Knicks hit FDU but skip the 'D'



BY MITCH LAWRENCE
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

You'd think the day after giving up 138 points to the Nets in their final dress rehearsal for the season opener, the Knicks would have quietly retreated to their side of the Hudson and put in a full day of work at the defensive end.
But they were back in Nets Country yesterday, holding an open practice before 1,500 fans at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck and checking their defensive drills at the Rothman Center door.

Somewhere, Al LoBalbo must have been cringing.

As FDU's coach in the '60s and '70s, the legendary LoBalbo mentored Isiah Thomas' future college coach, Bob Knight, and taught a generation of North Jersey coaches, including Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, Rollie Massimino and Richie Adubato, the principles of his famed "ball-you-man" defense. But yesterday, the Knicks showed as much defense as they did Friday night at the Meadowlands.

In what was really a promotional event to sell tickets - the PA announcer made it a point to mention several times that tickets are still available for Saturday's home opener against Indiana - the Knicks showed the fans how to stretch, ran a few offensive drills and concluded with a dunk contest pitting crowd favorite Nate Robinson, rookie Renaldo Balkman and second-year forward David Lee.

"The fans didn't get a chance to see all the things we normally do," Thomas said. "Today for us, for the players and the coaches, it was really about giving some personal touches and personal feel."

They gave out autographs, too, although no one came away with Jalen Rose's. The veteran forward and the Knicks are working on a buyout, which should be reached in a day or two.

While a few fans left grumbling that they didn't even get to see the Knicks scrimmage, it's possible Thomas didn't want to watch his team so soon after the Nets had such an easy night at the offensive end on Friday. After that game, Thomas raised more than a few eyebrows by raving about how "our guys really competed."

If the season opener in Memphis wasn't a mere three days away, you could laugh off such a statement.

"Before every game Isiah tells us, 'We're going to score a lot of points, we've just got to defend,'" Robinson said. "Isiah is always telling us we have to shut teams down, keep attacking and show no mercy."

So far, they have not shown that they have gotten the message. So the fear is that the Knicks will be as inept at stopping opponents as they were last season, when they surrendered the fourth-most points in the league (102 per game) and had the fifth-worst field-goal-percentage defense (46.7).

"We're going to do some things defensively that we didn't show during the course of the exhibition season," Thomas said. "Being a new coach, it kind of gives you the one time where you can surprise people in terms of pulling some things out of the hat that they haven't seen. So we didn't necessarily use a full defensive or offensive menu throughout the course of the exhibition season. Hopefully, as the regular season rolls out, we'll able to display some of those things."


Isiah working to get rid of Rose


The Knicks are in the process of negotiating a buyout with Jalen Rose, according to a source close to the veteran small forward. Rose was a no-show at yesterday's public practice at FDU-Teaneck. When asked about Rose's whereabouts, Isiah Thomas replied: "I would just say personal reasons at this time."

Jerome James and newcomer Kelvin Cato also were missing yesterday.

Rose, who is scheduled to earn $16 million, .arrived for camp out of shape and struggled in the preseason. In four games, Rose played 42 minutes and missed the only two shots he attempted. He did not dress for Friday's preseason finale against the Nets and did not sit on the bench.

It has been clear since the start of training camp that Rose has no future in New York. Quentin Richardson is expected to be the Knicks' opening-night starting small forward, with David Lee and Renaldo Balkman serving as backups. Also, small forward Jared Jeffries, who was signed during the summer, is scheduled to return from a fractured right wrist by mid-December.

Asked if Rose would be in the rotation, Thomas said: "I'll let you know in a couple of days."

Last month, the Knicks reached a contract settlement with veteran forward Maurice Taylor, who has since signed with the Sacramento Kings. Taylor is on the Knicks' salary cap this season for $9.7 million.

Frank Isola

Peace

Posted by Caseloads:

At least this means IT cant trade them!

LOL! In fairness to Isiah, this is good move. Rose had no room in the rotation and I don't trust Isiah with expiring contracts.

Posted by Caseloads:

At least this means IT cant trade them!

I said 1000 novena's and the Lord has answered my prayers. Do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior?

hasta la vista jalen

Cato a no show! Hopefully Zeke changed his mind on him and will reach out to Justin Williams.

As far as Rose goes, IDK. He doesn't have a place on this team, but something could open up by the trading deadline (KG anyone.)

this is a good move but in a way it made me sad... seriously.. i was like "aww"... i mean i feel for Jalen... I dont know he seemed like a good guy and i have seen him supporting his teamates on the bench a lot of encouragment.. He seemed to be a popular teamate... Too bad he wasent willing to be a veteran encourager lol... but its understandable.. Good luck jalen!!

We have Cato, Jerome (We've heard nothing but good things about him simply being a good teammate.) and Malik to be good veteran teammates for the time being. Jalen can do that AND play elsewhere. Not here though. It was in his and our best interest.

I think Francis at this point is at least tradable b/c his salary is much less, but Marbury, ugh.

Posted by bigbeast:

Cato a no show! Hopefully Zeke changed his mind on him and will reach out to Justin Williams.

As far as Rose goes, IDK. He doesn't have a place on this team, but something could open up by the trading deadline (KG anyone.)

How about Qyntell Woods?

Athletic, younger, energenic, can contribute better defensively, and finish on the offensive end in an up tempo offense.