From Russia, with potential
The next time Timofey Mozgov plays basketball, it will be as an NBA player. The 7-1 Russian finished a solid nine-game run in the FIBA World Championships with 13 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 20.5 minutes per game. He also shot 63.8 percent from the field, with most attempts coming right under the rim.
It was the first look most of us have gotten of the 24-year-old big man, who was signed by the Knicks in July under a shroud of secrecy to a three-year, $9.7M contract (not all of it is fully guaranteed). Though you have to acknowledge that he didn't often go up against NBA starting-caliber centers in this tournament, Mozgov still showed a great deal of potential as an NBA prospect.
In nine games, Mozgov scored in double-figures in all but two, despite the fact that he rarely was featured in David Blatt's pick-and-roll offense. The 24-year-old showed himself to be extremely active on the offensive end, as he routinely set screens and quickly dove into the lane (several times he was open but did not get the ball). On the post, he clearly needs a lot of work (paging Patrick Ewing...) and he's a non-threat outside the paint as a scorer, but he does have soft hands and good passing instincts.
Defensively, I believe he will have to go through a frustrating adjustment period when it comes to foul trouble, because while he is very long and loves to challenge shots, he tends to make body contact (often chest or hip) which will be whistled against him at the NBA level (especially as a rookie). He's not heavy, at 260 pounds, but he isn't weak, either. He should be able to make the bigger centers (Kendrick Perkins) run and use his length against the rest of the pack.
I challenged him about his rebounding numbers (4.4 per game is awfully low for anyone who is 7-1, even in 20.5 minutes per) and, because we know he reads the Fix, he responded with 11 boards in 28 minutes against Argentina. His previous high was 7 against New Zealand.
Yes, upon closer review, you have to note that Mozgov diligently tends to a basic fundamental that is lost in American basketball: the box out. Normally, the only people you ever find boxing out are the football players who fill out the roster of a small high school team and the old guys at the Y who have bad knees and want to leave the jumping to someone else but still want to look like they're doing something. (Those guys always tend to gravitate toward me, which is maddening...this ain't JV tryouts, Pops!).
Every American-born hoop star understands the value of statistics by the time they reach middle school, so if you involve yourself too much in finding your man and planting your backside into him (pause), you don't have time to read the ball and go get it. David Lee is a prime example. Lee is one of the best rebounders in the NBA and I don't think I've ever seen him box out.
Mozgov does, which leaves the rebound available to someone else. On the Russian team, it usually was for one of the wings or guards, who then turned that into a breakout. But Moz will have to learn that there will be many people (like me) who will overlook his devotion to a lost fundamental of the game and will instead criticize him for low rebounding numbers.
But Amar'e Stoudemire will appreciate the kid, especially if his rebounding numbers are at a career-best level because of Mozgov's willingness to block out an opposing big man, and, really, that's all that should matter.
Am I suggesting that the kid is ready to start at center next to Stoudemire? No. But I am ready to suggest that the job is more than available.
Mozgov will leave Turkey and return to Russia, where he will pack up, get all of his paperwork completed and, if all goes smoothly, he should be working out at the MSG Training Center by the end of the week. Training camp begins Sept. 25, which is in less than two weeks.
There are a lot of new faces on this roster. But there's no question Mozgov will be one of the most intriguing to watch from the very start of camp.
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* - Just about all of the players are expected to be at the MSG Training Center this week. Raymond Felton arrived last week and has been working out with Stoudemire. Danilo Gallinari was back in Italy last week to do some appearances for Reebok, but he's back. Eddy Curry is one name I haven't heard yet, however. Unlike last summer, when Donnie Walsh kept close tabs on Curry, the Knicks are leaving Curry on his own this offseason. It'll be up to him to show up ready to play, which he hasn't done in three years.
