Amar'e raves about 'Mozgov on the Hudson'
10:59 AM, September 27, 2010 ι By MARC BERMAN
Through the first two days of Knicks training camp, Russian center Timofey Mozgov has been better than advertised. He's solidly built, poised, good hands ? a real presence. He's knocked down 3s. He shoots righty but is more comfortable going left on the dribble, making him even tougher to guard.
During a scrimmage Sunday, "Mozgov on the Hudson" bolted down the left side of the lane for a running banker. Some raised their eyebrows when the Knicks shelled out $9 million over three years for the unknown 7-foot-1, 23-year-old. But it could be a bargain.
One league executive told me if Mozgov was in the NBA Draft, he'd be a late lottery pick. He's looking to be more than that.
The Russian has caught Amar'e Stoudemire's eye.
"He's adjusted quickly,'' Stoudemire told me. "I'm very surprised how good he really is. He's going to be a force if he keeps studying and working the way he has been.''
Mozgov's only weakness so far is his English. In my first interview attempt, he didn't understand most of my questions. Mike D'Antoni said it hasn't been a problem yet. D'Antoni said he's got a high basketball IQ to make up for the language barrier.
"I'm sure in a group setting he probably misses some things,'' D'Antoni said. "But one thing I do know, once he's got it, he's got it. Once he understands it, he's a very smart basketball player.
"Down the road, his English will be perfect,'' D'Antoni added. "His English will be great in two months. He'll pick it up like that. I've had experience with European guys. I don't think it's an issue now.''
While Eddy Curry already has "tight hamstrings'' preventing him from finishing yesterday's scrimmage, D'Antoni said of Mozgov, "He's an athlete.''
Mozgov has been playing with the second string. But he makes No. 1 Ronny Turiaf look like a small forward when they stand together.
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