Knicks Trade Pablo Prigioni to Rockets for Alexey Shved

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While other NBA teams are mulling over franchise-altering trades, the New York Knicks made a low-key deal at the trade deadline in moving veteran point guard Pablo Prigioni to the Houston Rockets for Alexey Shved and two second round draft picks.

The 37-year-old Prigioni spent 3 seasons in New York, averaging 4 points, 3 assists and 1 steal in 18 minutes. From the field, Prigioni shot 44% (41% from three).

The 26-year-old Shved was acquired by Houston from Philadelphia earlier this year. In 9 games with the Rockets, he’s averaged 3.2 points, 0.3 assists and 0.4 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game. For the season, the Russian point guard is averaging 7.6 points, 1.9 assists, and 1 rebound on 39% shooting.

Before the All-Star break, Prigioni had not played in eight of the last 12 games, fueling rumors he was on the trade block.

Prigioni  will be joining a play-off bound Rockets team that is currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 36-17 record.

 

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No more sneaky steals and spot-up three-point shooting in NY. Prigioni will be missed, but this is yet another move that benefits both parties. The Knicks get another young point guard to try to mold, and Prigioni gets to join a contender where his sticky hands and floor leadership will be well-served in spot minutes.

Shved is a 6’6 point guard and I’m sure we can put that to good use. His recent teams have given up on his potential, so hopefully he views this as a “last shot” of sorts to show he’s a valuable player.

A toast to Prigioni.

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Carmelo Anthony to End 2015 Season for Left Knee Surgery

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Carmelo Anthony will announce the end of his season later today to undergo left knee surgery, per NBA sources.

Anthony has played most of the season with recurring left knee soreness, forcing the Knicks to reduce his minutes and allow sit-outs on back to back games. Before last Sunday’s All-Star game, Anthony told the media that he’d likely forego the rest of the season for surgery.

Anthony’s knee ailment was revealed as requiring left knee patella tendon debridement and repair. Per Knicks president Phil Jackson, Anthony will be sidelined 4-6 months.

What we’re finding out from the medical is on court, it could be four to six months. We can’t put it at a timetable until after the surgery. But that’s what they’re saying. They say it can be anywhere between four to six months for Carmelo to be back on the floor.

But we’re really confident he’ll heal well and he’ll be fine

The Knicks limped into All-Star weekend on a five game losing streak and currently sport the worst record in the league at 10-43.

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I’ve seen some people online trying to spin this into another reason to criticize Melo for being selfish and not looking out for the team. In reality, this is a move to ensure the team’s future.

Even if Melo started playing the best basketball of his life, this Knicks team has no chance of making the playoffs. Further play only risks creating an even more serious knee injury and putting the future production of our franchise player in peril. Letting the team continue on this path sans Melo keeps the Knicks in play for a top draft pick and also opens another roster spot for our young D-League talent to gain experience.

With all that said, the disaster that has been the 2015 season is humbling. JR, Shump, Melo and Stat are all off the floor in a matter of months.

Knicks Confirm Stoudemire Buyout

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After 24 hours of speculation, the New York Knicks confirmed the waiver of veteran forward Amar’e Stoudemire this afternoon.

Stoudemire, who signed as a star free agent in 2010 for $100 million, was integral in helping the Knicks return to the playoffs after seven years of futility. Carmelo Anthony came mid-season and many expected the pair to be a dominant 1-2 punch in the coming years. Unfortunately, debilitating and recurring injuries to both knees kept Stoudemire sidelined for prolonged stretches.

Those injuries would force him to accept minute restrictions and a bench role. After averaging 25 points his first year in New York, Stoudemire’s production has fallen to 12 points the last two seasons.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively on the court and in the community,” Stoudemire said in a prepared statement. “Although I leave the Knicks with a heavy heart, I wish the organization the best of luck. Once a Knick always a Knick,”

Stoudemire also took to his Instagram to send out a farewell “poem” to fans.

NY NY what a beautiful city
A place where you can hang out with Anna, JayZ & Diddy

Its a place absent of excuses and patience
If your smart, you can meet leaders of every nation

NY NY big city of dreams
Everything in NY isnt always what it seems

In the land where the jungle is concrete
The money flows Dow Jones and Wall Street

Home of #STATcity and the #Knickstape Orginator,
Shalom to all my fans, Salute to all my haters.

