Schenscher, Bynum Visit Knicks
The reason behind Big Luke’s “superior snoozer” status is another characteristic he has in common with Bogut (who is said to be the best-passing big man the game has seen since Bill Walton). “I know how to create for others in the paint,” Schenscher says while relaxing after his Knicks workout at the team’s Madison Square Garden Training Center on Thursday. “I understand the nuances of winning basketball. I have a good feeling for making the right pass.”
Not something you see from too many big men these days. But Schenscher, who played Australian Rules football while growing up and did not pick up a basketball until age 14, came to his skills the hard way. “Not only is Luke a great kid with a real engaging personality,” says Georgia Tech Assistant Coach Pete Zaharis. “But his work ethic is second to none. He’s gained 40-50 pounds of muscle over the last four years and experts say he’ll gain more. And standing a serious 7-foot-plus, he is a legitimate post-man with great footwork and a wide variety of skills. That makes him a real rarity -- and that should give him a great chance to make it in the NBA.”
Schenscher’s learning curve has indeed been nothing short of stunning. During the 2004 Final Four match-up against Oklahoma State the TV announcers kept on tagging the Big Guy as a weakness in the Tech lineup State should exploit. Schenscher responded by thoroughly dominating -- then followed up with another delicious double double in the Finals against No. 2 NBA draft-choice (and current NBA Rookie of the Year) Emeka Okafor. “All of a sudden, it all just came together for me,” smiles Schenscher. And at the right time, too.
Of course, Schenscher would have never gotten his chance to explode into the Final Four spotlight if it wasn’t for sixth man Will Bynum’s THREE game-winning shots -- with nary any time on the clock, no less -- throughout the tourney. “Kid’s got ice in his veins,” Zaharis says of Bynum.
Georgia Tech guard Will Bynum.
MSG Photos |
Indeed, the 6-foot Bynum has all the stocky aggressiveness, ice-cool court demeanor, and never-ending variety of shots Johnson used to flash. “He’s fearless,” says Zaharis. “And he can create a good shot for himself a zillion different ways. But you know what is the best thing about Will? He knew that at his size he had to be a great defensive player as well in order to make it to the NBA. So he spent his entire senior season becoming just that.”
“Actually, Isiah was always my favorite player, the person I’ve patterned myself after,” says Bynum. “I come from the same tough area and, as a kid, I’ve gone through many of the things he talks about. That’s why I had some butterflies at the beginning of the workout. Playing in front of Isiah and Mark Aguirre…I mean, growing up, those are the two guys I really looked up to.”
Tech’s trip to the Finals did wonders for both players. “I know how to better deal with pressure situations,” says Bynum. “In fact, I no longer feel pressure. Hey, this is basketball. Pressure is when you have three kids and no job.”
Schenscher’s sister has a job -- as a nanny, in New York City. “That’s just one of the reasons I’d love to play for the Knicks,” he smiles. “Playing in New York, it would be huge. You tell people in Australia you’re playing at Madison Square Garden and they get all excited, they know all about the place. And, mind you, these are people who have never been to a basketball game in their lives.”
