Larry Brown talked about his decision to replace Trevor Ariza in the Knicks' playing rotation.  

Addressing Ariza's state of mind after finding out that he would now sit after recently starting, Brown told the media, "If he's miffed, then he's not as smart as I think he is."

Ariza works on an outside shot regularly after practice but seems tentative about letting his jumper go during games.  His offensive game has not developed as much as some had hoped in his second year, and he often seems to be thinking instead of reacting with the ball in his hands.

Ariza sat courtside after practice talking to Isiah Thomas and left the gym as reporters huddled around Brown.

"I'm not worried about it," Brown said. "He had a great practice. His thing is he's a young player and he'll have an opportunity to play. It's entirely up to him."

"Guys know," Brown said, in answering a question about how Ariza found out that he was out of the rotation (from a Knicks' PR representative and not Brown). "I don't buy this - Trevor knows. He knows why he didn't get to play. I believe it's important to communicate, but sometimes by your actions, you know."

In addition, Jerome James attended practice but is still suspended.  "You never expect this, but it's the lows and highs of the N.B.A.," James said.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you're hurt, you can't work," James continued. "If you can't work, you can't stay in condition."