The Nix improved their chances of defending their NBA title by retaining most of their roster this summer, Peter Sblendorio of The New York Daily News writes in history only for subscribers. Free agents Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson all agreed to return, giving New York 10 of the 11 players who averaged the most minutes per game for the team last season.
The only major loss was the backup center Mitchell Robinsonwho signed with Boston after the owner James Dolan admitted his reluctance to wear a second apron. Robinson was replaced by a veteran big man Andre Drummondwho drew attention to roster continuity in training camp.
“It’s the first time I’m the only new guy on the team, so I feel kind of weird. Like an outcast trying to fit in.” Drummond said. “But the guys are very welcoming. They made me feel very welcome to be here.”
Sblendorio points out that Shamet, Alvarado and Clarkson likely could have gotten bigger contracts on the open market, as well as more important roles with other teams. Still, they all wanted to be a part of trying to bring another championship to New York, even if it didn’t involve guaranteed playing time.
“We want to win for each other” Shamet said. “We’re ready to take on different roles and we know we have each other’s backs. When Jose’s doing well and my minutes are down, great, and vice versa. I was … a broken record about it, but you don’t see it. It’s very rare from a backup point guard position that there’s no ego or ulterior motive involved. It’s something special that you want to be a part of.”
More on the Knicks:
- Coach, the team is ready to accept the goal that comes with the defending champion Mike Brown said at the question and answer session Steve Serby of The New York Post. Brown got some perspective on the title defense while serving as an assistant in Golden State. “They still love to play the Knicks, especially at MSG, and now it’s just an extra carrot to the whole thing.” he said. “We have a mature group, and that’s one of the main things that gives me – I don’t know if the word is hope – but it gives me hope that we’re going to take it or take this process like nobody else. I really believe that the maturity of the group will help when it comes to all of this, not just being The Hunted, but the pats on the back all year and the media scrutiny that we’re going to be under and the pressure of other things, under which we will face, I think it will help a lot.”
- Brown admits that it was not easy to part with the veteran swingman Bruce Brownwhich was refused on Saturday to trim the roster down to 14 players, trans Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. “Bruce, he’s a winner” Coach Brown said. “He shows a level of toughness and versatility – not just defensively, he can defend one to four, but even offensively, he can initiate the attack.”
- Fred Katz of The Athletic looks back on a brief players-only meeting after a Game 3 loss to Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs that set the stage for the Knicks’ championship run.