Michael Wright has been around basketball greatness for many years. Forget about the fact he lived near Chicago’s United Center when Michael Jordan ruled.
When Wright was a freshman power forward in high school at Farragut Academy in Chicago, he had a pretty good player alongside him. The starting center was Kevin Garnett. That 1995 team won the city’s public high school championship before losing in the quarters of the Illinois state tournament.
Wright, the Knicks’ second-round pick from Arizona, has made a nice showing in the first two days of the Knicks’ summer-league practices. The club, made up of rookies and free agents, will open the summer-league schedule Monday in Boston and all eyes will be on Wright, the 6-7 burly power forward who came out after his junior year.
“He’s giving a great effort on the offensive boards,” Knicks summer-league coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s the best offensive rebounder here. He goes on every shot.”
Wright’s scouting report underscores his toughness – a fatal flaw of the 2000-2001 Knicks. Before he turned to basketball at age 12 as salvation, his toughness nearly landed him in handcuffs. He’s admitted to stealing a car and assisting a break-in as a pre-teen living in a seedy project in Chicago. Wright has stepped over enough passed-out crack addicts to know how good he has it.
He now saves his mean streak for the court. Wright could be in a battle to make the Knicks’ roster in October, depending on the moves they make. Though he is only 6-7, the Knicks likely will stick with a power forward known for his savage play.
“I’m undersized but I’m quick and smart,” Wright said. “When you’re undersized, you have to use your strength.”
His memory of the Knicks growing up? “We always put them out in the playoffs,” Wright said. “I was a Chicago Bulls fan.”
Scouts have compared him to a young Anthony Mason. They share a facial resemblance, have broad shoulders, are lefty and are undersized for a “4”. Jeff Van Gundy mocked the notion.
“Every year we have to compare guys to someone,” Van Gundy said. “He doesn’t compare to anyone yet.”