NYTIMES By JONATHAN ABRAMS GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The directives that Coach Mike D’Antoni offered Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks’ rookie center from Russia, are simple, with little room to be lost in translation. “He said run, run, run; if you’re open shoot; and set screens,” Mozgov said of his offensive mandate. Mozgov, viewed as a project when he was signed as a free agent last summer, has been performing the tasks in practice, and the Knicks are hoping they soon translate to solid play in games. Mozgov has played only one preseason game against N.B.A. competition — he fouled out in 15 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves — but he continues to turn heads in practice. On Monday, Mozgov shuffled in and out with the team’s first unit of Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Amar’e Stoudemire. Anthony Randolph and the rookie Andy Rautins also subbed in to the first team. “We’re trying to look at everybody in different spots, but that’s definitely one spot we want to work with,” D’Antoni said of the center position. Mozgov may start Wednesday when the Knicks host the Boston Celtics in their first preseason game at Madison Square Garden, supplanting Ronny Turiaf, who started the Knicks’ first two preseason games. Mozgov could wind up guarding Shaquille O’Neal if the Celtics choose to play him on the second night of back-to-back games. If not, Mozgov will probably see plenty of time against Semih Erden, the Celtics’ rookie center from Turkey. As the preseason progresses, Mozgov could evolve into the Knicks’ first option at center. Randolph is primarily a forward, Eddy Curry is still injured and Turiaf can inject energy in a second unit. “We’re not there yet and we’ll keep looking, but sooner than later, I’m going to settle on a rotation, right or wrong, and go from there,” D’Antoni said. --

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