BY ROBERT ELKIN | Last season was the worst ever for the New York Knicks, even with high-scoring Carmelo Anthony in the lineup. At the same time, Melo was one of the team’s injured players, sidelined for almost half the season with a knee injury. After their dismal season, Knick management traded for players, brought rookies up from the Development League, selected players in the NBA draft, and signed free agents and ballers from overseas.
Knicks President Phil Jackson entered training camp feeling very optimistic about the future. He has what he calls a “new team.” In other words, they’re rebuilding.
Incoming rookies include Thanasis Antetokounmpo from the D-League, Darion Atkins from University of Virginia, Jerian Grant from Notre Dame, Latvian project Kristaps Porzingis, Wesley Saunders from Harvard, and Trivas Trice from University of Michigan, to name a few newcomers.
The coaches are particularly high on Grant, who comes from a basketball family — his father, Horace, was on the Bulls championship teams — and is very familiar with the triangle offense, which he played in college. He can play either the point or shooting guard.
“I can be a potential point guard with the team,” the 6-foot-4 Grant said on Media Day at the team’s training camp. “Coming to New York is big time,” he added.
Last year’s rookie sensation Langston Galloway, brought up from the D-League, could battle with Grant for a starting guard position, or pair with him in a deep backcourt.
