Timofey Mozgov emerging as Knicks' starting center

¹²³ · Sep 24, 2010

Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' new international man of mystery, may have won the starting center job even before training camp begins.

A Knicks official says that Mozgov, the 7-1 rookie from St. Petersburg, Russia, has been impressive during voluntary training sessions in Greenburgh and that coach Mike D'Antoni is already considering starting Mozgov alongside Amar'e Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

Mozgov's presence is further proof that Eddy Curry's days with the club are numbered. Curry's expiring contract makes him a valuable trading asset that the Knicks would gladly include in a potential deal for Denver's Carmelo Anthony. However, unless the Knicks can acquire a first-round pick to send to the Nuggets, it is unlikely that team president Donnie Walsh will have the pieces to satisfy Denver.

Curry has appeared in just 10 games since the start of the 2008-09 season. The fact that he was the lone player on the roster not to participate in voluntary workouts is telling.

Curry told close friends last March that he was hopeful the Knicks would negotiate a buyout of his $11 million 2010-11 salary that would open the way for him to either sign with Chicago or Miami.

Walsh, whose best teams with the Pacers featured a traditional center, has been supportive of Curry. But Walsh is ready to move on, having signed Mozgov to a three-year, $9.7 million free agent contract.

Of course, the Knicks would also be taking a gamble that Mozgov can quickly adjust to the physical nature of the NBA game as well as to a new country and culture.

"We have to see how he adapts to the NBA game, but at 7-1, 270 pounds, he's maybe our most athletic guy, that runs, that's a great guy, that has great hands and knows how to play," D'Antoni said. "I'm happy with him and excited about the possibility. We have a lot of guys we should be excited about the possibilities."

Mozgov averaged 12 points during the recent world championships for Russia, which was eliminated by the United States.
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