The dangling crane in midtown Manhattan caused by Hurricane Sandy had Carmelo Anthony on edge.
“That’s the only thing I was worried about at that point in time, was that crane,” Anthony said. “I’m right there.”
In the aftermath of Sandy, Anthony and almost all of his teammates were able to make it to Westchester for a late-afternoon practice. The Knicks canceled practice Monday and met Tuesday at 5 p.m. — typically, they practice in the morning.
Marcus Camby, due to Sandy’s impact in his neighborhood, was the only Knick who wasn’t able to make it.
“I was glad that guys got in here safely, considering what’s going on around us. But once they got here and got into it, practice was pretty good,” coach Mike Woodson said. “For us, we needed this practice today. I still hadn’t had a chance to put in everything. I got most of what I needed to get done today and tomorrow we’ll rehearse some of it.”
Said Tyson Chandler, “Thank God that everything’s all right with everybody on the team and their families. But it’s been a little crazy. My heart goes out to everybody in New York that’s dealing with this, everybody on the East Coast that is either suffering or God forbid, anything’s happened to anybody’s family members or anything else.”
Anthony said he had fears about the storm before it hit.
“I told you I was scared of Sandy. I told you all that the other day, man. Sandy ain’t right,” he said. “It’s messed up what she did.”
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Working for the first time since suffering his left knee bone bruise last Tuesday and wearing a black wrap on the knee, Chandler went through non-contact drills yesterday. He said he “felt good” and believes he’s on track for tomorrow’s opener.
“I definitely do,” he said “It was the first time putting weight on it. There was no pain. Just getting used to this brace and being uncomfortable because it’s the first time I put any pressure on it. But other than that, I felt pretty good.”
Chandler will see how he responds today and also is curious how he handles contact.
With Camby missing practice, Woodson said it hurts his chances of playing tomorrow. Camby has been dealing with a calf strain and missed every preseason game. . . . Woodson said Rasheed Wallace will see action tomorrow but wouldn’t commit to specific playing time.