Plenty of Dicey Questions

The Knicks have other dicey training-camp issues besides the dark shadow of the rehabbing left knee of Antonio McDyess, whom the club believes can return in November.

A league source said McDyess still has to undergo more tests. He probably will need a final C-scan Oct. 21, the sixth-month anniversary of the last surgery, before being given full clearance to play in intrasquad scrimmages. Though Knicks GM Scott Layden will give an official update in today's State-of-the-Knicks Address, he, too, doesn't know exactly when McDyess will make his debut until he starts scrimmaging.

Here's other pressing Knick issues, as players with three or less years experience reported to Westchester camp yesterday and hold practice today. Veterans join Frank Williams, Mike Sweetney, Maciej Lampe and Slavko Vranes on Friday for the first full team practice.

Via New York Post

New York Knicks

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There's no Antonio

The Knicks' post-Spree era begins this week devoid of expectations and hope. Any Knicks playoff talk begins and ends with discussion of Antonio McDyess' mending knee. Players with three years or less experience report to training camp tomorrow, with veterans arriving Thursday. Veterans are banned from the building during rookie camp, unless undergoing rehab.

That McDyess and Allan Houston are allowed inside the Knicks' Westchester practice facility is symbolic of the team's state: likely lottery-bound for a third straight year.

McDyess and Houston are rehabbing from knee surgeries. Houston, who had arthroscopic surgery, is not expected to sufffer lingering implications and could be ready for Friday's initial veteran practice.

The McDyess mystery continues, however. Though his rehab from a third patella surgery in 18 months has gone extremely well, the power forward is not expected to play in the preseason games. He is working out on the court, should be available to do many team drills, and could be ready to suit up early in the season. GM Scott Layden will give a specific timetable during his state of the Knicks address Thursday.

In a poll of five NBA executives, every one uttered the same playoff sentiment about the Knicks: "They have a good chance if Antonio returns." If he doesn't, Keith Van Horn will not carry the club to postseason; nor would have Latrell Sprewell.

Even if McDyess plays his first regular-season game as a Knick in November, what will he look like and how long will it last? One prominent knee specialist said in April that McDyess' situation reeks of Grant Hill's: Both stars have wear-and-tear injuries that probably won't heal fully enough to withstand the rigors of an NBA season.

"It will take time for him to develop confidence in his knee and play with the reckless abandon you need to play with," one GM said.

Via New York Post

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Pope in limbo?

New York Knicks free-agent forward-center Mark Pope still is contemplating whether to join the Nuggets' free-agent camp or go elsewhere.

If Pope thinks he has a good chance of making Denver's roster, he will come here. ...

Via Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks

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