Lou Amundson: New Contract, New Man!
By Owen Sanborn
New York Knicks big man Louis Amundson knows what it’s like to be the new guy on a new team. After all, the Knicks are his 10th NBA team in his career and will most likely not be his last.
After a couple of 10-day contracts, Amundson was offered to stay with the team for the rest of the season before Thursday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers. All he did was respond with his best game of the year, going for 17 points while shooting 80 percent from the field.
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Amundson’s rise within the Knicks’ rotation has been a surprise considering many people (including him) thought his future with New York was bleak.
“I was under the impression it wasn’t going to work out here and they were just going to cut me … It’s great, especially the way my career has gone. I’m really thankful they gave me that opportunity to come here and show my worth. I’ve had a lot of hard work in my career over the years and not get that opportunity.’’ Amundson told the New York Post.
The amount of energy Amundson brings to the floor is uncanny. He is a pony-tailed pogo stick, hopping his way through the lane and wreaking havoc against other bigs on the glass. Amundson will never fool anyone with an advanced skill set, but he knows exactly what he is and is not, which is a valuable skill at the NBA level.
Amundson will do the dirty work for a team. Whether it is taking a charge, gobbling up rebounds on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, or blocking the occasional shot, he will always set a good example for the rest of the team no matter where he is.
He does not need the ball thrown into him on the block to score 17 points in a game (although even I must admit that that point total is rare). And on a young team like the Knicks, those good examples could go a long way in the future.
Derek Fisher certainly seems to like having him in the rotation: “…He does what’s best to help his teammates, taking charges. Those sacrifices, you have to have guys on your team that way. That’s why I’m enjoying having Lou.’’
Now, I am not going to go overboard and declare Amundson the future of New York Knicks basketball for years to come. For all we know, that could be Kevin Durant (ha, yeah right!).
But Amundson’s presence on this year’s squad should help Fisher instill a better culture for the younger players on the Knicks roster. There is a ton of value in having a quality veteran presence to keep the energy on the team elevated and the younger players accountable.
Change is afoot for the Knicks during the summer of 2015 because well, there has to be. Amundson may be one of many casualties once that time of year arrives, but that does not mean that he can’t have an impact on how the Knicks players play in the future.
Start growing out your ponytails, Knicks fans, it’s time to celebrate the Louuuuuuu Amundson era!