Month: January 2013

Mike Woodson in Contention to Coach an All-Star Team

Tyler R. Tynes 16 Comments

Usually the coaches of the teams with the best overall record in each conference get the distinction of coaching the All-Star teams every season, but that won’t be the case this year.

Since the best records in each conference belong to the Bulls’  Tom Thibodeau (Eastern Conference) and the Thunder’s Scott Brooks (Western Conference), and because they also coached the teams last year, new coaches must be selected. Woodson is one of many coaches who have the opportunity up in the air when the decision is made Monday morning.

“It’s dangling out there,” Woodson told the New York Daily News. “If it happens it happens. If not, I’m just going to go and rest, and think basketball and get ready for the final stretch. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Knicks entered Wednesday night 1½ games behind the Miami Heat for the lead of the conference and bragging rights going into the second half of the season with the defending champs. With games against weaker opponents before Monday’s decision (Milwaukee and Sacramento), there is a very good chance Woodson may solidify his position.

But while Woodson’s new position as All-Star head coach could be in the future that’s not the main thing he’s focused on. Woodson ultimately wants to bring the NBA Championship back to the “Big Apple,” who hasn’t seen a championship since 1973.

I’m not in it to coach an all-star team,’’ Woodson said to the New York Post. “I’m in it for one thing, man. To try to win a title and try to bring it back to New York. That’s what I’m in it for. I let the players understand the All-Star Game is a great game to showcase talent, the best players around the league. I’m about one thing. Trying to keep them healthy and see how far we can make this run.’’

If the season continues to play out as it has so far, the 28-15 Knickerbockers could potentially see the championship rounds of the NBA playoffs.

Knicks Morning News (Thursday, Jan 31 2013)

Mike Kurylo 41 Comments
  • [ESPN.com – New York Knicks] Chandler shows offensive versatility (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:17:47 EDT)

    In most games, you’re going to see Tyson Chandler stick to his offensive bread and butter: rolling to the basket off pick-and-rolls for lob passes, crashing the boards for putbacks or tapbacks, and setting strong and timely screens for his teammates — arguably the most underrated aspect of his repertoire.
    What you will rarely see is Chandler hitting short jumpshots, scoring on the block and making heads-up passes.
    But that’s exactly what he did in the Knicks’ 113-97 victory over the Magic on Wednesday night, finishing with a team-high 21 points on 10-for-11 shooting.

  • [ESPN.com – New York Knicks] Notebook: Melo's mark; Prigioni's progress (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:01:18 EDT)

    How do you score at least 20 points in 30 straight games?
    To Carmelo Anthony, it’s pretty simple.
    “You’ve just got to be patient, take what the defense gives you,” Anthony said.
    The New York Knicks star set a franchise record on Wednesday by scoring 20 points against the Orlando Magic. It was the 30th straight game in which Anthony had at least 20 points.
    The previous mark was set by Richie Guerin in the 1961-62 season. Patrick Ewing had at least 20 in 28 straight games in the 1989-90 campaign.

  • [ESPN.com – New York Knicks] Amar'e putting chemistry worries to bed (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:42:43 EDT)

    The whole notion that Amar’e Stoudemire’s return would somehow ruin the New York Knicks’ chemistry?
    It seems like that can be put to bed.
    Stoudemire hasn’t just fit in to what the Knicks want to do on offense. Lately, he has been a driving force behind it.
    That continued on Wednesday as Stoudemire scored 14 points on 7-for-7 shooing in 21 minutes to help the Knicks overwhelm the struggling Orlando Magic.
    “He’s playing well and we’re playing very well off of him,” Carmelo Anthony said of Stoudemire, who has scored in double digits in seven straight games.

  • [New York Daily News] Knicks Insider: Woodson could be in the Stars (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:52:13 GMT)

    Mike Woodson is in contention to coach the East All-Stars. The coaches of the teams with the best record in their respective conferences as of Monday morning will earn the spot.

