Largely oveooked in the discussion of "the most interesting Knicks player in the world" is is adaptation to the United States and more specifically his African American team mates. This is not a racial profile but more a cultural adjustment that will be enjoyable to watch

Bear with me a moment

In the same manner that Yao Ming had to adjust to a new country, language and playing personality that was much more demonstrative than the Chinese way of conforming - Mozgov Is receiving a crash course in everything from playground ball 101 to "how to hail a taxi."

His ability to adapt and adjust his game to the culture of the NBA reminds one of the first generation of Latin ballplyers who had to learn the rules of segregation before setting foot on a playing field. Point being, Mozgovs growth will be shaped as much by his off court activity as his time on the floor. Perhaps more.

He has been coached a certain way against limited talent. If US ballers are indeed the gold standard of the world, Mozgov - like Yao - will begin to assimilate the best traits and nuance. Isn't comprehension and learning what basketball IQ is all about?

Personally, I'm thankful he is not practicing against Travis Knight or Slavko Vranes

misterearl wrote:Coming To America

Largely oveooked in the discussion of "the most interesting Knicks player in the world" is is adaptation to the United States and more specifically his African American team mates. This is not a racial profile but more a cultural adjustment that will be enjoyable to watch

Bear with me a moment

In the same manner that Yao Ming had to adjust to a new country, language and playing personality that was much more demonstrative than the Chinese way of conforming - Mozgov Is receiving a crash course in everything from playground ball 101 to "how to hail a taxi."

His ability to adapt and adjust his game to the culture of the NBA reminds one of the first generation of Latin ballplyers who had to learn the rules of segregation before setting foot on a playing field. Point being, Mozgovs growth will be shaped as much by his off court activity as his time on the floor. Perhaps more.

He has been coached a certain way against limited talent. If US ballers are indeed the gold standard of the world, Mozgov - like Yao - will begin to assimilate the best traits and nuance. Isn't comprehension and learning what basketball IQ is all about?

Personally, I'm thankful he is not practicing against Travis Knight or Slavko Vranes

I really want to see him continue to get the starting nod. He needs to go against more NBA level guys and get used to the flow and bump and grind of the NBA. I think having Amar'e and Turiaf is the best thing for this kid to be around. These guys are pros and they can show him the level of output he needs to have to excel on this level. We haven't had that in past years and you can see how that turned out. Now we have positive role models for these guys to follow. Timo should benefit the most from it. I like where he's starting from and I predict he'll adjust and have a solid season. There will be some up and down performances, but he's already grown so much in a short span of time. That's another of his special gifts. Being a fast learner.

TymeLessKnicks wrote:Mike is going out on a limb starting this Mozgov over Randolph (Yes, I believe he can play center in this system).

I do think/hope he will become a good player but I dont agree with the starting role so soon.

why?

misterearl wrote:nixluva - excellent point about Mozgov's role buddies Amar'e and Turiaf. Who knows?... once Mozgov gets comfortable with the language and the sounds of the street, he may switch his hip-hop preferences from the derivative Euro version, to a more authentic version from Hollis, Queens or The Bronx. "Can Diddy at least hook a Russian brotha up with some tunes?"

The best aspect of sports is the camaraderie. You never hear retired guys talk about how much they missed practice. Forget basketball for a second. For the first time in a long while there is a bonding process taking place - on the team bus, the charter flights and while eating breakfast on the road in a hotel restaurant - among a group of guys from all over the place. Are they all Rhodes scholars? Of course not. But there are few good (and intelligent) men to shape the dialogue for the better.

What do they talk about and who will be the first New Yorker to give Mozgov a bad set of directions, or try to sell him something he does not need?

Mozgov is processing this new information and selecting what he likes best.

Mozgov is a sponge these days. Soaking up American culture in the same way that we, as tourists, have the opportunity to embrace new things when we leave this country. The only difference is that his career depends on how quickly the flavors of Baskin Robbins, Memphis barbecue, New York water, Jamaican jerk chicken, undercooked room service eggs, Bud Light, Hershey bars and HBO settle in his stomach.

Dude, didn't he play/live in Moscow?

"What a Country"!