Knicks defense suffers without Rasheed Wallace
Knicks center Rasheed Wallace pulls down a rebound during a game against the Indiana Pacers. (Nov. 18, 2012) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The Knicks have a need for Rasheed Wallace. But the veteran big man remains out with a foot injury. Wallace is expected to miss his tenth consecutive game Thursday night when the Knicks face San Antonio. It's no coincidence the Knicks have struggled defensively without Wallace. His presence and chatter on the defensive end were big reasons the Knicks were stout earlier in the season.
They are 16-4 with Wallace in the lineup and allow 93.6 points per game. Without him, they're 5-6 and give up 103.9 points.
"You miss him a lot," Mike Woodson said. "That was one of the reasons of bringing him to New York. I know he brings that to the table. It becomes very effective. It's contagious, when you got one or two guys that are talking all the time and in your ear when you screw up things. You do miss him. But again, he's not here. Guys that are in uniform got to talk and hold each other accountable. I got to make sure they do that."
Woodson continues to call Wallace "day-to-day."
Light day
Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd and J.R. Smith watched film with the team and shot around, but didn't take part in the rest of practice. The Knicks said all four are expected to play Thursday night. After Tuesday's loss to Portland, Anthony said his hyperextended left knee felt sore and achy.
Shump still non-contact
Iman Shumpert (left knee surgery) participated in some of the non-contact drills and sets the Knicks did Wednesday. Woodson said Shumpert is doing some "individual contact," but he hasn't gotten clearance for 5-on-5 yet.
