linkGREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Tyson Chandler took contact for the first time in seven days on Wednesday and said afterward that he's ready to take the court for the Knicks.
Both Chandler and Mike Woodson expect the center to start for New York opening night, whenever that is.
The Knicks' Thursday night opener against Brooklyn was postponed Wednesday in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
The Knicks are now expected to open their season Friday at home against the Miami Heat. Chandler, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee last Wednesday against the Nets, expects to be in the starting lineup.
"I think I'm going to be fine," Chandler said. "Played with contact today. (I'm) not as explosive as I normally am out there ... but (I'm) good enough to give my team something and I feel good enough to protect myself."
Woodson was relieved to have his big man healthy on the eve of the regular season.
"He's a major piece of what we do, playing the center spot and plugging up some of the holes for us from a defensive standpoint," the coach said. "You like to start with him when you start the season."
Chandler's backup, Marcus Camby, practiced in full on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a calf injury in the first week of the preseason. The Knicks originally thought Camby would be out 7-10 days, but it has been 25 days since he suffered the ailment.
The 38-year-old veteran was optimistic about playing in the opener, if they had played the Nets. Woodson, however, wasn't so sure.
"He's got to go home and sleep on this practice and see how he feels when he gets up in the morning," Woodson said, before the NBA announced that Thursday's game was postponed. "And then we'll make a decision."
If he was hydrated, it wasn't the heat, then what was it? They need to figure this thing out, because it wasn't like it was too many minutes.NEW YORK — With Amar'e Stoudemire out of Friday's game, the Knicks will likely be playing Carmelo Anthony at power forward. In other words, Anthony and LeBron James could be going at each other more than usual.
New York practiced on Thursday with Anthony at power forward, Jason Kidd at shooting guard and Ronnie Brewer at small forward. Shane Battier most likely will be Anthony's primary defender.
"Just Carmelo on the floor, he's going to make it happen," James said. "It doesn't matter, he's that kind of player. He's great. He does a little bit of everything. It doesn't matter if someone is out of the lineup with him. He's going to do what he needs to do."
CRAMPING UP
LeBron scored 26 points in the season opener but left the fourth quarter early with cramps in his legs. He doesn't expect it to be a chronic problem. James famously cramped up during Game 4 of The Finals.
"I feel good," James said. "I got a run in, got an opportunity to get better today. I was out there in practice and there were no issues. I have to stay hydrated — which I was. I was hydrated on Tuesday. I just have to keep drinking fluids and take care of my body."
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said James' cramps might have been a product of the hotter-than-normal temperature inside AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday. James said the heat wasn't the problem and joked that he wouldn't mind if the Knicks cranked up the heat inside Madison Square Garden on Friday.
"That'll be fine," James said. "I'll be alright. I usually do that."
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Couldn't hurt Knicks will probably have a disabled player exception soon.Its all good, though. 38-year-old Antonio McDyess wants to make a comeback. Knicks should hop on that. What do you think, K4L?
..Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Oh, almost forgot, Erik Spoelstra said Dexter Pittman again is out, with Joel Anthony a game-time decision.