Category Archives: 2009 Training Camp
Don’t look now (thanks for beating me to punch haS) but guess who’s back?
One of the very reasons why people, I believe, have doubts about Danilo Gallinari, is because they’ve been told European players were supposed to be special only to see the ones drafted by New York fail to make any impact.
Case in point is Maciej Lampe.
I remember watching him fall to the second round and being excited that the Knicks seemingly got a solid 7’0 prospect who had a bevy of skills. And Lampe does, just not in this country. I mean, Lampe couldn’t even play for D’Antoni.
Anyway, should be an interesting and festive day at the Garden, and I’m looking forward to seeing Stephane Lasme, who I really liked coming out of UMASS a few years ago.
But the point is, at least from a draft standpoint, everyone seems to have it all figured out, except virtually all the league executives who whiff on draft night. I liked Lampe because he was skilled and that he was right in the middle of the European NBA movement.
I was wrong.
Be candid, I’m curious to hear from you. Tell us which players you’ve been really wrong about. Players who you liked but didn’t translate to the NBA game.
Please don’t use anyone from the past few years’ drafts. I think there needs to be a bigger body of work.
On another note, I’m looking forward to seeing if Maccabi features their young standout guard Nimrod Tishman. Interestingly, Nimrod, in Israeli Hebrew means “Isiah Thomas.”
It only took slightly over a year, but some fans have wasted little time in voicing their 
displeasure in regards to the state of the Knicks. The consensus, from what I’m gathering, is the idea that Donnie Walsh’s plan not to extend into his 2010 piggy bank has not allowed for this team to be good enough to make the playoffs this season. It is a playoff appearance and playoff appearance only, these fans think, that will lure a player of LeBron James‘ caliber to New York this summer.In fact, some players on the team have already spoken on the subject,something that the organization can’t be too thrilled about.
Guard Larry Hughes told Frank Isola of the Daily News that he believes James, the Knicks’ primary free agent target, will re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers
“I still feel that way,” Hughes said following the Knicks’ practice Wednesday. “He’s got a good opportunity to win there. And I know a lot of people talk about him playing in a big market, but he just wants to win a ring. It’s not about playing in a big market.”
Whether Hughes is a reliable source is irrelavant. The idea is that if the team doesn’t improve then there’s no chance anyway. But why aren’t fans paying attention to the team’s vastly improved effort defensively?
Indeed, there have been significant improvements on the defensive end and the stats show that. Sure, preseason stats are relatively meaningless, but the team has made a conscious effort to improve on tips and steals and it showed during an impressive second quarter Tuesdsay night in an otherwise disappointing loss to the Sixers.
“We had some good stuff. We were up eight points and we shot 4-for-23,” D’Antoni said. “If our problem is not scoring then that’s a good problem.”
Fans want to see wins and they want to see progress, but that “progress” often gets caught up in wins and losses. There is real reason to believe, with Toney Douglas and Darko Milicic, and not to mention a much-improved and healthy Jared Jeffries, that the team can be much better than last year defensively. more
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Had the chance to sneak in at lunchtime and saw a lot of the same things on the court for the first few minutes. Sloppy play and missed shots.
But the one thing that I really noticed was how vocal and energized Mike D’Antoni was, constantly pointing out that things need to be done right.
If you don’t think that the man knows offense, here’s an example.
A play broke down during a 5-on-5 drill and D’Antoni stopped practice and made his point very clear to his team that if the ball can get to a certain spot in the middle it will allow for kick and an open shot. Sure enough next play ball goes middle Chandler flairs and gets a wide open look.
Splash.
And that’s a key point, getting open is the key to getting into rhythm and rhythm is the key to hitting shots.
Danilo Gallinari looked more aggressive to the basket but still struggled with his jumper, and made sure to put in extra work with Will and Douglas after practice. Gallo told me in Saratoga, and Hahn keenly noted in talking to D’Antoni, the key to getting out of a slump is to “keep shooting.” But what the second-year man will understand is that now he has to learn how to create space since defenders, in last night’s case Iggy and Thaddeus Young, take the shot way. I actually like his elusiveness, but am waiting on the finishes.
Jordan Hill (workout out in video last week, above) brought it today and really wants to make the rotation or at least earn minutes night in and night out. A week ago I wouldn’t have given him much of a shot to earn many minutes, but that changes every day. His highlight was an impressive spin-middle post move and finish from the left block over Darko Milicic. He’s certainly not just settling for his jumper anymore.
Also, D’Antoni did juggle and fiddle with some lineups, but the one that featured no true point guard was in a half court set 5 on 5. No player was entrusted to bring the ball up against pressure.
Click here for the video from BigAppleChannel of Chandler, Douglas and Gallo in a shooting drill and words from the coach.
Also, Berman is reporting that the Knicks won’t use Cuttino Mobley in a trade.
Via nyknicks.com
“…Rookies Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas were all smiles when talking about stepping on the Madison Square Garden floor for the first time as New York Knicks. They couldn’t help but express their excitement of playing in front of their new hometown fans.
But don’t let them confuse you. The nerves are definitely there leading up to Tuesday night’s Garden opener against the Philadelphia 76ers in New York’s third preseason game.
