Category: News

Melo Addresses Rumors of Cavs Trade: “I’m not going anywhere.”

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This weekend was abuzz with trade rumors after a story broke that Knicks, Cavs and Celtics were in preliminary talks about a trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland, Kevin Love to Boston, and high draft picks to New York.

The crux of the piece is that Anthony, who is aging and suffering from recurring soreness on his surgically repaired left knee, would want to join forces with his close friend LeBron James in hopes of winning an NBA title. Another theorized trade includes Anthony going to the Clippers, where he would also be teaming with a close friend in Chris Paul.

There’s only one problem — Melo loves New York and has no desire to leave. Much like two summers ago when everyone claimed his best shot to win a title was going to Chicago, now the rumblings from media and some fans is the Knicks need to go into rebuild mode. Last night, Melo emphasized his commitment to the Knicks and doubled down this morning in an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio:

There’s always some trade shit going, I don’t pay attention to those rumors. I’m not going anywhere.

So there you have it. Melo is staying, just as Knicks President Phil Jackson said going into All-Star weekend. The irony is Melo has been the one elite player in five years that’s wanted to play and win in New York. And here we have some fans and media that want to run him out of town and start over. Have you forgotten the Dark Ages that were the early to mid 2000s already?

 

Phil Jackson Fires Derek Fisher, Kurt Rambis Named Interim Coach

 

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Having lost 9 of their last 10 games, Knicks President Phil Jackson has announced today the firing of second year head coach Derek Fisher.

The move comes with the Knicks on a season-worst five game losing streak. Despite nagging injuries to key players Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Lance Thomas, the Knicks play in recent weeks has been marked by poor starts and haphazard fourth quarter execution. Since returning to .500 with a January 12 win over the Celtics, the Knicks have gone 3-11 and now sit at 12th in the Eastern Conference standings.

In his two years as head coach, Fisher has amassed a 40-96 record.

Assistant Kurt Rambis has been elevated to interim coach duties.

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It had to be done and I commend Phil for having the guts to sack one of his pupils.

It’s clear that Fisher was unredeemable in areas that are flat out unacceptable as head coach: his rotations, play calling and ability to adjust to the flow of the game. This has resulted in a team that lacks confidence and identity.

No sane Knicks fan believes this team is a contender, but they’re damn sure better than 12th place in the East. Let’s hope a good point guard is the next trick Phil has up his sleeve.

Matt Barnes, Fisher is all yours…

 

 

Cleanthony Early Shot During Robbery

Cleanthony Early

 

 

Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was shot and robbed by four to six assailants in Queens early this morning, police have confirmed.

Early was accosted in a Uber cab after leaving the CityScapes gentleman’s club. The suspects used three cars to box in the vehicle. Early was then shot him in the leg and robbed of a gold necklace and teeth caps.

He was treated at Elmhurst Hospital and is reported in stable condition.

Early is the second Knicks player targeted for robbery this month. Last week, two women stole $600,000 in jewelry from the apartment of Derrick Williams.

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Knicks players better smarten up and stop being victims. Flashing cash around the holidays and rolling without security is a sure-fire way to get got. Older Knick fans might recall Chris Childs getting robbed outside of Diddy’s restaurant in 2003.

Let’s pray Early makes a swift recovery.

 

Matt Barnes Suspended 2 Games for Derek Fisher Fight

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League sources have confirmed that Memphis Grizzlies guard Matt Barnes will serve a two-game suspension for an October fistfight with Knicks coach Derek Fisher at the Southern California home of Barnes’ estranged wife.

Fisher, who had reportedly been dating Barnes’ estranged wife Gloria Govan for several months, made a visit to the home while Barnes’ young children were present. One of the children notified Barnes, who raced to the home and confronted Fisher.

Fisher reportedly suffered minor scratches but declined to press charges. Both men were previously teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Barnes will serve the suspension on Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat and a Saturday game against the Utah Jazz.

At press time, Fisher has not commented on the ruling.

 

 

Derrick Williams Robbed of $750K By 2 Female Guests

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Derrick Williams took two women home last night and woke up $750,000 lighter in the jewelry department.

Williams told police that his Tribeca apartment was robbed by two women he took home early Saturday following the Knicks’ victory of the Sixers. According to Williams’ documented account, the unidentified women found a Louis Vuitton bag that contained the expenstive jewelry. They did not stay the night and left before dawn with Williams’ other friends. The Knicks forward discovered ttthe theft Satruday afternoon at 4 p.m. Williams refused to elaborate further when asked about the incident before last night’s home victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Police believe the crime may be the latest in a string of robberies where young women target wealthy men at clubs. Williams met the pair at the Up & Down club, and it’s likely the suspects used falsed names. According to the NY Post, a man was robbed of a Swiss timepiece worth $590,000 by two women he met at a midtown strip club earlier this month.

