http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/training_camp_041006.html
CHARLESTON, SC, October 5, 2004 -- New York opened training camp on Tuesday at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C. The Knicks will hold two training sessions a day from Oct. 5-12 at John Kresse Arena.
The Knicks held an hour long session Monday morning followed by team meetings and a two-hour session in the afternoon. Veteran players Stephon Marbury and Kurt Thomas understand the importance of the training camp and enjoy spending time with their teammates.

“Training camp makes a big difference,” said Marbury. “It allows us to build a foundation early rather than try to build that foundation in the middle of the season. I’m very excited for this season and can’t wait to get it underway.”

Thomas, a nine-year veteran, was happy to be back on the court and is convinced that having training camp will help the team come together.

“It was nice to get the legs loose and get going,” said Thomas. “It’s good to get away and come down here and focus strictly on basketball. Last year we had a lot of trades in the middle of the season. Hopefully, with us all being at training camp together this year, we can open up the season on the same page.”

Allan Houston was in attendance at the start of training camp but did not take part because of the knee injury that plagued him last season. Houston is anxious to get back on the court but prefers to take a cautious approach.

“It is hard to watch but I have to be smart about it,” said Houston. “Would I rather be there for opening night or be there for the NBA finals and be healthy for the whole season? I’m looking at it that way.”

Head coach Lenny Wilkens values the time the team gets to spend together during the training camp in Charleston, as opposed to staying in New York for the training sessions.

“I think it is really important for us to come here because when you are at home there are a lot of distractions, whether it is friends or business,” said Wilkens. “Here it is just us. The guys eat together and they get to sit around and just talk. It allows us to watch film, discuss basketball and it gets the guys together.”

The Knicks will resume camp tomorrow at 10:00am.