Category Archives: Timofey Mozgov
Timofey Mozgov is expected to start Wednesday against the Boston Celtics at MSG, a move that could be permanent depending on how the rookie center performs for the remainder of the preseason.
Hopefully, Doc Rivers will start Shaquille O’Neal that night because it will give everyone – Mozgov, Mike D’Antoni, Knick fans – a chance to see Mozgov compete against a solid, albeit aging, NBA center.
I am surprised it’s happened this quickly, despite being impressed by what Mozgov has been able to bring to the table thus far. He fits a tremendous need and has to stay on the floor. Can he manage 25-30 minutes? Only time will tell…
Loading ...Mike D’Antoni officially has another man crush — Timofey Mozgov…D’Antoni has tried to stop himself from gushing over Mozgov like he used to gush over Danilo Gallinari and David Lee. But D’Antoni has already called Mozgov training camp’s brightest light. In the preseason opener, the sturdy center scored a smooth 10 points with five rebounds in 19 minutes….But D’Antoni is still leery of giving him the starting job
D’Antoni never mentioned Eddy Curry, expected to be waived after February’s trading deadline when his expiring contract no longer is a trading pawn.
I would think that’s assuming they don’t include his contract in a deal before the deadline. And to be honest, Mozgov has been a bright spot all camp. The biggest positive for me has been his ability to finish at the rim and protect it. If he can curb his foul problem, he’ll be a definite rotation player.
To me, after watching the tape, rebounding is still a major weakness. The small lineups that D’Antoni tried to utilize seemed ineffective. It seems like either Turiaf or Mozgov have to be on the floor at all times…I’ve been asked several times if I’m concerned about the number of points allowed. The answer is no because I was happy with giving up 52 first half points in the first preseason game. I always think a big key to any game is giving up less than 30 points in the first quarter…I’ve been asked a ton about who I’d rather give up in a trade for Melo: Randolph or Gallo. The answer is whichever one Denver prefers seeing that they are the ones that have to agree to a deal, not me. But I don’t give up both. I go back and forth on the answer of who I prefer to keep. Gallo and Melo share a position so I wonder who can play the 2 because Gallo is not ready to play the 4 full time. I don’t believe a front court of Amar’e, Gallo and Melo would be good enough defensively. However, I’m reminded what a Division 1 assistant coach told me once about talented players who can’t please a coach and who can’t stick with a program.
“They are like a really hot single girl…You really have to wonder why they are available.”
I think Randolph can be a special player. Same with Gallo. But I know Melo is a special player. Again, it’s whomever Denver would want that truly matters.
Speaking of Stoudemire, the dunk, to me, puts a team on its heels for several minutes. It was demoralizing. It closed out the half, stretched the lead and set the tone for an aggressive 3rd quarter which saw the Knicks stretch the lead from 6 to 12.
Moreover, it’s not hard to figure that David Lee would have run back on defense. That’s not a knock on the ex-Knick, it’s just that he can’t do that.
Here it is everyone. Your first open thread for the first preseason game of the season. I would venture to guess that Turiaf gets the start along side Stoudemire and the starters will play significant minutes.
There are potential issues, but the bottom line for me is can the team create second opportunities and can they limit the other team to a lot of one and done situations, and I don’t mean makes.
I’m looking forward to fans seeing Anthony Randolph’s jumper, which has been on display all training camp. Same with Ray Felton’s. I’m looking forward to seeing when the team goes small with Randolph at center, can they rebound.
I’m looking forward to seeing if Gallo makes a huge step forward, especially in his home town.
I’m looking forward to seeing if Bill Walker can be the player he was at the end of last year, and if Roger Mason Jr. can be a major contributor.
I’m really looking forward to watching the development of Toney Douglas.
Can STAT continue to play with the same energy and leadership he clearly displayed all training camp.
Are Landry Fields and Mozgov as good as I think they are at this point in their young careers?
Can Rautins prove he can consistently make open jumpers?
Will Ewing Jr. make the team?
When will Kelenna Azubuike be ready?
And of course how D’Antoni manages the roster.
It’s about an hour away. And I’m really pumped.
What also remains to be seen is how much longer we’ll be able to enjoy the humorous Twitter posts being put up by a Mozgov imposter. (Sample: Bear meet and toast = brekfast of champiuns,. Ready for war at praktis b4 we head 2 Italy. Ya gotova!!!!) The Knicks’ front office folks are already trying to have the account closed down.
Pretty funny….and of course it’s become very popular to mock people now-a-days. None I’ve seen have ever done it better than this one…
I guess it’s like having a skit on SNL to a degree…if someone wants to fake an account Moz, you’re on people’s radar.
Timofey Mozgov, Russia (New York Knicks) — The 24-year-old, 7-foot-1 center impressed USA and Lakers forward Lamar Odom when the two went head to head in the quarterfinals (Mozgov went 4-for-4 in the first quarter), but the Russian struggled with fouls late in the game. Mozgov, whom the Knicks signed to a three-year, $9.7 million contract in July, is loaded with potential. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll player with soft hands and a nice touch around the rim, and though he’s raw and needs to become a better rebounder, his 13-point average in the tournament suggests he could quickly develop into a steal for New York.
Now it’s time to make the rotation…finger point to Andrew Sydney for the link…
Rick Pitino has a great quote when asked years ago about his high-octane offense 
that was centered, not so much around the franchise center in Patrick Ewing, but around a fast-paced 3-point fest. The Knicks chucked so many 3s that they marketed themselves “The Bomb Squad.” (Side note: Newman was a legend around White Plains for quietly sneaking out and shooting hoops with the local kids. Awesome guy.)
“The ball has to start in the post,” Pitino concluded. “Wherever that is.”
Having a player in Ewing led to some success for the former Knicks coach, who led the Knicks to the Atlantic Division title and 52 wins in 1989, but his style wasn’t conducive to pleasing Ewing, so after the coach left for Lexington, Kentucky the Knicks made sure to get Ewing more touches in the post and his FGs per game soared.
I bring this up because of a note from Alan Hahn today in discussing Mozgov:
In nine games, Mozgov scored in double-figures in all but two, despite the fact that he rarely was featured in David Blatt’s pick-and-roll offense. The 24-year-old showed himself to be extremely active on the offensive end, as he routinely set screens and quickly dove into the lane (several times he was open but did not get the ball). On the post, he clearly needs a lot of work (paging Patrick Ewing…) and he’s a non-threat outside the paint as a scorer, but he does have soft hands and good passing instincts. (more…)
Via TKB video producer, aka the legend of Pav
For even more on Mozgov, head to Knicks Vision
← Older postsNewer posts →
