Knicks Sense Positive Change in the Air with D’Antoni in Charge

A busy offseason has ended, and the New York Knicks are ready to run as they begin their first training camp under Head Coach Mike D'Antoni this morning in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

While their roster remains pretty much the same from last season, the Knicks are entering the 2008-09 campaign with the up-tempo offense that D'Antoni used to help his former team become one of the highest-scoring squads in the NBA over the past four seasons.

"I think we can do what we did in Phoenix -- that same style but with different players," said D'Antoni, whose Suns averaged 58 wins since 2004-05.

D'Antoni's offensive system, which usually results in a shot in eight seconds or less, often leaves the opposition exhausted but can also wear out his own players. However, everyone from the established vets to the rookies has spent the summer preparing for the fast-paced game, and all of the Knicks are excited to be part of something new in New York.

Stephon Marbury, who was limited to just 24 games last season, claims to be in the best shape of his life as he enters camp under 200 pounds for the first time since high school.

"I knew what D'Antoni wanted," said Marbury. "I knew his style. I knew he's big on body weight and how heavy you are. In order to play this up-and-down style you have to be in shape, you have to be ready.

"It's not going to be grinding it out, throwing the ball in the post. It's going to be up and down, so physically I had to come into camp in shape."

D'Antoni's offense will allow every player on the court to touch the ball more and will prevent players from standing around and watching the play develop. It will also keep the younger players from thinking too much on the floor.

"The thing about the system is it gives you confidence because it doesn't let you think about your mistakes," said veteran guard Allan Houston, "so that's why a lot of these guys will hopefully be able to thrive."

One player who is expected to shine under D'Antoni is David Lee. The 6-foot-9 forward is often undersized in the four and five spots -- despite averaging 8.9 rebounds off the bench last season -- but he believes he can become a player similar to All-Stars Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, who both excelled outside of their natural positions under D'Antoni.

"Did they play the four or five? Before they got Shaq you never knew that Amare was a four," Lee said.

Lee spent the summer working out at the Knicks' practice facility and has extended his shooting range to around 17 feet in order to better fit the offense.

"David's jump shot has improved a lot," said Houston, one of the best long-range shooters in Knicks history. "He has more consistency and confidence in his jumper, so you'll see him pull the trigger a lot quicker this year -- I'm going to make him if he doesn't."

Shooting guard Jamal Crawford, who led the team in scoring last season, dreamed about playing D'Antoni-style ball and hasn't looked forward for a season this much since he entered training camp with the Bulls as a rookie in 2000.

"I can't stop smiling," Crawford said. "I always said that if I went to Phoenix I thought I'd be able to do some pretty special things. I guess in a way Phoenix came to me."

Marbury and Quentin Richardson are the only players on the Knicks' roster who have played for D'Antoni in the past. Richardson, who averaged 14.9 points with the Suns during the 2004-05 season, noted how the offense will instantly help each player succeed.

"If we all share the ball, then we'll have a chance to be good," Richardson said. "If everybody touches the ball and is a part of the play, then everybody will feel good about themselves."