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**USSKittyHawk** · 11-03-2006, 10:06 AM

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Thomas offered some advice for his star guard, who had a frustrating and forgettable night that included an 0-for-6 effort from the field, two points and five turnovers before he fouled out in overtime.

"I was trying to explain to him, I said to him, 'The most important thing about being a leader and point guard and running an offense is that we control tempo,'" Thomas said. "And I said to him, 'You know Magic Johnson and myself could win a basketball game without ever scoring a point.'"

Back in the "Stevie Franchise" days in Houston, when he could light up opponents by either slashing and dunking for 20 points or dishing for eight assists per game, Francis used to win games almost by himself.

But now, with his third team in four seasons and with a far less consistently explosive game than he once possessed, Francis is a former all-star trying to reinvent himself. He's also trying to fit his game within a system that includes backcourt mate Stephon Marbury.

It's a system few believe will work long-term.

During the summer, Francis worked with John Lucas in Houston. The Houston Chronicle quoted Lucas as saying he was trying to get Francis to "slow down and see the game."

Slowing down is a given. Francis is 29 years old and his body has gone through seven NBA seasons. But he didn't look slow in scoring 39 points against Vince Carter and the Nets in the preseason finale.

Against Memphis, what he looked was out of sync. Though he took only six shots, his decision to shoot a few of them was questionable. But even the good shots just didn't fall.

He didn't attempt many early on, either, to get himself untracked. Instead, he seemed more intent on running the offense like a true point guard. Quentin Richardson and Eddy Curry were the featured targets in the first quarter. Richardson was red-hot; he didn't miss a shot until the third quarter and was perfect (5-for-5) from downtown. Francis was deferring and, as a result, his game shrunk to mortal status.

It was something we've seen before in Francis' career. In Houston, when Jeff Van Gundy wanted to focus the offense on Yao Ming, Francis seemed to struggle in the supporting role. In Orlando, it happened when Dwight Howard started to emerge.

Francis scored his only two points on free throws with 7:53 left in the second quarter that gave the Knicks a 34-33 lead. But he was called for his third foul with 2:31 left in the half and went to the bench.

Francis had his best stretch of the game early in the third quarter, finding Richardson for a three-pointer and feeding Curry for an alley-oop to put the Knicks up by nine points. The lead grew to 16 a bit later when Francis hit Richardson for another three. But Francis then turned the ball over and was called for his fourth foul with 3:49 left in the third. Marbury came in and Francis went to the bench.

Marbury and Francis, who will be constantly scrutinized this season, hardly were on the court at the same time in the fourth quarter. Francis' foul trouble allowed the two to be on the court together for only 5:20 of the 12-minute quarter. They started overtime, but Francis fouled out just 2:17 into the first OT.

When the game ended, Thomas made sure Francis felt like he was a part of the win.

"I thought the way he played when he was in the game, he controlled the tempo," Thomas said. "And that's what it's all about."

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

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