Timofey Mozgov Still Stunned the New York Knicks Traded Him Away
By William Lee
Former #Knicks center Mozgov still stunned by rookie-year trade to Denver as he thrives following Cleveland deal http://t.co/kmcRNMJwTE
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) June 2, 2015
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, former-Knick Timofey Mozgov is still stunned that he was included in the Carmelo Anthony blockbuster three team trade.
"“I was really surprised at two things,’’ “They were talking about the trade for two months and never saw my name on the list. Second thing, it was my rookie year, first time, learning a lot. I didn’t know they did business like that. They just trade you.”“When I got traded from Denver to Cleveland, it was nothing surprising. But I was shocked [in 2011]. They called to say I got a flight to Denver and people from Denver will call you. And that’s it. Denver? I didn’t know what the city looked like. I’m Russian.”“Donnie Walsh called me. He says we don’t want to, but we just traded you. I saw him after [the next season] and he explained. He didn’t just say good words. I know he’s a good man. New York was my first experience and I really enjoyed it.’’"
Mozgov had a rocky career as a Denver Nugget, with his minutes fluctuating based on if head coach George Karl wanted to play big or small lineups according to the match-up that night.
"“I don’t want to say my game has changed — the way what I do is working for this team and it make me happy and guys happy too,’’ “[Karl] didn’t tell me nothing. The time I was playing, he gives me trust and I was playing good. Then he didn’t give me time at all on the court unless we were up 20 or down 20. Next time when you see [Karl], you can ask him.’’"
More from Daily Knicks
- Former New York Knicks center gets real about 2013 playoff shortcomings
- When is the deadline for the Knicks to extend Immanuel Quickley?
- 3 Rumored Knicks trade targets not worth giving up RJ Barrett for
- Bill Simmons ‘guarantees’ Knicks will have one of three stars by next year
- How to watch New York Knicks players compete for bronze at World Cup
The Cleveland Cavaliers traded two first round draft picks mid-season for Mozgov. Mozgov proved to be the defensive anchor the Cavaliers desperately needed with a sidelined Anderson Varejao, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in late December.
Mozgov immediately improved a weak Cleveland rebounding team, going from the sixth worst team in the category at 41.2 rebounds per game, to finishing the season as the ninth best rebounding team since the Mozgov trade at 44.5 rebounds per game, as per NBA.com. Cleveland continued to improved their rebounding in the Playoffs, currently averaging 46.9 rebounds per game, as per NBA.com.
Although the difference in opponent points per game allowed only improved slightly during the regular season with the acquisition of Mozgov, going from allowing 99.5 points per game to 98 points per game since the Mozgov trade, as per NBA.com. However the Playoffs have been a completely different story, Cleveland is now allowing the least amount of points per game by an opponent at 92.6 (tied with the Chicago Bulls), as per NBA.com.
Mozgov, the man anchoring Cleveland’s defense in the middle is averaging 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game in the Playoffs.
Mozgov is headed to the NBA Finals… Everyone remembers that it was James Dolan who at the last-minute added Mozgov to the Carmelo Anthony trade right…SIGHHH
"Remember the whole thing about star power and the Garden. As another rival executive put it, referring to Knicks owner James Dolan, “Let’s just say I think Donnie was under ‘subtle pressure’ to land a star.”"