For the first couple months of the season, Mozgov — who arrived in New York less than a week ago and speaks little English — will have to learn by example. But Head Coach Mike D’Antoni doesn’t expect his transition from international ball to the NBA to have many setbacks due to the language difference.

“His English will be great in two months… he’ll pick it up like that,” D’Antoni said. “I’ve been around different European guys and they pick it up real quick. I don’t even think it’s an issue now, but in about two months it will be perfect.”

Just two days into his first NBA season, Mozgov already looks completely comfortable.

“I’m sure in a group setting he’s probably missing some things,” D’Antoni said. “But when we’re eye to eye, he doesn’t miss anything. The one thing about him that I do know is once he’s got it, he’s got it. And it doesn’t take him long to understand it. He’s a very smart basketball player, and really that surprised me. It makes it a lot easier because if he’s like that we will make it a lot better to teach him.”

Mozgov might still be learning English, but he has allowed his game to do a lot of the talking for him. With his size (7-foot-1, 270 pounds), good hands and ability to run the floor and rebound, he has impressed his new teammates so far.

“He’s picking everything up extremely fast so he’s going to adjust quickly,” forward Amar’e Stoudemire said. “I’m very surprised actually how good he really is. He’s going to be a force in a few years if he keeps working the way that he has been and keeps studying.”

Despite his impressive start to camp, D’Antoni is still unsure if Mozgov will play a lot of minutes early on.

“My biggest concern is that it’s his first time in the NBA,” D’Antoni added. “He’s a rookie. I have no idea what he’ll be like, how he’ll react and how training camp will go. Every day is an adventure with him and we’ll just have to see. But he’s got a lot of talent and we’re excited about it.”