  • [New York Daily News] Lawrence: Without Kidd, Knicks think young (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:38:04 GMT)

    The Knicks didn’t have Jason Kidd when it was their turn to beat up on the Orlando Magic. No glue player for Mike Woodson, but it hardly mattered by the time the Knicks started making three-pointers at the Garden in the final 12 minutes as if it was November all over again.

  • [New York Daily News] Stoudemire, Knicks make it look easy against woeful Magic (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:29:53 GMT)

    Amar’e Stoudemire isn’t going to improve the Knicks defensively regardless of how often he talks about it and no matter how many times Mike Woodson demands of it from the veteran forward. Stoudemire’s strength is, and has always been, his ability to score and Wednesday night he conjured up images of his first season in New York.

  • [New York Times] Suns Rally to Beat Lakers in Nash’s Return for LA (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:27:53 GMT)

    Steve Nash’s first trip back to Phoenix to play the Suns was an evening of triumph.

  • [New York Times] Spurs Overwhelm Bobcats on Popovich Return (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:33:23 GMT)

    The San Antonio Spurs gave recuperating coach Gregg Popovich a welcome return to the sidelines on Wednesday by romping to a ninth consecutive win with a 102-78 thumping of the Charlotte Bobcats.

  • [New York Times] Knicks 113, Magic 97: Knicks Toughen Up on Defense and Dispatch Magic (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:26:05 GMT)

    Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler thrived on the floor together and helped the Knicks shore up a flagging defense in a 113-97 win over Orlando.

  • [New York Times] Heat 105, Nets 85: Heat Show the Nets How Far They Still Have to Go (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:34:08 GMT)

    LeBron James and Dwyane Wade put together a highlight reel of dunks while leading the Heat to a rout at Barclays Center, ending the Nets’ eight-game home winning streak.

  • [New York Times] Gallinari’s 27 Lead Nuggets Past Rockets, 118-110 (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:15:44 GMT)

    Danilo Gallinari scored a game-high 27 points, Kenneth Faried had 19 points and nine rebounds and the Denver Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 118-110 Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Millsap Leads Jazz Over Hornets 104-99 (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:09:50 GMT)

    Paul Millsap scored 25 points, Al Jefferson had 22 and the Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Hornets 104-99 on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Heat Blow Out Nets in 2nd Half, Win 105-85 (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:07:09 GMT)

    LeBron James arrived in Brooklyn to an unfriendly welcome from the Nets’ Reggie Evans, who downplayed Miami’s title and James’ talents.

  • [New York Times] Rudy Gay Joins Raptors in Big Three-Team Trade (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:57:21 GMT)

    The struggling Toronto Raptors have acquired Memphis Grizzlies leading scorer Rudy Gay as part of a three-team deal involving the Detroit Pistons, the teams said on Wednesday.

  • [New York Times] Spurs Overwhelm Bobcats on Popovich Return (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:54:21 GMT)

    The San Antonio Spurs gave recuperating coach Gregg Popovich a welcome return to the sidelines on Wednesday by romping to a ninth consecutive win with a 102-78 thumping of the Charlotte Bobcats.

  • [New York Times] Spurs Run Win Streak to 9 With Win Over Bobcats (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:24:47 GMT)

    Tony Parker had 22 points and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed in beating the Charlotte Bobcats 102-78 on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak to nine games.

  • [New York Times] Clippers Outmuscle Wolves in 96-90 Victory (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:48:49 GMT)

    The Los Angeles Clippers don’t take kindly to being pushed around.

