LOS ANGELES — With the Knicks winning, Amar’e Stoudemire stamping himself as an MVP contender, Raymond Felton turning into an All-Star, Wilson Chandler rising and rookie Landry Fields emerging as the steal of the draft, losing Carmelo Anthony to the Nets will not be as devastating as if it had happened before the season.
Mike D’Antoni was asked last night before facing the Lakers if he was following the Anthony trade talks. The coach said “no,” then cracked up.
Of course he is. But D’Antoni feels he has a good team that he does not want to see ransacked in a trade.
“I’m happy right now,” D’Antoni said. “I’m really happy with this team. Then we’ll see what happens. That’s Donnie’s business. Donnie will do what he does. I love our guys.”
If the Nets pull off the blockbuster multi-team trade and Anthony accepts a contract extension, the Knicks are expected to change the focus of this offseason to restricted free agent 7-foot-1 center Marc Gasol. The younger brother of the Lakers’ Pau, Gasol is the type of burly big man the roster lacks and team president Donnie Walsh covets.
Stoudemire, once a proponent of Anthony’s arrival, has seemingly changed his tune. On Friday, he said, “We don’t need much” when referring to the club’s future success.
“I don’t know what that means,” D’Antoni said. “We got a good team, trying to get better. I’m sure Donnie will try to improve the team.”
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With Danilo Gallinari
missing his third straight game, D’Antoni started former 15th man Shawne Williams
in his spot and asked him to guard Pau Gasol
. The starting job could last until Gallinari gets back. “I knew anything was possible with Gallo being out,” Williams said. “I’m just happy to be starting.”
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Knicks legend Willie Naulls
, who lives in nearby Laguna Beach, met Stoudemire before the game. Stoudemire broke Naulls’ franchise record for consecutive 30-point games earlier this season.