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mattinNH
Posts: 20161
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Joined: 7/11/2004
Member: #695
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Rookie thrilling Knicks
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Sunday, October 10, 2004
By STEVE ADAMEK
STAFF WRITER
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Eight years ago with Utah, Shandon Anderson was what Trevor Ariza is now in Knicks' camp, a second-round draft choice opening eyes wide.
Eight years ago, Ariza was 11, a long way from where he is now, a potential piece of the Knicks' future, not a soon-to-depart symbol of the past that Anderson knows he represents.
As coach Lenny Wilkens prepared to pack up the Charleston segment of his first Knicks' camp today, two days early, the contrast between where the two swingmen may be headed is striking. Ariza's the phenom, the 43rd overall pick in this summer's draft after spending one year at UCLA whose sheer athleticism and enthusiasm has opened eyes.
Anderson's simply resigned to his fate, once picked 54th overall by the Jazz, now a third-string pariah who can't wait to go elsewhere.
"I'm on the third team, so that's a little indication of what's going on," Anderson said after Saturday's scrimmage. "So, if something was to happen, man, I definitely hope that it happens soon."
Team president Isiah Thomas seconds that, for he wants to be rid of not only the player, but his contract, which has three years and $24 million remaining. That's a huge trading obstacle, yet Thomas insists waiving or buying out Anderson isn't an option at this point.
Anderson, meanwhile, said he'd be willing to accept less money for a chance to play elsewhere.
While that's resolved, there's Ariza, who flew to the basket to finish a half-court lob from Anderson in the scrimmage and has spent camp filling lanes in the running game Wilkens wants to emphasize. A willowy 6-foot-8, Ariza is one of those players who could've evolved into a first-round pick had he stayed in college more than a year.
His age, 19, likely prevented that and likely will prevent him from truly contributing until one of the seasons when he would've been a first-rounder. But he's been the camp "Wow!" - although as in baseball, where you don't truly judge a player in spring training or meaningless September games, Wilkens knows you can't judge a rookie in October.
"I say don't make judgments until November," the coach said, "[but] for [him], the sky should be the limit."
"Whew!" assistant coach Herb Williams said when asked about him. "No question he has NBA ability. ... The kid can play. He's got a lot of learning to do, and he's going to go through some ups and downs, but overall, the kid has a lot of talent."
"He doesn't play like a 19-year-old," Kurt Thomas said.
He plays, Anderson said, a little like he remembers himself playing those eight years ago, with a little more of a drive to succeed.
"I came in the second round, this guy came in the second round, so, you're hungry," he said. "He's probably a lot tougher than the rest of the guys."
Tough enough, Wilkens said, to take a hit from Kurt Thomas in one scrimmage, yet go back for more minutes later by driving back at the Knicks' power forward.
"I'm just having fun playing the way I know how to play," Ariza said. "I know that I can do it. I just need help learning everything."
KNICKS BRIEFS: Wilkens, whose players saluted him by hollering, "Lenny!" when they broke their huddle after he told them they were leaving today, said he chose to depart early because, "I think we've practiced quite well. ... It gives them a chance to get home, take care of some business and we'll get right back to practice."
Stephon Marbury, meanwhile, played in the first quarter of Saturday's practice after sitting out all of Friday's, per Wilkens' desire to give him some post-Olympics rest.
Assistant trainer Said Hamden is leaving the team after seven seasons to become CEO of a physical therapy business in Manhattan that will cater to athletes and other celebrities.
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10/11/2004 4:30 PM
....but seriously STARTING like Shan would not be a bad thing. Hopefully he can develop his offensive game a little before that.