PHILADELPHIA — Rookie Landry Fields has beaten long odds.
The only thing noteworthy in last night’s 118-91 Sixers’ victory over the depleted Knicks was Fields officially earning a rotation spot, Mike D’Antoni said after the game.
Fields, selected 39th in the second round and whom several teams did not view as “draftable,” has earned his way into the top nine or 10 after another gritty 15-point, 6-of-12, three-rebound, three-assist performance.
“It means he’s going to find some time,” D’Antoni said. “I’ve got to find some time for him. He’s played well. He’s made the case.”
With three starters out, Amar’e Stoudemire (resting), Danilo Gallinari (wrist) and Wilson Chandler (calf), the Knicks’ blowout loss was meaningless except for Fields’ showing.
“I heard that stuff [about possibly not being drafted] and you play with a chip on your shoulder,” said the speedy Landry.
Fields’ gain could be Anthony Randolph’s loss. Randolph was put into the starting lineup and shot 2 of 8. Randolph’s minutes could be slipping away, even if it’s not politically correct with the Knicks looking to include him in a Carmelo Anthony trade.
“I didn’t think he came out with any energy,” D’Antoni said. “He’s not that physically strong. I saw a weakness out there.”
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Gallinari not only has a Carmelo cloud over his head but a sprained wrist. Gallinari sprained his right wrist in the first half of the Knicks’ victory over the Nets Tuesday night and is likely done for preseason.
Gallinari missed last night and probably will rest it tomorrow in Montreal vs. the Raptors. Gallinari said he expected to be ready for the season opener next Wednesday in Toronto.
Gallinari said the wrist was sore after he braced his fall after tripping on a drive. He said he tried to loosen the wrist during warm-ups last night but could not. Gallinari said he’s also been bothered by a forearm ache that he experienced last season, too
Gallinari’s injury comes just as a new wave of reports suggest the Nuggets could be willing to do a deal with the Knicks. Gallinari would likely be involved, even if he goes to another team in a three-way deal.
“I don’t care about that,” Gallinari said. “I’m playing here. I’m not thinking about all that stuff. It doesn’t bother me.”