Clarence Weatherspoon is in his first training camp with the Knicks, and the team's biggest concern is rebounding. So the last thing either party wanted was for the newly-signed glass-cleaner to miss any time.

So much for that.

But both 'Spoon and the Knicks received good news yesterday when, after missing all three games on last week's West Coast trip for personal reasons, the forward not only returned to practice but indicated he expects to be able to assume his role for the season opener.