Knicks Beat Nuggets to Finish Summer League Undefeated

Nate Robinson was named the Most Outstanding Player of Summer League as the Knicks defeated the Denver Nuggets 116-108 to finish the week long session undefeated. They are only the sixth team in the history of Summer League to accomplish this feat.

They were led by Robinson, who did not have to play in Las Vegas but chose to in order to improve his game for the coming season. In Sunday’s contest against Denver, the diminutive point guard showed off his unique ability to put points up in bunches, leading the Knicks with 24 points on 6-for 12 shooting while going 3-for-6 from behind the three point arc. “Nate the Great” also finished the match with five rebounds and two assists.

While Robinson received the equivalent to MVP honors for Summer League, it is Demetris Nichols who has turned the most heads, and the former Syracuse star did not disappoint in his final performance before training camp. Nichols finished the game with 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting to go along with four boards and three assists. He recorded his 23 points in just 21 minutes of game time, and with his long-range accuracy is a legit threat to crack the rotation come the fall.

The Knicks other rookie, Wilson Chandler, also finished his first week as a Knick out with a bang. The explosive wing player recorded a double-double, dropping in 15 points with ten rebounds, including four offensive boards. He also recorded an assist to go along with three monster rejections.

Randolph Morris is another Knick who finished Summer League out by recording a double-double, his third of the week. He shot 4-for-5 from the field for 10 points, and registered 10 rebounds. Like Chandler, Morris hit the boards on the offensive end hard, bringing in 4 offensive rebounds to give his team numerous second chances. On the defensive front, the former Kentucky standout was a beast in the blocks, registering a pair of rejections to shut down the lane.

After missing portions of the opening half after being kneed, Renaldo Balkman pestered the Nuggets all night and was a key factor in the victory. The 2006 first-round draft choice scored nine points, along with seven boards, five assists, one steal and one rejection. Balkman is turning into an everyday player and as he continues to improve his offensive game, he has become one of the most unique small forwards in the NBA.

The key to the Knicks success this week was their all around team play. At no point did the players make this a one-on-one exhibition in order to prove their worth in the NBA, but instead made it about the Knicks coming together. As a result, they proved just how worthy each and every member of this year’s Summer League squad is of earning a roster spot for the upcoming season, giving Knicks fans reason to believe 2007-08 will be a very special season for New York.