Harrellson Already Knows His Place

Without having ever stepped foot on court with his new teammates in New York, Josh Harrellson seems to have a good idea about what his role will be.

Harrellson is obviously not a star caliber center, or even one who could be a decent starter in the NBA (a void the Knicks desperately need to fill).  However, he does have the size and the aggressiveness to be an effective cleanup man down low.  Think of Brian Cardinal of the Dallas Mavericks.  Didn't get a lot of playing time.  Never started.  But when he came off the bench in the playoffs he played with aggression and passion and drew numerous clutch fouls towards the ends of games 4 and 5.

Josh Harrellson will not start at center for the New York Knicks this season.  I can say that with confidence.  Still, he has a job to do.  That's why the Knicks sent $700,000 to the Hornets.  The Knicks need someone to protect Amar'e and Melo and to let them do what they do best.  Score.  According to Harrellson, that is exactly what he plans on doing.

Harrellson was quoted as saying, "I am going to protect my star players, Amar'e and Melo, and not gonna let them get roughed up...I am just going to be a role player and a banger inside."

Many Knicks fans do not realize what they've gotten in Harrellson.  The Knicks did not acquire the starting center that they desperately need, but they did get depth at the center position and a player who will be a willing defender and cleanup man off the bench.  Harrellson knows who he will be playing with.  It's hard to ignore players like Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Chauncey Billups.  Harrellson will play his role well and will be content with coming off the bench and serving a specific role in specific situations.