Untouchable rookie Channing Frye now will have his butt touching the bench at tip-off.

Seeking an on-court leader, more toughness, and hustle, Larry Brown has jostled the Knicks' starting lineup again, turning to veteran Antonio Davis as the starting power forward.

The Knicks will need all the toughness and leadership they can muster when they play host to the scorching Nets tomorrow at the Garden. Stephon Marbury officially is the captain, but Davis is emerging as the Knicks' leader.

Frye has slumped since his 30-point explosion vs. Milwaukee on Dec. 12 when he looked like the second-coming of Bob McAdoo, the former jump-shooting All-Star big man.

In the past five games, Frye, who is off-limits in all trade discussions, has averaged 10.3 points as teams have adjusted to the eighth pick in this year's NBA Draft. Frye had been the one shining light to this otherwise sickening season.

Frye, who could be hitting the rookie wall after 25 games, still isn't rebounding enough and has trouble defending big men on the perimeter.

"You get scouting reports on kids and you try to take away his jump shot," Brown said. "We're trying to get him to post up a little more, put the ball on the floor a little bit more. I think he's just learning every day."