Humble Giant Eager to Make His Mark on Knicks
Jul 14 2010 4:15PM
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Timofey Mozgov's huge frame is sure to get noticed immediately in the NBA.
The Knicks added some major names to the roster this off-season, including the likes of Amar’e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton and Anthony Randolph amongst others. But among all the major names switching teams around the league, New York feels they have gotten one of the steals of the summer by signing Russian center Timofey Mozgov.
A native of St. Petersburgh, Mozgov is a 7-foot-1, 250-pound behemoth who appears even bigger in person. His broad shoulders and incredibly long arms form an imposing presence that will get him noticed immediately in the NBA.
Yet despite his imposing presence, the Russian is an incredibly humble young man who is eager to make his mark and prove himself on Broadway.
“I will work hard to make (the fans) like me,” he said. “I like to block and dunk. I think everybody likes when I do that.”
Mozgov, who turns only 24 on Friday, averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 18.9 minutes in 32 games with BC Khimki (Russia) during the 2009-10 season. He also averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 23.0 minutes for the Russian National Team during the 2009 European Championships.
The newest Knick spent the last week working out in Las Vegas to get to know the coaching staff a bit better while they were in town for the 2010 NBA Summer League. He says the time spent out West helped him forge a bond with the coaching staff while learning what they expect out of him this coming season.
“I know what coach wants out of me,” he said. “He wants me to run and play quick basketball. He wants a lot of pick and roll and running.”
Despite living nearly half a world away, Mozgov always kept tabs on the NBA.
“I watched the NBA on the internet,” he said. “I watched the highlights, big games like All-Star games and the dunk contest. Big full games, I would watch those live but when the games are on here, it is 4:00am in Moscow. So I didn't do it often.”
Mozgov grew up admiring Kevin Garnett and says he tries to play a similar type of game to that of the former MVP. He also grew up a fan of the Boston Celtics, but now is a Knick through and through.
“I liked Boston, even before Garnett was there,” he said, before adding proudly, “But not anymore. Now I am a Knick.”
And he is quite excited to be joining New York as his grin was almost as big as his stature when talking about his new home.
“New York is crazy,” he said. “It is big but a good crazy. It is similar to Moscow. I am so very happy to be here.”
Odds are there is a good chance Knicks fans will be so very happy to have him here as well.
A native of St. Petersburgh, Mozgov is a 7-foot-1, 250-pound behemoth who appears even bigger in person. His broad shoulders and incredibly long arms form an imposing presence that will get him noticed immediately in the NBA.
Yet despite his imposing presence, the Russian is an incredibly humble young man who is eager to make his mark and prove himself on Broadway.
“I will work hard to make (the fans) like me,” he said. “I like to block and dunk. I think everybody likes when I do that.”
Mozgov, who turns only 24 on Friday, averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 18.9 minutes in 32 games with BC Khimki (Russia) during the 2009-10 season. He also averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 23.0 minutes for the Russian National Team during the 2009 European Championships.
The newest Knick spent the last week working out in Las Vegas to get to know the coaching staff a bit better while they were in town for the 2010 NBA Summer League. He says the time spent out West helped him forge a bond with the coaching staff while learning what they expect out of him this coming season.
“I know what coach wants out of me,” he said. “He wants me to run and play quick basketball. He wants a lot of pick and roll and running.”
Despite living nearly half a world away, Mozgov always kept tabs on the NBA.
“I watched the NBA on the internet,” he said. “I watched the highlights, big games like All-Star games and the dunk contest. Big full games, I would watch those live but when the games are on here, it is 4:00am in Moscow. So I didn't do it often.”
Mozgov grew up admiring Kevin Garnett and says he tries to play a similar type of game to that of the former MVP. He also grew up a fan of the Boston Celtics, but now is a Knick through and through.
“I liked Boston, even before Garnett was there,” he said, before adding proudly, “But not anymore. Now I am a Knick.”
And he is quite excited to be joining New York as his grin was almost as big as his stature when talking about his new home.
“New York is crazy,” he said. “It is big but a good crazy. It is similar to Moscow. I am so very happy to be here.”
Odds are there is a good chance Knicks fans will be so very happy to have him here as well.
