Nobody was ready to make any promises, but all signs are pointing toward Marcus Camby making his season debut for the Knicks Friday night at the Garden against the Mavericks.
Camby has been out since the fourth day of training camp with a left calf strain, but the 38-year-old, 6-foot-11 veteran forward participated in a full practice yesterday and is very close to being ready to go.
“I thought overall, he was pretty active,” coach Mike Woodson said. “He got up and down the floor with all our drills. We’ll take it a day at a time and see where he is [today] and see where we are.”
Camby said he didn’t come out for a single substitution all day in what was a spirited practice after Woodson gave the team Tuesday off following a stretch of three games in four days. Getting him back into game shape is a concern of Woodson’s, but Camby is ready and eager.
“Of course I want to play,” Camby said. “I wanted to play in the Miami game [season opener on Nov. 2], but unfortunately I don’t make those decisions.”
The Knicks are 3-0 for the first time since 1999, and when Camby comes back he certainly will eat some minutes now belonging to new fan favorite Rasheed Wallace. In order to get a better hold on that position, Woodson said he wants to see Camby improve in his knowledge of the team’s defense scheme.
“He’s got to learn our coverages and get a little sharper there,” Woodson said. “He’ll learn it. He’s smart enough, he’ll pick things up. We’ll keep drilling and we’ll take it a day at a time.”
* Tyson Chandler said he isn’t too surprised his old team, the Mavericks, have gotten off to a good start despite missing their two big stars, Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki, both out with injury.
“Coach [Rick] Carlisle does a great job,” Chandler said of the team that is 4-1 after last night’s 109-104 win over the Raptors. “He’s got those guys fired up and playing well.’’They believe in their system, no matter who they throw out there. They have a decent amount of talent.”
* Considering the Knicks are the oldest team in the league, they are happy they have so much depth, especially in practice.
“It makes it very competitive,” Woodson said. “Some days the second group comes in here and has their way with the first group, and that’s good, that’s healthy for your team.”