With the Knicks set to play their first exhibition game inside the United States against the Boston Celtics Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, they may turn to a foreigner at center.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is strongly considering giving the start to 7-foot-1, 250-pound Russian Timofey Mozgov.
“We’re trying to look at everybody in different spots, but that’s one we definitely want to look at,” D’Antoni told reporters Monday after practice. “I don’t know, do you really want him to go up against Shaq first time around? You’ve got to be able to find him on Thursday.”
O’Neal may or may not play depending on if the Celtics choose to utilize the 38-year-old veteran in the second night of back-to-backs.
“No, no fear whatsoever,” D’Antoni said. “[The fouls] could happen, but there won’t be any lack of effort out there, I know that much. He’s big, he might as well [play]. There’s no reason not to.”
