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SH Blog: How will Bargnani fit into the Knicks offense?

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Have you seen Chris Bernucca’s latest column on the twelve players missing from training camps? If not, go do that now.Of course, he left off the most injured player in the NBA as he tries to make his NBA comeback. That’s right, we’ve got some Greg Oden news today. Feel the excitement.

Also coming up on Sheridan Hoops, look for a review of NBA 2K14 by yours truly (it’s Dan today, by the way, filling in for Jim Park). That’ll be up in the not-too-distant future, so if you’re a gamer, feel the excitement. Again.

Now let’s get right to the latest news from all over the NBA:

  • Carmelo_AnthonyFrank Isola of the New York Daily News shines some light on a peripheral result of the Andrea Bargnani trade: “Despite coming off a career year while playing power forward almost exclusively, head coach Mike Woodson admitted that there is a possibility that Anthony could see more time and even start at small forward, his natural position. “I’m going to experiment a little with the big lineup,” Woodson said on Wednesday of possibly starting Andrea Bargnani at power forward. “Since I’ve been here we’ve been pretty good at the four. That’s not to say he can’t play three.” A Knicks lineup featuring Anthony at small forward will be a welcome relief for opposing teams that regarded Anthony a nightmare match-up at the four.”
  • Mitch Abramson, also of the New York Daily News, takes another angle at the Bargnani trade: “When the Toronto Raptors drafted him with the top pick in 2006, Andrea Bargnani had a lot to live up to and he struggled, with injuries and expectations. But that shouldn’t be a problem in New York, according to Carmelo Anthony, who openly dished on the pecking order of who gets the blame when things go wrong for the Knicks. In short, Bargnani should feel at home in New York because only one man assumes the blame here. And that man, according to Anthony, is Carmelo Anthony, leaving Bargnani to play free and loose, something he didn’t always do in Toronto. “Ain’t no pressure on him,” Anthony said at the end of practice on Tuesday, the Knicks’ first of training camp. “You come here and play ball. All the pressure is on me. It should be easy for him.” “

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  • Nicolas_BatumNicolas Batum thinks his time with the French national team can help him with the Blazers, writes Joe Freeman of the Oregonian: “Batum said Parker was in his ear every day as the French national team marched toward its EuroBasket title, offering wisdom, advice and guidance. Parker told Batum his stint leading Team France was nearing an end and it was time for a new generation — led by Batum — to take over. Parker’s messages were both ordinary and profound during their daily chats, but Batum says the most prophetic involved leadership. Batum is no longer a 19-year-old first-year player — on the French national team or in the NBA — and Parker urged Batum to take ownership of his actions in practices, games and in his words. “Everything you do, the young guys are going to do the same — you’re an example now,” Batum said, relaying Parker’s message. “Even though I’m only 24, this is my sixth year. So if I do something and (LaMarcus Aldridge) do something and Wesley (Matthews) and Damian (Lillard) do something bad, the young guys are going to be like, ‘Yeah, if he do it, I do it, too.’ So I can’t be late. I can’t be lazy on defense. I’ve got to talk. I’ve got to be the first one on the floor to get the ball. I’ve got to be the first one to chase a rebound.” “

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  • gregodenBig Greg Oden news today, from ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst: “The Heat opened training camp with a standard, defensive drill-oriented workout in a warehouse-like conference center at the Atlantis Resort. Oden took part in about half of the practice, but that still was a significant step forward as he attempts a long-shot comeback after not playing since December 2009 because of chronic knee problems. “It felt good just being out there,” Oden said. “It’s the first time in awhile, I’m happy I got it completed. They had to pull me off the floor. But I’ve got to take steps.” By the time his teammates were scrimmaging at the end of their first of two practices of the day, Oden was sitting on a chair courtside with ice on both knees. The Heat’s training staff has not cleared Oden for contact, and that is still probably some time off. The team is in no rush to get Oden on the floor, and if there is a timetable to have him in a real game, no one is talking publicly about it.”

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  • James Ham of Cowbell Kingdom reports on a possible attitude adjustment from DeMarcus Cousins: “Like most of his teammates, Cousins has been in Sacramento for the better part of a month.  The group has been working hard with the new coaching staff on a voluntary basis and by all accounts it has been a positive situation.  But before Cousins got his mega-deal, new owner Vivek Ranadivé asked for a commitment from his franchise cornerstone. “I just want one thing from you,” Ranadivé said that he told Cousins. “I want you to be the first guy in and the last guy out, because you are going to be the leader of this organization.  And he’s done that.” “

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