West Point, NY -- As the dust settled on the opening day of Knicks Camp, Derek Fisher, content with his team’s conditioning level, set forth implementing basic offensive and defensive principles.
So, naturally, as reporters asked coach and players to recap the morning practice of Day 2, focus shifted to the big man in the middle, New York’s biggest free agent acquisition, Robin Lopez.
“Robin…he’s big-time,” said Carmelo Anthony. “We were winning all the drills today, then they take him out and we lost. That goes to tell you right there.”
“We’re going to have some principles that we stick by,” added Arron Afflalo, another summer addition and Lopez’s teammate for 23 games in Portland last season. “We’ll be committed as a group, but Robin is obviously going to be one of our huge strengths.”
Known for his defensive chops, Phil Jackson and Co. signed him to a multi-year deal with hopes that Lopez can become a leader for the Knicks on both ends of the floor.
“He’ll probably touch the ball a lot more than most bigs in other systems,” Fisher said. “Robin’s a great passer and facilitator, and we’re looking forward to being able to utilize him in those ways.
For his part, Lopez is excited about his expanded role in New York.
“There are a lot of facets of the Triangle I can take advantage of,” he said on Wednesday. “I feel like it plays to my strengths; I stay around the elbow, around the blocks. I’m comfortable swing-swinging the ball at the top of the key.”
It would be an adjustment –- Lopez spent the last few seasons doing the dirty work while Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge racked up All-Star appearances –- but it hasn’t taken long to convince coaches and teammates that he’s embracing the opportunity, displaying the focus and intensity that got him to this point.
“All tables, stanchions and what appear to be immovable objects should get out of the way when he’s pissed off,” said Fisher. “Having a guy with that type of minsdet protecting the basket for you, we hope to be a good thing.”
“That’s a good attribute,” agreed Afflalo. “He’s very committed to playing at that end of the court. He’s a great teammate and fun to play with.”
You begin to see what Afflalo means when you hear veterans tell what it’s like to face him.
“I hated him as an opponent,” said Melo, smiling. “He’s a big guy, he’s a load down there. He’s a hell of a pick-and-roll guy. He sets crazy screens; I used to think they were dirty, but now I think they’re clean.”