Knicks fall to Spurs, 101-92
New York Knicks' Amare Stoudemire (1) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' DeJuan Blair (45) and Tim Duncan (21) during the second quarter. (Jan. 21, 2011) Credit: AP
SAN ANTONIO - After promoting the value of playing small all week long, Mike D'Antoni decided to go big.
The Knicks started Friday night's 101-92 loss to the Spurs with Ronny Turiaf at center and Amar'e Stoudemire back at his natural position at power forward.
The notable change was that Wilson Chandler came off the bench and Danilo Gallinari started at small forward. The only consistency was that Raymond Felton and Landry Fields remained the starting backcourt for the 42nd straight game.
Felton had 23 points and seven assists and Stoudemire added 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks (22-20), who fell behind 61-50 at halftime and have lost five straight. Gallinari added 16 points, Toney Douglas had 11 and Turiaf had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Chandler had only six points in 30:36.
Tim Duncan (16 rebounds, eight assists) and Tony Parker (13 assists) had 21 points each for the Spurs (37-6, 24-2 at home), who hae won eight straight. DeJuan Blair added 18 points and 13 rebounds and Manu Ginobili had 16 points.
The Knicks beat the league-leading Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 4 with a similar lineup, though Chandler started at small forward because Gallinari was out with a knee sprain at the time. D'Antoni acknowledged that the coaching staff deliberated about whom to start at small forward and decided Chandler could better handle coming off the bench because he had done it earlier this season.
"And I don't get into something where - oops - I just screwed a guy up mentally,'' D'Antoni said, which suggests that Gallinari might have a problem with a reserve role.
Perhaps Stoudemire needs a break from playing center, too. Like Tim Duncan, Stoudemire doesn't like being referred to as a center and has made it clear that power forward is where he most likes to play. But he hasn't complained. "Whatever it takes to win,'' he said.
Asked if he gave any input to the coaching staff about his preference, Stoudemire replied: "It's a coach's decision. Obviously, they do the research and the studying to figure out what's the better scenario for us to win. I don't need to be in that process.''
Being able to handle any assignment is a source of pride for Stoudemire, who said with a grin, "I'm a versatile player. I'm the ultimate coachable player.''
Notes & quotes: ESPN Radio reported Friday that the Nuggets rejected an offer for Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks that included Chandler, Fields, Eddy Curry and a first- round pick. A person with knowledge of the negotiations between the teams said there haven't been any formal offers made, but it's quite clear that whatever deal is made will include Curry's expiring contract and that the Nuggets would like to come away with more than one first-round pick. The Knicks are expected to acquire another first-rounder by moving Anthony Randolph to the Pacers, Timberwolves or Trail Blazers in the near future . . . The trade rumors may be a distraction to some players, but Curry might be the one Knick who is hoping for a deal to go down with his name in it. "I have no comment on that,'' he said with a grin. He has been on the inactive list for the entire season, and D'Antoni consistently has said Curry is not where he needs to be conditioning-wise to play . . . Stoudemire tried out a new set of eye protection during the shoot-around Friday - Nike-designed goggles with a strap that look like a cross between Steve Urkel's specs and Hanson Brothers eyewear from the movie "Slap Shot.'' Stoudemire said the pair he has been using, which sits on his ears like glasses, falls off too much during games.
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