  • [New York Times] Robinson Scores 24 to Lead Bulls Past Bucks (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:37:49 GMT)

    Nate Robinson scored 16 of his 24 points in the second quarter, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 104-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Horford’s Late Jam Helps Hawks Edge Raptors, 93-92 (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:21:45 GMT)

    Al Horford scored 22 points, including a go-ahead dunk with 21 seconds remaining, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the short-handed Toronto Raptors 93-92 on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Anthony Set Team Record With 30th 20-Point Game (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:15:57 GMT)

    Carmelo Anthony scored 20 points to set a team-record with his 30th straight 20-point game, leading the New York Knicks to a 113-97 victory over the reeling Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Pierce Leads Celtics to Win Over Kings (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:10:04 GMT)

    The Boston Celtics won their second game since losing Rajon Rondo for the season with a knee injury, beating the visiting Sacramento Kings, 99-81.

  • [New York Times] Hibbert Has Double-Double as Pacers Beat Pistons (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:06:47 GMT)

    Roy Hibbert had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 98-79 win over Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Embattled Head of N.B.A. Players Union Offers Changes (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:56:46 GMT)

    Billy Hunter, the embattled head of the N.B.A. players union, announced a modest list of reforms on Wednesday.

  • [New York Times] Gay Heads to Toronto in Grizzlies’ Makeover (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:54:51 GMT)

    The star swingman Rudy Gay is on his way to Toronto in the latest move in the Memphis Grizzlies’ money-motivated makeover.

  • [New York Times] Holiday and Young Lead 76ers Over Wizards (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:33:40 GMT)

    Jrue Holiday scored 21 points, Nick Young had 18 and the host Philadelphia 76ers beat the Washington Wizards, 92-84, for just their fourth win in 13 games.

  • [New York Times] Off the Dribble: Fewer Minutes for Knicks’ Kidd, Whose Back Is Ailing (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:57:59 GMT)

    Jason Kidd, the Knicks’ 39-year-old guard, missed Wednesday’s game against Orlando, his fifth of the season, because of back spasms.

  • [New York Times] On Basketball: Lessons From a LeBron James Hug (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:41:45 GMT)

    The Heat star’s midcourt celebration with a fan was a teachable moment to help bridge the gap between the sports consumer and the chosen few.

  • [New York Newsday] Carmelo Anthony sets mark as Knicks pull away from Magic (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:22:00 EST)

    Carmelo Anthony broke a Knicks' record that stood for more than 50 years on a night when he didn't even lead his team in scoring.

  • [New York Newsday] Mike Woodson's lineup may start small,but it'll finish big (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:31:28 EST)

    Mike Woodson isn't committing to starting a big lineup, but he said Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler will play together more and finish many games.

  • [New York Post] Stoudemire posts big night (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:33:13 -0500)

    In many ways the Knicks season comes down to questions about Amar’e Stoudemire. Could he return successfully from left knee surgery, did he really learn a post game this summer, and would he truly accept a reserve role if it meant winning?
    Last night showed the answer to all…

  • [New York Post] Injured vets will be key to deep run (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:19:22 -0500)

    IF YOU heard coach Mike Woodson talk before last night’s game against the Magic at the Garden, you would think the Knicks were a team filled with young legs, and young energy.
    “The foundation of our team is the younger players,â? Woodson said. “The older guys have just got…

  • [New York Post] Melo, Amar’e & Tyson all thrive in Knicks’ win (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:44:43 -0500)

    Carmelo Anthony set a Knicks record for 30 straight consecutive 20-point games, but Wednesday night wasn’t about Melo.
    This was about their $54 million big-man triumverate of Anthony-Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler looking for the first time like a three-headed scoring monster.
    Chandler and Stoudemire prospered in the…

  • [New York Post] No Magic remedy: Sore Kidd scratched (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:33:13 -0500)

    Coach Mike Woodson’s fears of running Jason Kidd into the ground were well-founded. The venerable guard was scratched before the Knicks’ 113-97 victory over the Magic Wednesday night because of a sore lower back, three days after being limited to just five minutes against Atlanta.
    “When you lose Raymond…

  • [New York Post] Woodson wants title, not All-Star nod (Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:33:13 -0500)

    With the Knicks’ soft schedule entering the All-Star break, Mike Woodson has a slight chance to coach the Eastern All-Star squad. The Knicks could conceivably pass Miami for best record in the Eastern Conference by the cutoff date for coaching selection â?? Feb. 3.
    The second-seeded Knicks (28-15) trail the Heat…

