There have been some humorous attempts at finding a nickname that will stick for Landry Fields, the rookie out of Stanford who is the starting shooting guard this season for the New York Knicks. We’ve heard Tracy Morgan extol Landry Field’s virtues on national television (as well as Sarah’ Palin’s) and bequeath him with the nickname “Agua.” Charles Barkley, the Inveterate “Knick Hater” couldn’t say enough good things about the throwback guard before, during and after the January 27th Knick game versus the Heat that was televised by TNT. Barkley claimed that while Clippers “rookie” Blake Griffin is technically a second year player due to his injury last season, Landry is a “Natural Rookie.” Landry Fields, “The Natural” has a ring to it, doesn’t it?
Fields hit new heights Sunday, scoring a career-high 25 points on 10 of 13 shooting and five of seven from three-point range during the Knicks’ 117-103 win against the 76ers. He also had yet another double-double in his still young career, pulling down 10 rebounds. Fields is starting to make a habit of being what he likes to refer to as “the Glue Guy.”
One of the highest compliments Knick fans can bestow upon Fields is when they say he plays as if he could be a member of Walt Clyde Frazier’s Knicks - he is that fundamentally sound. He doesn’t need the ball to find ways to impact a game and help his team win. These are intangibles that endear him to Knick fans everywhere. One of the most notable Knick fans in the world, Spike Lee, has a new favorite player and his name just happens to be Landry Fields. Recently appearing on Anthony Donahue’s “The Knicks Blog Radio” show, Spike had his own suggestions as to a nickname for Fields, like “Muddy Fields,” a play on Muddy Waters because Fields does all the “dirty work.”
Landry Fields has been a revelation. Every coach who comes into MSG is asked their opinion about this second round draft pick who is now the Knicks starting shooting guard. They all are unequivocal in their praise. There have already been articles written in lofty periodicals like Sports Illustrated that enumerate Landry’s intangibles and why he may have been missing from every scouts draft board leading up to last year’s draft.
What I’d like to call him is “untouchable,” but a trade taking Landry and his intangibles may be unavoidable. Many fans such as myself hope that day doesn’t come. While you can find role players who can complete a good team, there aren’t too many with the basketball IQ, good nature and just plain likability that Landry possesses. He is the “glue guy” after all, and maybe “Elmers” would also work out fine as a "Knick Name", yes?
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