<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- "Q," as Quentin Richardson is known, stands for question mark. The most pressing question is how much of a setback he suffered by straining his left hamstring in training camp and then re-injuring it nine days ago in the second preseason game. Can Richardson be ready for the Nov. 2 opener in Boston? And if he is, will he necessarily start at small forward, as was expected when the Knicks traded Kurt Thomas for him during the summer? Coach Larry Brown couldn't provide a definitive answer yesterday when asked about Richardson's status. "I haven't seen him," Brown said. "I can't think [the injury] helped him, but he's always here, always working out. He hasn't gained any weight; he watches what we do. It would be nicer if he was there, but look at all the time Trevor's gotten to play and how much better he's gotten." Exactly. With Richardson on the sideline, second-year man Trevor Ariza, who is only 20, has taken advantage of the opportunity to show what he can do. He caught the brunt of Brown's criticism one day early in training camp when he was scolded for missing jump shots when he should have been driving to the basket. But after five preseason games, Ariza is averaging 10.4 points per game and shooting 58.6 percent from the field, second only to center Eddy Curry's 65.4 mark. "I see improvement and then I see it in the games," Brown said of Ariza. "He's taken two outside shots in the last three games. He hustles, he rebounds, he runs the floor, he tries to guard. It's not going to be easy for him or for anybody who plays that position, but I'm just thrilled with his progress." During a one-point loss Friday at Dallas, Ariza had to contend with the mercurial quickness of Josh Howard, who scored 21 points, including one clutch jumper with Ariza right in his face. Brown said there will be other nights when his small forward must face the likes of Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Richard Jefferson or Paul Pierce in the opener, but Ariza has the athleticism that gives him a chance to challenge such scorers and doesn't often make mistakes. "I'm very athletic and I have pretty long arms, so I've got a chance to get in the passing lanes, get a hand up and disturb guys' shots," Ariza said. "Good players are going to hit big shots. Just don't let it bother you and keep playing."</div> Source
I hope Ariza does much more than what everybody expects, I alwasy predicted him to be good coming out of UCLA. I thought he'd take time like 2-3 years but he's already better than I thought he'd be and he's been in the league a year. I wouldnt mind seeing him start over Q, when Q is hurtin'.
Ariza will, and should be the starter Marbury Richardson Ariza Davis Curry 6th man Crawfod Bench players Taylor James Barnes Hardaway Robinson
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">Ariza will, and should be the starter Marbury Richardson Ariza Davis Curry 6th man Crawfod Bench players Taylor James Barnes Hardaway Robinson</div> Yea, thats the lineup I suggested in another tread. I still like marbury at the 1 because he's one of the best there, Q-rich can use his size and strength to provide disadvantages with other sg's, Ariza is talented enough to start. hes one of the best defensive players on the team and he can score. The PF spot is questionable because Davis is behind. I would go with Rose or Taylor there. Eventually Lee or Davis will take over. I like Curry at the 5 simply because hes a good center. He showed what he can do yesterday. He had some monster blocks and a couple of steals. Like his career averages show, Curry gets better every year. This lineup has more size and a little less speed. That lineup would produce more rebounds which will help the knicks in 2nd chance points. I think LB should consider it.
I guess Ariza should start simply because he can play D and not many guys on the Knicks' roster can, however Jamal Crawford really is better than he is even if he does take some ill-advised shots.
