Ariza Gets Attention, and a Message
by Tom Kertes
GREENBURGH, NY, April 4, 2005 -- Some things you don’t often see at the end of Knicks practice: President, Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas and Knicks head coach Herb Williams working out hard and long with tremendous rookie talent Trevor Ariza. Head Trainer Mike Saunders wrapping an enormous ice pack around Tim Thomas’ left knee ON the practice floor (“The knee is the knee”, the inscrutable Thomas tossed an aside while walking off). Assistant Coach, Player Development Greg Brittenham sharing the finer points of free-throw shooting with Jermaine Jackson; Malik Rose in an avid side-line discussion with Assistant Coach Michael Malone. Assistants Mark Aguirre and Brendan Suhr dissecting the details of a particular post play -- with no players in the immediate vicinity.
Of course, you probably should expect some unusual things to occur toward the end of the season -- still, due to Thomas’ presence, Ariza’s workout got the lion’s share of attention. First it was free throws, next jump shots around the college arc from every conceivable angle. Then, with Coach Herb Williams joining in to rebound the ball -- and fellow young Knicks Michael Sweetney and Jackson watching intently from the sidelines -- the repeat of the same from NBA “three” range, both catch-and-shoot and off of a couple of dribbles.
Ariza’s form was dissected in great detail, with the position of the left elbow and the bending of both knees drawing particular attention from Thomas. “It’s real special to work with him,” Ariza smiled afterwards. “Not just because who he is -- you know, the President -- but because he’s Isiah Thomas. He usually does this with Jamal (Crawford) but, I guess, today was my turn. Sure, we worked on some details but, overall, his basic message to me was ‘be confident when shooting the ball.’”
Thomas finished the session with a 50-foot nothing-but-net straight into the ball-basket. “Is there a message in this for Trevor?” Williams pondered afterwards. “I don’t necessarily know about a special message but the one thing this organization wants to get across is that you always have to work on your craft. To be the best you can be you must stay after practice, both to work on what you do best and what you may not do so well. When you become better, you make the team better. All these guys, including Trevor, were superstars in high school, superstars in college, they did pretty much whatever they wanted to do on the floor. But in the NBA, you can’t do that. To be great at the higher level, you have to bring something extra to the table.”
“I actually feel I’ve developed a lot this season,” Ariza said. “My progress was pretty good. But all that does for me is it makes me want to do more.”
As the topic turns to tomorrow’s classic opponent -- it will be Reggie Miller’s last game at the Garden -- Williams nods his head toward the 19 year-old Ariza. “Reggie’s the best example,” says the coach. “Come out to the Garden early tomorrow afternoon, say 4 or 5 o’clock. Guess who is going to be out there shooting the ball?”
Crawford just shakes his head at the mere thought of his maddening match-up. “He’ll want to go out with a bang that’s for sure,” the young two guard smiles. “The thing about Reggie is that, no matter what age, he never stops. I’m going to have a tough time chasing him through all those screens.”
“I try to learn from everybody,” adds Crawford. “What I learned from Reggie is that, as a shooter, you’ve got to keep your confidence. No matter how you may be shooting the ball on a particular night, you have to believe the next one will go in.”
“Reggie will take and make the big shot, all right,” said Williams. “He WANTS the ball in the big situation. You can see it in his eyes. You’ve got to have, how shall I put this nicely, a lot of courage to do that.”
“As far as Trevor and the other young guys, I’ll play them more minutes… IF the situation allows it for the rest of the season,” said Williams. “Sure, it’s important to get them experience. But the No. 1 thing must always be to win the game.”
“You must build for the future by playing hard every second you’re out there, by finishing hard. And you must build for the future by winning every game possible.”
Still, Ariza also wants to keep remembering “how you feel when the results are not what they should be. I’ve got to take all that frustration and dissatisfaction,” he says. “Just remember what it feels like. Then take all that -- and do something about it next year.”
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I think this article pretty much makes it clear their optimism about the playoffs is starting to fade. Its about time. I dont know about you guys but seeing Ariza play made it so much easier watching all those games january & feb (granted i'm biased
). I check the rookie standings once in a while to see where trevor is and he fell out of the top 15 about 2 weeks ago which stinks because of his limited minutes as of late.
When ever MSG does come back on time warner, I'll be looking forward to see ariza, butler, sweetney, and yes "the big croatian" himself, Bruno Sundov play. (i dont remember who said that).
For those who have seen Butler play a few minutes, how does he look size-wise and how is his play? Any potential?
[Edited by - minsheartsreezy on 04/04/2005 23:53:16]
) for 40+ mpg isn't working.