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Jonah Ballow

Lou Amundson’s nine years in the NBA resembles the Indiana Jones travel scene with red lines designating stops all over the country including 10 different cities in that timespan.  Nearly each summer during his professional career, Amundson was left wondering where he would find a home – most likely a temporary place of employment before seeking his next destination. 

This past season, the 32-year old became the 12th person in NBA history to play for 10 different teams.  While it’s a dream to play professional basketball, the inability to settle in one location for an extended period of time can hinder a career and limit any attempt at a social life.  However, with an expected return to the Knicks for the 2015-16 season, Amundson can breathe a sigh of relief.

“It’s huge for me,” Amundson reacted at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas during New York’s Summer League game.  “I’ve not had that.  I’ve only had that one time in my career.  To be in that situation, you have to prove yourself over and over again and still you are behind the 8-ball because you have a coach and coaching staff that doesn’t know you on a personal level, hasn’t seen you play every day like somebody would if you were coming back.”

When Amundson was traded to the Knicks in January, the golden opportunity was presented with playing time and the desire for the coaching staff to find a professional basketball player that exuded leadership on and off the floor.  Amundson responded as the quintessential “dirty work” type of big man with an extreme work ethic and understanding of the Triangle Offense.  Despite the front office signing new free agents to re-shape the roster, Amundson’s New York experience is a necessity for all parties.

“I haven’t played with any team longer than one year except for Phoenix, so I think it’s really important for me but I just think in general it’s important to go back to a team you are familiar with and a coach that knows your game, a front office that trusts you and is not afraid to put you in the game.  That’s really important for me at this point to have a coach that has some confidence in me,” Amundson explained.

In the midst of signing autographs at his alma mater at UNLV, Amundson discussed his time playing next to some of the new members of the orange and blue.  He played with Robin Lopez in Phoenix and New Orleans and Derrick Williams in the Twin Cities.  The Knicks 2015 first round draft picks, Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant also impressed the 6-9 forward/center.  Amundson can visualize an expansion to the offensive and defensive sets with the mix of the new and old blood.

“We definitely have the young guys – the personnel to really execute on that,” he confirmed.  “Again, I think it’s going to depend on how guys buy in and all that.  But, I think the potential is there for sure and I think it’s good to have some guys that are coming back.  Lance [Thomas], I was really happy to see him come back.  Just to have that understanding of the offense, have that work ethic and that intensity that you need to bring to really create that culture.”

Amundson can now unpack his bags, boxes, find a confortable spot to call home and play with a free mind knowing the long, winding road has led to a spot back in NYC.

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Amundson’s Long and Winding Road Leads to a Home in NYC

NEW YORK, July 10, 2015 – NEW YORK, July 10, 2015 – New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has re-signed forward Lance Thomas to a contract. Terms were not disclosed.  Thomas, 6-8, 225-pounds, was acquired this past season as part of a three-way deal with Cleveland and Oklahoma City on Jan. 5, 2015 and signed his first 10-day contract with New York on Jan. 10, 2015. The Brooklyn, NY-native averaged 8.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 40 games for the Knicks this past season. The four-year NBA professional holds career averages of 2.6 points and 4.5 rebounds over 168 games. New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has re-signed forward Lance Thomas to a contract. Terms were not disclosed.  Thomas, 6-8, 225-pounds, was acquired this past season as part of a three-way deal with Cleveland and Oklahoma City on Jan. 5, 2015 and signed his first 10-day contract with New York on Jan. 10, 2015. The Brooklyn, NY-native averaged 8.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 40 games for the Knicks this past season. The four-year NBA professional holds career averages of 2.6 points and 4.5 rebounds over 168 games.

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Knicks Re-Sign Lance Thomas

NEW YORK, July 9, 2015 -– New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed guard Arron Afflalo, center Robin Lopez and forward Derrick Williams and acquired forward/center Kyle O’Quinn via sign-and-trade from Orlando. Terms of the deals are not disclosed.

“We are fortunate to add these four new players to our roster that has brought the team both veteran talent and leadership and youth,” Jackson said. “These men, in addition to our rookies from the NBA Draft, will make for a very competitive team this coming year. We are looking forward to the season as we welcome these young men to the New York Knicks 2015-16 roster.” 

“We addressed our primary needs this offseason by adding size and versatility – players who complement each other and those that are returning from last year’s roster,” Knicks General Manager Steve Mills said. “We are all looking forward for these new players to mesh together to form our team.”        

Afflalo, 6-5, 215-pounds, averaged 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 32.1 minutes in 78 games (72 starts) for Portland and Denver last season. Holding career averages of 11.4 points, on 45.3-percent shooting, including 38.5-percent from three-point range, in 577 games over eight seasons with Detroit, Denver, Orlando and Portland, he finished in the Top 10 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage three times (most recently sixth in 2013-14). The Los Angeles, CA-native was originally selected by Detroit with the 27th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft following three seasons at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Lopez, 7-0, 255-pounds, averaged 9.6 points, on 53.5-percent shooting, 6.7 rebounds and 1.42 blocks over 27.8 minutes in 59 games (all starts) for Portland last season. Holding career averages of 8.2 points, on 53.2-percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 1.18 blocks over 21.2 minutes in 465 games over seven seasons with Phoenix, New Orleans and Portland, he set the Trail Blazers’ single-season franchise record 326 offensive rebounds during 2013-14. The Fresno, CA-native was originally selected by Phoenix with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at Stanford University.

Williams, 6-8, 241-pounds, averaged 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds over 19.8 minutes in 74 games (six starts) for Sacramento last season. He holds career averages of 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 22.4 minutes in 296 games (92 starts) over four seasons with Minnesota and Sacramento. The Bellflower, CA-native was originally selected by Minnesota with the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft following two seasons at the University of Arizona and was an NBA All-Rookie second-team selection in 2011-12.

O’Quinn, 6-10, 240-pounds, was acquired, via sign-and-trade, from Orlando for the right to exchange 2019 second-round draft selections and cash considerations. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds over 16.2 minutes in 51 games (17 starts) during his third season for the Magic in 2014-15. The Queens, NY-native was originally selected by Orlando in the second round (49th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft following four seasons at Norfolk State University. He played his high school basketball at Humanities &amp; Arts Magnet HS in Queens, NY.

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Amundson’s Long and Winding Road Leads to a Home in NYC

Knicks Re-Sign Lance Thomas

Knicks Acquire Four Free Agents: Afflalo, R. Lopez, Williams, O'Quinn