Mike D’Antoni still can’t decide on his starting lineup for the season opener in Miami in eight days, but one thing is sure: the franchise’s future, sniper Danilo Gallinari, won’t be in it.
Gallinari, stripped of his rookie moxie, is having a surprisingly inadequate preseason. He is shooting 28 percent (9 of 32). The only thing D’Antoni praises now is Gallinari’s defensive competence.
Gallinari played 28 games last season, but the coach still regards him as a rookie and made his strongest statement yet of Gallinari’s near future on the bench.
“I’d probably like to start him but it’s his rookie year,” D’Antoni said. “Eventually he will be a starter because he’s that good. I just don’t know when. Offensively he’s trying to find himself. But he’s very good on defense. If I knew he’s great on defense and struggling on offense, I don’t think we have any worries.”
Even Al Harrington is unsure of his status. Ten days ago, before the Knicks’ preseason game in Boston, Harrington thought he was a lock.
“I know I’m going to start,” Harrington said. “I’m not concerned with that.”
Before tonight’s Knicks-Celtics rematch at the Garden, Harrington feels less cozy and more uncertain about his role. D’Antoni has left all the players in the dark about their roles — an ominous sign with their preseason schedule ending tomorrow versus the Nets.
Harrington missed Friday’s game against the Nets with a sore knee, then came off the bench Sunday against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
D’Antoni said he is still struggling to find a starting five, admitting yesterday he may take the unconventional route of going on a game-to-game basis in the regular season. D’Antoni had hoped he would have his lineup set in time for the final two preseason games.
“That’s his job,” said Harrington, last season’s leading scorer. “My job is to play. . . . I wished I controlled everything.”
When asked if there was a chance of him not starting, Harrington said, “I wouldn’t think so. Don’t you think I’m a starter?”
When the reporter nodded his head, Harrington quipped, “Then write it.”
Chemistry and continuity were ingredients that figured to be the Knicks’ lone assets this season, since they are bringing back virtually the same roster. D’Antoni hasn’t figured out the right starting mix, if there is one. The Knicks are 3-2 in the preseason but an argument can be made they have not beaten an NBA team — with wins over the hapless Nets and Maccabi.
In the past two preseason games — both victories — Nate Robinson started at shooting guard. D’Antoni likes the speed and shotmaking Robinson brings to a lineup with Robinson and Chris Duhon in the backcourt, and Wilson Chandler, Jared Jeffries and David Lee up front.
The other two players expected in the nine-man rotation — besides Harrington and Gallinari — are center Darko Milicic and rookie point guard Toney Douglas. Larry Hughes, shooting 1 of 20 in preseason, and lottery pick forward Jordan Hill appear the odd men out.
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D’Antoni said he never could have gotten away with the boorish behavior of Maccabi coach Pini Gershon, who refused to leave the court after getting ejected Sunday. The NBA would have suspended a league coach for multiple games with massive fines for that outburst.
“I’m sure he got upset and sometimes you do crazy things,” D’Antoni said. “Usually you play in a league and can’t do that because there’s serious consequences. A exhibition game, some people take liberties.”