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fishmike
Posts: 53851 Alba Posts: 1 Joined: 7/19/2002 Member: #298 USA |
9/23/2010 2:55 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/sports/basketball/23knicks.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
The Knicks’ Brain Trust Shows Calm Confidence The specter of LeBron James no longer hovers over the franchise. Carmelo Anthony looms as a vague concept, but not as an overpowering force. The Knicks would trade for him if they could, but he is not driving the agenda. Anthony’s name did not come up Wednesday, when D’Antoni and Walsh held their first preseason session with the news media. They took 50 questions, only a half-dozen of which alluded to the possibility of a trade. The focus is now firmly, finally, on the present. Amar’e Stoudemire, the $100 million power forward, will fill the long-vacant role of franchise star. Raymond Felton, the new point guard, will fill the get-the-ball-to-Stoudemire role. Eight other new players, including the highly intriguing Anthony Randolph, have arrived. There was plenty to talk about Wednesday, without the risk of a tampering charge. It has been a while since team officials could make that statement with any conviction. Walsh, the team president, spent two years slashing the payroll in the hope of landing James and another star player. When James headed to Miami, the Knicks pounced on Stoudemire, then completed the makeover by acquiring Felton, Randolph, Roger Mason, Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf and Timofey Mozgov. The changes represent significant improvement, though not the wholesale transformation the franchise once envisioned. Still, the Knicks are legitimate contenders to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and have enough young talent to feel good about the future. They need another star to become title contenders, but it does not necessarily have to be Anthony or Chris Paul or another team’s disenchanted star. “We don’t know if he’s not on the team right now,” Walsh said. The Knicks believe that Randolph (age 21) and Danilo Gallinari (22) could reach that level, or become valuable enough to trade for an established star. In the meantime, team officials are free to spout some superlatives that have not been heard around Madison Square Garden for some time. “We have one of the best players in the game,” D’Antoni said, referring to Stoudemire. “At his position, he may be the best player.” The Knicks are also stocked with the sort of athletes who can make D’Antoni’s frenzied offense hum and fill highlight reels with above-the-rim plays. Stoudemire, Randolph, Gallinari, Mozgov, and Wilson Chandler all fit that description. Landry Fields, a second-round pick in June, will also surprise people with his athleticism. D’Antoni recalled a conversation with his assistant coaches after they watched an informal scrimmage Tuesday. Every few minutes, someone did something spectacular. “They’re going: ‘Did you see that? Did you see that?’ ” D’Antoni said. He added: “There’s going to be some athletic plays seen in the Garden that we haven’t seen for a while. Now, whether that means we’re good or not, then we’ll have to see. But at least it should be exciting.” D’Antoni is enthused about Felton, whom he called “a winner,” and Randolph, whom he compared to a younger Stoudemire. Training camp begins Saturday morning. The first exhibition game will be held Oct. 3 in Milan. The team is almost entirely new. D’Antoni has eight preseason games to determine his best lineup and a rotation. “This is a little bit different, but I’m thrilled about it,” he said. “I’m glad it’s like this, that it is a blank slate and we have a lot of very athletic, talented, young, enthusiastic basketball players that all want to be here and be a team.” The rumors surrounding Anthony will not abate until he is traded or signs an extension with Denver. But he will not be the most important name at the Garden. “Did you get him yet?” a reporter said jokingly, without mentioning Anthony’s name. Walsh paused for several seconds and smiled. “Let’s talk about training camp.” REBOUNDS Eddy Curry is the only Knicks player who has not attended a voluntary workout this month. Although Curry’s weight and health are always an issue, Donnie Walsh played down his absence. He said Curry had been working out on his own. “Players don’t have to come in in the summer; it’s their choice,” Walsh said. “But when they come, they’ve got to be in shape. So we’ll see when Eddy comes. I’m going to be optimistic and think he’ll be ready to play.” ... Walsh, who had neck surgery in June, is still using a wheelchair occasionally but said he was 98 percent recovered. He uses a cane or a walker most of the time. ... Kelenna Azubuike will probably miss all of training camp as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury he sustained last November. Azubuike has not yet begun running on the court. "winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
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