Big Apple looks good to Carroll
ATLANTA — Hawks swingman DeMarre Carroll, one of the unsung free agents on an unsung team, is not afraid of the big stage and revealed the Knicks will be a strong option for him in July.
The 6foot8 Carroll, who plays small forward but often defends shooting guards, is a candidate for one of the All Defensive teams. He calls himself “Junkyard Dog.’’ He’s from Birmingham, Ala., but has no qualms about playing in New York, saying he knows coach Derek Fisher from working out with him in Woodland Hills, Calif., a few years ago.
According to a source, Fisher is high on Carroll, who had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists on Monday, and the defensive approach he brings to the court.
“Most definitely,’’ Carroll said whenasked if the Knicks would be a high consideration. “When guys talk about playing in certain places — they talk about Madison Square Garden and Staples Center. Those two places. New York has a lot to offer but at the end of the season, I’ll letm y agent do that. We’ll keep our options and hopefully it will work out for the best.’’
Carroll, who could be had for a starting salary in the $ 5 million range, has bounced around a lot, playing in Memphis, Houston, Denver and Utah before finding a solid fit in Atlanta’s defensiveoriented program under Coach of the Year candidate Mike Buldenhozer. Carroll says defense is important to him.
Carroll, the 27th pick by the Grizzlies in 2009, says he persevered and Fisher was a past source of encouragement during their workouts.
Fisher said he was close with Atlanta guard Thabo Sefolosha, who suffered a seasonending broken leg after a scuffle with police in the aftermath of lastweek’s Chris Copeland stabbing. Sefolosha and teammate Pero Antic were arrested afterward outside a Chelsea club. According to a source, the Player’s Association feels it has a good case that police were overly aggressive. “That’s a key guy this team will miss,’’ said Fisher, who played with Sefolosha with the Thunder. “I’m disappointed for him and his family that it happened. It’s very unfortunate. There’ll be an investigation and we’ll find out later down the line what happened.”