vacation and didn't come to practice. This was evidently okay with Thomas and Brown. Did you ever hear of players just not showing up?

Empire: The Knicks couldn't give Steve Francis away. Not with all the money he's owed. So I'd be shocked if they were able to deal him. And even if they did, they'd have to take back someone elses stiff and knowing Isiah, he'll be worse than Francis and make even more money.

I thought Davis couldn't practice because he was suspended by the NBA. Artest couldn't at first.

That's the whole point with the trading of players w/ bad contracts. Isiah will lovingly take on a worse contract.

[ThePundit]

He was allowed to practice but stayed in Chicago for a mini-vacation. At minimum, he should have at least traveled with the team.

[cjg11582]

My favorite part of the Magic-Knicks trade was Orlando cutting Hardaway the second they got him. Jesus. How undesirable is Steve Francis right now? Wasn't this guy an all-star two years ago? Did he pull a gun on somebody? Also, the Magic traded Tracy McGrady for Trevor Ariza.