Vets put on notice
BY GREG LOGAN
STAFF WRITER

July 31, 2005


For most of the past four seasons, teams looked forward to playing the Knicks. In the context of the 82-game NBA grind, the Knicks came to represent a night off because they so rarely played tough defense.

Knicks opponents shot 46.5 percent from the field last season, a number that ranked 28th in the league. The Knicks were only 7-38 when their opponent shot a higher percentage.

Before asking team president Isiah Thomas to change the roster, new coach Larry Brown has to attack the Knicks' casual mindset toward defense.

"You can't win unless you cover and rebound the ball and share the ball," Brown said. "I've failed in a lot of ways, but I've never failed to get guys to understand how important those three areas are to me."

Brown acknowledged that the Knicks' roster is not his ideal, and he said he's likely to drive Thomas "crazy" with suggestions on personnel moves.

So every player should be on notice.

When Brown said his challenge "is to make them understand how important we feel it is to make their teammates better," it sounded like a line intended for point guard Stephon Marbury. But it also could apply to veteran guards Quentin Richardson and Jamal Crawford.

On the playground where Brown learned the game, he said, "If you took a bad shot, they'd knock you out." So expect Brown to yank Richardson and Crawford out of games when they're hoisting.

All the guards expect Brown to be tough on them, but free-agent center Jerome James is another target for abuse. Former Seattle coach Nate McMillan criticized James for his selfish play and for falling asleep in meetings. The 7-1 James never has gotten the most out of his physical gifts.

Veteran small forward Tim Thomas knows what lies ahead because he was traded once by Brown when they were in Philadelphia. Mike Sweetney inherits the starting power forward spot from departed Kurt Thomas but must show he's ready to make the physical sacrifice to get in condition. However, veteran power forwards Malik Rose and Jerome Williams, who knows what it is to play tough defense, should find roles under Brown.

Much was made in Detroit of Brown's failure to give playing time to Darko Milicic, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft, but he had superior players ahead of him. On the 33-49 Knicks, it's the veterans who'd better look over their shoulders. Second-year small forward Trevor Ariza has potential as a defensive stopper, and the three first-round rookies, Channing Frye, Nate Robinson and David Lee, all played well in the summer league.

"My goal is that when you watch us play, you say, 'Hey, this team is doing the things he said they would do,'" Brown said. "Now, it's going to be ugly early. I promise you that. That's been my m.o., but ultimately, we're going to get better. I'm confident of that."

A brand-new ballgame

Here's a rundown of the Knicks' current roster and the challenge each player faces under new coach Larry Brown:

Projected starters

PF - Mike Sweetney: Must lose weight and prove he can defend taller opponents.

SF - Tim Thomas: Once traded by Brown for floating rather than playing with intensity.

C - Jerome James: Career underachiever must step up to be shot-blocker Brown wants.

SG - Quentin Richardson: Needs to defend and post up more and shoot fewer threes.

PG - Stephon Marbury: If he really wants to win, he'll forget stats and do it Larry's way.


The others

SG - Jamal Crawford: Must develop a conscience about taking bad shots or start packing.

PF - Malik Rose: Defensive specialist under Gregg Popovich fits Brown's style.

SF - Trevor Ariza: Can become Tayshaun Prince-style perimeter defender.

PF - Jerome Williams: Defense and energy might help him earn limited minutes.

PG - Nate Robinson: Tough 5-9 rookie could cut into Richardson's and Crawford's time.

Others

C/PF - Channing Frye: Must rebound, defend and limit fouls or he'll become next Darko.

PF - Maurice Taylor: Failure to defend led to bench under Houston's Jeff Van Gundy.

PF - David Lee: Hard-nosed rookie plays Brown's style and might develop quickly.

C - Jackie Butler: If he has real potential, Brown will find it.

SG - Penny Hardaway: Veteran outcast is buyout candidate unless Brown intervenes.

SG - Allan Houston: Likely waived to save $40-million luxury tax, which pays Brown.

- GREG LOGAN

Buh bye Anfernee!