Melo regrets missing chance to face Durant
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant reaches for the ball in front of Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd during the frirt half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals. (May 19, 2011) Credit: AP
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Missing a game is tough enough, but missing a challenge is something else -- and worse.
That's the way Carmelo Anthony saw losing his only shot this season to play against the Thunder's Kevin Durant, one of the best players in the world.
"Those games are always fun. I love playing against guys like Durant, guys who bring the best out of me," Anthony said. "We've always had battles even when I was in Denver. I was looking forward to this game, but due to circumstances . . . "
The circumstance was a sprained right ankle that sidelined Anthony Saturday night.
Durant has lifted his transplanted team from the 20-62 Seattle SuperSonics of his rookie season (2007-08) to a legitimate title contender. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has worked with Durant and Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook on U.S. national teams and said, "They're exceptional people and great talents."
Shumpert knows himself
One rookie mistake that Iman Shumpert apparently will not make is being oblivious to his other rookie mistakes. The guy is an honest self-assessor. He knows he was undisciplined, shooting 5-for-20, against the Grizzlies in Memphis on Thursday night.
"I know where I messed up. I think everybody who saw the game knows where I messed up," he said Saturday morning. "Really, [the Grizzlies] just suckered me out of my game. I'm really tough on myself when it comes to that. It's a tough pill to swallow, but the best thing is I've got another game tonight."
Atkinson still has his legs
Knicks assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, 44, felt fine Saturday, having taken a swim in the hotel pool to get over scrimmaging full-court with the team on Friday.
Fact is, the Knicks gave him his due. Said Anthony, "Kenny is an underrated player."
Of course, he's not underrated by anyone who once saw the spitfire guard from St. Anthony's High School lead Long Island to a huge upset over New York City in the Newsday Classic at Nassau Coliseum.
