Q-Rich excited to be a Knick?

Who would ever though a player would be excited to play for the New York Knicks? Not me, and I’m a Knicks fan. Ever since Isiah Thomas was brought aboard the mood has just soured every year, no matter what the players have said. But now with Mike D’Antoni the tide of emotion seems to be changing. Yeah, we’ve all heard already about the struggles D’Antoni and Stephon Marbury had with each other out in Phoenix but there is at least one player who can’t wait for the season to get underway. That player is none other then the oft-injured Quentin Richardson.

Going back in time, Richardson’s best season in the NBA came in 2004-05, when he tied the league record for 226 threes in a season. His coach that season? None other then Mike D’Antoni. Q-Rich played in 79 games, averaging just under 36 minutes a game, 14.9 ppg and about 8 three point attempts a NIGHT! “My season I spent in Phoenix with Coach D as the coach, that was the best season of my career,” Richardson told The Associated Press. To show how good of a season he had, he’s only had a total of 230 three’s made in his 3-year Knicks career.

“It’s pure excitement for me,” Richardson said. “I’m healthy, I feel like I’m finally back to 100 percent after my back surgery, I’ve been working out since April 26 getting myself ready. I’m optimistic. I’m ready to get back to being the best player I can be and help us turn this thing around.” If Quentin can remain healthy he could have a huge season. He’s been working out with Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade since the season ended, and so far all the signs are positive.

That same season D’Antoni’s coaching led the Phoenix Suns to one of the biggest turn arounds in NBA history. The Suns went from 29 to 62 in one season. Could it be repeated in New York? The Knicks won 23 games this past season. Richards also said, “Career-high in wins, I was with a great group of guys, we played a fun style and he made it that way. He had that environment conducive to the way we played, and that was a big part of our chemistry. And we hope it happens again, sooner than later.” I’d love to see this happen, but I’m still skeptical. The talent level between that team and this Knicks team is very different.

For one, that Suns team had a point guard named Steve Nash. The team also had Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa. The Knicks, we’ve got Stephon Marbury, Jamaal Crawford, Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph and Q-Rich. I’d take that Suns 4 against the Knicks 5 any day of the week, and thats shorthanded! But then again you can’t really rule out a turn around for this team.

But you know what, any excitement with this team right now is a good thing. The team has been in turmoil for so long, the players and fans need a glimmer of hope. And for a player to come out and genuinely support the new coach is a good start. The two even spoke before the official announcement, Richardson says D’Antoni called him and said, “You can’t get rid of me”.

Any one who follows the NBA, knows the main problem in NY has not been the talent, its motivation and team chemistry. Richardson truly feels that won’t be a problem and D’Antoni is the man to turn this ship around. “Anybody who knows Coach D knows he’s impossible not to like,” Richardson said. “He’s a great guy, so right off the bat we know it’s going to be a lot of fun. The best thing myself and the rest of the players can do is do what I’m doing now—get in the gym and get prepared for whatever Coach D wants us to do.”

Quentin, I hope you’re right. Over the past few years ,my interest in the NBA has dropped year by year. Isiah and Knicks management have helped to make me hate the game, that and well the star centered game plans coaches now run. At least in Phoenix, there was always excitement it was old school scoring, not quite Knicks rough and rugged ball, but still exciting. If D’Antoni can do what you think, maybe the NBA could regain my interest. I’m still in a wait and see mode thou, cause minus Thomas its still the same cast and crew.

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Tags: NBA, New York Knicks