Coach Derek Fisher made it perfectly clear late Wednesday night forwards Lance Thomas and Lou Amundson would be with the Knicks for the rest of the season.
When asked how important it was to re-sign them when their second 10-day contracts expire, Fisher smiled and said, “Very important.’’
Yes, two guys whom the basketball department considered not keeping after the three-team trade with Oklahoma City and Cleveland have keyed this mini-revival with the Knicks winning four of the last five games. Their new contracts are being finalized, according to sources. Amundson’s pact expires by midnight Wednesday, Thomas’ deal on Saturday. It’s unclear whether Thomas has asked for a small guarantee for next season. Amundson, 32, is on his 10th team and is not expected to have a guarantee for 2015-16.
The Knicks lost a franchise-record 16 games in a row prior to this run. Langston Galloway has helped, and Carmelo Anthony has come back from his two-week sabbatical playing more more grit and efficiency, invigorated by the new blood. Maybe he has more energy no longer having to keep up the spirits of J.R. “Eggshells’’ Smith.
Thomas and Amundson have provided intangibles. Thomas surprisingly has shot well with his mid-range jumper the past three games – all double-figure performances. He lifted the Knicks by scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second half of the impressive win over OKC.
Fisher has credited Thomas and Amundson, who had a big block on Russell Westbrook late in the win, with helping change the locker-room mentality since arriving three weeks ago. The coach believes Jason Smith is playing with more force since those two former teammates arrived.
“Our record is what it is, but these guys are still bringing a professional mindset to work every day,’’ Fisher said. “We are always ready to work and I think our locker room and fans are feeling it.’’
After the trade, one scout said Thomas had limited skills and was a very-end-of-the-roster player despite being a good addition to the locker room. Maybe that forecast proves true, but for now it’s exactly what Dr. Fisher ordered.
Other observations:
— Fisher went out of his way to laud Anthony’s leadership rather than his basketball, believing he’s setting a good example playing “limited’’ because of his knee situation.
“I think Carmelo is starting to find out more and more how capable he really is, not only statistically, but emotionally and psychologically how he can be a leader,’’ Fisher said. “Guys are following him and he is setting a tone out there. He is doing a lot of things to force guys to get to his level. I am excited and proud of him considering how limited he is.’’
It might’ve been the most effusive Fisher has been about Anthony all season.
— Tim Hardaway Jr. appears out of Fisher’s doghouse. When the post-game press conference ended, Fisher said he had one more thing to add because he needed “to give some love to Tim Hardaway. He helped us win that game in the second half.’’
In addition to Hardaway’s three 3-pointers, he played excellent defense – at one point forcing a 24-second violaton by hounding Reggie Jackson. Earlier Wednesday, Hardaway was rejected from the Rookie-Sophomore Game during All-Star weekend.
— Rookie Cleanthony Early was a DNP for the second straight game. His ankle is almost 100 percent, but Fisher is looking elsewhere for now.