Nichols Focused on Bright NBA Future

Demetris Nichols knows all about the stacked depth chart, and the number of veterans the Knicks have under contract, and the odds that work against players picked deep in the second round of the Draft.

And it doesn't deter him in the least.

"I know that (the roster is crowded). I'm going to do what I can do best. It's not up to me to make that decision," said Nichols on Tuesday, after helping lead the Knicks to their second straight victory at the NBA Summer League, presented by adidas. "All I can do is play hard, play smart and try to be a good teammate. It's up to the coaches to make that decision, but I think I have a good start. I think I'm doing pretty well for myself."

He's not alone in that belief. Nichols, the 6-foot-8, 22-year old Syracuse product, has been one of the Knicks' early Summer League standouts. He made his pro debut on Monday with 13 points in the Knicks' victory over Seattle, then followed it up with a game-high 14 points in Tuesday's win over Team China. Over the first two Summer League games, he's shooting 10-for-19 (.526), including 4-for-10 from three-point range.

Knicks president, basketball operations/head coach Isiah Thomas went out of his way following Tuesday's win to compliment Nichols' play (especially his shooting), adding that the second-rounder has a chance to make the roster and is definitely in the club's future plans.

Before the Knicks had even embarked for Las Vegas, assistant coach Dave Hanners characterized the New England native as "a very mature, focused kid. … He wants to learn, wants to improve, does everything you tell him to do."

Nichols, who led the Big East with a career-high 18.9 points per game as a senior at Syracuse, was -- without a doubt -- the least heralded of the Knicks' Draft Night acquisitions. A few hours after New York had acquired Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones from Portland and drafted DePaul's Wilson Chandler in the first round, they made another late-night deal to acquire the draft rights to Nichols, whom the Blazers had tabbed with the 53rd overall pick in the Draft.

Nichols' Draft Night dropdown was a major topic that June night.

"I was very surprised, but I think it happened for a reason," said Nichols, who averaged 10.9 points and shot 36 percent from three-point range in four years at Syracuse. "I think I belong in New York, so that's why they got me. I'm not really concerned about that, because there have been some great guys who got picked in the second round, who surprised a lot of people. I should be one of those guys in a couple of more years."

As his professional life dawns, he already as a formula for that kind of success.

"It all starts on defense and that's what I try to do," says Nichols. "Once I get a stop I think it kind of carries over to my offense."

That kind of attitude has already made him one of the success stories of the Knicks' Summer League squad.

"We're all cool with each other," he says. "We all play well with each other. We all joke around and kid around in practice and stuff like that, so I feel like each and every day we're getting closer and closer. That is always a positive thing. And we're winning, so that's a real positive."

And if any doubts or weaknesses still linger, that's for others to contend with. . .and perhaps pay a price later on.

"I'm not really concerned about that," says Nichols. "I have a great opportunity of making the New York Knicks and I'm going to make the best out of it. I've been playing well and I'm not really worried about that. I know that I'm going to prove a lot of people wrong, (the) guys who didn't pick me. I can't wait for the opportunity."

STATUS REPORT: Thomas met with reporters following Tuesday's game against Team China and touched on a number of subjects. Thomas related that he has no plans to sign a veteran free agent at present, and that while he did have discussions with free agent guard Steve Blake (who played last season for Denver), he did not think a signing would be likely.

Thomas also said that he was not surprised by Ron Artest's comments, in which the 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year stressed his desire to remain with the Sacramento Kings. While he said the Knicks remain active in the trade market, Thomas also related that he wasn‘t confident that he could make a trade, and that he didn't expect to do anything major at this time. The Knicks' headmaster also commented that he likes the way the team has performed thus far at Summer League.

TUESDAY'S GAME: Capitalizing on their speed and inside game, the Knicks improved to 2-0 in Summer League play with a convincing 88-65 victory over Team China on Tuesday at Cox Pavilion. Besides Nichols' game-high 14 points, the Knicks got double-figure scoring efforts from Nate Robinson (11), Randolph Morris (10) and Renaldo Balkman (10).

New York outscored China 38-10 in the paint, and shut out China 13-0 on the fast break in building as much as a 25-point lead.

Wang Zhizhi led Team China with 14 points, including a three-point bomb for which he directed a double-fist-to-the-head salute to its originator (and former Clipper teammate) Quentin Richardson, a courtside spectator. Team China was held to .420 shooting (21-50 FGA), as the Knicks shut out NBA draftees Yi Jianlian of Milwaukee (0-6 FGA, three pts) and Sun Yue of the Lakers (0-4 FGA, two pts) from the field.

FAMILIAR FACES: In addition to Richardson, Malik Rose -- a guest at the recent Tony Parker-Eva Longoria wedding in France -- was also on hand at Tuesday's game. Q-Rich, David Lee and newly-acquired Fred Jones attended Monday's win over Seattle.

NEXT UP: Following a day off on Wednesday, the Knicks are back in action on Thursday, when they meet the Sacramento Kings at Cox Pavilion. Game time is 10 p.m. ET, and the game will be shown live on MSG Network with Gus Johnson and Walt Frazier.