PLEASANTVILLE - The Knicks held an open practice at Pace University yesterday, and though it lasted just 50 minutes, Larry Block of Chappaqua saw what he was hoping to see.
"The way the guys were running hard and up and down the court proved to me not only that the coach is going to bring a new style, but the guys are going to adapt to that," Block said.
About 700 fans took advantage of the Knicks' first public practice in Westchester, which offered a chance to see how the team would look under new coach Mike D'Antoni. The early returns were positive.
"I think it's a step in the right direction," said Mark Schilio of Mahopac. "He's going to make these guys play defense, pick up the offense, bring the fans back, make the game more exciting. It's been very slow, watching these guys for a long time. Guys like Eddy Curry who are not hustling are not playing, and I like that."
After a wheelchair basketball game and a dance performance by the Knicks City Kids, the coaches and players were introduced individually. For most fans, it was the first opportunity to see first-round pick Danilo Gallinari, fellow rookie Patrick Ewing Jr. and free-agent signee Chris Duhon, and yet another opportunity to cheer for Allan Houston, who received the loudest ovation.
David Lee and Jamal Crawford were other fan favorites, and the only sustained boos went to Jerome James.
D'Antoni said a few words before getting started, telling fans he was trying to put together a team they could be proud of.
After stretching, the Knicks ran through about 15 minutes of drills and 20 minutes of a 5-on-5 scrimmage before finishing with more shooting drills. Jared Jeffries, wearing a soft cast on his left leg, provided the play-by-play over the public-address system.
For most in attendance, it was a unique opportunity to see an NBA practice.
"It was nice to see what we do is in the pros too," said 13-year-old Joey Hartman, who plays youth basketball in Pleasantville. "They make it seem so easy but it's really not."
In one drill, a variation of the three-man weave, where each player shot after running the court, the Knicks scored 100 points in two minutes. London Reyes, a senior at Yonkers, hopes to introduce that one in his high school practice.
"Our tallest player is 6-feet tall," Reyes said. "I thought why not use a drill like this so we can use our speed and stamina to our advantage?"
Watching the fast-paced scrimmage left most Knicks fans feeling more hopeful about the season.
"They can do great things with the new coach," Pace junior Lloyd Durberry said. "The thing with the NBA is every year you never know what can happen. Look at the Celtics - (a few trades) and they won a championship.
The only people who seemed disappointed afterward were the autograph seekers. The team said beforehand that players would not sign because of time and safety constraints, and they stuck to it.
"I wish they would have stayed and signed autographs," Paul Clarke of New Windsor said. "They kind of stiffed the fans a little. They just left. Not even a wave."