GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) -He can't use it for another 2 1/2 months, but Mike D'Antoni was offered a chance to practice his free agent pitch Thursday.
The New York Knicks coach pretended he was getting on his knees.
Yes, they'd be willing to beg here in New York.
Nine straight losing seasons, which became the worst stretch in franchise history with a 29-53 record this season, would make anyone do that. But D'Antoni, who oversaw the last two years of it, thinks the struggles will help, not hurt, starting July 1.
``I think it's a selling point,'' D'Antoni said at the Knicks' training center.
``That's one of the reasons I came here, was because if you do get this turned around, knowing how hard it is, just it makes it even that more exciting. It takes a little leap of faith a little bit, but if you are competitive enough, and you want to get it done, isn't it, 'Make it in New York, you make it anywhere?' I didn't make that up, that's just the way it is.''
The Knicks are hoping a player such as LeBron James or Dwyane Wade - or maybe two of them - will agree with D'Antoni. After largely sacrificing the last two seasons, they're in position for a huge score when they finally enter free agency.
New York hadn't been under the salary cap since 1996, giving the team few chances of upgrading troughout the last decade. Team president Donnie Walsh aggressively slashed the payroll since his arrival two years ago and the Knicks could have about $32 million per year to spend this summer, most in the league.
``Now we'll have opportunities,'' Walsh said. ``This had to get done, in my mind, for the New York Knicks.''
NBA rules prevent Walsh from naming any players the Knicks would consider, but there will be plenty of choices in what could be the deepest free agent pool ever. His trades over the last two years have left the Knicks on the verge of being able to afford two maximum salary contracts.
While fans would love someone like James, Walsh would only say the Knicks would ``go after the best players we can get for this team and try to build it into a contending team.''
He won't even guarantee it will be done this summer. He could instead wait until 2011 if the Knicks can't attract the right players this time around.
``I understand the expectations. I understand the excitement of people who are fans of the NBA looking around and trying to come up with what we should do,'' Walsh said. ``I'd like to hit every one of their wishes, but I can't.''
Nor could he say what would happen with David Lee, the top free agent on his own team. Lee was a first-time All-Star and averaged 20.2 points and 11.7 rebounds, but both he and the Knicks could have better options in July.
``He had a great year. He's I think improved since I've been here a lot,'' Walsh said. ``I can't predict the way everything would fall, but it's a great option to have. Now at the other end of the spectrum, he's going to get offers, so that's going to play into it.''
Walsh added he would talk to Tracy McGrady, who struggled in his comeback from microfracture surgery, later on in the summer. The Knicks acquired McGrady at the trade deadline, and the former scoring champion said he would be willing to return at a discount if the team landed two superstars.
The Knicks have only five players under contract beyond this season, so next year's team will look different no matter what. But Walsh insists he feels no pressure or has no fear of failure.
``If you're going to worry about that and come to New York, you're in the wrong place,'' he said.
And he isn't concerned about the Knicks' record turning off players. And what would he tell any free agents that asked about it?
``That's why we're after you,'' he said.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
