Playing the role of good cop, Don Chaney said yesterday the Knicks “need” Latrell Sprewell back, though a timetable was not set for the end of the All-Star guard’s banishment.
In a stunning about-face from his tight-lipped ways on last week’s Western trip when Sprewell didn’t return his phone call, Chaney broke a five-day silence on the subject, giving the sense the Knicks were gearing up to welcome back Spree.
“Right now, I just want him on the court,” Chaney said. “I don’t care when it happens or how it happens, I want him on the court.
“It’s not that management wants him out. We’re all in this together. We all want him back so we can win some games. We realize with him out it hurts our chances to win.”
Sprewell said Monday he expected to be ready to play in two weeks. That might be possible after he had the pin removed in the bone under his right pinkie yesterday.
The Knicks announced Sprewell will begin therapy on his hand for one week because he doesn’t have full range of motion, but he can’t shoot or lift weights. He’ll be re-evaluated in seven days and it’s possible he’ll only miss one week of the regular season.
Chaney’s effusive remarks come one day after the Knicks suspended Sprewell without pay for last night’s preseason game against Utah, costing their star swingman another $137,500. The sudden flattery may be an attempt to pump up Sprewell’s sagging trade value as the Knicks assuredly will shop him again.
Asked if Sprewell will play for the Knicks this season, GM Scott Layden said, “Absolutely.”
Chaney seemed to pine for an end to the ban despite Sprewell’s most recent transgression of failing to show up for rehab sessions, removing his cast without permission and then questioning Layden’s “track record” on making personnel moves.
“The only thing I’m concerned about Latrell is his speedy recovery,” Chaney said. “My only interest is getting him onto the court as soon as we can. I welcome him back. I want him and I think the players want him back. As his coach, I want him back. I hope it happens.”
Chaney made it clear he supported the latest punishment.
“He’s under the boundary of team rules,” Chaney said. “He breaks a rule, fine him. That fine comes from me, management, everybody. I treat all my players the same. It doesn’t matter if he’s a superstar or not, he breaks a rule, he gets fined.”
Meanwhile, Layden wouldn’t say when Sprewell will be back but called the pin removal “positive news.”
“Certainly, [Monday] was a New York moment,” Layden said. “But I’m not going to comment on what was said.”
The Knicks probably realize, especially after Sprewell’s Monday rant, it’s time he does his therapy around the team. Sprewell complained Monday it was demeaning to be allowed at the practice facility only when the team wasn’t present.
“We need him,” Chaney said. “Sooner we get everybody intact and everybody healthy, the sooner the team will find out what it’s all about in terms of our strength and how good we’re going to be. I want the team together.”
Chaney isn’t worried about Sprewell’s physical condition or his ability to learn the new high-tempo system.
“He’s a very bright guy, he puts a lot of energy into the game,” Chaney said. “I don’t think it would be very difficult for him. He’s one guy you don’t worry about getting his body in shape.”