http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2... Knicks Coach Mike Woodson kept rotating players in and out during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game against the Boston Celtics — everyone except for Chris Copeland. While Woodson used 11 players in the first half, Copeland watched from the bench, eager to get his chance.
When the Knicks went into the locker room at halftime, Woodson felt good about his team’s performance. But then his assistant coaches told him he had not played Copeland, one of the few players trying to earn a spot on the 15-man roster.
Woodson adjusted, and Copeland entered the game late in the third quarter, making an immediate impact and leading a group of reserves to a 98-95 comeback victory in overtime. In 19 minutes, Copeland scored 21 points and had four rebounds.
Copeland’s performance was the first standout game from any of the six players the Knicks invited to training camp. The team has 13 players with guaranteed contracts, leaving available two spots.
“I’m still just thankful and blessed to have this opportunity, but I was extremely anxious,” Copeland said of sitting on the bench for so long. “I was just hoping to get a shot at it, and my teammates told me to stay ready.”
Once he was in the game, Copeland found himself in a new role. Woodson used Copeland in a smaller lineup that included four guards for the majority of the fourth quarter and overtime. Copeland, who is 6-foot-8, ran pick-and-roll plays with point guards Pablo Prigioni and Jason Kidd.
“I was learning on the fly, honestly,” said Copeland, who likes to shoot from the outside. “I’ve seen it a lot in practice, and I know Coach preaches being versatile for me, so that’s what I tried to do.”
Copeland showed his strength and was physical as he set picks, drove to the basket and received quick passes from Prigioni and Kidd. He also made 9 of 13 free throws.
“I thought he sat patiently and was probably wondering why he didn’t play the first half,” Woodson said. “When we got him there, he played his butt off.”
Copeland’s best moments were in overtime after he missed a long, off-balanced jumper that would have won the game in regulation. He made critical plays in the final minute of overtime to preserve the win.
When the Knicks had a 1-point lead with 11 seconds left, Copeland was able to grab a rebound. He calmly made two free throws before blocking Jamar Smith’s 3-point shot as time expired.
Kidd was on the court during overtime and was impressed with Copeland’s play.
“His name was called, and he responded, and that’s a true professional,” Kidd said. “It’s great to see. He has been working extremely hard in camp, and it showed.”
In the Knicks’ preseason opener, against the Washington Wizards, Copeland struggled, scoring 3 points in 15 minutes. After Saturday’s game, Copeland said a stomach virus was the reason for his poor performance against the Wizards.
“I had thrown up all night long,” he said. “I didn’t sleep much, and I was really dehydrated coming into that game. I went out there, tried to get through it.”
A member of the Knicks’ summer league team in July, Copeland led the Knicks with 17 points and 3 rebounds in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Woodson said he could tell Copeland, who has spent most of his career playing in Europe, had improved since then.
Copeland said: “I’ve learned so much from patience and persistence and just being around these guys every day. Hopefully, I showed them something. I think I can do a lot more.”
If he does make the roster, the Knicks might need Copeland to play early in the season. The team is already dealing with injuries to Marcus Camby (strained left calf) and Amar’e Stoudemire (bruised left knee). Rasheed Wallace, another forward, is getting in shape and has not yet scrimmaged with the team.
After Saturday’s win, Copeland could smile in the locker room. He knew he had played well. But he also knew his opportunity almost never came.
“It was fun to get out there,” he said. “I thank Coach for getting me in the game.”
