News – Page 12 – NEW YORK KNICKS LOYALIST

X-Rays Negative on Hardaway Jr. Ankle Sprain

X-rays for Tim Hardaway Jr.’s right ankle were negative following the New York Knicks’ 92-83 win last night over the Utah Jazz.

The injury occured when Hardaway planted all his weight on the area after jumping to receive a pass during the game’s waning seconds. He limped off of the court with the assistance of players and trainers.

After spending part of the evening in a wheelchair, Hardaway has not ruled out playing in Wednesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.

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Bad ankle sprains can take a long time to heal so I’d rather the Knicks err on the side of caution and have him sit for at least Wednesday’s game. Amar’e Stoudemire should be back from his knee soreness which will give the team an offensive boost. As far as the backcourt goes, we’ll just have to hope Shumpert can pick up the offensive slack..

[Video] Walt “Clyde” Frazier Interviews Knicks President Phil Jackson

Right after the big press conference yesterday, new titled Knicks president Phil Jackson sat down with friend and old teammate Walt “Clyde” Frazier to discuss his new position and the future of the franchise. Jackson spoke about the need to revamp the roster (“the players have to have a certain sense about themselves…”) and the importance of going back to the fundamentals of basketball (read: DEFENSE). Jackson specifically pointed out the problem with our perimeter players being blown by and relying solely on Tyson Chandler for rim protection.

What I already like about Jackson’s approach is the sense of calm and logic he’s bringing to his role. Lord knows the Knicks have been a chaotic, roller-coaster bunch. It’s readily apparent that Jackson already knows what he wants to do with this squad.

Phil Jackson’s Full MSG Press Conference, 11 a.m. ET, 3/18/14

Phil Jackson makes his first appearance as Knicks team president this morning at Madison Square Garden. What are his thoughts on Melo? Coach Woodson? The lineup? Where did the team go wrong this year? Will he relocate? There will be tons of questions and the Zen Master is sure to have all the answers. Click on the link below to watcht the entire presser.

*****UPDATE******

Live tream is now closed. The entire presser with media answer session included below.

Welcome Home: Phil Jackson Joins Knicks as Team President

The Zen Master has come home. Over 40 years after winning two titles as a player with the Knicks, and then subsequently keeping his old squad from a title during the Jordan years, Phil Jackson has agreed to a deal that will bring him in as New York’s President of Basketball Operations.

The deal had been in its final stages since last weekend, with the two allegedly ironing out final details such as salary and even a minority stake in the team. According to the New York Post, Jackson is set to make at least $15 million per year in his new role. Despite living in Marina Del Ray, California, the 68-year old former coach is expected to relocate to New York during the season.

The role will be Jackson’s first front office role after previously winning 11 titles as coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

At press time, an official press conference introducing Jackson to the team has not been announced.

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If you have a bad word to say about this move, you either hate the Knicks, Jackson or just don’t like basketball. The Knicks are in dire need of direction and focus, and Jackson can assist greatly in that capacity. Throughout his career, he’s specialized in getting the maximum effort out of all the talent that’s surrounded him, and you know he’s sees this as his biggest challenge.

The big question mark most fans have as if president James Dolan will let Jackson do his job without micromanaging and meddling. Jackson is a strong personality who has no patience for office politics, as we saw during his time with the Lakers. How he works around some of these horrible contracts and recruits will make the Knicks a very interesting club to watch over the next two seasons.

This news also takes away a lot of the drama surrounding Melo’s off-season decision. Sure, Melo said the news “won’t affect” his free agency, but let’s be real — no way will Melo pass up working with a legend like Jackson to put a championship team around him.

Knicks Sign Shannon Brown, Earl Clark to 10-Day Contracts

The Knicks are expected to sign shooting guard Shannon Brown and forward Earl Clark to 10-day contracts on Thursday (February 27).

Brown is coming off a previous 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, where he averaged 2.3 points in 10 minutes. Clark played 45 games this season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes.

Per ESON, the Knicks are also in talks with 33-year-old Dahntay Jones.

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While nothing spectacular stood out about Brown during his limited time in San Antonio, he is a competent defender (something the Knicks currently lack in their guards). He can also get to the rim and finish pretty well.

As for Clark, I’m just hoping he can box out effectively. He’s a career 40% shooter (37% this season), so it’s not realistic to expect him to light up the scoreboard. But at 6’10, he should be able to help the second unit in spots.

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Raymond Felton Arrested on Felony Gun Charges

Knicks starting point guard Raymond Felton was arrested on Tuesday morning and faces three counts of criminal firearm possession.

Initial reports claimed Felton was arrested for pointing a gun at an unidentified woman. However, a New York police spokesman clarified that Felton is facing second, third and fourth degree criminal charges because the weapon is not registered and not for any threatening actions.

Felton turned himself in to the 20th Precinct on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at 12:50 a.m. The Knicks played earlier in the evening, losing to the Dallas Mavericks 110-108.

At press time, Felton has not released an official statement on the matter.

