With no New York baseball left, the Knicks introduce themselves today on media day. Don’t expect them to cheer you up.
New coach Mike D’Antoni has a good sense of humor about the shaky plight, taking over a 23-59 club that made no significant roster changes and yet is mulling cutting its most proven talent, Stephon Marbury. Worse, team president Donnie Walsh hasn’t even improved its critical 2010 cap situation to make room for LeBron James.
When asked about the chances of becoming respectable, D’Antoni quipped, “I’m just trying to get Donnie to schedule more games. If we played 120, we can win a nice number.”
D’Antoni has a sharp sense of humor, but will it last if things continue to deteriorate. Already, Eddy Curry has reported in lousy shape and could be useless in the run-and-gun. Danilo Gallinari looks to be headed for a bust of a rookie year. Lingering back pain will have the Italian Stallion on the sidelines most of camp.
And Marbury could become a camp powderkeg if he feels the team is keeping him around as a negotiating tactic. Marbury already has told The Post he doesn’t want to be a bench player.
At least Walsh is honest. When asked what he’s accomplished, Walsh said, “I haven’t accomplished anything yet, except forming a plan.”
The plan centers on D’Antoni making sense of a mismatched roster Isiah Thomas put together.
Many in the organization blame their wrecked season on a poisonous atmosphere created because Thomas’ sexual-harassment trial dragged into camp. However, Jamal Crawford said, “I don’t want to make excuses. I think our fans are tired of excuses.”
The Knicks’ best shot is D’Antoni, who believes their prime new addition, Chris Duhon, can be the floor general to make it come together. In clear slight to Marbury, Walsh touched on the team’s blatant lack of chemistry. He feels Duhon, mostly a backup in Chicago, can improve it.
“Everyone could do their thing [last year], but I didn’t see guys who can bring a team together and help other players do those things,” Walsh said. “I think Duhon could help do that.”