D'Antoni thinks Knicks can make playoffs

LAS VEGAS - Though this year's free-agency effort did not result in the big prize, LeBron James, the Knicks did come away with Amar'e Stoudemire, one of the top available free agents, which is no small consolation. Mike D'Antoni believes the Knicks have "a legitimate shot" at the playoffs with Stoudemire and newly signed point guard Raymond Felton.

But there's no doubt the Knicks have a lot more work to do before they can compete with a loaded team like the Miami Heat, not to mention other Eastern Conference powers such as the Celtics, the Orlando Magic and the improved Chicago Bulls.

"We've got one good piece," D'Antoni said yesterday. "We've got some young guys to develop and we've got to add another piece or two or three or whatever we have to do."

Perhaps Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler or another newcomer, Anthony Randolph, can become one of those extra pieces. Or perhaps they will provide the kind of value to help the Knicks trade for a second star, such as Carmelo Anthony or Chris Paul.

The Knicks are now in the next phase of this rebuilding project, which would have ended if James had chosen the Knicks. It would have made life easier for D'Antoni, who will feel the pressure even more this season to produce a playoff team after two losing seasons. But D'Antoni has no ill will toward James, who spurned the Knicks to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

"LeBron was criticized for making the pass instead of taking the hard shot and he made the right basketball play," D'Antoni said during the Knicks' summer league practice here. "Now he's criticized for going and playing with other guys and trying to win. I thought that's what we're supposed to do."

Part of what made D'Antoni so valuable when he was hired in May 2008 was his connection to these star players through the Olympic team. It was a chance to do a little bonding, with the not-so-subtle hint that D'Antoni and the Knicks were targeting 2010 for a major run in free agency. Now it's over and the mission wasn't accomplished, D'Antoni said he has no problem with the result and, despite suggestions that the their Miami plan had been in the works for quite some time, D'Antoni doesn't believe the Knicks were duped by any of the three.

"I think we had a shot; I don't think they knew for sure," D'Antoni said. "They were covering their bases, if that's true. I can't get into their minds, but I respect what they did. They never led me on. They never did anything against me. We did our business, they did their business."

Notes & quotes: The Knicks officially announced the signing of Russian center Timofey Mozgov to a three-year contract, with only the first year guaranteed. Mozgov left Tuesday for Moscow, where he will begin training with the Russian national team for the World Championships . . . Gallinari has been in Italy most of the offseason but is expected to return to New York Aug. 1.

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