Chris Copeland wasn’t around for last season’s NBA playoffs. Not with the Knicks, not in the NBA, not in the country.
“I was still overseas,” Copeland said yesterday. “We had our own playoff over there. I watched a little bit of [the NBA playoffs] and got back.”
After playing in Belgium the past two seasons, Copeland broke through with the Knicks this season, and this afternoon the 6-foot-8, 225-pounder will likely be alongside Carmelo Anthony and Co. for the opening tip of Game 1 of the first round against the Celtics at the Garden. The stunning journey of the 29-year-old rookie from Orange, N.J., has carried him from Belgium to the Las Vegas summer league to the Knicks’ 15th man to a rotation contributor to a probable postseason starter.
“I’ve been watching the NBA playoffs since I can remember,” Copeland said. “It’s a dream come true at the end of the day.”
With Pablo Prigioni not expected to play today because of a sprained ankle, starting Copeland at the 3-spot allows Carmelo Anthony to remain at power forward. Copeland likely would guard Celtics forward Brandon Bass.
Though defense is not Copeland’s strength, he has impressive scoring numbers. This season, he averaged 8.7 points in 15.4 minutes over 56 games (13 starts). In the last seven games, Copeland poured in 20.1 points in 32.3 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range. With Anthony resting for the final two games, Copeland racked up 32 points versus Charlotte and 33 against Atlanta. Yesterday he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
On the veteran Knicks, Copeland is the lone player with no postseason experience who is likely to see time today. He insists he is not nervous.
“It’s exciting,” he said of possibly starting. “Want to go out there and make them look good for making that decision.”
Copeland made the Knicks roster mainly on the strength of how he fared in two preseason games against the Celtics, averaging 27.5 points. He played three games against Boston during the regular season, averaging 7.7 points on 43 percent shooting in 12 minutes.
In the Knicks’ final regular-season game on Wednesday, Copeland’s left shoulder popped out, though he returned to the game. He said physically he will “be cool by game time,” set to complete the yearlong journey from Belgium to starting Game 1 of the playoffs at the Garden.