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There are a lot of crass jokes that can be inserted about this situation (namely the idea that Felton could shoot with any accuracy). With that said, this is definitely not a laughing matter — New York gun laws are among the strictest in the United States and a person’s celebrity won’t save them. We all remember the famous case of Giants receiver Plaxico Burress receiving a 3.5 year sentence despite shooting himself by accident in a New York City nightclub back in 2009.

Any sane Knicks fan wants Felton gone, but most of us would like the man to keep his freedom. If this does result in time away from the team, one positive is that Coach Woodson would literally have no choice but to play Toure Murry.

The Sky Is Falling (Not Really): Knicks to Buy Out Metta World Peace x Beno Udrih

After last night’s debacle in Orlando, the Knicks will head into Atlanta tonight will two open roster via pending buyouts of doghouse players Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih

World Peace was considered a solid signing in the offseason (2 years, $1.6 million) as was Udrih (1 year, $1.27 million). Instead, both showed erratic play and in Artest’s case, a prolonged knee injury which kept him sidelined for weeks.

Over 29 games, Artest is averaging 13 minutes. This year represents a career-low in points (4.8), rebounding (2.0) and steals (0.8). Udrih started 12 games for the Knicks this year, but became vocal with his complaints about Coach Woodson in January, in addition to requesting a trade. He has played sporadically since then with multiple DNPs. He is averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 assists, down from a career average of 8.9 points and 3.6 assists.

In tweets that have now been deleted, Artest’s brother Daniel blasted the Knicks organization as incompetent.

Mike Woodson is trash as a coach. That’s my opinion. The Knicks are a trash organization. That’s my opinion too. Melo deserves better. Fact!

— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

Ron wanted to be a knick his entire career and his dream became a nightmare. Knicks need an overhaul. Top to bottom

— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

How u an owner but ppl control you? He had to be kissing another of the same sex and it’s on tape. #KnicksTape

— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

I’m not threatening Dolan on twitter tho. Lol. Some fan is locked up for that. Lol. However. I can say he’s the worst owner in sports.

— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

I knew Knicks was bullshit when @NY_KnicksPR had me in office like. “Daniel. Ur tweets are a distraction.” Please.— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

Out of respect…. I didn’t listen to @NY_KnicksPR however. “$15k would hush me”— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

And I know my tweets on nyk was partly the reason too. Ron always be like chill. They watching.— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

@NY_KnicksPR and the @nyknicks org should worry about winning and ur on floor product instead of what I’m tweeting next.— Daniel Artest (@DMArtestQB) February 22, 2014

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Can’t say I disagree much regarding Daniel’s points about Woody and Dolan. But, there is one big problem with his assessment…he’s leaving out the fact that his brother has been woeful on both ends of floor. Us Knicks fans learned very early in Ron’s tenure here that the player we were getting wasn’t anything near the man who helped the Lakers win two championships.

As for Udrih, good riddance. I though he’d be the one to solve a lot of our point guard problems, but he spent most of his time running around like a headless chicken on offense, and getting burned on defense (most damning being that game-winning layup he gave up at the Garden).

This abomination of a Knicks team needs to be eradicated and if it has to start with World Peace and Udrih, so be it.

[Photos] Manny Pacquiao, Meet Carmelo Anthony and Ashanti…

Photo Credits: Chris Farina/Top Rank

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Despite another tough loss last night to the Portland Trailblazers, Carmelo Anthony and Ashanti were all smiles afterward in greeting former champion Manny Pacquiao at the Garden.

Pacquiao was in town to complete a two-city press tour to begin the hype for his April 12 rematch with Timothy Bradley. Melo is a big boxing fan so he was definitely up for the meeting. Knicks and boxing fans will recall that Melo was ringside last year to witness Guillermo Rigondeaux’s big win over Nonito Donaire at Radio City Music Hall.

Think Melo would be up to spar a few rounds with the Filipino phenom?

Carmelo Anthony Named January Eastern Conference Player of the Month

Yesterday, Carmelo Anthony received recognition as the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month for his record-breaking play in January.

Leading the team to its first winning month of the season (10-6), Anthony averaged 28.7 points, 9 rebounds and 3.4 assists. In addition, Anthony shot 45% from the field and 49% from three-point range.

Anthony’s best performance came on January 24 at Madison Square Garden when he scored 62 points against the Bobcats, breaking Bernard King’s previous franchise record.

Melo’s stellar play lead the Knicks to a four-game win streak to close out the month and his seventh All-Star game selection.

[Video] Carmelo Anthony Named Starter on 2014 All-Star Team

Carmelo Anthony has been named to his seventh All-Star team, the NBA announced yesterday.

After a slow start that saw him shooting under 40%, Anthony has improved his numbers to 44% from the field, 41 from three-point range, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.

In last year’s All-Star game, Melo put up 26 points and notched 12 assists. Rounding out the starting five with Anthony are LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Paul George and Kyrie Irving.

The below graphic, courtesy of nyknicks.com, illustrates Melo’s excellent stats. The game takes place on February 16.

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