Mr.Bottomtooth
10-08-2010, 06:37 PM
Knicks coach takes look at 11-man rotation
By MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 12:46 PM, October 8, 2010
Posted: 12:56 AM, October 8, 2010
Read more: http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/sports/knicks/antoni_takes_look_at_man_rotation_1HDyTb4lzPpTUTKm xnZyML#ixzz11oVa8pi6
PARIS -- The Knicks flew back home from Paris yesterday with a wonderful team picture by Eiffel Tower, and with coach Mike D'Antoni having visions of playing most of his players this season.
One of the revelations of the Euro-trip came when D'Antoni said he's eyeing an 11-man rotation. This from a coach who stubbornly stuck with seven men in Phoenix and mostly an eight-man unit in New York.
In Wednesday's 106-100 loss at the Bercy to the Timberwolves, the bright spots were second-round rookies, forward Landry Fields (5 of 9, 13 points in 16:19) and point guard Andy Rautins (2 of 3 on 3-pointers, six points, 11:43). They actually might play this season.
"You can't play harder than that," D'Antoni said of the duo.
D'Antoni first mentioned the 11-man concept in Milan. And as he left Paris, it's still in play. D'Antoni said he wants to press and run so fiercely, he needs bodies. The skeptical view is no eight-man unit has stood out, and they are showcasing guys for a Carmelo Anthony trade.
"We can play a lot of guys," D'Antoni said. "We're going to have to press, run and use more guys this year because they can obviously play."
*
The 15 available bodies played Wednesday. But Knicks team president Donnie Walsh said injured Eddy Curry is not fighting for a spot. Curry will rejoin the team tomorrow when the Knicks resume practice, out likely another month with a strained hamstring.
Walsh won't say it, but his expiring contract makes him too valuable as a trade pawn to release him. If he's not traded by February's deadline, he's expected to be released, barring a miracle turnaround.
*
Walsh met with Chris Mullin during the trip. Mullin made the journey representing the NBA, and once again, Walsh said he would like to hire him if he could.
"I talked to him," Walsh said. "I love Chris Mullin, but I don't have a position. I want him, love him, like him."
*
As reported, the Knicks were called in for a meeting before going to Eiffel Tower for a team picture and several players said they were told perpetrators making threats against the Paris landmark were in custody.
Apparently the Knicks were deceived. Multiple agencies have said the arrests in south France were unrelated and commissioner David Stern said the security watch never abated.
"We're very concerned about security and we have taken all steps that we think are necessary and prudent to assure the safety of the traveling parties that we have here in Europe," Stern said. "But we did not go into lockdown mode. In other words, we let them enjoy the cities under our watchful eyes."
Stern also said the Knicks likely will return to Milan because of the favorable response, perhaps as early as next season.
http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/sports/knicks/antoni_takes_look_at_man_rotation_1HDyTb4lzPpTUTKm xnZyML
By MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 12:46 PM, October 8, 2010
Posted: 12:56 AM, October 8, 2010
Read more: http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/sports/knicks/antoni_takes_look_at_man_rotation_1HDyTb4lzPpTUTKm xnZyML#ixzz11oVa8pi6
PARIS -- The Knicks flew back home from Paris yesterday with a wonderful team picture by Eiffel Tower, and with coach Mike D'Antoni having visions of playing most of his players this season.
One of the revelations of the Euro-trip came when D'Antoni said he's eyeing an 11-man rotation. This from a coach who stubbornly stuck with seven men in Phoenix and mostly an eight-man unit in New York.
In Wednesday's 106-100 loss at the Bercy to the Timberwolves, the bright spots were second-round rookies, forward Landry Fields (5 of 9, 13 points in 16:19) and point guard Andy Rautins (2 of 3 on 3-pointers, six points, 11:43). They actually might play this season.
"You can't play harder than that," D'Antoni said of the duo.
D'Antoni first mentioned the 11-man concept in Milan. And as he left Paris, it's still in play. D'Antoni said he wants to press and run so fiercely, he needs bodies. The skeptical view is no eight-man unit has stood out, and they are showcasing guys for a Carmelo Anthony trade.
"We can play a lot of guys," D'Antoni said. "We're going to have to press, run and use more guys this year because they can obviously play."
*
The 15 available bodies played Wednesday. But Knicks team president Donnie Walsh said injured Eddy Curry is not fighting for a spot. Curry will rejoin the team tomorrow when the Knicks resume practice, out likely another month with a strained hamstring.
Walsh won't say it, but his expiring contract makes him too valuable as a trade pawn to release him. If he's not traded by February's deadline, he's expected to be released, barring a miracle turnaround.
*
Walsh met with Chris Mullin during the trip. Mullin made the journey representing the NBA, and once again, Walsh said he would like to hire him if he could.
"I talked to him," Walsh said. "I love Chris Mullin, but I don't have a position. I want him, love him, like him."
*
As reported, the Knicks were called in for a meeting before going to Eiffel Tower for a team picture and several players said they were told perpetrators making threats against the Paris landmark were in custody.
Apparently the Knicks were deceived. Multiple agencies have said the arrests in south France were unrelated and commissioner David Stern said the security watch never abated.
"We're very concerned about security and we have taken all steps that we think are necessary and prudent to assure the safety of the traveling parties that we have here in Europe," Stern said. "But we did not go into lockdown mode. In other words, we let them enjoy the cities under our watchful eyes."
Stern also said the Knicks likely will return to Milan because of the favorable response, perhaps as early as next season.
http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/sports/knicks/antoni_takes_look_at_man_rotation_1HDyTb4lzPpTUTKm xnZyML