Category: News

[Video] Ron Baker, Meet Bill Stiller

ronbaker_benstiller

Last night, rookie Ron Baker had an impromptu meeting with actor Bill Stiller during garbage time of the Knicks’ 93-77 victory of the Mavs. Baker crashed into Stiller while chasing a loose ball and stuck around for a quick dap after the play ended. Hey Ben, do the kid a solid and get him a small role in your next movie.

[Video] Watch the Chicago Bulls Tribute to Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah

rose_noah_welcomeback

During halftime of the Knicks’s Friday victory in Chicago, the Bulls put together a classy video tribute to Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. It was well-deserved for two players that gave so much to that organization.

https://youtu.be/nerqRNc20CU

 

 

[Video] Watch Derrick Rose Cross Up Mike Conley

14884506_695234807308673_2862188250418012935_o

The Knicks celebrated their 70th home season opener with a hard-fought 111-104 victory tonight over the Memphis Grizzlies. Derrick Rose finished with 13 points and provided several  dazzling highlights with his drives to the hoop. Unquestionably, the best play featured Rose crossing up Mike Conley. Remember the talk earlier this year about whether we should have made a big money offer for Conley? Haaaaa

https://youtu.be/_MIyGRkr_XQ

[Video] Shimmy Shimmy Ya: Brandon Jennings Has a Little Fun in Brooklyn

brandon_jennings_knicks

Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings has brought some well-needed energy to the Knicks this year. Tonight as New York wrapped its preseason with a win over the Nets, Jennings had a little fun at Brooklyn’s expense as seen with the below post-jumper celebration.

Considering Jennings’ recent shooting woes (27% from the field going into tonight’s game), I’d do a little dance after EVERY basket.

Derrick Rose Cleared in Civil Rape Case

derrick_rose

An eight member Los Angeles jury has ruled that Knicks point guard Derrick Rose and two friends, Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen, are not liable in a civil case alleging a 2013 gang rape of Rose’s ex-girlfriend.

The jury deliberated Wednesday morning. The accuser, whose identity has been kept confidential, filed the suit last summer. She alleged that Rose and his two friends gang-raped her after she passed out from drugs and alcohol in her Los Angeles home. She sought $21 million in damages.

Rose has maintained his innocence, calling the sexual encounters the three men had with the woman as consensual. The week-long trial turned contentious the last few days with Rose’s attorneys calling for a mistrial over allegations the accuser’s legal team withheld relevant texts the accuser sent to Rose on the night of the incident.

On Tuesday, the Rose’s defense team characterized the accuser as a woman driven by revenge and money. The accuser’s team countered by calling their client a “classic” victim of gang rape.

Rose has missed three pre-season games due to the trial, including tonight’s contest in Boston against the Celtics. He is scheduled to rejoin the team by Friday.

At press time, the Los Angeles police department is still conducting a criminal investigation .

This was pretty much a foregone conclusion for anyone that’s followed the trial. The accuser’s credibility was picked apart over the discovered text messages to Rose, and the testimony of her old roommate that claimed the accuser was out for money.

I would stop short of calling this a “win” since D-Rose’s sexual escapades are now public record. But it’s a damn sure a relief for Knicks fans hoping to have a fully healthy and focused squad to start the season.

[Video] Tearful Carmelo Anthony Wins 3rd Gold Medal, Calls for Unity in U.S.

Melo_goldMedal_win

After 12 years, Carmelo Anthony’s Olympic journey has come to an end. Team USA scored a lopsided 96-66 victory over Serbia, making Anthony the first U.S. player to win three gold medals. The Knicks player also put his stamp in U.S. Olympic history by becoming the all-time leader in points and rebounding.

“I know this is the end. This is it for me, this is it for me. I committed to something….” Anthony told NBC Sports before trailing off to gather his thoughts. “I committed to this in (2004). I’ve seen the worst and I’ve seen the best and I stuck with it, we stuck with it. And I’m here today, three gold medals later.”

