Mozgov Gets Starting Nod Vs. Celtics
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Russian rookie Timofey Mozgov will get the starting nod Wednesday vs. the Celtics.
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Talk about getting tossed into action right away.
Rookie Timofey Mozgov will make his first start at center Wednesday night when the Knicks face the Boston Celtics in their preseason home opener – and he will likely be matched up against Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett, two of the greatest big men to ever play the game.
“He’s got to get some confidence and he’ll have to learn what it’s like to handle Shaq,” Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “You’ll have to talk to him, but I’d imagine that’s one of his biggest heroes. He’s got to guard Shaq, so we’ll see how he does with it.”
Mozgov will join Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Amar’e Stoudemire on the floor when the ball tips off at Madison Square Garden for the first time this season. The 7-foot-1 center came off the bench in the first two preseason games in Europe, averaging 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
“I’m excited about him,” D’Antoni said. “I know there are going to be some rough spots coming on, but I think he’s shown a willingness to learn and play hard and he’s got talent. Those are some good combos.”
The only knock on Mozgov’s game so far has been foul trouble. Mozgov fouled out once already in two preseason games, but D’Antoni is confident that he will adjust quickly to the NBA game after playing the past six seasons in Russia, where big men are allowed to play more physical.
“He’s been so far very good about us telling him what to do,” D’Antoni said. “After 15 minutes, he’s got it in his game. He’s not a slow learner. He’s a very fast learner. That’s some of the encouraging things. There are a lot more things he’ll have to learn and adjust, but we don’t see any reason why he can’t do it.”
Mozgov in stature is the biggest player D’Antoni has had in his rotation since taking charge of the Knicks two years ago. Due to his athleticism, soft shooting touch and defensive toughness, he could be the ideal fit in D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. And Mozgov knows exactly what he needs to do in order to continue to earn minutes in D’Antoni’s tight rotation.
“Run, run, run,” Mozgov said. “Defense. And when you get the ball, shoot.”
Mozgov isn’t the only new face D’Antoni wants to take a closer look at as he looks to build the rotation for the regular season. While Felton, Gallinari and Stoudemire appear to be locked in as starters, the rest of the positions are up for grabs. And the next six preseason games could determine who’s in the rotation, whether it’s seven players or 11 players deep this season.
“They’re all fighting for extra minutes,” D’Antoni said. “It has been great competition as of now and I’m sure it will continue that way. But some point you have to make a decision on who’s getting the bulk of the minutes and who isn’t. All of them need to be aware that this is the time to play a lot of minutes.”
Rookie Timofey Mozgov will make his first start at center Wednesday night when the Knicks face the Boston Celtics in their preseason home opener – and he will likely be matched up against Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett, two of the greatest big men to ever play the game.
“He’s got to get some confidence and he’ll have to learn what it’s like to handle Shaq,” Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “You’ll have to talk to him, but I’d imagine that’s one of his biggest heroes. He’s got to guard Shaq, so we’ll see how he does with it.”
Mozgov will join Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Amar’e Stoudemire on the floor when the ball tips off at Madison Square Garden for the first time this season. The 7-foot-1 center came off the bench in the first two preseason games in Europe, averaging 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
“I’m excited about him,” D’Antoni said. “I know there are going to be some rough spots coming on, but I think he’s shown a willingness to learn and play hard and he’s got talent. Those are some good combos.”
The only knock on Mozgov’s game so far has been foul trouble. Mozgov fouled out once already in two preseason games, but D’Antoni is confident that he will adjust quickly to the NBA game after playing the past six seasons in Russia, where big men are allowed to play more physical.
“He’s been so far very good about us telling him what to do,” D’Antoni said. “After 15 minutes, he’s got it in his game. He’s not a slow learner. He’s a very fast learner. That’s some of the encouraging things. There are a lot more things he’ll have to learn and adjust, but we don’t see any reason why he can’t do it.”
Mozgov in stature is the biggest player D’Antoni has had in his rotation since taking charge of the Knicks two years ago. Due to his athleticism, soft shooting touch and defensive toughness, he could be the ideal fit in D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. And Mozgov knows exactly what he needs to do in order to continue to earn minutes in D’Antoni’s tight rotation.
“Run, run, run,” Mozgov said. “Defense. And when you get the ball, shoot.”
Mozgov isn’t the only new face D’Antoni wants to take a closer look at as he looks to build the rotation for the regular season. While Felton, Gallinari and Stoudemire appear to be locked in as starters, the rest of the positions are up for grabs. And the next six preseason games could determine who’s in the rotation, whether it’s seven players or 11 players deep this season.
“They’re all fighting for extra minutes,” D’Antoni said. “It has been great competition as of now and I’m sure it will continue that way. But some point you have to make a decision on who’s getting the bulk of the minutes and who isn’t. All of them need to be aware that this is the time to play a lot of minutes.”
