Knicks general manager Steve Mills, despite the sudden dismissal of Glen Grunwald four days before training camp, said there still are the highest of expectations from ownership.
“In terms of an edict, we try to win every year,’’ Mills said before the Knicks’ 90-83 season-opening win over the Bucks Wednesday at the Garden. “Our goal is to try to win the championship and be as competitive as we can possibly be.’’
Earlier in the day, ESPN reported Dolan told his coaches he “expects’’ to win it all despite removing the man who built the roster.
Nevertheless, a source said Dolan simply was expressing extreme confidence in his players.
As for Mills, he might have more pressure in delivering Carmelo Anthony on a long-term contract this summer.
“Any job like this is a high-pressured job,’’ Mills said. “I’m excited about being here. I feel very good about our team. We’re out to try to win a championship this year. You only feel pressure in this kind of environment but it’s a good pressure.’’
Mills said he and Anthony have agreed to talk only basketball and not about his contract future. That could mean Mills has no plans to even offer Anthony a three-year contract extension when he could do so in February.
Anthony already has said multiple times he wants to be a free agent to be in position for a five-year deal.
“Carmelo and I, the first day of training camp, we both agreed we wouldn’t have any more conversations about his ability to opt out or us negotiating an extension,’’ Mills said. “I’ll stick to what I had agreed to and not talk about his contract status.’’
Ironically, Mills was hired partly to ensure Anthony will stay beyond this season. Mills has a strong relationship with CAA, which represents Anthony.
In the rotating platoon of Kenyon Martin and Amar’e Stoudemire, Martin got the nod for the season opener as backup power forward.
Stoudemire will play Thursday in Chicago. Woodson said the two might play in the same game if there are two days off between contests.
The Knicks will debut their alternate all-orange uniforms tonight in Chicago — on Halloween.
Woodson on Raymond Felton’s ailing hamstring: “I have to see how he feels [Thursday]. That is something you really don’t play with.’’
Felton, who scored 18 points and had three assists in 34 minutes, said he expects to play.
The Knicks were 0-4 against the Bulls last season and that was without Derrick Rose, who struggled in his season debut Tuesday against the Heat.
Nevertheless, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said he is not about to overlook the Knicks in Thursday night’s matchup at the United Center.
“They’re a different team,” he said. “Those games [last season] were tough and hard-fought. It’s a new year. It’s a lot different. When you look at their skill set, the way they can attack you, you can never let your guard down against them .”