GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The speed of the game will be faster than the speed of practice. The resistance from an actual defender should be stronger than that of a teammate. And after an off-season of working in the paint, Amar'e Stoudemire will have the opportunity to test his footwork.
How the Knicks will implement Stoudemire's new low-post moves into their offense will be the biggest thing to watch in their third preseason game, against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Stoudemire, who before this year has always been a face-to-the-basket player, said he was eager to get on the court after missing two preseason games with a bruised left knee.
The new Stoudemire will be more of a back-to-the-basket player, after he spent a portion of the off-season working with Hakeem Olajuwon, a Hall of Fame center, to develop his scoring ability in the post.
"We'll see how the game goes," Stoudemire said Thursday. "Hopefully, the opportunity presents itself that you will see a few post moves."
Coach Mike Woodson added more offensive plays in practice this week. The idea is to have Stoudemire catch a pass, see how the defense reacts and then correctly decide whether to shoot or dish to a teammate. Woodson knows Stoudemire will have to demonstrate patience and confidence in his moves, even the first time he attempts them in front of a crowd.
Carmelo Anthony said Stoudemire's communication with his teammates had been good throughout training camp. The team has tried to make Stoudemire feel comfortable in his new role by passing to him often during scrimmages.
"It's something that's going to be a collective effort," Stoudemire said.
The Knicks have already showed improvement during the preseason, focusing more on ball movement and working on pick-and-roll plays. Raymond Felton said this week that his next task would be to get the ball to Stoudemire in a spot on the floor where he can succeed.
Felton developed chemistry with Stoudemire when the two played together during the 2010-11 season, before Felton was traded in the deal to acquire Anthony. Friday's game will be the first time Felton will get to play with both Stoudemire and Anthony, although the starters will play limited minutes.
Anthony said he believed he and Stoudemire struggled last season on offense because of the team's inexperienced point guards and because the team had to deal with a number of injuries. Anthony sees Felton, along with Felton's backup, Jason Kidd, as able to keep the Knicks' offense in rhythm, he said.
"The way we're playing right now, we are opening the court, and we're letting Raymond do what he has to do to make guys better," Anthony said. "It's only going to help us when Amar'e comes back and gives us another option."
When last season ended, Woodson asked Stoudemire during his exit interview to evolve as a scorer. Woodson said Stoudemire was excited about the opportunity to learn from Olajuwon, in a two-week stay in Texas that Woodson arranged. Olajuwon said he was pleased with the progress Stoudemire made.
Woodson believes Stoudemire and Knicks center Tyson Chandler should be closer to the basket when making plays.
"My thing was, as you get older, you should expand your game if you're physically able to," Woodson said of Stoudemire. "That was one thing I thought that could help him because I'm a coach who likes to post the ball some, too. We have to put it to use."
The Knicks expect to run plays specifically for Stoudemire against the Raptors. Anthony said it was not just up to Felton to find Stoudemire in the post: all the Knicks should look for him.
Stoudemire knows that if he is successful in the post, the Knicks' offense should become more dynamic.
"I think once we move the ball enough and get open shots, teams are going to scramble more," he said. "That's when the inside play opens up. Or it's vice versa, and we go inside for easy baskets, and the team sucks in, and we kick it out for an open 3-pointer."
REBOUNDS
J.R. Smith did not make the trip for the game against Toronto because of a sore left ankle. Smith missed his second straight practice Thursday. ... Ronnie Brewer did travel with the team, but he is questionable to play Saturday against the Boston Celtics. Brewer has not participated in a contact setting or scrimmaged with the team in practice.
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