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Share on FacebookKnicks Look to Young Studs to Help Get on Track vs. Cavs
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Wilson Chandler will be one of many Knicks going up against reigning MVP LeBron James.
The Knicks’ future is still looking bright despite getting off to a slow start this season.
Danilo Gallinari ranks first in the league with 20 three-pointers made, Wilson Chandler has shown that he can shine as a power forward and rookie Toney Douglas has displayed outstanding perimeter defense in his limited time off the bench. The three players, along with lottery pick Jordan Hill, figure to serve as the franchise’s cornerstones for years to come.
When LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Garden on Friday night, the Knicks young guns have an opportunity to further showcase their talents against the league’s MVP and one of the greatest big men to ever play the game.
Gallinari and Chandler will once again be in the starting frontcourt as the Knicks look to bounce back from a 101-89 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday. Douglas will likely continue to come off the bench midway through the first half as part of D’Antoni’s nine-man rotation.
In only 33 regular-season games, Gallinari has already become one of the league’s top shooters. The second-year forward out of Italy is averaging 17.6 points and shooting 20-for-47 from long range through five games this season.
“He’s becoming what we envisioned,” D’Antoni said.
Chandler is also playing the way D’Antoni envisioned him to when he became head coach prior to last season. The only difference from last season is that Chandler no longer plays on the wing after being moved to the four spot earlier this week, where he looks better on defense and more comfortable on offense.
Chandler is posting 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season. He has also blocked a shot in each of the Knicks’ five games.
“We use his speed to exploit some mismatches,” D’Antoni said. “He’s one of our best post players so there’s really no reason not to (start Chandler at power forward). He’s more comfortable there.”
Douglas’ adjustment to a new position hasn’t gone quite as smoothly, but he’s finding ways to continue getting himself into the game. Viewed as more of a scoring guard in college, Douglas has been asked to play backup point guard. His offense isn’t quite where it needs to be just yet, but his defensive intensity has impressed his coach.
“I think he’ll continue to play well,” D’Antoni said. “If he can continue to improve his shot and his shot selection, I think he’ll get more minutes.”
Fellow rookie Hill is also looking to get more minutes, but he has been unable to earn a spot in the Knicks’ rotation. Hill, drafted eighth overall last June, is currently sixth on the Knicks’ frontcourt depth chart, according to D’Antoni.
“If (I played him), I’d have to put on the bench David (Lee) or Darko (Milicic) or Al (Harrington) or Will (Chandler) or Jared (Jeffries),” D’Antoni said. “He’s not above those guys. I like him and I think his potential is there, but he has not convinced me he’s better than those five guys right now.”
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Danilo Gallinari ranks first in the league with 20 three-pointers made, Wilson Chandler has shown that he can shine as a power forward and rookie Toney Douglas has displayed outstanding perimeter defense in his limited time off the bench. The three players, along with lottery pick Jordan Hill, figure to serve as the franchise’s cornerstones for years to come.
When LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Garden on Friday night, the Knicks young guns have an opportunity to further showcase their talents against the league’s MVP and one of the greatest big men to ever play the game.
Gallinari and Chandler will once again be in the starting frontcourt as the Knicks look to bounce back from a 101-89 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday. Douglas will likely continue to come off the bench midway through the first half as part of D’Antoni’s nine-man rotation.
In only 33 regular-season games, Gallinari has already become one of the league’s top shooters. The second-year forward out of Italy is averaging 17.6 points and shooting 20-for-47 from long range through five games this season.
“He’s becoming what we envisioned,” D’Antoni said.
Chandler is also playing the way D’Antoni envisioned him to when he became head coach prior to last season. The only difference from last season is that Chandler no longer plays on the wing after being moved to the four spot earlier this week, where he looks better on defense and more comfortable on offense.
Chandler is posting 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season. He has also blocked a shot in each of the Knicks’ five games.
“We use his speed to exploit some mismatches,” D’Antoni said. “He’s one of our best post players so there’s really no reason not to (start Chandler at power forward). He’s more comfortable there.”
Douglas’ adjustment to a new position hasn’t gone quite as smoothly, but he’s finding ways to continue getting himself into the game. Viewed as more of a scoring guard in college, Douglas has been asked to play backup point guard. His offense isn’t quite where it needs to be just yet, but his defensive intensity has impressed his coach.
“I think he’ll continue to play well,” D’Antoni said. “If he can continue to improve his shot and his shot selection, I think he’ll get more minutes.”
Fellow rookie Hill is also looking to get more minutes, but he has been unable to earn a spot in the Knicks’ rotation. Hill, drafted eighth overall last June, is currently sixth on the Knicks’ frontcourt depth chart, according to D’Antoni.
“If (I played him), I’d have to put on the bench David (Lee) or Darko (Milicic) or Al (Harrington) or Will (Chandler) or Jared (Jeffries),” D’Antoni said. “He’s not above those guys. I like him and I think his potential is there, but he has not convinced me he’s better than those five guys right now.”
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