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djsunyc
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Don't be fooled by Knicks' slow start
By John Carroll
As Larry Brown returns to Detroit as coach of the New York Knicks, it's a good time to evaluate how he's doing with his new team.
In New York, unlike in Detroit, Larry is starting from scratch, more or less, to change the culture of how to work and how to play. The entire roster is new to New York since two years ago, and few of the Knicks have had any playoff success.
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Larry Brown's dream job has proven to be one tough gig.
Larry has worked hard since training camp to impress upon his players the importance of playing the game as a team at both ends of the floor. As he said when hired in late July, "You have to share the ball, or play unselfishly. You've got to try to guard, make an effort to the best of your ability. You have to rebound the ball. And you have to play smart and have fun." Larry has been able to get his players to do those things with each of the seven previous NBA teams he has coached.
One example of Brown's handiwork is Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups. Larry is known for being hard on his players, especially his point guards. Yet Billups flourished under Brown's tutelage. He went from being a good player to a great player.
Billups always had the talent, but Larry took Chauncey to another level. So when Billups speaks about Brown coaching the Knicks, the current Knicks players should listen.
Billups recently has said, "I told Stephon [Marbury] in the summer that LB is going to make your team much better. You won't know that until later in the season. Early it's going to be a struggle because of what he's trying to implement and how he implements it.
"He'll break you all the way down before you get built up. That's how he coaches; that's how he is. They're going to have some struggles. But they will be a better team. Trust me."
Chauncey, I trust you. I can see it happening in New York already. The Knicks have had some early season struggles. Larry has had to change the entire defensive mind-set and impress upon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, and all the younger players the importance of defense. But New York has won three straight home games and on Wednesday night in the Garden, the Knicks held the Chicago Bulls scoreless in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, allowing only 19 points total in that quarter to come away with a 109-101 win.
Larry has had his battles with several of his key players, in particular his three primary guards. He has been trying to teach Marbury the importance of running a team, defending at a much higher level, and distributing the ball. He wants to recognize the importance of shot selection and defensive toughness. Rookie Nate Robinson has a lot to learn, according to Brown, about taking care of the ball and decision making. None has ideal point guard instincts, but on this Knicks team, each needs to be able to play the position.
In their win over the Bulls, Marbury had 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Crawford had 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field and 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
In an unexpected move, especially given his reputation, Brown started two of his three rookies, and they both delivered. Robinson had 14 points and no turnovers, and Channing Frye had 21 points and eight rebounds.
This was only one game, but this would not have happened earlier in the season and it would not have happened without Brown molding this team into his vision.
Brown's players are not only getting it, they gush in their praise and admiration for their coach.
Robinson said after the game, "It's an honor to play for him, that's the best way I can put it. He's hard on you, but he's always trying to make you better."
And Brown and Crawford seemed to have a newfound rapport after the Chicago win. Brown acknowledged he has been hard on Jamal, but said, "That's the best he has defended since I've been here."
Brown was also delighted when Crawford came down on a fast break late in the game and pulled the ball out to milk the clock as opposed to jacking up a quick shot. Crawford replied after the game, "It's nice to rise to the occasion when coach is on you. You want to make coach proud."
During the fourth quarter, the Garden was abuzz as the Knicks played the way Larry has been teaching them. They played defense, rebounded and were smart and unselfish on offense.
No one is delusional; the Knicks are not winning a championship this season. They are a work in progress. However, they are in the weakest division in the NBA. It would not surprise me to see them make a late run in the Atlantic. They are the one team, because of Brown, that will make the most improvement from November to April. With Brown in charge, his players will get better, and his team will get better. Trust me.
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12/2/2005 2:22 PM