On Friday, some new footage dropped of Carmelo Anthony having a pickup game with rookie Kristaps Porzingis and second-year player Cleanthony Early. Since this isn’t an official training session, there isn’t much to gather from this outside of Melo’s jumper still being wet, Early’s defense remaining shoddy, and the guys are hopefully learning each other’s tendencies to build much-needed chemistry.
Preseason will be upon us before we know it.
Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes of play to help New York take a 78-73 victory over San Antonio.
Porzingis played center and went 3/5 from the field and 6/7 from the line.
Watch select highlights below. It’s just one game, but you can see the kid is skilled.
[youtube https://youtu.be/0GWrD9U-9i4]
Power forward and former #2 draft pick Derrick Williams has confirmed a two-year, $10 million deal to join the New York Knicks.
Williams spent the last two years with the Sacramento Kings, averaging 8 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes during the 2014-2015 season.
The deal includes a second-year player option.
Williams took to Twitter to reveal his excitement in coming to New York.
No doubt, this is a “low-risk, high reward” selection. In terms of being an overall #2 draft pick, you can look at Williams’ career thus far as a bust. However, we’re not looking at him to be a main option. His energy when rolling to the basket, finishing at the rim, and occassionally stretching the floor can be very beneficial depending on the lineup.
The big issue is his defense — Williams ranked dead last among PFs this season. That means a defensive big like recent pickup Robin Lopez has to be on the court with him at all times. Preferably, Williams continues to come off the bench like he did in Sactown. And with this deal having a second year opt-out like Afflalo’s, Williams has every incentive to play lights out to earn a higher deal.
Center Robin Lopez has inked a 4-year, $54 million deal to leave the Portland Trailblazers for the New York Knicks.
The 27-year old Lopez averaged 10 points (54% FG), 7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 28 minutes last season for Portland.
Known for his defense and rebounding energy (3 off. rpg), Lopez is expected to be the “rim protector” team president Phil Jackson emphasized as a free agency focus.
With Carmelo Anthony and rookie Kristaps Porzingis likely to spend significant minutes at power forward, Lopez’s 7’0, 255 pound frame is essential for covering their weaknesses on the boards and defensively. This used to be Tyson Chandler’s job until he mentally checked out. Cole Aldrich and Lou Amundson did the best with their limited ability last year. Rolo is a clear upgrade in all facets. I’m expecting him to average a double double being in the East and likely playing increased minutes.
No, Lopez isn’t a name-grabber like Deandre Jordan or LaMarcus Aldridge, but he’s a marked improvement and fits the defensive mold we’re trying to build.
Still skeptical? Check the videos below.
The Knicks made their first significant move in free agency today with the signing of veteran guard Arron Afflalo to a two-year deal worth $16 million.
The 29-year old Afflalo spent last year in Portland where he played 25 games. He averaged 11 points (41% FG, 40% 3pt) and 3 rebounds over 30 minutes. He missed the post-season due to an arm injury in April.
Afflalo’s best season came in 2013-2014 for the Orlando Magic, where he started 73 games and averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists (46% FG, 41% 3 pt.).
Afflalo also comes in Carmelo Anthony experience, as the two played together on the Denver Nuggets for two seasons (2009-2010).
Considering some of huge contracts being doled out this free agency for role players, I’d say the Knicks did a good job here. Despite a bad season in Portland, Afflalo is a two-way player and clear upgrade at the two-spot over Iman Shumpert and JR Smith. And it leaves New York roughly $20 million to still pursue the three big free agents left (Jordan, Aldridge, Monroe). So far, so good Phil.
The boos and groans rained down heavily at the Barclays last night with the Knicks’ selection of 19-year old European prospect Kristaps Porzingis.
All the coaches and scouts seem very high on the kid, touting his 7’1 frame, ability to space the floor with 3-point shooting, and shot-blocking potential. The trepidation with Knicks fans is the fact we’re dealing with a true prospect that needs to grow into a man’s body to guard his position (he’s currently around 220 and rail-thin). With Carmelo in his prime and wanting to “win-now,” most of us were hoping for safer, sure-fire picks like Emmanuel Mudiay at point guard. It also hurt that Philly was just spiteful in taking another big in Jahlil Okafor right ahead of us.
It remains to be seen if the Knicks can create a culture the cultivates Porzingis into a future star. He could soar as high as a Dirk or Garnett, level out somewhere around a Bargnani level or even worse (shudders). The main thing is that we’re patient over these next 2-3 years.
Below are some highlights and background on our new prodigy. He actually wanted to come here and as he put it after his selection, “turn those boos into cheers.” Anyone that willingly wants to come to NY and handle the immense pressure and cynicism deserves our support.
NEW YORK CITY — The Brooklyn Nets blew a 16-point second half lead, but were saved by the Brook Lopez putback with 2 seconds left to hand the New York Knicks their eighth consecutive loss.
