The Knicks need more than just Carmelo Anthony — they need bench help.
Anthony is the obvious answer to get the Knicks to the next step and a trade for the All-Star forward could well happen by February. But with the Nuggets favoring the Nets’ slew of draft-pick assets, Knicks president Donnie Walsh has another need to address to stop the team’s three-game slide, which threatens what had been a feel-good start to the season.
Walsh must bolster a skimpy bench whose many members have fallen into coach Mike D’Antoni’s spacious doghouse. The Knicks specifically need a backup point guard and big man to allow Raymond Felton and ailing Amar’e Stoudemire additional rest. They both looked exhausted during the three straight losses to the Celtics, Heat and Cavaliers.
Stoudemire’s health has become an issue. He’s playing with a sore neck that has limited his game, but not his minutes. Backup point guard Toney Douglas is fighting through his latest aliment, an undisclosed shoulder injury that is hurting his jump shot and making him less frenetic on the defensive end.
Douglas, shooting 39.3 percent, hasn’t been truly healthy this season, and even played through a strained back the first two weeks. Some backup point guards who may be expendable include Orlando’s Jason Williams, Minnesota’s Sebastian Telfair, Cleveland’s Ramon Sessions and Utah’s Earl Watson.
The Knicks could release still-rehabbing Kelenna Azubuike, whose contract expires after the season, to open up a roster spot and sign a player from the D-League or a free-agent veteran. Walsh has to regret not inking center Earl Barron, a great fit last season with the Knicks. Barron recently signed with Phoenix, but the Knicks could have had him for a fraction of Roger Mason’s deal.
With the Knicks (16-12) facing four rugged games to close out 2010 against Oklahoma City, Chicago, Miami and Orlando — the latter two on the road — Walsh wants to do something beyond dealing for Anthony. Walsh said he would “evaluate” the Knicks during this past week to see what they need.
D’Antoni admitted to playing Stoudemire and Felton too many minutes. Stoudemire played 41 on Saturday in Cleveland in the second night of a back-to-back when the Knicks lost a four-point lead in the final minute of regulation and tanked in overtime.
Stoudemire has three days to recover before the Knicks resume action Wednesday against Kevin Durant and the Thunder. Stoudemire, who leads the league in turnover average following Saturday’s eight miscues as well as in Page Six appearances, played Saturday night with a bad cold, bad neck and still with some ankle pain. If he ever is lost for an extended length of time, the Knicks can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
Stoudemire said his neck is “really sore,” but added he doesn’t need new tests.
“He’s got some different things,” said D’Antoni of Stoudemire’s ailments. “But we have to find out how to score, how we can do things with him off the floor.”
D’Antoni has lost faith in a large segment of the roster, which essentially stands at 13, not 15. Azubuike returned to practice a month ago, but was deemed by D’Antoni as not at an NBA level after knee surgery. Center Eddy Curry is viewed as unplayable by the coach because he hasn’t run the floor well enough.
Super prospect Anthony Randolph is the biggest name in D’Antoni’s doghouse, his banishment coinciding with the team’s 13-1 run that preceded its losing streak. Will Randolph get another chance?
Another D’Antoni doghouse occupant is Mason. The guard was signed as a free agent potentially to start but has played in just seven games and has become this year’s Darko Milicic. Russian rookie center Timofey Mozgov has gone from preseason sensation to a slew of DNPs.
Ronny Turiaf has shifted from invaluable starting center to a 12-minute guy off the bench. D’Antoni admitted Turiaf’s sprained knee is not 100 percent and he has become less active. If Turiaf can ever move back to the starting lineup, Wilson Chandler can return to being the sixth man.
Slumping swingman Shawne Williams has regained D’Antoni’s trust with a 12-point outing Saturday, but Bill Walker has not been consistent enough. So the rotation is at eight — with Douglas, Williams and Turiaf as reserves.
Although Felton and Stoudemire need to play fewer minutes, D’Antoni said he realizes both can’t be off the floor at the same time because the team falls to pieces, creating flexibility issues.