Williams is in the first year of two-year, $8.8 million dollar contract he signed with New York over the summer.

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D-Will is going to have to charge this one to the game. It’s straight foolishness to have strangers up in your house like that. He’s rich and entitled to spend his free time as he sees fit. But if you’re up for a night of debauchery, take it to an reputable hotel suite. Hope he had insurance on those pieces…

Carmelo Anthony Wins November NBA Community Cares Assist Award

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Giving back to the community is where my heart is, so if I can help a couple of people I’m doing my job. I’m blessed to be able to do this work and much more is still to come. – CARMELO ANTHONY

Source: NBA.com

The NBA announced yesterday that Carmelo Anthony is the recipient of the NBA Community Cares Assist Award for the month of November.

Anthony has been involved in several diverse community outreach events in recent months. He partnered with Feed the Children and Avon to provide 800 Bronx families with food, personal care and living essential items for the Thanksgiving holiday. He visited Riker’s Island to speak with incarcerated young men and encouraged rehabilitation. Anthony has also spent extensive time with three children facing life-threatening illnesses via  the Make-a-Wish foundation.

Tonight during the Knicks game against the Timberwolves, Anthony will be presented with the award in an on-court ceremony and a NBA donation of $10,000 to the Carmelo Anthony Foundation.

[Video] Rodney Hood Ejected for Flagrant Foul on Sasha Vujacic

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Even when you’re winning by a blowout, Sasha Vujacic can still get under your skin. Late in the fourth quarter of the Jazz’s 106-85 massacre of the Knicks, Rodney Hood used a body check to prevent a Vujacic layup and was immediately tossed.

New York has little time to lick their words as they’re back in action tonight against the Kings.

https://youtu.be/Jl8boaw97Lk

[Video] Marvin Williams Ejected for Flagrant on Lou Amundson

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Lou Amundson has a patch of hair missing and a glued-shut wound thanks to a blatant elbow tonight from the Hornets’ Marvin Williams.

On the previously play, Williams hit the deck while battling with Amundson. Taking exception Williams retaliated on the next trip down via a hard elbow swipe.

Williams now faces a one-game suspension for the foul.

Fisher Considering Backcourt Change

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After a woeful performance last night against the Bucks, Derek Fisher is mulling a change to his starting backcourt of Jose Calderon and Sasha Vukacic.

The two combined for just 2 points (1/8) in New York’s 99-92 loss to Milwaukee. Although limited to just 3 minutes in the second half, Calderon was at the helm when the Knicks went down by 14 in the first quarter and was a -7 for the game. Vujacic played 27 minutes, including late in the fourth and was a -17 for the night.

“If there’s a decision that needs to be made, we’ll make it based on the team and not necessarily on one guy,” Fisher told ESPN today.”…Whether it’s the same (Sunday), we’ll see. We’ll talk about it today and then in the morning and go from there.”

The Knicks host the L.A. Lakers at the Garden on Sunday.

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Thank you Fisher for seeing the obvious. I understand, to a degree, why Fisher has been hesitate to bench Jose and Sasha. Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant have shown great chemistry in the second unit, so it’s risky tinkering with their rhythm and sticking that group with a plodding PG like Calderon. However, the alternative is what we’re doing now and that can’t continue. Fish can mix and match subs as needed, but the game should be starting and ending with your best available players. Right now that group is Grant, Galloway, Melo, KP and Lopez. Barring foul trouble or someone else getting hot, that’s how it should be.

What’s your take? Have you had enough of Calderon and Vujacic in the starting lineup?

Porzingis Suffers Neck Strain in Spurs Defeat

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Kristaps Porzingis’s best game of the young season was overshadowed by a scary fall with Carmelo Anthony that resulted in a neck strain.

Late in the fourth quarter tonight against the Spurs, Porzingis fell while battling for an offensive rebound. Anthony secured the ball but tripped while going up for a shot. He fell with full body weight on the back of Porzingis’ neck.

The rookie was down for several minutes before rising under his own power.

X-rays were negative and a concussion was “ruled out,” Knicks officials confirmed. The strain is being viewed as a “soft tissue injury.”

Porzingis scored struggled with his shot (5/15, 13 points), but was a force on the glass with 14 rebounds (8 offensive), and on defense with 3 steals and 2 blocks. The Spurs would win the game 94-84.

At press time, Porzingis is expected to be reevaluated tomorrow.

https://youtu.be/Qgp4zOd_B5k