The Nets rode the output of Lopez (18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Deron Williams, the latter having one of his best games of the season with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Knicks struggled for most of the game but ignited a 17-7 run to start the fourth. Rookie Cleanthony Early (14 points) was a focal point and eventually tied the game on a 3-pointer with 1:07 left. Unfortunately, Early would miss a game-winning three on the final play. Andrea Bargnani also had a solid game on the offensive end with 22 points.
The Nets win gives them their first 4-0 season sweep of the Knicks since moving to Brooklyn. New York travels to Washington D.C. on Friday to face the Wizards.
Despite the 2014-2015 Knicks holding a franchise-worst 14-61 record, team president Phil Jackson is stressing a “plan” is in place to rebuild the team next year.
In a video sent to season ticket-holders, Jackson highlighted the team’s expected high draft pick and cap space as main reasons to remain hopeful.
While I know this has been a challenging season for our team on the court, I can also tell you that everyone in the organization is working tirelessly to get our Knicks back to a place where we are once again competing at the highest level,” Jackson said in a video message obtained by ESPN New York that doubled as a pitch to season ticket holders to renew for the 2015-16 season.
We have made key roster moves to free up significant cap space that will provide us greater flexibility to acquire talent in this summer’s free agency,” Jackson said. “And for the first time in many years, we expect to have a top pick in the NBA Draft this June. These are key steps to building a roster of players that have both the talent and character to win in New York and who, alongside Carmelo Anthony, will become a team that can become a consistent winner.
We have a clear plan and expect our efforts to take really take shape as we enter the 2015 draft and free agency in the months ahead,” Jackson said in the video. “I ask that you remain optimistic and hope you will join us on our continued journey as we build a team that once again reflects the spirit of being a New York Knick.
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There can’t be any possible way next year’s team is worse than what we’ve seen the last few months. Outside of Melo, the entire “Knickstape” core that won 54 games two years ago is gone, ensuring we’ll have a completely fresh start and hopefully a new identity. It’s been a horrific year, but a necessary one.
Last night, losing was unacceptable. With Knick favorite Anthony Mason passing away not even 24 hours beforehand, the Knicks dedicated the game to him and showed effort that would’ve made Big Mase proud in igniting a late 10-0 fourth quarter run to hold off the Toronto Raptors.
Langston Galloway was the hero for the second consecutive night by hitting a late three-pointer. Against the Pistons, the shot took the Knicks into overtime where they eventually outlasted them in double OT. With the Raptors, Galloway got the ball with 5 seconds left on the shot clock and put New York up 103-98 with 13 seconds left. That game-icing bucket was only Galloway’s second field goal of the night.
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The game had been a tight affair most of the night with neither team being up more than a few points. The Knicks tried pulling away in the third but couldn’t contain Lou Williams from going off and dropping 12 points in the quarter. In the fourth, the Knicks’ ball movement and energy surged them to 10 straight points for a 90-79 lead with under five minutes left. The Knicks then got sloppy, allowing the Raptors to hit a few threes and free throws to pull within 2 to set up Galloway’s heroics.
The Knicks will be back in action on Tuesday March 3 against the Kings.
Former Knicks forward Anthony Mason, who came to epitomize the hard-nosed defense of the early to mid 90s New York teams, has died at 48 due to complications from congestive heart failure.
The New York Knicks and Mason’s son, Anthony Mason Jr., confirmed the news this morning. Mason had been hospitalized since early February after undergoing multiple heart surgeries.
“Overnight, New York City and the world lost a legend, a friend, a brother… but more than anything our father, Anthony Mason,” said Mason Jr. “As you all would expect our father, Big Mase, put up an incredible fight, dealing with a severe heart issue. I’m wishing this was something else I was writing, but Pops we’ve got to let you know we love you and know you’ll always be with us.”
At 6’7 with a massive and muscular build, Anthony Mason was one of the NBA’s more intimidating players due to his physical defense. He spent five years with the Pat Riley-coached Knicks, winning the 1994 Sixth Man of the Year award and being instrumental in the team reaching the NBA Finals that year. He was traded in 1996 to the Charlotte Hornets and later spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
At press time, funeral arrangement have not been announced.
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![[Video] Melo Practices with Porzingis and Early at Terminal 23](https://nykloyalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/melo_hawks.jpg?w=352&h=234&crop=1)
![[Video] Porzingis Solid in Summer League Debut](https://nykloyalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/porzingis_summerleague.jpg?w=643&h=350&crop=1)
![[Video] Welcome to NY: A Look at Knicks #4 Pick Kristaps Porzingis](https://nykloyalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/porzingis_knicks.jpg?w=576&h=384&crop=1)
![[Video] Lopez Game-Winner Extends Knicks Losing Streak to Eight](https://nykloyalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/early_knicks.jpg?w=625&h=510&crop=1)
![[Video] 4 Mase! Galloway’s Clutch Three Lifts Knicks Over Raptors](https://nykloyalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/galloway_clutch.jpg?w=432&h=510&crop=1)
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