Chris

Copeland

Copeland went undrafted out of college and struggled during his last year in the D-League in 2006-07, but he caught the Knicks’ eye while averaging 21.8 points in Belgium last year. He’s not a fantasy consideration.

Copeland did his damage in just 19 minutes. He looks like a fine prospect for New York, but there’s no reason to believe he’ll have a big enough role this year to warrant fantasy attention.

Perhaps Mike Woodson didn’t want to mess with an overage rookie on a night when the Knicks needed a win for the hurricane-ravaged hometown. It’s a blow to the rookie’s fantasy value, nonetheless, though owners should be ready to pounce on his Andrea Bargnani-like game if he starts to make headway.

Camby is 38 and has been one of the most injury-plagued players in the NBA in recent years, which makes the three-year deal with the Knicks a bit of a head-scratching move. The Knicks frontcourt depth is a serious concern at this point and a few players might need to play out of position.

Instead of just a few weeks, Stoudemire could actually be sidelined until mid-December. The rupture to his popliteal cyst is to the same knee that had microfracture surgery back in 2005 and there is plenty of cause for concern. We’d let someone else deal with STAT in fantasy leagues this year and rookie Chris Copeland could help fill the void at power forward for the Knicks.

Chandler was iffy with a sore knee but is good to go, as the Knicks will employ a small lineup against the Heat. Don’t expect to see this same starting five every night, and don’t give up on Chris Copeland just yet, although he’ll come off the bench in this one.

The Knicks are extremely banged up in the frontcourt with Amare Stoudemire, Marcus Camby, Rasheed Wallace and now Tyson Chandler all not healthy. Copeland is averaging 16 points in the preseason while peppering in some production in the steals, blocks and threes departments. He’s certainly on the radar in deeper leagues and he could easily crack the starting lineup on opening night.

“He’s proven he can score,” said Woodson. “He still needs work defensively and in rebounding. Overall, though, I think he’s getting better.” With Amare Stoudemire, Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler all ailing to start the season, Copeland has a golden opportunity to establish himself in the Knicks’ rotation.

The main fantasy story here is that Chris Copeland will make the 15-man roster. Copeland is someone to watch in deeper leagues. Thompson did start three games for the Cavs last year, but he might need some injuries to other teams to catch on at the NBA level.

Copeland also scored 21 points in 19 minutes vs. the Celtics last Sunday, but in the Knicks’ two other preseason games he averaged a mere 3.5 points. The Knicks benched every starter except Raymond Felton tonight, allowing Copeland his copious shot attempts. Though worth keeping an eye on, the promising rookie is not a fantasy oasis late in drafts, as this is nothing but a preseason mirage.