Peace and Love
Amar’e Carsares Stoudemire Sr.

At press time, Stoudemire is seeking to join a championship contender with teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks showing interest.

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This was the best move for all involved. With the team going nowhere this season and Amar’e’s health disqualifying him from getting another significant contract here, parting ways ASAP made perfect sense. This opens up the roster for the Knicks to call up one of their D-League prospects to get valuable NBA game experience, such as Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

Signing Stoudemire to $100 million was a huge gamble. Ultimately, it was disappointment due to Stat’s body not being able to hold up as a first option, and the fiscal constraints that contract put on acquiring new talent.

If you could go back in time, would you still sign Stat?

[Video] Westbrook Drops 40, But Knicks Top Thunder 100-92

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The Knicks notched their third straight home victory last night with an impressive win over the Thunder. Although playing without Kevin Durant (sprained left foot big toe), New York had to contend with Russell Westbrook, who torched the Knicks earlier this year. This time around, Westbrook went for 40 points (13-30 shooting), but couldn’t overcome the Knicks three-pronged attack of Carmelo Anthony (31 points, 10 rebounds), Langston Galloway (18 points) and Lance Thomas (17 points).

The game was tightly contested the entire way and came down for the fourth quarter, where New York’s season has been mired by heart-breaking collapses. Tim Hardaway Jr. (14 points) was pivotal in keeping the Knicks in front with three 3-pointers in the period. New York had an 11-point lead with under three minutes to go, but saw that sliced to five in the final minute due to porous defense. Lance Thomas, on his second 10-day contract, hit a short turnaround jumper to ice the game with 45 seconds left.

Two unheralded contributors last night were Jason Smith (11 points, 11 rebounds) and Lou Amundson (5 points, 10 rebounds).

The Knicks are back in action tonight on the road against Indiana.

JR Smith and Iman Shumpert Traded to Cavs

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In biggest move of Phil Jackson’s tenure as president, the Knicks have agreed to dump over $20 million in salary by trading guards JR Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Per the Associated Press, New York will get a second pick in 2019 from the Cavs. The Knicks will acquire filler players that they plan on immediately waiving. So far, the only confirmed one is rookie center Alex Kirk. The Oklahoma City Thunder will acquire Dion Waiters from Cleveland.

Shumpert is currently sidelined with a dislocated shoulder and averaging 9 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Smith, who was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2013, is averaging 11 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists on the season.

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So long, homies. I have a lot of love for JR and Shump. At their best, I loved the brash, young swagger they brought to the veteran lineups we’ve had in recent years. But if I’m honest, it is very apparent that both players have reached their ceilings in New York. We’ve been waiting for about 2 years for Shumpert to make that “leap” as a second option which just isn’t his game (nor fair to expect from him). Since JR’s excellent 2013 season, we’ve only seen erratic flashes of the focus that made him the Sixth Man of the Year.

A change of scenery will be beneficial for both guys. Shumpert will get to focus on being the lock-down, wing defensive specialist that was his calling card. And JR can be a secret weapon/gunner off the bench. The Cavaliers at the very least get more entertaining with JR on their roster.

I’ll remember the good times. Once a Knick, always a Knick.

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Boos, Cheers and Late Hustle: Pistons 97, Knicks 81

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Make that 10 straight losses. The Knicks suited up just nine players tonight against the Pistons and spent most of the game in an offensive and defensive fog, going down by as many as 30 points before settling on a 97-81 defeat. Game like this don’t yield many positives. However, the game’s last few minutes allowed for a few moments of cheering.

 

EARLY PROVIDES A SPARK: Rookie Cleathony Early suited up for the first time since mid-November after going down with a knee injury. Nothing about his numbers tonight will jump out at you — 5 points, 1 rebounds and a steal in 14 minutes of play. But the rook showed strong effort. His most notable moment was a coast-to-coast drive that resulted in a three-point play opportunity. His ethusiasm picked up the energy of the rest of the team and got JR nailing a few threes to bring the lead back under 20.

With only a two minutes left, the fans knew the Knicks wouldn’t be overcoming a 16-18 point deficit. But the fact the team actually gave a damn resulted in loud cheers that would make you believe we were watching a tight playoff game.

Early hasn’t been tainted yet by the constant losing. Fisher should keep him in rotation and maybe his youthful enthusiasm will get contagious.

