Knicks hope to bring Lou back
During Thursday’s presentation for season ticketholders, Knicks general manager Steve Mills gave every indication the one unsigned player he hopes to have back next season is consummate journeyman center Lou Amundson.
Mills made the point Amundson, who has labored the past few weeks under the strain of a big workload, would be a solid piece if he were in a more suitable role deep on the Knicks’ bench. Mills, team president Phil Jackson and coach Derek Fisher each has praised Amundson’s character, work ethic and ability to pick up the triangle immediately following the Jan. 5 firesale trade with the Cavaliers.
However, Amundson, who has played for 10 NBA teams ( 12 is the record), isn’t buying the rhetoric. The rugged if undersized 6foot9 grinder has heard it before. And the 32yearold told The Post if the Knicks don’t come through, he likely will play in Europe next season and pass on an 11th NBA team.
“Yeah, everything is on the table forme,’’ Amundson said. “Iwould like to play. I’ve been in this league, so I knowwhat that’s like. So I think going overseas would be a new experience for me I think I’d enjoy. I’d get an opportunity to play. So yeah, everything’s on the table.’’
Amundson has made 34 starts for the Knicks, averaging a careerhigh 21 minutes. In his first eight seasons, Amundson made seven starts combined. It’s no surprise he’s wearing down, though he mustered three blocks in Sunday’s victory over the 76ers.
“Take a Lou Amundson. What kind of a player he was coming here— six minutes a game,” Mills said Thursday. “All of a sudden we’re asking him to play 32 minutes. But he’s a guy who can be part of something, but just not as a starter. We’re looking at a player we think that could be part of what we’re doing. We don’t want to go into next season having to add nine new players. We want to have some continuity.’’
Fisher hailed Amundson’s effect on the locker room within weeks of his arrival.
Jackson recently talked up his defense — not the triangle. That’s what Amundson brings — grit, hustle and boardwork— even if he can’t shoot a lick. He’s averaging 6.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and shooting 44 percent, scoring mostly on dirty work buckets.
Amundson repeatedly has said he would like to return. After being shown the door by nine previous teams ( Utah, Philly, Minnesota, Chicago, Phoenix, Indiana, New Orleans, Golden State, Cleveland), he takes nothing at face value. He has been subjected to too many broken promises. He said nobody from Knicks management has mentioned his future.
“You never know: I’ve been in situations before I felt like I did everything I could to stick around and I didn’t,’’ Amundson said. “I do have a good feeling from them. Again, I’ve been around long enough that doesn’t necessary mean anything.’’
If it doesn’t pan out, Amundson, who is of Swedish heritage, said Spain would top his overseas list.
“I thought about it last summer, we had some interest, but nothing materialized,’’ Amundson said. “I’ll wait and see what the options are in the summer.’’
The Knicks’ worst season in history has taken a toll on MSG Network and it bottomed out during Friday night’s telecast in Washington.
According to a source, the Knicks Wizards matchup mustered a rating of .18 — which is believed to be the smallest number for a Knicks live telecast in many years. That rating represents 14,000 viewers for a game in which the Knicks fell behind 3010 after one quarter.
An MSG Network spokesman would not confirm nor deny whether it was the lowest rating in recent team history. Though the fans are still packing the Garden, the network’s ratings are down 39 percent, the spokesman said.