Knicks to meet at practice facility for 'informal practice' a month early

The Knicks' leaders are getting things started early this year. (Getty Images)

The Knicks repeatedly have talked about how the loss of the preseason and training camp because of the lockout affected their play last season. Since Carmelo Anthony joined their merry crew in 2011, they haven't had time to work together. The theory is that a lot of their problems are due to the lack of cohesion that comes with time together. 

The Knicks are trying to rectify that problem, and early, this season. 

ESPN reports that forward Steve Novak said that the team's players have agreed to meet on Monday for an informal practice schedule -- a full month in advance of training camp's official start on Oct. 1. From ESPN New York: 

Novak said the activities will include alternating days of basketball and conditioning skills work.

"We just want to make sure we hit the ground running," Novak said.

Travis King, the longtime training adviser for Amare Stoudemire, said it's unique for players to join as a unit this early in the offseason. But he added that coach Mike Woodson, who had the idea for the "pre-training camp," and the key veterans Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler who picked the date, wanted to do it at this time because they've never been together from the beginning.

"Amare was there in 2010, then Melo came around in 2011 and then last year with the lockout, they didnt really get to have a training camp," King told ESPNNewYork.com. "I think coach Woodson knows that it's important getting those guys to jell together and knows that they can have a championship-caliber team. Coach knows he's going to have to jell the team earlier, so a lot of the guys agreed to come out earlier in the year."

via New York Knicks organize early training camp for Sept. 10 - ESPN New York.

It seems like a very small deal, but in reality, getting together early says something about the players' commitment. This is precious time to the players, who don't get solid days free to do what they want for another six months. To give up that time to try to get an advanced start for conditioning and everything else is a big deal. 

The informal practice also will help establish a leadership hierarchy. Carmelo Anthony has a chance to cement himself as generalissimo, since the offense is entirely geared to give him the reins. And it allows Tyson Chandler to communicate to the other players what they need defensively. 

The Knicks have talked a lot about being legitimate title contenders, which very few take seriously outside of the locker room. This shows a belief in that idea, and a commitment to working toward it. It's the kind of thing you want to see if you're a Knicks fan.