Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni gave his most damning assessment of Kelenna Azubuike’s status last night, as the team’s worst fears are being realized that he might not be ready this season or ever play a game for the team.
“He’s not ready, physically,” D’Antoni said of Azubuike, who is recovering from left knee surgery. “If you watch the scrimmages, he doesn’t have the pop and it’s going to be a while before he gets it back. He can [play in] scrimmages, but he’s not strong enough or able to go sideways or able to have an NBA physical talent level. It’s just not there yet.”
Azubuike has been back scrimmaging for three weeks but his game is not back. According to D’Antoni, he no longer has the explosiveness that made him so dangerous as a Golden State shooting guard. There were organizational whispers before training camp Azubuike might never get back to where he once was following one of the worst knee operations for an NBA player, patella tendon surgery. Azubuike went under the knife one year and three weeks ago.Azubuike’s contract expires after the season, and if he doesn’t show progress, the Knicks could open up a roster spot by releasing him after February’s trade deadline. Azubuike is making $3.4 million this season.
When asked if Azubuike’s now healthy, D’Antoni said, “I’m healthy, but I don’t have any pop. He’s just not ready. He’s got to keep working on his strength. Hopefully he gets there sooner than later.”
The emergence of rookie Landry Fields as the starting shooting guard and flourishing of Shawne Williams has lessened the importance of Azubuike.
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A new report last night said the Nuggets are likely to trade Carmelo Anthony
by the Feb. 24 trading deadline, because they are convinced they have no shot at reeling him in as a free agent in July.
According to CBS Sports.com, Anthony is intent on becoming a free agent and signing with the Knicks in July and joining forces with Amar’e Stoudemire
, tempting the fate of a potential lockout.
The report said the Nuggets prefer to trade Anthony to the Nets, but Anthony would have to agree to a extend-and-trade. Denver still is not interested in the Knicks prospects of Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler
and Anthony Randolph
.
Anthony and the Nuggets will be at the Garden Sunday.
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During the Knicks’ 11-1 spree, 10 of the victories, including last night’s 113-110 victory over the Raptors, have come against teams below .500. The Knicks’ schedule becomes murderous starting Sunday vs. Denver that also will include a week capped by Miami’s Dream Team at the Garden in eight days.
But D’Antoni is not apologizing for the wins.
“It’s true, I can read the schedule, too,” D’Antoni said of the soft stretch. “I don’t think it’s a knock on our play. There’s a resiliency to this team.”
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Shawne Williams
took a step back, playing just 11 minutes and not scoring. He was replaced early in the fourth, as Danilo Gallinari
(20 points) was back in good graces. . . . Rookie Andy Rautins
received his first inactive last night with his father, ex-Knick Leo, doing the Toronto broadcast. The Knicks have considered Rautins for the D-League but likely won’t do it. . . . The Knicks are 3-0 vs. Raptors this season. . . . Allan Houston
, the newly named assistant GM, has been sitting in team president Donnie Walsh
‘s center-court seat during his rehab absence.