Knicks Welcome New Faces to Familiar Places

Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas addressed the media for the first time since President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh pulled the trigger on the blockbuster trades on Friday and expressed their excitement in both playing for the Knicks and for Head Coach Mike D’Antoni.

“We have a great coach in D’Antoni. He’s all about winning,” said shooting guard Mobley. “We have a nice little nucleus and I think we are going to make a run for it.”

While the trio may not have had a chance to get settled since landing in their new home, all three are not unfamiliar with New York and the surrounding area.

Mobley learned the game of basketball in Philadelphia, and Harrington and Thomas were standout high school players in New Jersey.

“I have to be honest with you, from April 18 when I first told (Golden State Warriors General Manager Chris) Mullen that I wanted to be traded, this was the place I wanted to come,” said Harrington. “This is a dream come true. I wasn’t really focusing on any other team. This is the place I wanted to be.”



Harrington’s association with the Knicks franchise extends beyond just growing up across the Hudson River from the Garden. The 6-9, 250-pound forward was the 25th overall section in the 1998 NBA Draft by then Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh.

“I drafted Al back in 1998 and I think his talents are a great fit for our style of play,” said Walsh. “To acquire a player of Al’s caliber, we had to give up someone we all really liked in Jamal (Crawford).”

Thomas has a more direct connection to New York and his new boss. From 2004 to 2005, the former Villanova star averaged 12.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 95 games for the Knicks.

“It’s a fun atmosphere,” said Thomas of New York. “”I’ve played under Mike (D’Antoni) before. He allows you to go out there and play your game, and to play to your strengths.”

D’Antoni was the head coach for the Suns during Thomas’ brief tenure in Phoenix. Thomas thrived in D’Antoni’s system and had one of his better statistical seasons in 2005-06 when he averaged 11.0 points per game and grab nearly five rebounds a contest.

“Tim enjoyed a lot of success in our system a few years ago in Phoenix when he was a key part of a run to the Western Conference Finals,” said D’Antoni.

Despite the 2008-09 season being 13 games old, D’Antoni doesn’t expect his new players to need much time to get acclimated to his system or their new teammates.

“They are veteran guys and their tendencies are toward how we play,” said the Knicks head coach. “I’m excited about Cuttino at the two (shooting guard position). He defends well and can shoot.

“Al Harrington has played in Golden State for the past two years, which is how we want to play. And Tim Thomas I had in Phoenix so I don’t think it will be a hard transition.”

Harrington, Mobley and Thomas will make their Knicks debut Tuesday night against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.

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