Knicks quietly tweaked training, staff after injury-ruined year
By Mike Berman of the New York Post
MILWAUKEE — It’s no coincidence the Knicks have been a picture of health this season according to coach Derek Fisher.
Fisher said the club “re-evaluated’’ its training program after last season’s injury-marred 17-65 record and team president Phil Jackson quietly made a couple of personnel changes to the training staff.
Once Arron Afflalo returned Nov. 11 from his hamstring strain, there has been continuity — a strange departure for the Knicks. Fisher has a set starting five since mid-November and all 14 guys available almost every game. And most importantly, 7-foot-3 rookie Kristaps Porzingis, now at about 242 pounds, bulked up over the summer and hasn’t missed any of the first 21 games.
“Our goal is to create this type of environment where all guys are available hopefully all 82 games,’’ Fisher said before the Knicks’ 106-91 loss to the injury-plagued Bucks. “That started last season — reevaluating what we were doing, how we were doing it. How the practices should be structured, how long they should be, offseason progress.
“[It was] all designed to create this environment. Everybody can be here for us and ready to play and it gives us the most chance to win. Hopefully we can keep that up.’’
Fisher used 36 different starting lineups last season as the Knicks missed a whopping 266 man games to injury. A recent report stated the Knicks had missed more man games the past 10 years than any team.
There are a couple of new faces on the training staff. The Knicks performance director, England’s Dave Hancock, who used to work for Chelsea’s soccer club, was let go before last season. Also fellow Brit Andy Barr left and works in soccer for NYCFC.
The Knicks promoted Erwin Benedict Valencia to director of training and conditioning, added Shimon Ishikawa as performance analyst and Erika Whitman as the team’s new sports dietician — the latter of whom helped Porzingis put on 11 pounds after summer league.
Last season, the Knicks entered the season with Jose Calderon out for the first 13 games, projected starting power forward Andrea Bargnani out until New Year’s Eve and Carmelo Anthony bothered by knee trouble all season until finally undergoing surgery in February.
Before they were traded in January, J.R. Smith (plantar fasciitis) and Iman Shumpert (shoulder) missed a lot of time.
“It’s been important to us,’’ Fisher said. “As Arron got back from hamstring and Melo and Jose coming back after missing significant time, it’s good to get a chance to play together every night. And having guys coming off injuries to be healthy, every guy on the roster is available for when we need it and everyone’s giving us something.’’
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http://nypost.com/2015/12/06/unsung-reasons-why-the-knicks-are-a-healthy-team-this-season/