D'Antoni, Walsh Can't Hide Excitement Over 2010-11 Campaign
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Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni is all smiles heading into the 2010-11 season.
There was a clear sense of excitement in the voices of Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni and team President Donnie Walsh as they addressed the media Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the start of the 2010-11 season.
After a summer highlighted by the signing of five-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks added nine additional newcomers to a roster that is poised to have a breakout season.
“We have a lot of very athletic, talented, young, and enthusiastic basketball players that all want to be here and be a team,” explained D’Antoni. “So as a coaching staff, we’re very excited about getting started.”
With a team that averages a mere 24.6 years of age, the term “potential” isn’t being thrown around loosely at MSG Training Center. The young group of players has already shown the type of work ethic it takes to become a winning squad.
“A lot of these guys came early,” stated Walsh. “They seem committed to becoming a team. They’re professional. They work hard. So I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far. “
While many players have shown up early for camp, Walsh has been especially impressed with the leadership qualities that Stoudemire has shown thus far. As one of the older and more experienced players on the Knicks roster, he has been a leader by example for the younger players on the team.
“I’ve been really impressed on how hard he works. If he works that hard, that’s leadership, because the other guys will take notice of that and they’ll work hard.”
The Knicks are also excited about the prospects of the rest of the roster, especially when it comes to length and athleticism. Anthony Randolph, a 6-11 forward who can guard any position on the court and handle the ball with the rhythm of a guard, is looking like a perfect fit for coach D’Antoni’s system.
“He’s got a lot of possibility. He just turned 21 and he’s working hard on his outside shot. He’s a little bit like Amar’e when he just got into the league,” explained D’Antoni, who coached Stoudemire during his tenure with Phoenix. “We always said if Amar’e could get his outside shot down he’d be unstoppable because of his speed and agility going to the basket. Anthony has the same type of game.”
Young Knick veterans Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Toney Douglas are also expected to progress in their development this season. With the acquisitions of guards Raymond Felton, Kelenna Azubuike and Roger Mason Jr., along with big men Ronny Turiaf and 7-1 Russian import Timofey Mozgov, D’Antoni believes the rotation can go as far as 10 or 11 players deep once games get started.
While the Knicks braintrust admitted there are a few question marks heading into the season, one thing that’s for certain is that the team will bring a great deal of excitement to The World’s Most Famous Arena this year.
“You’re talking about some of the best players in the world out there,” said D’Antoni with a smile. “There’s going to be some athletic plays seen at The Garden that we haven’t seen in a while.”
After a summer highlighted by the signing of five-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks added nine additional newcomers to a roster that is poised to have a breakout season.
“We have a lot of very athletic, talented, young, and enthusiastic basketball players that all want to be here and be a team,” explained D’Antoni. “So as a coaching staff, we’re very excited about getting started.”
With a team that averages a mere 24.6 years of age, the term “potential” isn’t being thrown around loosely at MSG Training Center. The young group of players has already shown the type of work ethic it takes to become a winning squad.
“A lot of these guys came early,” stated Walsh. “They seem committed to becoming a team. They’re professional. They work hard. So I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far. “
While many players have shown up early for camp, Walsh has been especially impressed with the leadership qualities that Stoudemire has shown thus far. As one of the older and more experienced players on the Knicks roster, he has been a leader by example for the younger players on the team.
“I’ve been really impressed on how hard he works. If he works that hard, that’s leadership, because the other guys will take notice of that and they’ll work hard.”
The Knicks are also excited about the prospects of the rest of the roster, especially when it comes to length and athleticism. Anthony Randolph, a 6-11 forward who can guard any position on the court and handle the ball with the rhythm of a guard, is looking like a perfect fit for coach D’Antoni’s system.
“He’s got a lot of possibility. He just turned 21 and he’s working hard on his outside shot. He’s a little bit like Amar’e when he just got into the league,” explained D’Antoni, who coached Stoudemire during his tenure with Phoenix. “We always said if Amar’e could get his outside shot down he’d be unstoppable because of his speed and agility going to the basket. Anthony has the same type of game.”
Young Knick veterans Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Toney Douglas are also expected to progress in their development this season. With the acquisitions of guards Raymond Felton, Kelenna Azubuike and Roger Mason Jr., along with big men Ronny Turiaf and 7-1 Russian import Timofey Mozgov, D’Antoni believes the rotation can go as far as 10 or 11 players deep once games get started.
While the Knicks braintrust admitted there are a few question marks heading into the season, one thing that’s for certain is that the team will bring a great deal of excitement to The World’s Most Famous Arena this year.
“You’re talking about some of the best players in the world out there,” said D’Antoni with a smile. “There’s going to be some athletic plays seen at The Garden that we haven’t seen in a while.”