    • Knicks 113, Magic 97

    Jim Cavan 29 Comments
    Orlando Magic 97 Final
    Recap | Box Score    		 113 New York Knicks
    Carmelo Anthony, SF 39 MIN | 8-17 FG | 2-2 FT | 7 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 20 PTS | +20

    Early-season Melo – the guy that willfully passed to open teammates out of even the most advantageous single-teams – helped keep the first quarter offense on pace with the Magic’s cartoonish clip (the deep three to end the first didn’t hurt, either). Moe “How Can You Be So Harkless?” tried his best to frustrate Anthony with incessant slaps and flails, but luckily – as would probably not be the case with Iguodala, Deng, or another similarly top-tier wing defender – Melo kept his wits about him and picked his spots, even if it meant temporarily jeopardizing his 20-point game streak.

    The series of rushed third quarter chucks had us all making angry Cosby faces (the only kind of Cosby face as far as I’m concerned), but Melo managed to coax enough buckets through the yarn to keep the Knick offense humming along. Or rattling along, anyway. As with Tyson, Melo’s five dimes weren’t only found gold for his own bottom line; they helped re-lube an offense lately grown rusted — the curse to a blessing begat by a truly gifted offensive player prime-saddled and bound for banners.

    LOL lube!

    Tyson Chandler, C 32 MIN | 10-11 FG | 1-1 FT | 7 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 21 PTS | +14

    Way too many games of Greg Kite-level usage rates must’ve burned Tyson worse than subway clap, and he responded by spending much of the first quarter looking like Kareem incarnate – flicking in a couple beautiful hooks and converting a few more by way of red-faced throw-downs. But even Chandler’s Mongolian brand of paint hoarding couldn’t mask the fact that his cavalry were riding blind, three-legged mules around the perimeter.

    Tyson’s offensive resolve was even more pronounced in the second half, where he reeled in – or batted out – a majority of his five offensive rebounds and hammered home a couple more bunnies. Ditto on the defensive end, which went from pillage-ready first quarter parcel to moated second half keep thanks in large part to Chandler’s omnipresence. Scramble all that with a handful of wonderful passes, you get a true Tyson masterpiece. It’s like that painting of Jesus with the poop smeared all over it, you see, except with less poop and more halos.

    Raymond Felton, PG 31 MIN | 6-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 9 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 15 PTS | +13

    At this rate, the next time Felton headlines a Garden of Dreams gig at MSG, some thirty-something mom who spent four years bench-warming at Barruch College is going to challenge Ray to a run up to 11 and win 12-3 – all on 2s. Luckily Ray was taking at roughly 70% of what he was giving Jameer Nelson in the early going, connecting on a three, a pair of floaters, feeding the beasts, and protecting the ball to the tune of zero turnovers.

    Felton’s plus-minus skyrocketd in the second half thanks to two things: 1) continuing his limited orchestration of the offense without getting in the way; and 2) Jameer Nelson crash landing back at the Jameer Nelson mean. Make no mistake about it: Ray has looked more and more comfortable in the paint with each passing game – he’s doing a better job of choosing between lobs and floats, and isn’t giving up his dribble as easily – but the perimeter D still needs work, even if the problem ultimately resides within the system itself.

    Iman Shumpert, PG 22 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 7 PTS | -1

    J.J. Redick’s first quarter barrage (37-37 for 79 points and a suite full of gold-hearted hookers) was a startling testament either to Redick’s underrated-ness, or Iman Shumpert’s overrated-ness – can’t really figure out which. I don’t want it to be the latter, obviously, and recognize that catching back up to the “top tier young wing defender” narrative might require a few more hardwood embarrassments. But there’s some truth to the idea that Shumpert’s value, at least right now, lies on his on-ball abilities, and not being able to navigate 1000 pounds of screens in chasing down pinpoint shooters.

