Tour’e Murry, the Knicks’ fluid point-guard star in the Las Vegas summer league, is acing training camp thus far after nearly taking the Heat’s training camp invite, he said.
With rookie small forward C.J. Leslie floundering and heading toward the cutting block, Murry has become a favorite to make the roster, with coach Mike Woodson making strong indications he’s earned his stripes.
Of course, there’s always the wild-card of J.R. Smith’s brother, point guard Chris Smith, who is being outplayed by Murry, but could be kept for political reasons. The Post reported Smith dumped his agent, Marc Cornstein, last spring for J.R.’s agent, Creative Artists Agency’s Leon Rose, as what some believe is a package deal.
Murry said he was close to joining the team and still could go there if the Knicks cut him.
“After the summer league, Miami showed interest,’’ said Murry, who played with Houston’s D-League team last season. “That was the main team I was looking at. The Knicks were the most comfortable, playing with the same players and coaches and I knew the system. Mike Woodson offered me the invite after second the game. I stuck with it.
“I understand the NBA is a business,’’ Murry added. “If it doesn’t work out, another team will take care of me.’’
Murry can play both guard positions, which isn’t a current need. But the Knicks prefer him not to head to Miami either. A source said the large number of scouts on hand in Baltimore for Thursday’s game against the Wizards were looking at Murry, in addition to a few others. The Heat had a scout in Baltimore.
“I liked him from summer,’’ Woodson said. “He’s a kid whose made the transition from 2 to the 1. He’s holding his own. I like the fact he defends and can pretty much get the ball where he needs to get it to make plays. You don’t find in that a lot in young players.“I think once he actually learns the league and what defensive concepts are about, he’s going to be a pretty good player.’’
Woodson said he doesn’t yet know what to make of Leslie, who figured to have a roster spot locked up as he’s guaranteed about $200,000 — a little less than half of the minimum contract. He was undrafted, but the Knicks thought him a first-round pick. But he has been the airball king of camp and did not play in Baltimore.
“He is a project,’’ Woodson said. “No doubt about that. Right now the game is somewhat quick for him. We’re trying to slow it down a little bit, spend more time with him in the class room.’’
Woodson also said he will give Leslie one more big look in Toronto on Monday.
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Earlier this week, Woodson said it was possible Amar’e Stoudemire would be cleared for contact this weekend but it still hasn’t happen.