Randolph Might Get Start vs. Wizards
Oct 17 2010 12:33PM
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Anthony Randolph might get the start Sunday at The Garden.
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Anthony Randolph continues to improve as the preseason rolls along, and Head Coach Mike D’Antoni could give him an audition for a starting job in New York’s next game.
After Randolph posted seven points and five rebounds in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics Saturday in Hartford, D’Antoni listed the third-year forward as a possible starter against the Washington Wizards today at Madison Square Garden.
“He hasn’t started yet, so we’ll see,” D’Antoni said.
Randolph, who stands nearly 7-feet tall, has shown signs of breaking out this preseason. Through four preseason games, he is averaging 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.
D’Antoni appeared to be most impressed with his effort in Hartford.
“He moved the ball and he didn’t hesitate,” D’Antoni said. “He just needs to do exactly what he did. He threw up a couple wild shots, but that will happen. He rebounded, ran the floor and got back. He’s a big guy and he’s very athletic, so it was very encouraging.”
Randolph isn’t the only big man who has caught D’Antoni’s attention recently. The coach continues to be impressed with Timofey Mozgov, the 7-1 center from Russia, who had seven points and two rebounds while starting against Shaquille O’Neal.
“Mozgov did some nice things,” D’Antoni said. “You can tell he’s got a ways to go and has a lot of things to learn, but there’s a lot of potential there.”
Ronny Turiaf, who started the first two preseason games at center, also did some good things against Boston’s big front line, recording two blocks while playing tough defense.
“Turiaf played well,” D’Antoni said, adding that he could “give him another chance” playing with the starters.
The Knicks played without Amar’e Stoudemire on Saturday, but he’s expected to play against the Wizards. Stoudemire was held out of the first game of the back-to-back to rest for the upcoming 82-game season. Many NBA teams take it easy with their star players during the preseason.
With Stoudemire out against the Celtics, D’Antoni played small ball with a backcourt of Raymond Felton and Toney Douglas and Wilson Chandler at the starting power forward spot. If Randolph does start today, Stoudemire would likely move to center.
After Randolph posted seven points and five rebounds in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics Saturday in Hartford, D’Antoni listed the third-year forward as a possible starter against the Washington Wizards today at Madison Square Garden.
“He hasn’t started yet, so we’ll see,” D’Antoni said.
Randolph, who stands nearly 7-feet tall, has shown signs of breaking out this preseason. Through four preseason games, he is averaging 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.
D’Antoni appeared to be most impressed with his effort in Hartford.
“He moved the ball and he didn’t hesitate,” D’Antoni said. “He just needs to do exactly what he did. He threw up a couple wild shots, but that will happen. He rebounded, ran the floor and got back. He’s a big guy and he’s very athletic, so it was very encouraging.”
Randolph isn’t the only big man who has caught D’Antoni’s attention recently. The coach continues to be impressed with Timofey Mozgov, the 7-1 center from Russia, who had seven points and two rebounds while starting against Shaquille O’Neal.
“Mozgov did some nice things,” D’Antoni said. “You can tell he’s got a ways to go and has a lot of things to learn, but there’s a lot of potential there.”
Ronny Turiaf, who started the first two preseason games at center, also did some good things against Boston’s big front line, recording two blocks while playing tough defense.
“Turiaf played well,” D’Antoni said, adding that he could “give him another chance” playing with the starters.
The Knicks played without Amar’e Stoudemire on Saturday, but he’s expected to play against the Wizards. Stoudemire was held out of the first game of the back-to-back to rest for the upcoming 82-game season. Many NBA teams take it easy with their star players during the preseason.
With Stoudemire out against the Celtics, D’Antoni played small ball with a backcourt of Raymond Felton and Toney Douglas and Wilson Chandler at the starting power forward spot. If Randolph does start today, Stoudemire would likely move to center.
