Another body/shooter for C's?

[Nathan Arneal]

>From Newsday.com's "Knix Fix"

The D-Nick dilemma adds to the roster crunch

Something to consider: Demetris Nichols on the
Celtics.

It could happen if the Knicks can't find a place for
him on the roster at the end of training camp. Nichols
and his new agent have made it clear to the Knicks
that Nichols has no interest in playing in Europe this
season and will be an NBA player this season either in
New York or elsewhere.

That elsewhere could be Boston, where they still need
more bodies on the bench.

Nichols' immediate future remains with the Knicks. His
situation will work like this: in the coming week or
two, D-Nick will sign a one-year deal with the Knicks
at a very affordable second-round scale. He'll go into
training camp to compete for a spot.

Let's say the report is accurate and Dan Dickau's
expiring contract is about to get waived in a few
days, the Knicks are still one player over the roster
limit. Isiah Thomas will have to make a decision: cut
a vet and eat a bad contract or let Nichols and his
sweet stroke go free to be picked up on waivers by any
other NBA team. Watch him join the Boston Three Party.

Rarely is this much of a fuss made over a second-round
pick, but Nichols is not your average second-rounder.
He has size (6-8) and an excellent shot with range and
led the Big East in scoring. He's a four-year player,
so he's got maturity (he'll be 23 when camp opens). He
was arguably the Knicks' third-best player at the
Vegas summer league (Nate Robinson and Renaldo Balkman
both stood out as well).

He's not a complete player by any means. He showed in
the summer league a penchant for forcing shots and he
has tunnel vision to the rim. Nichols will learn
quickly how difficult it is to create shots for
yourself without using your teammates. I didn't get to
see enough of Nichols on defense, but I did notice him
going under screens, which will get you nothing but
splinters in the NBA. He has the right personality and
attitude (I remember him telling me in Vegas that he
was ticked about dropping into the middle of the
second round and had something to prove). Very
coachable.

This will be an interesting scenario. I might have to
sneak around the gym at C of C to find a knothole to
peek through and look into those practices that are
closed to the media.


       
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