I found this kind of hilarious. So the Knicks have over $35M invested in the power forward spot, and Melo can also play there, but Acy is the early favourite to get the spot. Given Amar'e knees and Bargnani's, well, everything (injuries, softness, etc..), Acy should get plenty of opportunities. Good for him....but still hilarious. Oh, the Knicks...
http://nypost.com/2014/10/15/gritty-...power-forward/
http://nypost.com/2014/10/15/gritty-...power-forward/
“No I didn’t plan on coming here to start,’’ Acy told The Post with a chuckle. “I planned on coming here and playing hard to earn minutes. I guess I impressed enough with my defense to earn a spot. I don’t know what coach got going if I’m starting or coming off the bench or not playing, but I’ll be happy.’’
When the Knicks traded with the Kings in August for Acy and Travis Outlaw, who has been, by contrast, uninspiring, general manager Steve Mills said the former Baylor combo forward showed enough scrap and liveliness in summer league to merit a deal. The Knicks gave up Jeremy Tyler and Wayne Ellington in the trade.
But Acy, 24, probably wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity if not for Bargnani’s hamstring strain. Bargnani started the first preseason game, but has sat out the last three with the 6-foot-7 Acy promoted over Amar’e Stoudemire at power forward.
“I think that separates myself — just high energy,’’ Acy said. “Not a lot of guys in the league do the things I do. I take pride in it and take pride in my defense and take some pride in being a great overall teammate.’’
Acy, a 2012 second-round pick of Toronto (37th), was traded by the Raptors to the Kings last season in the Rudy Gay blockbuster.
Fisher said from the get-go it’s not the most talented five players who will start and intangibles would factor in. Jose Calderon, Carmelo Anthony and Samuel Dalembert have locked up the starting point guard, small forward and center positions, respectively. Iman Shumpert appears to have staked his claim to the starting shooting guard job.
Then there’s power forward, for which four guys are competing. Aside from Acy, Bargnani and Stoudemire, there’s free-agent signee Jason Smith, who missed time because of the birth of his daughter but lit up the Sixers for 14 points Tuesday night in Syracuse.
“It’s important to have guys like Iman and [Acy] because there’s certain types of intensity and mind-set that’s contagious within the team,’’ Fisher said. “That high motor. Teammates enjoy feeding off it. Right now we have some guys born that way.’’
When the Knicks traded with the Kings in August for Acy and Travis Outlaw, who has been, by contrast, uninspiring, general manager Steve Mills said the former Baylor combo forward showed enough scrap and liveliness in summer league to merit a deal. The Knicks gave up Jeremy Tyler and Wayne Ellington in the trade.
But Acy, 24, probably wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity if not for Bargnani’s hamstring strain. Bargnani started the first preseason game, but has sat out the last three with the 6-foot-7 Acy promoted over Amar’e Stoudemire at power forward.
“I think that separates myself — just high energy,’’ Acy said. “Not a lot of guys in the league do the things I do. I take pride in it and take pride in my defense and take some pride in being a great overall teammate.’’
Acy, a 2012 second-round pick of Toronto (37th), was traded by the Raptors to the Kings last season in the Rudy Gay blockbuster.
Fisher said from the get-go it’s not the most talented five players who will start and intangibles would factor in. Jose Calderon, Carmelo Anthony and Samuel Dalembert have locked up the starting point guard, small forward and center positions, respectively. Iman Shumpert appears to have staked his claim to the starting shooting guard job.
Then there’s power forward, for which four guys are competing. Aside from Acy, Bargnani and Stoudemire, there’s free-agent signee Jason Smith, who missed time because of the birth of his daughter but lit up the Sixers for 14 points Tuesday night in Syracuse.
“It’s important to have guys like Iman and [Acy] because there’s certain types of intensity and mind-set that’s contagious within the team,’’ Fisher said. “That high motor. Teammates enjoy feeding off it. Right now we have some guys born that way.’’
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