Carmelo hyperextends knee, says he's OK
From left, New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire, center Tyson Chandler, and forward Carmelo Anthony address members of the media during a press conference. (Dec. 12, 2011) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The first scare of the preseason came in a scrimmage during Monday's practice when Carmelo Anthony went down with what the Knicks called a hyperextended left knee. Anthony tripped over Iman Shumpert's foot while stepping through a screen on defense and fell awkwardly.
"My foot slipped and I kind of hyperextended my knee a little bit,'' Anthony said. "But I'm fine, I'm fine. No worries.''
Anthony walked off the court on his own, went to the trainer's room and did not return for the rest of practice. He is listed as day-to-day, but Mike D'Antoni said he expects him back as early as Tuesday's practice.
"I think he just went out to ice it down and be ready by [Tuesday],'' D'Antoni said before quickly adding, "he's been great for us. A hundred percent full-out. Why risk it?''
Anthony had a "clean-out'' procedure in May on a problematic right knee that had bothered him during the season. He downplayed any concern about the left one, saying, "I'm good.''
Awaiting Jordan (Jerome)Jerome Jordan, the 7-foot center the Knicks acquired in the 2010 draft, watched practice from a courtside seat. He is not yet officially signed because of what interim general manager Glen Grunwald said were "administrative'' issues that needed to be completed regarding the buyout from his Slovenian team. He is expected to be eligible for practice by the end of the week.
Whether he will have an impact on the rotation remains to be seen. "One of our European scouts has watched him extensively, thinks he may be ready to get into an NBA game,'' Grunwald said. "He's going to get his opportunity. If he works and plays hard, he may get a chance. He's a prospect we hope someday will develop into a player.''Knicks fix
