Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Gallinari has successful surgery
In 28 games this season, the 6-10, 225-pound rookie averaged 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 14.7 minutes. On Mar. 4 versus Atlanta, Gallinari recorded a career-high 17 points.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Lee, Parker earn Player of the Week honors
Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker today were named the Eastern and Western
Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 1.
Lee helped the Knicks to a 3-0 week with wins over Houston, Atlanta
and Indiana. The fourth-year forward averaged 19.0 points on .535 shooting
to go along with 15.3 rebounds. He recorded point-rebound double-doubles
in all three contests and ranks second in the league with 35 double-doubles
on the season (Dwight Howard). On Jan. 31 at Indiana, Lee had 23 points
and led the Knicks with 17 rebounds in New York's 122-113 win over the
Pacers.
During a 3-0 week for the Spurs, Parker averaged 25.0 points and
6.0 assists in 36.0 minutes. Parker has scored in double figures 32 times
this season and has led San Antonio in scoring 16 times and in assists 27
times; he ranks 11th in the NBA in assists with 6.5 apg. On Jan. 29, Parker
scored 26 points and added five assists and two steals in the Spurs'
114-104 victory at Phoenix.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Wasted Talent
For those of you who may have overlooked this gem of a film, 'A Bronx Tale' is the 1993 directorial debut of the brilliant Robert De Niro. The movie is set in New York City during the turbulent 1960s and follows the path of a young man guided by two distinctly different father figures, played by De Niro and Chazz Palminteri.
In one of the better scenes, Lorenzo (De Niro) tells his son Calogero (played by Lillo Brancato Jr.), "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."
The enigmatic Marbury has evidently never seen the film.
Professional sports is filled with underachievers like Marbury. Guys with unbelievable talent that throw it away on vices ranging from to women to drugs to plain old fashioned hubris.
I'm not sure if stupidity qualifies as a vice but if it does, Stephon should be headed to the next anonymous meeting with the other 12-steppers intent on turning their lives around.
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Few blamed D'Antoni for wanting to go with guys with far less talent, and the early results were promising. The Knicks were finally turning things around, albeit slowly, and dreaming of the day they could make a run at LeBron James.
New York's roster situation changed dramatically last week when they began clearing cap space for the inevitable run at LeBron and dealt guards Jamal Crawford and Mardy Collins. So, D'Antoni needed Marbury, if only for a few games.
Instead of looking in the mirror, taking self-inventory and recognizing a chance to prove everyone who thinks he is a lost cause wrong, Marbury balked at playing and ripped the well-regarded D'Antoni in the process.
"I wouldn't trust him to walk my dog across the street," Marbury reportedly said of D'Antoni.
Personally, I think the canine would relish spending time with D'Antoni over Marbury if it had a choice.
The Marbury era in New York is mercifully coming to an end and the Knicks finally suspended the petulant one on Friday.
It was a toothless penalty considering the former All-Star guard was docked one game's pay and an additional 1/110th of his massive $21.9 million dollar salary for refusing to play against the Pistons.
"A player's central obligation is to provide his professional services when called upon," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said in making the announcement. "Because he refused the coach's request to play in the team's last game, we had no choice but to impose disciplinary action."
Marbury's central obligation is to himself.
Always has been. Always will be.
Wasted talent indeed.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Making a run at LeBron
I guess the reasoning is simple and goes something like this...Since the Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar loves baseball's most storied franchise, he must relish the thought of playing in the nation's No. 1 media market.
Knicks fans ask: "Who wouldn't want to play in the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden?"
And Nets fans counter with, "Who wouldn't want to play on a team partially owned by their close friend, hip-hop mogul Jay Z?"
Both teams are fueling their fans' fantasies by opening up significant cap space. In fact, the Nets and Knicks have been doing everything possible to clear enough salary cap space by 2010 to lure James.
The Nets jettisoned Jason Kidd last season and followed that by waving goodbye to Richard Jefferson in the offseason. Meanwhile, Knicks president Donnie Walsh made his first big move Friday, agreeing to send guard Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for the disgruntled Al Harrington.
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Of course, there are problems with either scenario.
The Nets' move to Brooklyn has been slowed by delays, the faltering economy and legal challenges to Atlantic Yards, the proposed development that would include the team's new arena.
In fact, the latest piece of litigation has pushed a possible groundbreaking back to next spring at the earliest, with a projected opening in 2011, a year after James would be scheduled to arrive with the Nets. North Jersey is close to New York in proximity, but not in stature.
On the other hand, the Knicks, while improved under Mike D'Antoni, still sport a pair of expensive anchors to the franchise, enigmatic guard Stephon Marbury and out-of-shape center Eddy Curry.
Does LeBron, who has been knocked for not leading the Cavaliers to a championship, really want to go to a far less talented team that spent two years gutting its roster to acquire him?
James will certainly opt out of the final year of his contract in Cleveland to test the market but, barring a sign-and-trade agreement, the Cavaliers will be able to offer James a longer and more lucrative contract than any other team.
Meanwhile, for what it's worth, James claims he loves playing for the Cavs.
"I love being here, I love playing in front of these fans," James, an Akron native, told The Cleveland Plain Dealer before the season. "My family's here. I grew up 30 miles away from here. I never gave any indication I did not like playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers."
By their actions, the Nets and Knicks feel James is just posturing and winking at both of them.
Of course, it's always nice to have a backup plan, and James will likely be joined in the 2010 free agent class by Toronto's Chris Bosh, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire.
With that kind of security blanket, the Knicks and Nets have gone all in. A gamble that entails making a two-year run at LeBron.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Knicks give Houston front office position
The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that Allan Houston has been named Assistant to the President for Basketball Operations.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Knicks cut Ewing Jr.
The New York Knicks waived forward Patrick Ewing, Jr. Monday.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Isiah overdoses
Thomas was rushed to White Plains Hospital for treatment, but his condition is not yet known.
Sources told the television station that police arrived at Thomas' home shortly after midnight Friday morning in response to a 911 call from a cell phone.
Thomas was fired by the Knicks on April 18.
“Isiah Thomas spoke with members of the New York Knicks organization and is ok," the team said in a statement. "He is dealing with a family matter and we will have no further comment. He has asked that we respect his privacy, and we will."
Knicks Houston will have new role
"First and foremost, my family and I would like to thank Knicks President Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike D’Antoni for their allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the New York Knicks organization again," Houston said in a statement. "These are two of the most knowledgeable and respected men in basketball and I look forward to learning more from them. Although I was very excited about potentially joining my teammates this year in uniform, I believe that the circumstances suggest that I am best suited to serve the team in a different role.
"I realize that we often make our own plans in our heart, but God always has the right plan for us. I am extremely blessed to have witnessed a special era in New York Knicks history, and I know basketball fans everywhere, especially Knick fans, are ready for the return of this franchise. Hopefully, I serve in being a part of that again.
"I want to also sincerely and personally thank family, friends, fans, prayer partners for all of your overwhelming support. Through Allanhouston.com & the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, we will stay connected to you and remain committed to equipping our next generation to live fruitful lives."
Knicks exercise options on Collins, Chandler
New York also waived guard/forward Dan Grunfeld. Originally signed as a free agent on Sep. 25, the rookie appeared in one preseason game.