http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/sports/basketball/27knicks.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Curry is only 27. But the Knicks are not waiting for a renaissance. They stockpiled big men this summer, acquiring Amar’e Stoudemire, Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Randolph and Timofey Mozgov, all of whom are ahead of Curry on the depth chart.

Although it is early, D’Antoni’s training camp lineups have generally served as an accurate indicator of his preferences. Turiaf, a career backup, has been playing center on the first unit so far, alongside Stoudemire (who can also play center). Mozgov and Randolph, two promising prospects, are anchoring the second-unit frontcourt.

I would prefer to see AR off the bench. While he might have the highest ceiling I expect his play to be a bit erratic. He gets out of control and a bench role will let the coaches real him in a bit. No reason he cant play 30 minutes a night off the bench at any of the frontcourt positions.

NYKBocker wrote:

martin wrote:I am gonna guess that Moz will eventually start over Turiaf. Maybe at the beginning of the season, maybe 10-20 games in.

I think Timo will start opening day once he show what he can do in the pre-season.

I hope that happens too, but it may take him a while to get used to the NBA game, especially the fouls.

smackeddog wrote:Also from all the taining camp quotes, it seems Landry Fields is working his way into the rotation, and Bill Walker is working himself out of it.

Although it could work on offense that's just one aspect --- defense is a different story. To me a man with his shot-blocking instincts and athleticism (not to mention the lack of sheer strength and girth that you normally associate with a big man trying to guard the post) does not belong being pinned down low trying to guard bigger/strong guys that are just as tall. For one thing, it's physically taxing and I'm not into subjecting this guy to any unnesessary roughness, not with his body type and injury history..I'm into keeping him as fresh as possible..Second, I believe it neutralizes what he does best on defense which is serving as a quick roving big helping out others..I'm into keeping him as mobile on defense as I can--that's where he'll continue to shine defensively--as a help defender--not as the primary one-on-one post defender trying to out-muscle the post threat and push him off the block.

Consider this Utah video:

Now if Randolph was the Boozer defender in this clip getting backed down by Shaq how would he be able to roam and help the way AK-47 did on back to back plays?? He wouldn't. Defensively he would be neutralized. To me it's simple -- Mike's the offensive guru -- if he thinks he can get the most out of AR at the 5 offensively in a particular matchup, I'm all for it..But defensively on a sustained basis, I don't see him as the primary post defender against bigger guys. I'd wanna give him the freedom to roam defensively a-la Andre Kirilenko. I think that's where he's at his best and that's where the team can most benefit from his shot-blocking..

Just curious -- where did Amar'e come out and say he did not want to play the 5? Anyone have any video of that anywhere?? Someone on the board mentioned that he said that so I guess he did but I haven't heard him say that anywhere and it really goes against everything he's been saying recently. There's personal preference and then there's what's good for the team. I gotta believe Amar'e is into whatever's best for the team..We'll have to see but I feel the team might be at it's best with Amar'e at the 5, AR at the 4 and Gallo at the 3. Those are probably the best 3 frontcourt players we have -- in order to utilize them all properly at the same time together, Amar'e's gonna have to play some 5. I just don't see any way around it. To me if we play it like that, now we got the round peg, the square peg and the triangle peg all in their proper holes..

fishmike wrote:some more:

Some raised their eyebrows when the Knicks shelled out $9 million over three years for the unknown 23-year-old. But it could be a bargain.

This is the Berman Knick Blog article- that quote made me laugh as wasn't it Berman himself who a few weeks ago trashed the signing of Mosgov and claimed Walsh had way over paid him?!

"During the scrimmage Sunday, "Mozgov on the Hudson'' bolted down the left of the lane for a running banker. Some raised their eyebrows when the Knicks shelled out $9 million over three years for the unknown 23-year-old. But it could be a bargain."

- Marc Berman today

Some raised their eyebrows? Note that no names were quoted.

Marc Berman is more a hypocrite than Bishop Eddie Long

fishmike wrote:Berman is doodoo but at least now he as actual stuff to write about as opposed to just making stuff up.

Two guys too fat to make it to practice today: Eddy Curry and Marc Berman.

Marc Berman NYPost_Berman

Taking day off to pack for Milan and Paris. It's Fashion Week in both cities while the Knicks are there. So players will have PLENTY to do.

http://www.nba.com/knicks/video/2010/09/25/camphlamareNBA-1423380 (you need to click on the video you want- it's the most recent D'Antoni one)

Also Walsh explained that the reason he signed Ewing JR was when he found out Azubuike wouldn't be ready- he sees Ewing Jr as bringing the same type of game (at least defensively)

franco12 wrote:my favorite part:

Mozgov has been playing with the second string. But he makes No. 1 Ronny Turiaf look like a small forward when they stand together.

As a franchise, we need some luck. Why can't we get lucky for once and have Timo turn into Sabonis 2?

But your right... a little luck in landing a low cost stud would be pretty sweet and a long time coming.