the starting lineup in his New York Knicks debut on Saturday night
against Oklahoma City.
Coach Mike D'Antoni said he doesn't know what
the complete lineup will be, but it will include McGrady. The Knicks
acquired the seven-time All-Star on Thursday in a three-team deal with
Houston and Sacramento.
McGrady played only limited minutes in six
games for the Rockets this season after coming back from microfracture
knee surgery. He said he hopes he can play 25 to 30 minutes Saturday in
what will be his first action since Dec. 23.
"Physically I feel good, but then again I
haven't played in a year and a half," McGrady said. "Even the eight
minutes I was playing, you really can't get a feel of how long I can
play. But yeah, I think I'm ready to go."
D'Antoni wasn't sure either, since McGrady was
limited to only about 7 1/2 minutes a game this season after surgery
last February. The swingman has played 41 games over the last two
seasons.
"I asked him about everything and he says 'I
have no idea,'" D'Antoni said. "We'll talk about it during the game and
there's no restrictions on him from a medical standpoint, only how he
feels and the way he looks and all that. But he'll communicate with me
when he wants to come out."
The Knicks held their first morning
shootaround at home this season so their new acquisitions could become
more familiar with the offense. They also brought in point guard Sergio
Rodriguez in the three-team trade, and acquired Eddie House, Bill
Walker and J.R. Giddens in a deal that sent Nate Robinson to Boston.
The biggest piece was McGrady, more for his
$22.5 million expiring contract than for the talents that won him two
scoring titles. Even McGrady acknowledged that he'll be rusty and
expects his timing and rhythm to be off.
"I don't think a lot of people expect a lot
out of me anyway. So, it's really no pressure," McGrady said. "I'm just
looking forward to going out there and playing."