“There are a little jitter bugs,” said Hill, the No. 8 pick in last June’s draft, following Monday’s practice. “But there’s nothing I can’t handle. I just have to play my game.”
As a freshman at Arizona, Hill played only three minutes during an early-season game against Louisville at the Garden. Douglas, who played college ball at Auburn before transferring to Florida State, has never played at the World’s Most Famous Arena before.
“I’m excited,” said Douglas, who was selected 29th overall. “It’s my first preseason home game and I’ve never played on that court before so it’s going to be exciting.”
Hill and Douglas have already appeared in two preseason games, but both games were played outside New York City. The Knicks’ opener, which was considered a home game, took place in Albany against the New Jersey Nets and the team traveled to Boston last Friday to take on the Celtics. More.
“…Gallinari, whose rookie season ended abruptly when he underwent back surgery, has struggled to find his shot in the Knicks’ first two preseason games. The 6-foot-10 forward has made just three of 13 shots, including 1-for-7 on Friday against the Celtics.
“I think he’s in a little bit of a funk with his shot,” says Mike D’Antoni, who on the eve of training camp called Gallinari the best shooter he’d ever seen. “I haven’t seen him make one since I said it.”
Gallinari claims that his back is strong and yet his overall fitness doesn’t seem ready for the grind of an 82-game regular season. It’s understandable considering the amount of time Gallinari missed. The Knicks are hopeful that between now and the club’s Oct. 28 season opener in Miami, Gallinari will continue to build the strength in his legs – which is crucial, especially for a shooter…”
“…Every Knicks fan knows one of the only chances the club has to improve on last season’s 32-50 record is if Gallinari has a breakthrough year. Gallinari played in just 28 games last season because of a bulging disc. The Knicks unveil virtually the same cast as 2008-2009 tonight before fans who deserve a Purple Heart for showing up.
Coach Mike D’Antoni took the blame yesterday for creating undue expectations with his best-shooter-I’ve-ever-seen remark.
“I probably threw him into a tailspin,” D’Antoni said. “He has plenty of time to recover. I haven’t seen him make much since I said it.”
Gallinari had resisted D’Antoni’s theory he has “wobbly legs” from enduring his first full training camp. But yesterday Gallinari finally acknowledged some fatigues.
“I’m feeling good with my body,” he said. “I have to work to get in the best shape. I’m not in the best shape right now.”
Jump shooting is about rhythm and confidence. Two things that can be cured with a good game at the Garden.
Health is not an issue at this point, and there’s plenty of time for Gallo to get himself in game shape. After all, that’s kind of what preseason is for.
Via Zagsblog.
“…GREENBURGH, N.Y. — When the Knicks take the Madison Square Garden floor Tuesday night for their preseason home opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, Eddy Curry won’t take a single shot or grab a single rebound.
But Knicks President Donnie Walsh wants the 7-foot, 317-pound Curry back as soon as humanly possible.
Curry left training camp in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Sept. 29 after tearing his right plantaris muscle and hasn’t returned to practice since.
“I’m pushing for as soon as he can get here healthy and our trainers I think are doing a good job,” Walsh said after Monday’s practice. “And Eddy’s working hard, is what they tell me.”
The Knicks open the regular season Oct. 28 in Miami and host the Sixers in the home opener Oct. 31, but Walsh wouldn’t commit to a timeline on when Curry might return.
“I don’t want to put a timetable on it,” he said. Read more.
The starting lineup on Tuesday will be Chris Duhon, Wilson Chandler, David Lee, Al Harrington and Jared Jeffries…
“…You’re Invited – Knicks Open Practice! This Saturday, Oct. 17 @ The Rose Hill Gym @ Fordham Univ. Admission is free. Doors open @ 11:15…”
Rose Hill has been the site of many a great CHSAA high school battle from Kenny Anderson to Felipe Lopez and Rice battling St. Raymond’s in the 1990s. I’ll be there some come say hello.
Click here for directions to Fordham.
Great job, as always, by my main man Big C…
We all know the Knicks brass had their sights set on upgrading the the point-guard position 
only to see far too many obstacles get in the way this off season.What the team is left with is Chris Duhon, a player whose pick-and-roll ability is right on top of the league in terms of efficiency. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that Duhon and David Lee have John Stockton and Karl Malone-esque telepathy. A stretch? Maybe, but when you see the efficiency of the two, there are few duos who can complete a screen and roll even when the defense is primed to take it away. Simply put, it was the Knicks’ bread and butter last year.
But the butter went sour when Duhon couldn’t stay on the court for the entire season, breaking down as the minutes mounted. Duhon, admittedly, wasn’t prepared for the grind of playing the most minutes of his NBA career, 1,500 more than his last year in Chicago to be exact.
Regardless of what the Knicks failed to do over the summer, they are still very much in favor of Duhon’s ability to lead the team and be Coach Mike D’Antoni’s extension on the floor.
“Donnie was exploring everything, which he should,” D’Antoni told the media during training camp last week. “But there was never any doubt Chris would be the point guard.”
Double talk? Well, I think it speaks more to just how serious the team really thought its chances of landing Jason Kidd were. But it also says that if the team were to have brought in Ramon Sessions, then Duhon would still have been the starter. More.
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