D'Antoni going back to Mozgov inside
Knicks center Timofey Mozgov during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. (Jan. 30, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - There's really only one certainty about the Knicks' game against the 76ers Sunday, and it's this: Something needs to change.
Whether it's Mike D'Antoni starting Timofey Mozgov over Shawne Williams, or Amar'e Stoudemire's assertion that the Knicks need to take a step back, look inward and re-establish a winning identity, it was abundantly clear during practice Saturday that Friday's game of close-but-not-quite just isn't good enough for a team straddling the line of mediocrity.
With nine losses in their last 12 games, the Knicks are one game over .500 after being seven over Jan. 11. They remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but the 76ers are only two games behind after six victories in their last seven games, including a 100-98 victory over the Knicks Friday in Philadelphia.
Today's game at the Garden is "going to be a huge game for us to see how we react," Stoudemire said. "I think now is a time for a self-check. We need to look ourselves in the mirror and see what type of team we want to become."
Right now, the team they want to become is one with Mozgov back in the starting five. The rookie was benched in November, but with Ronny Turiaf's sprained right ankle (he's questionable for today's game) and the Knicks looking for an answer to Elton Brand, who had 19 of his season-high 33 points in the first quarter Friday, "Timmy is our best chance," D'Antoni said.
He added, "He's long and he's strong. He creates space." And he hinted that the move might be a permanent one.
"I think Timmy's energy and length is something that we need, and he's demonstrated that he can do it," he said. "I know he's a rookie, I know there may be some tough times ahead, but right now, it seems like the way to go."
Mozgov demurred when asked about the post-demotion promotion. "I [need] to play good, good defense and not make mistakes on offense," he said, noting that his confidence was "a mess" when he lost the starting gig. "I think I can start, but I don't know."
Regardless of whether Mozgov pays the dividends the Knicks are looking for, Stoudemire said the key is to maintain a quicker tempo against a fast 76ers team and work to improve on their abysmal assist total. They're averaging 23.1 assists per game, 14th in the league.
"We're a much better team than that," he said. "We can't afford to have [Friday's game] happen again."
