I will be appearing on ESPN Radio Syracuse/Oswego today at approximately 4:30 EST. Joining the "Disturbing the Peace" crew, we will be talking about the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, former Syracuse Orangeman Andy Rautins, and more Knicks.
The biggest question of all, however, is how good the new-look Knicks will be. While it’s unclear how well the new group will mesh, the pressure for success has been mounting.
One man who knows all about the pressures of Madison Square Garden is Knicks fan-favorite Charles Oakley.
Oakley, who was known for his intensity on the court during his playing days, shared his thoughts earlier this summer before Donnie Walsh and the Knicks officially embarked on their massive recruitment.
“They’re going to get a good player—I just hope who they get will make the team better. Just because you give a guy max money does not necessarily mean you are going to win.”
While Donnie Walsh and the Knicks struck out on most of the summer’s top free agent prizes, the team did come away with Amare Stoudemire, whom flourished under Mike D’Antoni on the Suns.
The Knicks did in fact lure Stoudemire in with a maximum six year contract. As Oakley suggests, that may not be enough to win.
As luck would have it, though, Walsh seemed to agree with Oakley’s notion. After securing Stoudemire, Walsh was diligent in assembling a strong cast that fits D’Antoni’s style of play, and more importantly, can play well around the team’s new leader.
Many of the Knicks have begun working out together on their own in preparation for the new season. With many new faces on the squad, the players can certainly use as much time with one another as possible.
Like many Knicks fans, Oakley is curious to see what the team can do. However, the two-time “All-Defensive Team” member wasn’t thoroughly convinced an offensive system was the best policy.
When asked if D'Antoni can be considered a great coach in the league, Oakley said, "Do you think he's a great coach? I don't know. Players always like something easy. I don’t know why—I can’t judge. “
At the same time, Oakley was open to finding out what will happen. Referring to himself as a fan these days, just like everyone else, he simply said “we’ll have to see what [D’Antoni] does with the talent he gets.”
Nevertheless, would the “Oak-man” ever consider working with the Knicks to instill a stronger defensive presence?
“I’ve been trying to work with the Knicks for years. I would love it. Donnie talks about it, but what can I say? I’ve been getting offers from other teams around the league about coaching now.”
But in the meantime, besides keeping in contact with fans on Twitter, he’s been staying busy, “I’ve been trying to do a couple cooking shows, trying to produce movies. I’m still doing charity work when I have time. I’ve just been trying to stay in the business and stay in shape.”
Whether or not the Knicks of new have the defensive intensity that the Oakley-led Knicks teams of old, one thing is for sure; the Garden will be rocking with excitement for a winning season.
“Aint no doubt—there’s no place better than MSG,” Oakley said. “I just loved to walk in and play, with all the lights and being able to hear all the fans. It’s just a different place. It’s amazing in the Garden.”
New York Knicks fans recently had their first look at the team’s newest backup center, Timofey Movgov. Movgov and the Russian national team were on ESPN early Thursday as they fell to Team USA, 89-79. Despite his team’s loss, Movgov displayed the skills (and many intangibles) that he will soon look to provide off the bench for the Knicks this season.
On his way to scoring 13 points, Mozgov showed how effective he can be on the pick and roll, a skill that should prove invaluable to the now David Lee-less Knicks.
Throughout international play this summer, Mozgov’s offense has mostly come from points off the pick and roll and second-chance buckets. He has averaged 12.6 and 3.7 rebounds in nearly 19 minutes per contest for Russia.
While he can box out well, he also seems to lack that killer instinct to make the extra push for the rebound. If he wants to make an impact, Mozgov must rebound the ball.
The Knicks have lacked strong rebounders for years (the exception being David Lee). Although Mozgov can score, and will most likely only benefit from a system like Mike D’Antoni’s, his ability to score is a dime a dozen on this offensive-minded Knicks squad.
With Ronny Turiaf slated to be the starting center, Mozgov has an opportunity to gain meaningful backup minutes. In addition to rebounding the ball, his physical game will be a major factor in his playing time.
The Knicks believe that putting in a player like Mozgov (and Turiaf, for that matter) at center will take the pressure off Amare Stoudemire defensively. Mozgov’s unselfish ability to throw his body around on defense will benefit the Knicks, even if it is solely to commit the hard fouls and take the brunt of the physical contact on both ends of the floor.
Mozgov will almost certainly need time to adjust to the NBA game. Having said that, the young center says he hopes to play “big minutes for the Knicks this season, at 10-15 minutes per game.
Coach D’Antoni remains very optimistic:
“The best thing is if he could progress from a 5-minute guy to a 15-minute guy. If he can warrant being on the floor from 15 to 18 minutes, I think that would be a great first season for him,” D’Antoni told The New York Times, early last week.
Clearly, the Knicks hold Mozgov in high regard as they signed him to a three-year deal worth approximately nine million dollars with the team’s remaining cap space for the summer. If he can mature enough to play anywhere close to 15-18 minutes per game this season, the team may look to use Mozgov in a bigger role over the final two years (and possibly beyond) of his contract.
However, this may be considered wishful thinking, as the Knicks have had some not-so- pleasant experiences with the likes of Frédéric Weis and Darko Miličić in the past.
