PLAYER NEWS:
--F Al Harrington said his wife is expecting the couple's first child, a girl, in October. The 29-year-old veteran from Orange, N.J., is entering the final year of his contract and is determined to convince the Knicks to re-sign him in 2010. --F Jared Jeffries, one of the NBA's nicest guys, recently created a charitable foundation in his name, the Jared Jeffries Foundation. The first event will be held in Jeffries' hometown of Bloomington, Ind., where he will host a "Hoop It Up" weekend from Aug. 27-29.
--C Mouhammed Sene was released on July 31 because the Knicks wanted to avoid a clause that guarantees the second year of his contract if he remained on the roster on Aug. 1. Sene, a former lottery pick of the Seattle Sonics in 2006, appeared in one game with the Knicks at the end of last season and played six minutes. He was also a member of the Knicks' summer league team in Las Vegas.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Danilo Gallinari (back surgery) continues to improve and says he is pain-free. He expects to be ready for the start of the season.
--F Wilson Chandler (bone spurs) has continued his rehabilitation and is expected to be ready for training camp.
DRAFT PICKS:
Jordan Hill, PF, 6-10, Arizona (first round, 8th overall) -- An athletic big with a good perimeter touch. Mike D'Antoni sees similarities to a young Amare Stoudemire.
Toney Douglas, PG, 6-1, Florida State (first round, 29th overall) -- Tough as nails two-way guard who fills a key third-guard role, especially if Nate Robinson is let go.
