Open Practice a Hit For Team, Fans
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Wilson Chandler drains a three-pointer during the team's open practice.
David Saffran/MSG Photos
New York fans had a chance to witness a typical practice while the Knicks' new players had an opportunity to experience what it's like to play for the home crowd at Madison Square Garden for the first time during the annual open practice on Sunday afternoon.
"They got a look at how hard we work behind closed doors when it comes to practice," forward Amar'e Stoudemire said. "And that's just a small glimpse of what we do. We do a lot more work on the basketball court. But the fans really enjoyed it and it was great to play in front of those guys."
Stoudemire, who visited the Garden once a year with the Phoenix Suns, liked having the New York crowd cheering for him rather than against him.
"It was pretty loud today so I could imagine when the season starts how loud the fans could get," he said. "I played against the Knicks before and when they're with you they're completely with you. And that's what we're looking forward to."
Point guard Raymond Felton, another one of the Knicks 11 newcomers, believes the Knicks will have an advantage at home unlike any other team this season.
"It was great," he said. "I enjoyed it and loved it. We were out there with the crowd screaming (our) names and you could feel the excitement in the arena. No question the fans mean a lot. What goes on in the crowd means a lot to the team when we're on the court. It gives you that extra boost."
Head Coach Mike D'Antoni ran a pretty typical practice with 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 drills and a scrimmage. The session ended with a shooting contest in which fans could win prizes.
"We wanted to have fun in front of our fans for a little bit, but we played hard for an hour and a half," D'Antoni said. "Tomorrow we'll pick it back up."
Some of the highlights from practice included rookie Timofey Mozgov slamming down a two-handed putback off Danilo Gallinari's missed 3-pointer and a pair of monster dunks from Stoudemire.
"They got a look at how hard we work behind closed doors when it comes to practice," forward Amar'e Stoudemire said. "And that's just a small glimpse of what we do. We do a lot more work on the basketball court. But the fans really enjoyed it and it was great to play in front of those guys."
Stoudemire, who visited the Garden once a year with the Phoenix Suns, liked having the New York crowd cheering for him rather than against him.
"It was pretty loud today so I could imagine when the season starts how loud the fans could get," he said. "I played against the Knicks before and when they're with you they're completely with you. And that's what we're looking forward to."
Point guard Raymond Felton, another one of the Knicks 11 newcomers, believes the Knicks will have an advantage at home unlike any other team this season.
"It was great," he said. "I enjoyed it and loved it. We were out there with the crowd screaming (our) names and you could feel the excitement in the arena. No question the fans mean a lot. What goes on in the crowd means a lot to the team when we're on the court. It gives you that extra boost."
Head Coach Mike D'Antoni ran a pretty typical practice with 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 drills and a scrimmage. The session ended with a shooting contest in which fans could win prizes.
"We wanted to have fun in front of our fans for a little bit, but we played hard for an hour and a half," D'Antoni said. "Tomorrow we'll pick it back up."
Some of the highlights from practice included rookie Timofey Mozgov slamming down a two-handed putback off Danilo Gallinari's missed 3-pointer and a pair of monster dunks from Stoudemire.
