Madison Square Garden, New York City site of the June 24, 2010 NBA Draft. Knicks fans pack the historic MSG eagerly awaiting the Knicks' 38th and 39th draft selections. Who would Donnie Walsh and the Knickerbockers add to their roster? Fans were all hyped up and ready for the second round.
[caption id="attachment_142" align="alignleft" width="162" caption="Andy Rautins, 38th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft"]
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Finally, the Knicks were on the clock. "With the 38th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Andy Rautins from Syracuse." The crowd voices their approval for the in-state kid whose dad Leo played sparingly in the NBA. Rautins was a sharp-shooter at Syracuse and well-known by many New York fans so the fact that he wasn't projected to be drafted at all didn't seem to phase the capacity Garden crowd.
The Knicks had the next pick as well. "With the 39th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Landry Fields from Stanford." This time Knicks fans weren't so warm in their reception. The 6-foot 7-inch 210 pound shooting guard was hard to find on many experts' draft boards, but an obscure pick is something Knicks fans have grown accustom to in recent years (see Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins).
Video: Rautins and Fields Drafted (http://youtu.be/YImOlNR2dVU)
[caption id="attachment_146" align="alignright" width="186" caption="Landry Fields, 39th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft"]
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Fields had an exceptional senior year at Stanford, leading the Pac-10 in both scoring and rebounding with 22.8 ppg and 8.8 rpg. Still, the Long Beach, California native was not on many teams' radars. The Knicks liked what they saw both throughout Fields' college career and in his individual workouts and decided to select him even though Brooklyn native and crowd favorite Lance Stephenson was still on the board.
Fields impressed in the summer league as well as in training camp and earned the role of starting shooting guard once the season rolled around. He immediately made an impact for the Knicks. His hustle, intelligence, and sheer determination caught the eyes of many Knicks fans. Fields' blue-collar approach to the game resonated with the Knicks teams of the 80's and 90's and gave Knicks fans the dirty-worker they've been looking for ever since the days of Oakley and Mason.
[caption id="attachment_150" align="alignleft" width="179" caption="Spike Lee rocking a Landry Fields jersey"]
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Landry's play was also recognized throughout the league as he earned back-to-back Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Awards in November and December. He even started for the East squad in the Rookies vs. Sophomores Challenge during All-Star Weekend. He was taking both the league and the city of New York by storm with his fine play on the court as well as his ability to connect with the fans off the court. Fields' impact on the team was officially rendered immense when Spike Lee showed up at a home game wearing a Landry Fields Knicks jersey.
Fields went into the All-Star break leading the league in rebounds per game among guards with 7 while also averaging around 10 ppg. He was a welcome surprise and a huge factor in Knicks wins. But then came the Melo deal in late February. Fields was never the same. His numbers steadily fell while trying to adapt to his new star teammates of Melo and Billups. All of a sudden, Fields looked lost on the floor. He seemed to defer to Melo on virtually every offensive possession. He was in awe, star-struck.
[caption id="attachment_152" align="alignright" width="222" caption="Melo and Fields sulk on the bench during a home playoff loss against the Celtics"]
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Fields' play against the hated Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs was a total 180-degree turn from what Knicks fans saw of him during the first half of the NBA season. In the four games against Boston, Fields averaged a pathetic 1.3 ppg and 1.8 rpg and found himself on the bench for most of the second halves of those games. What looked like an all-around solid rookie campaign for Fields was suddenly turned upside-down as a result of the blockbuster trade. Now, questions about whether Fields can return to his early rookie season form surround the second-year guard. Will he be able to play up to the standards he set while on the same court with Melo?
Personally, I have my doubts about that. Melo is an elite scorer and demands the ball on every possession. He's an intimidating presence on the court and in the locker room and I can understand how a young guy like Fields feels uncomfortable while playing with Melo, fearing mistakes and thinking instead of reacting. However, Fields does have the style of play in which he doesn't need the ball in order to make an impact on the game. He's a solid defender who can guard both 2-guards and small forwards. He's an exceptional rebounder on both ends of the floor. Finally, he's a very good spot-up shooter from beyond the arc, especially in the corners.
[caption id="attachment_154" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Fields goes in for a layup during the Rookie Challenge "]
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The one glaring problem is that Fields is not a starting shooting guard in the NBA. He would be great off the bench, where his inconsistencies and growing pains could be more well-received and wouldn't have such a large impact on the outcome of the game. Unfortunately, the Knicks do not have the luxury of options at that position. I think Fields can return to his early rookie form and learn to co-exist with Melo. He has to in order for the Knicks to be successful down the road.
Before the trade, the Knicks organization viewed Fields as virtually untouchable. He was viewed as a big part of the Knicks future. But Fields' play post Melo trade has made him more expendable and I don't think the Knicks would hesitate to include him in a deal for a star like Chris Paul. In any event, Fields will likely be the starting shooting guard once again this season (barring any off-season trades or free agent signings) and will have to quickly find his niche on the court. Fields' play is going to be a key factor throughout the Knicks season. I hope he can find his way.
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