 

ANGRY BOOS: Before the late run, most of the night was filled with irate boos from the Garden faithful. The Pistons started pulling away in the second via an 11-0 run that put them up 40-27. With their best players out (Melo, Hardaway Jr, Stoudemire etc.), that Knicks were relegated to contested jumpshots and were shooting well under 40% They were outscored 33-18 in the second and down 58-37 at halftime.

The hammering continued in the third with Brandon Jennings sinking repeated threes. The fans were booing at every intermission and each time it seemed to sap the team’s focus and confidence. The lowest point came with Jennings hitting a three at the end of the third that put the deficit at 82-52.

 

RANDOM NOTES: JR Smith lead the team with 22 points, going 8/20 from the field (mostly due to chucking threes in the final minutes). Cole Aldrich had a solid outing against Andre Drummond with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Drummond had a low scoring night (7 points), but was a beast on the boards with 20 rebounds.

Andrea Bragnani was playing just his second game this season when he re-aggravated his right calf and left after a minute. No word on how much time he’s expected to miss.

The Knicks’ challenges mount as the team will play tough teams over the next week in the Grizzlies, Rockets, and Wizards.

 

 

Andrea Bargnani Back to Sidelines With Re-injured Right Calf

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Andrea Bargnani’s return lasted one full game. The injured-plagued foward/center is back on the sidelines after re-aggravating his right calf just one minute into tonight’s game against the Pistons.

Bargnani made his season debut on New Year’s Eve, scoring 9 points in 19 minutes in a 99-78 losing effort to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bargnani has played just 20 minutes this entire season.

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ENOUGH! Remember we gave up two draft picks for this man last year? The Raptors are very grateful for that misstep. If the Pistons could figure out a way to drop their most expensive player in Josh Smith, we surely can figure out a way to get Bargnani out of here.

[Video] Knicks Losing Streak Extends to Nine with Defeat to Clippers

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Tonight wasn’t so bad, but I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring. – CARMELO ANTHONY

Melo’s above quote was about his sore left knee, but easily could have been attributed to the team’s performance in last night’s 99-78 defeat to the Clippers. Melo had 19 points (7/18 shooting) and was the only Knick to hit double figures. No one shot well, as evidenced by the team shooting 38% overall and 23% from downtown. The Clippers had six players hit double figures. DeAndre Jordan ran amuck in the paint to the tune of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

New York’s inept perimeter defense provided a feast for JJ Redick, who scored 20 points. The game essentially went out of reach in the third when the Clippers turned a 10-point lead into 23 courtesy of a 13-0 run.

Andrea Bargnani made his return and scored 9 points (4/11) in 19 minutes of play. JR Smith also returned and had 7 points (3/10) in 17 minutes off the bench.

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Knicks End 2014 in Historically Bad Fashion

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When the 2014-2015 season ends, the month of December will be remembered by Knicks fans as when we realized this team was hopeless. You think I’m exaggerating? Let’s review some of the frightening stats of NY futility.

– For December, the Knicks lost 15 games, setting a new franchise record for the most losses in one month.

– Third worst in defensive efficiency, eclipsed only by the Timberwolves and Lakers.

– Fourth worst in rebounding efficiency (second worst in defensive rebounding).

– Second worst in pace (the number of possessions per 48 minutes)

The team is currently on a nine game losing streak and holds a 5-29 record (second worst in the NBA). At one point, the Knicks lost 19 of 20 games.

Make sure you start watching college games, because there’s no way this team doesn’t end up with a Top 3 pick.

Quincy Acy Suspended One Game for Flagrant Foul on John Wall

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Knicks forward Quincy Acy has been hit with a one game suspension for his flagrant foul two on the Wizards’ John Wall during the fourth of quarter of yesterday’s Christmas game.

The incident happened with 5:31 left in the game. Wall attempted to drive and was knocked to the floor via a hard shove from Acy, who then stood over the Wizards’ point guard. Wall rose and shoved Acy, creating a brief wrestling match. Acy was issued a flagrant foul two and ejected from the game. Wall was cited with a technical.

NBA basketball operations president Rod Thorn also fined Wall $15,000 for the push.

Acy will miss the Knicks’ December 27 road game againt the Kings.

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Meh. I think Acy just had enough to the Knicks’ futility and wanted to enjoy the rest of his Christmas. Enjoy your extended weekend, Quincy. And somewhere, Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley are rolling their eyes at that supposed flagrant.