New York Knicks practice despite terror alert
It was business as usual for the New York Knicks, even though that business was taking place on the other side of the pond in Paris, France.
Despite warnings of a terrorist attack in Europe, the Knicks held their scheduled practice Monday heading up to the second and final game of their European pre-season tour. They play the
Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in the French capital, having defeated Olimpia Milano 125-113 in Milan, Italy on Sunday.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said that his team was looking to conduct itself as best as it could despite the warnings against American citizens in Europe.
"Nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “It's all good procedures, standard procedures and they'll follow them and we are just going to do what's right.”
The American government issued a travel alert to American citizens Sunday, warning them of possible terrorist attacks in Europe. While the announcement mentioned no specific country or
place, it urged people to be extra vigilant in major tourist spots and transportation hubs.
In response, the NBA has vowed to take “all appropriate security measures.” But Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks newly-minted free-agent, is not going to let it get to him. He is planning
on fully embracing the unique experience of playing overseas.
"We know where to go and the places to visit and again, you have to cherish the moment because it's not often you get a chance to play an NBA game in Paris," said Stoudemire, who scored
32 points in his Knicks debut. "So we got to make sure we enjoy it and have fun."
The Los Angeles Lakers are the third NBA team taking part in the tour. Their two-game European schedule includes a game tonight against the Timberwolves in London, followed by a match-up
with Barcelona in Spain this Thursday.
The NBA regular season gets underway on 26 October. The NBA schedules exhibition matchs for their teams in Europe in order to develop interest in the sport on that continent.
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