With the addition of Antonio McDyess, the season looked shaky at best; with his loss, it looms as a disaster

By Chris Ballard

The Knicks will need the career-best scoring Houston gave them last year -- and then some.  John W. McDonough

They stood about 40 feet apart on that first day of training camp, a study in contrasts. On one end of the floor, a towel draped around his neck and a smile creasing his face, the future of the Knicks franchise, Antonio McDyess, talked about his new life in New York, where he hoped to become a team leader and average 20 points and 10 rebounds.

A long outlet pass away, near half-court, Knicks G.M. Scott Layden stood with his arms folded like a bouncer, his visage a grim picture of disappointment. As a pack of New York writers circled around him, he repeatedly said that he had no comment about his All-Star small forward, Latrell Sprewell, who had arrived at camp that morning with a broken right hand.

In the figurative and literal middle ground between this good news-bad news combo stood coach Don Chaney, who was engaged in some serious cognitive dissonance. After praising the acquisition of McDyess and calling him "my dream player," Chaney attempted to rationalize the loss of Sprewell. "I've been in discouraging situations before," he said. "I've learned to master seeing the positive side."

A month later Chaney must be needing something akin to the Hubble Telescope to keep those positives in sight. The Spree situation has gone from discouraging to disastrous; after fining him $250,000 and banishing him from the team -- a punishment that Sprewell has appealed -- New York on Monday suspended him for failing to rehab his injury, which will cost him $140,000 more. What's more, on Oct. 12, McDyess fractured his left kneecap while following up a missed shot in a preseason game. In one crumpled landing, the Knicks saw their lone bright spot to date (McDyess was averaging 17.7 points and 13.0 rebounds in preseason) reduced to a frustrated spectator expected to miss all of the season.

The loss of McDyess is compounded by the fact that the team bet the house to acquire him. In dire need of a center and a point guard, New York sent guard Mark Jackson, forward Marcus Camby and the No. 7 pick (Nene Hilaro of Brazil) to the Nuggets for McDyess.

What's left now? An array of mismatched castoffs that Jeff Van Gundy might have been able to goad into respectability, but not a squad that can handle the offensive-minded, run-run-run style Chaney was hoping to institute.

With no offense and a suspect defense, is there a chance the Knicks can avoid the lottery? A betting man would have to answer: No Dice.

Enemy Lines An opposing team's scout sizes up the Knicks "The only thing keeping the Knicks from being the worst team in the East is their experience. The starters are all veterans, and Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell and Kurt Thomas are capable of going for 25 on a given night. ... Sprewell isn't as consistent a finisher or shooter as he used to be -- in part because the team around him isn't what it used to be. If he were a more reliable person, he could get traded to a contender and make a big difference. But I emphasize the if. ... Houston and Sprewell are no longer among the top five shooting guards in the East. Houston's game has deteriorated since he signed his big contract in 2001. He's less athletic, he can't create his own shot and even when he comes off screens, it's not as easy for him as it used to be. It hurts, too, that he hasn't had a point guard who can draw the defense and kick it out to him. ... Losing Antonio McDyess for the season was a huge blow, though I had questions about his health after watching him limp through his first attempted comeback last year. ... Thomas is a great defender, but he's closer to 6'8" than his listed 6'9", which means he has a hard time guarding most centers, especially the 7-footers who know how to score. ... Clarence Weatherspoon would be fine as your third big guy coming off the bench, but asking him to start as an undersized power forward is asking for trouble. ... Charlie Ward's shooting has declined, and Howard Eisley doesn't do anything at a high level. He and Shandon Anderson are two average guys who benefited from playing in the Utah system with two Hall of Famers. ... Even if the Knicks get off to a good start, I still see them finishing in the lottery. Until Sprewell comes back, they're going to be starting Houston and four substitutes who are making starter's money."

Issue date: October 29, 2001