A forgotten man since January, Lee Nailon says he wants to return to the Knicks next season. No, he wasn’t wearing his trademark headband too tight.
If anyone should want out of Don Chaney’s jail, it’s the free-agent-to-be Nailon, who managed to start half the games at small forward for the playoff Hornets last season and managed to be in the Hornet rotation during their run to the second round. But, nope, after a strong first impression, Chaney banished him.
The Knick coach planned to showcase him across the final four meaningless games, beginning last night vs. Philly.
“I just have to see where the chips fall this summer,” Nailon said. “Hopefully I’ll be back in New York and make something happen next year for the team and get to the playoffs. I like New York, like the organization, like the city. Right now, I want to come back here.”
Seattle and Indiana expressed interest in Nailon when he was a free agent last summer. Chaney complained much of the season about needing more frontcourt size. That’s what Nailon gave the Knicks at small forward with his 6-foot-8 frame, But he still didn’t play 34 of the last 41 games dating to Jan. 18.
Nailon’s offensive game is sweet, with a nice perimeter shot. He also can use his size and quickness to barrel inside for layups. The knock is his defense.
“I didn’t have training camp, that’s a big part of the season,” said Nailon, who signed on opening night after being released by the Hornets after a tiff with coach Paul Silas. “Take that away, you take half the season away.”
The Knicks signed Nailon, 27, as insurance in case Latrell Sprewell were traded. Even if Sprewell isn’t shipped, the Knicks want to re-sign Nailon, especially since he came cheaply at $770,000. Chaney has maintained Shandon Anderson’s energetic season forced him to keep Nailon on the pine.
“He had a great year,” Nailon said. “Hey, he’s my teammate. I don’t care who plays as long as we win games. I’m an NBA player. Things happen. You go with it, and hopefully you get some time later. I’d like to get in a game and make something happen as soon as possible.”
Nailon, who fits in well in the locker room, obviously has smartened up. His beef over minutes with Silas prompted his release.
“What I liked about him is he knew he wasn’t in the rotation but worked hard every day in practice,” Chaney said. “If you’re not in the rotation, you’re not happy. What I liked is he didn’t disturb the team. He had a reputation coming that he was a little disruptive when he didn’t get minutes, but it says a lot about his maturity being able to deal with it. He had a great attitude all year.”
*
Chaney told the team he’d try to play more people now that they’re mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Chaney foremost wants to see more of rookie PG Frank Williams, whom he believes was stung by glowing reviews about point-guard-of-the-future Milos Vujanic.
Chaney admits if Vujanic came next season – he isn’t – the Knicks would’ve traded Williams or released him.
“Any young kid who hasn’t gotten his clutches into the league yet is concerned with not being on the team,” Chaney said. “If [Vujanic] came, [Williams is] smart enough to know it’s a matter of numbers. I think he was bothered by it.”
Chaney on Knick fans’ fear they’ll surpass Washington and have a worse lottery seed. They are currently No. 9. “You’re talking about a few more ping-pong balls, which means you’re talking about luck,” Chaney said. “There’s no guarantees if you finish fourth from the bottom or second.”
