Coach Mike Woodson deflected questions about whether it’s important that newcomer Andrea Bargnani get his Knick career off to a quick start. We’re about to find out if it is, because it took just two shots into the season opener for the Italian import to hear boos from the Garden crowd.
The Knicks beat Milwaukee 90-83, but Bargnani might have been the sole lowlight. He came off the bench and had just six points on 3-of-9 shooting with more turnovers (three) than rebounds (two), and his minus-11 in 17 ineffective minutes was the second worst on the team.
“Andrea had a tough start, but he picked it up. Eventually he’ll figure it out, and it’s my job to help him figure it out,’’ said Woodson, who plans to start Bargnani on Thursday against the Bulls in Chicago.
Asked whether that meant get Bargnani better chemistry with his teammates or a better grasp of the system, Woodson said both.
“It’s both, understanding what I want and [him] trying to find his niche in terms of what he’s capable of doing,” he said. “I understand the young man. I’ve just got to help him more. There’s not a whole lot he’s not doing. He’s trying to give effort. I’ve got to help him. It’s just the first game. We’ve got a long way to go. He’ll be fine.’’
Bargnani , who was hampered by injuries in his past two seasons in Toronto, has a long way to go. He debuted with a terrible first half, missing all four of his shots with two turnovers and two fouls. The crowd booed after just the first two misses, jeering after he clanked a short 8-foot attempt 32 seconds into the second quarter.
“This is New York, the Garden,’’ Tyson Chandler said. “It’s The Show. Once he gets beyond that, he’ll be fine.’’
New York moves fast, but Bargnani might have been jeered quicker than any Knick in recent memory, after just 4:34 on the court. Still, Bargnani said he wasn’t taken aback by the boos.
“No. I missed shots the first half,’’ Bargnani said with a shrug. “They were all good shots. I’ll keep taking them and keep working like I’m doing. Again, offense has never been a problem. It’s just a matter of getting back in the rhythm, and it’s going to come.
“I’m not concerned about the offense. It’s never been a problem. It’s a transition. If there’s an open shot I’m going to take it. I’m just out of rhythm right now. In the first half I was out of rhythm and I missed shot. But that happens. It’s a process. I’m not worried about that. Offense has never been a problem in 11 years as pro.’’
Bargnani started every preseason game and shot under 40 percent, so Woodson decided to put Carmelo Anthony — who struggled at small forward this preseason — back at power forward, where he won the scoring title last season. But he will start Bargnani against the bigger Bulls and said he will have to let the 7-footer play his way out of his funk.
“I’ve got to utilize him more. I’m going to play him a little bit more,’’ Woodson said. “He only played 17 minutes based on their lineup being small. But he’ll get his minutes, and he’ll be back to playing how he used to play. That’s where I want him. I’ve got to really push to help him get there.’’