Both teams represent cities with “New” in their names, so perhaps it was fitting that the New Orleans Hornets and New York Knicks made sweeping roster changes during the 2012 NBA offseason. Basketball fans who followed these clubs during the abbreviated 2011-12 campaign might scarcely recognize these interconference foes now – they’ve added a combined 16 new players.
While starting 3-5, New Orleans has relied on a player rotation that included offseason pickups Anthony Davis (No. 1 pick in draft), Ryan Anderson (trade with Orlando), Robin Lopez (trade with Phoenix), Austin Rivers (No. 12 pick in draft), Roger Mason (free agent), Brian Roberts (free agent) and Darius Miller (No. 46 pick in draft).
Meanwhile, revamped New York began 2012-13 on a hot streak, now at 7-1 after knocking off defending NBA champion Miami, Dallas, Orlando, San Antonio, Indiana and Philadelphia (twice). Tuesday’s game in New Orleans marks the first stop of a three-game road trip that continues later this week in Dallas and Houston.
The Knicks’ contingent of nine new players is headed by starting guards Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton, as well as first-string forward Ronnie Brewer. The Big Apple bench includes grizzled veterans such as Rasheed Wallace, 38; Marcus Camby, 38; and Kurt Thomas, 40. The team’s depth was also strengthened with the additions of wing players James White and Chris Copeland, as well as point guard Pablo Prigioni, who is believed to be the NBA’s oldest-ever rookie, at age 35.
Intriguing matchup: Power forward, Anthony Davis vs. Carmelo Anthony
With New York’s Amar’e Stoudemire sidelined early in 2012-13 by injury, the Knicks have utilized a “small-ball” starting lineup, moving Anthony up to power forward (he’s more often played small forward during his 10-year NBA career). The Hornets are taking the opposite approach, with their super-sized frontline consisting of 6-foot-9 Aminu, 6-10 Davis and 7-foot Lopez. It’s uncertain how often Davis and Anthony will be matched up against each other one-on-one, but Davis and the Hornets’ interior defense will try to limit Anthony’s close-range scoring chances.
