http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-spknix0708,0,2075614.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

Team is likely to ride the talent and energy of Robinson, Frye, Lee

BY GREG LOGAN
Newsday Staff Correspondent

July 8, 2006

LAS VEGAS -- Whether it's Larry Brown or Isiah Thomas running the Knicks, one thing doesn't change. It's become obvious that any hope for improvement lies squarely on the shoulders of the Knicks' sophomore class of Channing Frye, David Lee and Nate Robinson.

Before he was fired, Brown told Thomas he intended to play that trio if management wasn't going to make the changes he wanted. All three made big contributions as rookies, and the experience they gained showed as they dominated the Knicks' 95-71 rout of Cleveland in their opener in the Toshiba Vegas Summer League Friday afternoon at Cox Pavilion.

The second-year trio was joined in the starting lineup by this year's first-round rookies, Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins. Both were drafted to serve as defensive-oriented role players, and they were solid in that respect in their NBA baptism.

But what really stood out was the unbridled energy and joy Frye, Lee and Robinson brought to the game. It was Frye's first game since the season-ending sprained left knee that caused him to miss the final 16 games. He responded with 19 points and five rebounds, moved without a problem and demonstrated improved strength.

Robinson hoisted some ill-advised shots early, trash-talked to Cavaliers second-round pick Daniel Gibson and threatened to fight when Gibson dumped him on the floor as payback. But the 5-9 Robinson got to the foul line 13 times for 10 of his 23 points and pushed the pace. He even stole the ball once for a fast-break dunk and then played to the crowd, a no-no under Brown.

"I don't know how it compares to last year," said Lee, trying to avoid any further references to the Brown regime. "I'd like to just forget about that right now, but we're trying to bring energy. That's what the m.o. for us three young guys was last year and for these two guys coming in right now. We're here to bring energy and enthusiasm."

Lee has been overshadowed by Frye and Robinson, but the 30th pick of last year's draft looks like the hidden gem of the 2005 crop. He was wonderfully efficient Friday, making seven of eight shots, scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

None of the three lacks for confidence, and in this setting, they aren't afraid to assert themselves. "It's not like we're 10-year veterans, but we have a little bit of a target on our back," said Lee, who led all rookies last season with a 59.6 field-goal percentage. "I remember when I was playing last year against guys that already had a year in the league. I wanted to prove something, so we definitely will see that. We have to bring a certain level of intensity and focus."

Thomas, who sat in the stands while assistant Mark Aguirre directed the Knicks on the bench, was pleased with Balkman, who had six points, four rebounds, one block and one steal, and Collins, who added four points and an assist.

"I thought when they first started they were probably a little nervous in terms of jitters," Thomas said. "But their defensive intensity was great. We don't expect a lot of them offensively."

After rolling his left ankle, Balkman returned in the fourth quarter to grab a rebound and throw a fullcourt pass to Lee for a reverse layup. Balkman's two baskets were thunderous dunks that brought his teammates on the bench to their feet.

"I think you see what Isiah's thinking," Lee said of Balkman, who was a surprise choice with the 20th pick. "He has tremendous athleticism. When he took off on that first dunk, it was incredible. He knows how to play the game, he's a scrappy guy and he's got a great upside."

The game changes when the veterans join the mix in training camp, but if the Knicks have an upside after the 23-59 horror show last season, it's because of the five first-round picks from the past two drafts.

Again, it looks like the tide is turning !!! Even the reporters are beginning to warm up to the NEW - NEW YORK KNICKS !!!!

lol...the french are the same as you are allanfan, they keep expectations as low as possible and suddenly, they are in the finals and they say they expected it all along.

I'm happy you guys are doing the same.

during the SL thread somebody posted

Posted by metra:

Shouldn't the 3 Knicks sophs be killing this Cleveland team? That's what I was expecting.

then we went on a 20-0 run and he stopped posting.

I don't want you guys to stop posting when we start to win, just enjoy the ride with the rest of us.


so far, the knicks are showing "measurable progress"...so far.

that's the allan fan I know and don't understand. but hey, pessimistic sarcasm is a posting style. to each his own.

lol...just bringing up other posters names for the goof...no worries, I was actually on the plane at the time of the game, was timing the game with my reading of the posts, I was thinking the same thing you were thinking.

More for emphasis on how our expectations are both slowly being met and extremely pessimistic at the same time.