Bad news for the Knicks. It looks like Kelenna Azubuike might be ready for training camp. Here is what was reported by Howard Beck of the New York Times:

"Kelenna Azubuike, who was expected to compete for a starting job, may start training camp on the sideline, because of lingering concerns over his surgically repaired left knee.

Azubuike tore his patellar tendon last November while playing for the Golden State Warriors. He missed the rest of the season, and the Warriors expected he would need a full year to recover.

The Knicks are taking a similarly conservative approach.

“We’re not sure,” said the team president Donnie Walsh, who described a torn patellar tendon as “one of the worst injuries in the league.”


Azubuike spent most of the summer rehabilitating with a private trainer. He just began working with the Knicks’ staff this week, so team officials do not yet have a firm assessment. Azubuike is not yet running or jumping, which suggests that he is a long way from playing high-level basketball.

“I think it’s 50-50 whether he’ll be ready for training camp right now,” D’Antoni said. “He thinks he will be.” -New York Times

This is no surprise to the Knicks. This is the main reason the Knicks picked up shooting guard Roger Mason as a backup plan. At this point we really don't know how long it will take  Azubuike  to get his game back. Only time will tell.