Knicks May Be In The Playoffs

2 Pages 408 Words

For the two Knicks stars, space has been at a premium, especially now that the rules allow defenses to shut down the very kind of players Houston and Sprewell are. Both used to live off isolations on the wing and post ups. But with teams sending multiple players their way, it's been tougher to get their shots. Houston, with a new $100-million deal, is shooting only 43.8 percent and averaging 17 ppg. Sprewell enters Wednesday's game in Atlanta with the same basic stats.

Where Camby will make a difference at the offensive end is going to be on offensive rebounds. The Knicks don't take a lot of shots by nature. But with his offensive rebounding, he gives the ability for multi-shot possessions.


Camby will make a difference in the running game. On the nights when the Knicks hit the boards, maybe. Their lack of size has been exploited on the glass, where opponents have outrebounded them in all but five games. And when you don't rebound, you can't run.

But even when they do lock up their defensive glass, they're still one of the worst running teams in the NBA, because they're careless with the basketball. Where Camby is going to have an impact is by getting defensive boards. Several of the Knicks' early losses (to Charlotte, Chicago and Minnesota) came down to the fact that they just gave up too many second shots down the stretch.

There is no denying that Camby is the Knicks' best runner among their limited collection of big men.

"He's a finisher," Jackson said. "He's long and he gets to the basket. When he catches it, he's there to finish. It takes a lot of pressure off our offense. He's a big-time player."

He's also a one-man energizer. When he's running and dunking and egging on the Garden crowd, the Knicks feed off that exuberance.


With Camby back, the Knicks are set with this roster. Scott Layden hasn't been scouting the Nuggets and Sonics in person to help with his frequent-flier account. Layden, the team's presi...