Mike D'Antoni said he thinks it could be premature for Knicks president Donnie Walsh to compare rookie Landry Fields to former Celtics great John Havlicek, but the coach understands the analogy.
Walsh told The Post in yesterday's editions the Knicks' second-round rookie sensation has the same intangible qualities "Hondo" possessed as a rookie out of Ohio State and could become as great a player. Walsh and D'Antoni talked about the story yesterday.
"It's a pretty good comparison," D'Antoni said. "I just read it. But you're talking about one of the all-time greats, so let's not get too carried away. I love Landry to death, but Havlicek was special over 15 years. He has some of the same characteristics, running, athletically, now it's up to him to keep getting better like Havlicek did. Again, I see similarities."
Fields, selected 39th in the 2010 draft and a rookie-of-the-year candidate, said he knows of the Celtics legend, but now plans to look closer at film of Havlicek.
Walsh did not backtrack yesterday.
"[Fields] moves without the ball, all over the floor," he said. "I'm talking about Havlicek as a rookie. Then he went to become a great scorer. He has all the ingredients Havlicek had at that age."
Told Fields never saw Havlicek on film, Walsh said: "I don't think he knows how big a compliment it is. It's as good a compliment as you can get."
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The Knicks need another big body for the rotation and C Eddy Curry, yet to dress this season, still is scrimmaging. But yesterday he looked a step slow and exhausted.
"He's not quite there yet," D'Antoni said. "He has to get in better shape."
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In late October, D'Antoni said he doubted Kelenna Azubuike would debut before Christmas, and he was right. In fact, Azubuike still has not returned to scrimmaging after being shut down 10 days ago after looking like a latter-day Allan Houston.
Azubuike is back to a new training program, working on his gait. He began practicing with the team in mid-November but made no progress.
"He was in a rut scrimmaging," D'Antoni said. "He's working on getting his mechanics. Trainers want him to have the right gait. It's not about basketball."
Azubuike's contract expires after season and is a buyout candidate if things don't progress soon.
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Anthony Randolph injured his ankle yesterday during scrimmage for the second time in three days. Randolph is no longer in the rotation.
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qtdz
Nypost.com
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