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Added by Stephen Zimkouski on August 24, 2012.
Marcus Camby will be back in a Knicks uniform this upcoming season.
In the second and final part of this two part series, I will analyze the forwards and centers that have been added to the New York Knicks roster this off-season. I will be breaking down what they can bring to the Knicks this upcoming season and what fans expectations should be for them.
The Knicks added a mix of a few different pieces from veterans to guys proving themselves, so it will be interesting to see if they can contribute this upcoming season.
Marcus Camby
Camby is not the player he once was, but still is very talented and one of the better centers coming off the bench in the league. Camby will bring defensive intensity and be able to pickup where Tyson Chandler leaves off when subbed out. We may also see Camby play some power forward alongside Chandler forming a very formidable defensive and rebounding oriented Power Forward/Center combination. Camby also still has a respectable mid range jump shot and can help to spread the floor which Chandler can’t do.
I expect Camby to get a lot of minutes and be a huge contributor for the Knicks this upcoming season. He will be a big part of what Mike Woodson wants to do on the defensive end of the court.
James White
White was at one point destined to be a star. He was a High School All-American and looked to be in the mold of a Vince Carter/Tracy McGrady type swingman. After a less than stellar college career at Cincinnati and failed attempts to make it in the NBA, White will most likely have his last chance with the Knicks. He is known to most as a youtube sensation for his dunks earlier in his career and still has tons of athleticism and as inferred to previously a lot to prove.
I’ve always been a big James White fan and hope that he can finally right the ship on his career but wouldn’t count on it. With addition of Ronnie Brewer and the eventual return of Iman Shumpert, there will not be enough minutes for White to play.
Kurt Thomas
Thomas comes back to the Knicks and will make many longtime fans happy to see both him and Camby back in the uniform once again. They both remind Knicks fans of a better time, when the team was successful and championship contenders. Kurt’s role on the team will be interesting to see. He will definitely get garbage minutes and get a huge cheer every time he checks into the game much like Herb Williams at the end of his career. However, I don’t see Thomas being a large contributor throughout the season but he will most likely have a few nice moments in spotted playing time.
Chris Copeland
Much like the addition of Chris Smith, I don’t really understand the addition of Chris Copeland. Smith and Copeland seem like guys that won’t be able to contribute and do not have a very high potential. Copeland did not look very impressive in Summer League play either. The thing I don’t understand is why not sign another veteran who can be a mentor to fill out a roster or take a chance on a guy like Andray Blatche, a guy with tons of potential. I don’t expect to see Copeland on the court this year unless there are several injuries.
About Stephen Zimkouski
Markstripes
August 24, 2012 at 9:26 am
I don’t agree with the contention that Chris Copeland didn’t play well in the Summer League. He averaged about 23 minutes a games, yet put up about 14 points and 4 rebounds a game. Also, he shot 47% from the field, and 42% from behind the 3 point arch. He is being given an opportunity because he earned it. Last year, no one thought that Jeremy Lin or Steve Novak, who were both picked up off waivers would do much either, but they both had solid years. What I’m saying is that we shouldn’t be so quick to “dismiss” Copeland as a non-factor. He just might be able to help the Knicks. As far as Andray Blatche is concerned, I agree that he has the potential to help the Knicks, but only if he’s in shape. Last year he was 20 lbs. overweight and shot an atrocious 38%. I would have no interest in that guy, but if he’s motivated and in shape, he would seem to be worth a look.
Stephen Zimkouski
August 24, 2012 at 11:49 am
Copeland put up solid numbers in the summer league as you said but going by the eye test I didn’t see him having too much potential in the long run. We’ll see if he can contribute like you said it’s easy to write guys off before they’ve ever played in an NBA game. As for Blatche even though he has been a major underachiever I still believe that he can be a really good player if he can get in shape and show some drive to play, that reason alone would make me rather have him on my roster than Copeland.
Markstripes
August 24, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I agree that Blatche unquestionably has more potential, and that Copeland represents more of an unknown quantity, but consider some of the guys that the Knicks got out of “nowhere” the last couple of years: Mozgov, Fields, Williams, Novak, Lin, and Harrelson. All of these guys came to the squad with very little hype and produced. I’m just saying, don’t be surprised if Copeland does the same.
vern_vern
August 26, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I too don’t understand the signing of Cris Smith or Cris Copeland. nether one of them impressed me at all in the summer league. Smith was probably a favor for J.R. but both were a waste IMO. Copeland may have given the look of potential but I put that at the rest of the team was stih.His teammates made him look good as opposed to his talent.