The Knicks are in the market for point guard help. Isaiah Canaan of Murray State thinks he can fill the need. The Knicks like shooters, especially shooters from deep. Canaan feels he can supply that as well. With Carmelo Anthony terrorizing opponents, the Knicks favor guys whose passing can complement the All-Star’s ability. Canaan believes he can do that, too.
One thing the powerful 6-foot guard who worked out for the Knicks yesterday does not lack, in any regard, is confidence.
“I’m very confident. I’m a competitor,” said Canaan, a scoring point who averaged 22.4 points, 4.3 assists and shot .371 on 3-pointers as a senior. “I’m going to do what the coach asks me first. If I have to earn respect, I’m going to go out there and prove I belong in the NBA. I’m not going to back down.
“Aspects of my game that really separate me [are] that I can shoot pretty good, create off the dribble and find the open man.”
With Jason Kidd’s Monday retirement, the Knicks have a point guard “Help Wanted” sign hanging. Canaan is projected as a high-to-mid second round pick, although he — confidently, of course — projects himself in the first round. The Knicks pick 24.
“He’s pretty good,” said an opposing executive. “He’s can shoot. He’s a combo guard, more of a point. And he’s strong.”
All stuff Canaan probably could have told you. And Canaan, who has drawn comparisons to Blazers Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard (Weber State) because of the small school background, is fully aware the Knicks need a backup to Raymond Felton. So he welcomed the workout yesterday.
“When Jason Kidd hung up his shoes, it’s a great opportunity for me personally to showcase that I can come in and play,” said Canaan, who will audition for the Nets next week. “It’s a great opportunity for me to come in and know that they need a guard. It motivated me to go out and do well.”
As for comparisons to Lillard, Canaan just will accept being Isaiah Canaan.
“I’m my own person. I hear it all — Jameer Nelson, Damian Lillard,” said Canaan, who said he became friendly with Chris Paul at a camp last summer. “Me and Chris Paul are real close. That’s who I really try to emulate my game after. … I’m friends with [Lillard] as well. I saw what he did. He came from a small school like myself. He really gave an opportunity for guys like me.”
* The Knicks worked out guards Canaan and Brandon Triche of Syracuse; centers 7-foot A.J. Matthews of Division III Farmingdale St. and Norvel Pelle (no college); 6-foot-7 forwards Deshaun Thomas of Ohio St. and Murphy Holloway of Mississippi. … Matthews, from Brooklyn, is an active shot-blocker who had committed to Fairleigh Dickinson but was stopped academically. “I’m athletic. I can run the floor a lot for a big man,” he said. … Knicks workouts, closed to media, continue today with six hopefuls led by North Carolina wing Reggie Bullock.