Knicks' ideal top 5 close as Arron Afflalo cleared for debut
"While rookie Kristaps Porzingis will miss his second straight preseason game Friday when the Knicks host the Celtics, shooting guard Arron Afflalo likely will make his Knicks debut.
Afflalo went through all of practice and his first scrimmage Thursday and will be listed as probable for Friday. Afflalo, who signed a two-year, $16 million free-agent contract, hadn’t practiced in full since the third day of training camp at West Point because of a left hamstring strain.
“It felt good,’’ Afflalo said. “I had an extended vacation. The training staff has been great with me in terms of rehab. Now it’s getting acclimated with my teammates.’’
Afflalo said his hamstring injury normally takes two to three weeks to heal and he had no setbacks.
“It’s a positive anxiety,’’ Afflalo said of his debut. “I got two days of training camp in, so it seems like it’s been awhile. I’m familiar [with the offense]. I’ve been standing here watching every day, so I’m excited. My wind is great. It’s more or less getting a continuity with my teammates.’’
Porzingis sat out Thursday’s practice because of his quad strain, but said he felt 100 percent. Porzingis will participate in Friday’s shootaround and hopes to be cleared to return Saturday in Charlotte in the second night of a back-to-back.
Coach Derek Fisher had said
he wouldn’t bring Porzingis back until he got in a full-scale practice, but Friday’s shootaround will be good enough because of the shortened preseason. The Knicks (3-0) are playing a six-game schedule; normally they have eight games.
“I can’t wait to get back on the court,’’ Porzingis said. “Hopefully I’ll play on Saturday. I’m healthy and 100 percent.’’
Fisher was happy with the way Afflalo ran during the scrimmages. Afflalo is projected as the starting shooting guard, and Fisher likely will put him in the lineup right away with so few preseason games left.
“He moved well today,’’ Fisher said. “He’s moving in the right direction. We’ll see how he responds.’’
Fisher was gung-ho over signing Afflalo because of his defense. Some league executives concurred that the Knicks got a good contract value, even if Afflalo is 30 and coming off one of his worst seasons.
“His character,’’ Fisher said in listing reasons why Afflalo became an offseason priority. “He’s a team guy and he competes on both ends of the floor — sounds strange to say a guy competes on offense and defense. There’s a level of physicality and aggression Arron plays with that’s good for us. He obviously hasn’t played basketball in several months.’’
Fisher said he’d probably play Afflalo limited minutes Friday, so he can turn around and play Saturday.
Meanwhile, backup center Kevin Seraphin, who missed the past two games due to a knee injury, also practiced fully and is expected back Friday."
And it's bock and stout season.