Nevertheless, without another “future center” in sight for the Knicks, the 24-year-old Mozgov could play a big role for the Knicks if he adjusts to life in the NBA better than his European predecessors.
Recently, NBA.com gave each team in the league a summer report card. Such a mark should prove to be very telling as to what lies ahead for the Knicks. So much pressure was mounted upon Donnie Walsh over the past two years to bring major talent aboard this summer. Despite striking out on LeBron James and company, the team gracefully received a “B” for their summer efforts.
While the Knicks were praised for upgrading their frontcourt (grade “A”) with Amare Stoudemire and Anthony Randolph, they were also criticized for not improving much on the defensive end. (grade “D”)
However, with Mike D’Antoni as head coach, defense seemingly takes a backseat to offense at times.
What was surprising, though, was that the team only received a “C” for their bench. After losing out on their bids for multiple marquee talents, the Knicks built around the one star they were able to nab, strengthening team depth.
In theory, with better depth comes a stronger bench.
The Knicks do in fact have a lot of talent off the pine, with a mix of experience and young talent ready to sub in.
Highlighting the second unit will be Randolph (who has the potential to produce ala Ben Gordon), assuming D’Antoni begins the season by starting Ronny Turiaf next to Stoudemire in the frontcourt.
Randolph has the ability to score in bunches, and is quick enough to beat slower, taller defenders to the basket. Many expect him to flourish in a system like D’Antoni’s.
The signing of Raymond Felton means that Toney Douglas will return to the bench as well. As Chris Duhon struggled last season, Douglas was thrown into the fire as the Knicks’ starting point guard towards the end of his rookie season.
While he did make some rookie mistakes, Douglas showed promise of a very solid point guard.
Although regarded as a defensive minded player, Douglas was steadily improving as a floor general towards the end of the season, and should have no problem running the floor with his fellow substitutes.
Assuming Wilson Chandler retains his starting position, the services of Kelenna Azubuike (who is recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to be ready by opening night), Roger Mason Jr., and Bill Walker will all be available off the bench too.
While it may take Walker some time to climb over his competition, Azubuike and Mason Jr. are two reliable wings with starting experience.
Azubuike will provide lockdown defense, something this team desperately needs.
Mason Jr. is known for his clutch three-point shooting on the winning Spurs teams of the last two seasons.
Battling it out for the backup center position are Eddy Curry and Timofey Mozgov. Curry is in dire need of a bounce back season as he enters a contract year that very well may dictate the rest of his career. Mozgov has been impressing in international play. He and the Russian national team take on the USA on Thursday.
Filling out the Knicks roster will be rookies Andy Rautins, Landry Fields and possibly Patrick Ewing Jr., who is currently signed to a non-guaranteed contract. Every good squad could use guys like these, as rookies pleasantly learning their way around the NBA (and hopefully enjoying a winning culture) can only add to team chemistry.
As the Knicks look to change their losing ways, the different skills each player provides could very well end up being key to a winning future.
Anthony Randolph, the Knicks most heralded acquisition besides Amare Stoudemire this summer, will enter training camp unsure of his role. Will he start or provide that spark off the bench?
The Knicks haven't figured it out yet.
Assuming that Randolph is still a Knick when training camp begins (the Knicks’ desperate desire for Rudy Fernandez have dragged Randolph’s name into the ramped rumors), he will be battling Ronny Turiaf for a spot in the starting lineup.
While the question may not be whom the better player is, Randolph will have to prove he is a better fit next to Stoudemire out the gate, as opposed to the defensive-minded Turiaf.
He already has a lot to live up to. Many have been forecasting Randolph as the NBA’s breakout star this season. Whether or not he can live up to his potential in front of the critical New York City media (not to mention, while dealing with the tremendous pressure of helping the Knicks return to the playoffs) remains to be seen.
Randolph’s lengthy figure does help him guard different body types on defense,. However, that same lengthy figure would force Amare Stoudemire to play center, a move that weakens the Knicks defensively.
Turiaf (who will immediately enter camp as one of the Knicks’ stronger defensive presences) appears to have the edge. Pairing him up with Stoudemire creates a nice balance of talent up front. It also allows Stoudemire to play power forward, his natural position.
Randolph would add more firepower to Coach D’Antoni’s offensive punch, but with Stoudemire already starting next to the likes of Raymond Felton and Danilo Gallinari, that added firepower may be better suited leading the second unit off the bench.
Although Randolph’s offense would undoubtedly be a boost off the bench, so would Turiaf’s intense defense. As Turiaf stands to receive anywhere from 20-30 minutes per game regardless, the Knicks may be better off firing from all cylinders on offense (with Randolph starting) to begin the game in order to get ahead quickly.
Turiaf could always come in during clutch moments over the course of the game as a defensive stopper, leaving way for Randolph to start.
Nevertheless, D’Antoni proved time and time again last season that he will simply give the most minutes to whoever plays well. While carrying out that standard ruffled the feathers of multiple veterans last season, it also seems to be the most sensible thing to do.
If Randolph can find his niche and elevates his game like expected under D’Antoni, the minutes (and perhaps a starting spot) will certainly come his way.
