Smooth operators
Knicks instill optimism with solid preseason
WHILE much of New York has been chanting “Let’s Go Mets,” the Knicks quietly have gone about their preseason business with surprising efficiency.
Save for coach Derek Fisher’s backyard brawl in Los Angeles with Matt Barnes during the coach’s weekend leave, the Knicks have shown more chemistry on the court than anticipated. One preseason game remains Thursday in Boston before the lights go on for real Oct. 28 in Milwaukee against Greg Monroe and the Bucks.
Optimism is building out of the Knicks’ 41 preseason because Phil Jackson’s team doesn’t look to be as dependent on the rookie production of Kristaps Porzings as expected. Maybe the Knicks, who went 1765 last season, will find themselves in a race for the eighth seed in late March and early April.
The Knicks look deep in the frontcourt, and have had excellent preseasons from forwards Kyle O’Quinn, Derrick Williams, last season’s rookie bust Cleanthony Early and, of course, a supremely healthy and defensiveminded Carmelo Anthony.
Nevertheless, Fisher wants Porzingis to be the starting power forward opening night, even if he was shaky Saturday at Charlotte. Rusty from sitting out a week with a quad strain, the 7foot3 Latvian shot poorly (3for11) from the floor, got blocked by Cody Zeller on a dunk attempt and was pushed around by Hornets post man Al Jefferson, who backed Porzingis in easily for a couple of hoops in the second quarter. Patrick Ewing told The Post that Porzingis’ weight shouldn’t be that big an issue, but it looked like one Saturday.
“We’ll see what happens with Kris, but I like him in there as well,’’ Fisher said, referring to the starting unit. “The good part of all this, we can choose another guy and we’ll be fine, too. That’s what’s different about this team.’’
In fact, Fisher has a dilemma in whittling seven competent reserves into a fiveman bench to form a manageable 10man rotation. Indications are the rotation will change depending on matchups and whether Fisher wants to go big or small.
Jackson constructed a roster that gives Fisher choices. The Zen Master said recently Fisher’s toughest job this season will be figuring out the personnel puzzle.
“We keep playing the way we are, we have a lot of guys who can play,’’ said Williams, the controversial-signingturned revelation, who scored 23, 21, 19 and 14 points the last four games. “Not too many teams have guys who can play two, three positions. That’s what you need in the triangle. When you have that, the sky is the limit. Only 13 guys can play, but we have a lot of guys who can.’’
The starting lineup figures to be Jose Calderon, Arron Afflalo, Anthony, Porzingis and Robin Lopez. Fisher wants to roll out that quintet Thursday.
“That’s the hope,’’ he said, adding it wasn’t “a guarantee. “We will try to play the game as close to possible as a real game.’’
Among the reserves are combo guard Langston Galloway, whom Fisher reveres; rookie point guard Jerian Grant, who is poised and quick; and Sasha Vujacic, who is one of their only pure 3point gunners and came to camp in good shape after playing in Europe four years.
Only hefty backup center Kevin Seraphin has more to prove. He missed two games with a swollen right knee and came back to shoot 2of16 in the Friday/Saturday backtoback.
With this depth, it sets up Fisher playing starters modest minutes, and even Anthony getting more rest to keep him fresher for closing time.
Porzingis, on the other hand, needs more reps before the opener after missing two games and four practices, dating to training camp. He will enter the regular season having just one Garden game (against Brazilian power Bauru) under his belt.
“I wish I had one more game at the Garden, [I wish] the next game was at Madison,’’ Porzingis said.
Fisher fiercely defended Porzingis’ Charlotte outing, praising him for taking it strong against Zeller despite the block.
“I saw aggression. I saw him going to the rim strong. I saw him rebounding, changing shots,” Fisher said. “He’s been in and out with injuries, so the shooting is not really my issue. I don’t think we question whether he can shoot. Seeing him try to dunk on somebody, that means he played a good game.”
Fisher is being overprotective. He also won’t stamp the preseason a smooth success yet.
“Preseason can never go smooth,’’ Fisher said. “If preseason is going smooth, you better look out because something’s coming up that shouldn’t be. The preseason is supposed to be ugly, uncomfortable and weird.’’
Knicks fans should be thankful the only thing ugly about October was Fisher and Barnes in the backyard.