GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Ronnie Brewer, the Knicks’ projected starting shooting guard, was a little overeager in going through drills with his new teammates for the first time. He knew better than anyone else how long those 15 days were that he missed during training camp.

Coach Mike Woodson and the Knicks were encouraged that Brewer participated in his first practice as a Knick on Wednesday. Not only did Brewer say his left knee felt great, but he also began practicing a few days early after having knee surgery almost six weeks ago.

Brewer went through the team’s walk-through, completed Woodson’s conditioning for the day and took part in shooting drills. The only thing Brewer didn’t do was scrimmage with his teammates, a precaution taken by the medical staff and Woodson. Brewer said he hoped to be on the court for every part of practice on Thursday.

“I thought I was going to be able to do the full practice,” he said. “It felt good to be out there and be a part of the team.”

Brewer, 27, signed with the Knicks in late July, but the team announced in September that he needed arthroscopic surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his knee.

The injury surprised Brewer. He trained this summer in Arkansas, where he played in college. Brewer started to notice his knee was swelling after a day of lifting, running and a few pickup games. Brewer alerted the Knicks and they flew him to New York to have their medical staff examine his knee. A magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed the meniscus tear.

“I assume I got it from jumping or cutting or working out,” Brewer said. “If it was up to me, I probably wouldn’t have had surgery and probably would have played through it. The Knicks were trying to be safe.”

Brewer has 14 days to get ready for the Knicks’ season opener against the Nets on Nov. 1.

Although Brewer wanted to scrimmage with his teammates on Thursday, Woodson wasn’t so sure. Woodson said he would have a better idea after Thursday’s practice if Brewer would travel with the team on its three-game preseason road trip.

“It’s a journey coming off a knee injury,” Woodson said. “I don’t have to rush Ronnie back at 100 percent. I don’t want him to get back out there and get hurt right away.”

If Brewer impresses the medical staff and Woodson, there’s a possibility he could play in Saturday’s game against the Boston Celtics in Albany.

Brewer put his knee to work after most of his teammates left the court at the practice facility. For more than 45 minutes, Brewer worked on his 3-point shot with Dave Hopla, the Knicks’ new shooting coach.

Brewer realizes he has to make up for the time he has lost.

“It’s a lot different speed when you’re going through the drills with the team,” said Brewer, who was wearing a padded protective sleeve over his knee. “I have to get my rhythm back. I have confidence in myself. I would love to play all three preseason games.”

REBOUNDS
J.R. Smith was held out of practice with a sore left ankle. He was seen at practice wearing a walking boot. … Henry Sims returned to practice. He had a sore right ankle on Monday. … Mike Woodson said that Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace would not travel with the team to its next two preseason games.

ChuckBuck wrote:If he can fill Fields role(slasher/rebounds/intangibles), but with much better D and just a little better jumper then his signing will pay off dividends.

He's bigger than I thought. From what feedback I've gotten from friends who are Chicago fans, he's a hell of a defender and good finisher around the rim. They also said he was a very smart basketball player.

tkf wrote:great, time to head up to NY, the wife and I have been thinking of building another home down the road, I can go stack up on some free bricks now... thanks ronnie!!!

man you are negative about everything. is there anything about the knicks that you do like?

DurzoBlint wrote:

tkf wrote:great, time to head up to NY, the wife and I have been thinking of building another home down the road, I can go stack up on some free bricks now... thanks ronnie!!!

Its sad TK because your one of the guys I used to consider among the most insightful. The first to actually make me feel welcome here years ago. Now your so negative about everything its becoming a downer man.

Bring back the old TK

bring back my old team... As a fan, and part of my fandom is having a group of guys I believe in.. good guys, good professionals... I enjoyed watching the progression of the young guys.. building a team of guys who play for each other.... this group is a hodge podge.. some guys who are good guys, some guys who have had success and a few guys who underachieved, and knuckleheads.. i just can't wrap my finger around this group.. I don't believe in carmelo, I don't believe in JR smith( although talented), I don't believe in the older guys holding up.. I don't believe that woodson is going to lead a team deep into the playoffs as a coach.... I have good reason to feel the way I do....

bernard wrote:That is a nice finish. And he got away with a little walk -- notice the hop before he took off?

Anyway, others may have said it already, but I think Brewer is either the best or second most important off-season signing we made (depending on what we end up getting from Felton). I love his game. His D is key for us. And we've got enough offense elsewhere that we don't need him to be a big-time scorer, just not a liability on offense.

When Shump comes back, we'll be able to put out some VERY impressive defensive lineups when we need a stop. Shump, Brewer, Camby, Chandler + a 1 or 3, depending on who's playing well and who we're going against. That is a tough lineup to score on.

EnySpree wrote:

Finish plays...not just easy ones where he sails to the basket uncontested.

Pop Quiz, who is the player to the far right, looking up, from the Bulls bench?

We have history.

He was very, very solid for Chicago. I even remembered a game when he defended Amare and me thinking, Damn, Kurt hasn't lost a step in all these years.

tkf wrote:

IrishKnickFan wrote:

man you are negative about everything. is there anything about the knicks that you do like?

amare, shumpert, Kidd(when not drunk) camby(when younger, same with Kt).. other than that... no.. everyone and everything else that had me positive about this team was removed....

Just out of curiosity, what do you have against Tyson or Novak? Didn't you used to like Felton? (can't remember). Also what would this team have to do to get you enthusiastic again? (Apart from get rid of Melo and JR)- would winning make any difference?