December 12, 2012, New York Knicks-Brooklyn Nets notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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REID B. KELLEY
The Nets unveiled the flag pole from
the old Ebbets Field, home of the Dodgers, outside the Barclays Center.
Nothing changes, summed up Knicks head coach Mike Woodson’s stance
on potential lineup modifications for the Eastern Conference-best
Knicks prior to last night’s pseudo-road game against a Nets squad
without Brook Lopez.
“No, not really,” Woodson said during his pregame press conference.
Lopez, the Nets’ starting center, has missed the last six games with a
sprained right foot. The fourth-year pro leads the Nets with an 18.5
points per game average and ranks third on the team with 6.8 rebounds
per game.
“[You’re talking about a] young man who averages 18 points [per game],”
Woodson said. “Somewhere, someone’s [got to fill the void created by
Lopez’s injury]. They’re deep enough [to do that].”
What the Nets have done is move Andray Blatche into the starting role.
While Blatche has played well in a starting role, averaging 17.2 points
and 9.8 rebounds in the five games, the Nets are 1-4.
Too many bodies?
The Knicks are about the experience the pleasant problem of too many
healthy bodies. Power forward Amar’e Stoudemire is recuperating from
knee surgery and, according to multiple reports, is looking to make his
season debut in the nationally televised Christmas Day game in Los
Angeles against the Lakers.
“I’ll address that [when the time is right],” Woodson said. “[Amar’e is] still in the mode of getting back on the floor.”
Stoudemire participated in pregame shooting, but was listed as being out with left knee debridement.
The Heat is on
Among the reasons the Knicks lead the Eastern Conference with a 15-5
mark — one game better than the defending-champion Heat — has been their
depth.
Thirteen of the Knicks’ 15-man roster has played this season, with 10
players averaging double figure minutes led by Carmelo Anthony’s 35.8
minutes per game average. The only two players not to have played a
minute this season are Iman Shumpert and Amar’e Stoudemire.
The roster flexibility has allowed Woodson to be creative with the lineups he puts on the floor.
“We have options of going big or small [and have been successful either
way],” Woodson said. Against the Nets, the coach announced the Knicks
would go “with Carmelo at the ‘four.’”
Odds and ends
Before the game, there was a ceremony commemorating an Ebbets Field
flagpole which was placed in front of the Barclays Center. The Nets were
represented by Bruce Ratner, Brett Yormark, Irina Pavlova and Jerry
Stackhouse. Also in attendance were borough president Marty Markowitz
and Sharon Robinson, the daughter of Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie
Robinson. … The league announced Monday that Deron Williams won the
league’s Kia Community Assist Award for the month of November. … Joe
Johnson and teammates will host 50 Family Services children to a dinner
and shopping Thursday. The Nets will be in Toronto Wednesday night while
the Knicks host Mike D’Antoni and the Lakers Thursday.
Follow Nets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
Follow Nets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1157964--nets-notebook-woodson-makes-no-changes-stoudemire-nears-return
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 12:05 PM
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