He may be 28, but Chris Copeland is undoubtedly an NBA rookie. There are several clues. The ever-present pink backpack is a bit of a giveaway. So too is his participation in any “optional” practices.
“Nothing is optional for me. Rookies don’t have options,” Copeland said, laughing, when asked about maybe catching a break when the Knicks go to London this week.
Lose the backpack and those practice sessions and there was very little about Copeland that screamed “rookie” during yesterday’s 100-87 victory over the Hornets at the Garden.
Right off, Copeland started. Next, he contributed — in a big, big way. He was the second-leading scorer behind Carmelo Anthony, delivering 22 points — 11 of them in the first quarter when the Knicks averted disaster as New Orleans dropped 29 points on their noggins. Copeland threw in seven more points in the fourth quarter, five of them in the first 2:18 of the session when the Knicks pulled away.
“I don’t think it’s easy to step into a starting job and act like you’ve been there. He shot the ball with confidence,” teammate Steve Novak said.
“He was great. I gave him an opportunity to start again and he stepped up and made plays offensively, rebounded a few,” coach Mike Woodson said. “He was pretty solid. I was very pleased with Cope.”
“He knows how to score,” Anthony said. “That’s one thing he knows.”
And yet, as Copeland spoke after his fourth start of the season, after the third 20-point effort of his career (two of them in starts), there was the rookie symbol pink backpack, the one adorned with the Barbie-like caricatures.
But after stints in Europe and the D-League, Copeland, the Newark product who graduated from Colorado nearly seven years ago, would wear a “ROOKIE” neon sign for the chance the Knicks have provided. He doesn’t always play, but he has a role. Sometimes as a starter, sometimes off the bench. He looks for veteran guidance.
“It’s challenging, but my teammates help me through every step of the process. Honestly, I don’t say it just to say it. It’s for real. The vets behind the scenes from Rasheed [Wallace] to Kurt [Thomas] to Marcus [Camby], my three wise men,” said Copeland, who shot 9-of-15, including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. “Those are my guys. They really help me stay focused as well as the whole team.”
Copeland repaid the confidence the team has shown in him almost immediately yesterday. Anthony (27 points) began terribly with a 1-of-10 shooting start. And the early defense again had Woodson chugging antacids. The Knicks needed something. Copeland responded, hitting shots, helping spread the floor.
“It’s cool. Anytime we’re moving the ball and everybody is involved in the offense, we play better,” Copeland said. “At the end of the day I try to fill that role whenever I’m called upon.”
Whether he’ll be called upon to start anytime soon is unclear as Woodson has juggled his lineup based on matchups and player availability.
“It’s for sure a challenge but whatever Coach asks me to do, I’m here for. I don’t question anything. I’m just glad he gave me an opportunity today and it worked out.”