Recent weeks have seen the spotlight on Melo’s off the court social activism, including his comments on police brutality and prison reform. He used his post-game interview to allude to the importance social and political unity.

“Despite everything that’s going on right now in our country, we got to be united,” Anthony stressed. “America will be great again, I believe that. We got a lot of work to do, but one step at a time. I’m glad we represented it in the fashion that we did.”

 *********************************

Melo has come a long way from the cornrows days in Denver. While most people have been stressing health, I think mentality is equally important for Melo, D-Rose and Noah this upcoming season. The emotional high of this win as the team’s senior player should give Melo the extra confidence needed to lead the Knicks to a successful season.

Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Carmelo Anthony Over “No Rings” Criticism

StephenASmith

Last week on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A Smith absolutely ripped Carmelo Anthony for an article where the Knicks star stated he’d still be proud if he finished his career with no rings.

Anthony, who’s still competing for Team USA in Rio, was furious with Smith and made his feelings known on Instagram. Sometime over the last two days, the two spoke over the phone and Anthony made it clear his comments were misinterepeted. In addition, Anthony took Smith to task for lashing out in public before speaking with him personally.

You can see Smith’s full apology below. Hey Stephen A, you don’t want to make an enemy out of Melo.

https://youtu.be/eERRbw-kpc0

[Live Stream] Amar’e Stoudemire’s Knicks Press Conference on NBA Retirement and Future Plans

stat

Watch the live stream of Amar’e Stoudemire’s NYC press conference on his NBA retirement signing as a New York Knick and rumored plan to play for Israel as a member of the Hapoel Jerusalem.

[Video] He’s Baaaack: Knicks Reup Sasha Vujacic on 1-Year Deal

vujacic_knicks

We can all finally exhale. The key to the Knicks franchise is back with today’s announcement that Sasha Vujacic has agreed to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum!

Okay, stop rolling your eyes and sucking your teeth. The reason Sasha drew so much hate early last season was due to being forced into a role bound for failure. Even at his best, it was a stretch to have him as your starting shooting guard. Because of Arron Afflalo’s hamstring injury, the Knicks had little choice. Paired with Jose Calderon, the duo was horrific on both ends of the floor and were arguably the worst starting backcourt in the league.

Following the All-Star Break, we got a better idea of Vujacic’s usefulness. In spot minutes he proved effective as an annoying, pesky defender and spot-up three-point shooting (45% over the season’s second half). Then rookie Kristaps Porzingis cited him as a valuable mentor. And with the addition of more Euros (Hernangomez, Kuzmiskas), Vujacic might be what the doctor ordered by bridging the cultural gap with the rest of the squad.

Is Sasha a legit SG backup for Courtney Lee? Absolutely not — but for additional bench depth, this is acceptable. And who knows, maybe Sasha will turn into a crowd favorite if he becomes the “human cigar” inserted during blowouts. For now, let’s feast on some of Sasha’s memorable moments from last season.

https://youtu.be/mBkZXu-uais

[Video] Meet the Newest Knick Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Kuzminskas

Who??? Don’t feel bad — I’m willing to bet 99% of Knicks fans had no idea who this Lithuanian small forward was before the Knicks announced their deal earlier this week. Although the financial details have yet to be disclosed, the Knicks brass apparently really wanted Kuzminskas and went as far as securing a high-figure buyout from his Turkish team.

So how can he help this team? At 6’9, he adds depth at small forward and appears to have a game predicated on getting to the basket. In recent years, the Knicks have been relegated to a jump-shooting team due to poor athleticism. Kuzminskas looks to be a guy that finishes well on breaks and offers a bench spark.

The highlights left me with one main concern — does this guy have a jumper? The clips were heavy on dunks and layups, but I’m happy to report Kuzminskas has offensive versatility to his game. According to Synergy Sports Tech, Kuzminskas had a FG% on 74% in transition, 58% on spot-up jumpers, and 53% in the post last season.

If his game translates well to the NBA, don’t be surprised to see him turn into a quick Garden favorite.