THE BOOK in opposing team's scout sizes up the Knicks

Tim Crothers

October 30, 2000

"They may have slipped a little, but the Knicks are mentally tougher than every team in the East except the Heat, and they're unselfish in a lot of ways. New York is one of the best-executing teams offensively, and maybe the best defensive team in terms of discipline and preparation.... Luc Longley has won three championships playing as a complementary piece. It isn't far-fetched to say he can be a good player for them after he comes back from his knee injury.... Larry Johnson is still effective. What they lack is a second big guy to score down low. Say what you want about Patrick Ewing, but when he caught the ball in the post, he usually got a clean shot off and shot a good percentage.... I've always thought Glen Rice was more about winning than other people give him credit for. I bet he's going to make a great effort defensively, because defense is one of the covenants for New York. If you're Glen Rice, coming off a championship and being criticized the way he was, you're going to do everything you can to have a big year."