    Shump getting smoked was salved over somewhat by some nice spurts at the other end (a Ronnie Brewer Memorial Three Pointer, deft running one-hander, and a purposed approach to hitting the glass), but it was probably wise of Woodson to limit Shump’s minutes in this one; less for knee precautions than a simple recognition that, sometimes, the rust is just too thick to risk flaking off and cutting everyone else’s feet. That’s an old Egyptian proverb, by the way.

    James White, SG 10 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -1

    The look about White (who started, by the way) after Reddick hit his third consecutive shot was one of a dude who just fed $8.50 into a $1.50 gas station air machine without it ever turning on; just completely bewildered, hands tossed to the heavens and brow furled so violently you kept waiting for it to start bleeding. Whether or not the Knicks end up trying to reel in Kenyon Martin, White needs to make a bigger, better impression in the limited burn allotted him.

    Amar’e Stoudemire, PF 21 MIN | 7-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 3 TO | 14 PTS | +3

    So, uhh… That’s pretty efficient. Say what you will about his defensive gaffs – and there were enough in this game to feed the Farrelly Brothers for the next 30 years – STAT has looked remarkably comfortable around the rim, with fully loaded springs and soft touch to boot. He’s getting off the ground faster, making his decisions more quickly (his spin for a little left-handed bank was particularly pretty), and – despite the occasional errant dribble – is doing his part to dispel the idea that our gilted frontcourt can’t co-exist.

    Chris Copeland, SF 8 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 3 PTS | -2

    Chris Copeland Anagram Fun: SPINACH COLDER
    Ronnie Brewer, SF 4 MIN | 0-0 FG | 1-3 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 1 PTS | -2

    So Hack-a-Brew is apparently a thing now? Damnit, Ron. How’d it ever come to this?

    Steve Novak, SF 23 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | +13

    I’m no hardwood scientist, but it seems to me like Novak – just a few inches shy of seven full-throated feet – could, unlike Prigs, stand to hesitate a little more with his jumper. Not that he’s shooting too often or in the wrong circumstances; far from it. But for as high a release as he has, the Spalding seems to sling a little too quickly. The garbage time buckets hopefully helped with the confidence, but with the way everyone else in the regular rotation has been playing, the margin for error is becoming slimmer by the brick.

    Pablo Prigioni, PG 16 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 11 PTS | +2

    At least one of Woodson’s wisdom nuggets has been on-point: He’s been telling Pabs to not hesitate as much with his shot, and over the last few games our Argentine’s quick trigger has started to pay some dividends. With J-Kidd out nursing his withered back jerky, we know Prigs would have to be summoned to shoulder a heavier-than-usual load. The three-balls helped, no doubt, but it it was Pablo’s fluid game management – punctuated by a few truly beautiful P&R flourishes with Stat – that reinforced precisely how valuable he can be, even on an ostensibly deep team.

    For those of you offended by Prigs not being included in the Schick Rookie Challenge, a change.com petition should be up shortly. Just scroll past the ones for victims of arsenic poisoning and PTSD. Should be in there somewhere. As Kevin McElroy brilliantly pointed out, the thought of Pablo regaling Andre Drummond with memories of “living through the Falklands War” seems a moment even the usually cadaver-stiff NBA PR wouldn’t want to pass up. For shame.

    J.R. Smith, SG 35 MIN | 4-8 FG | 1-2 FT | 5 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 11 PTS | +21

    A few days back, the Wall Street Journal‘s Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) tweeted a little bit of info imparted by the Knicks’ newfangled court-camera technology to the effect that J.R. is shooting some ungodly percentage (north of 50%, I think) from behind the arc directly off the catch and without any dribbles, and 8.3% (That number I remember, mostly because it’s pretty fucking hard to forget), on threes when he took two or more dribbles before cutting loose. Say what you will about “advanced stats,” that information is hugely important and eminently useful.

    I have no idea whether that information has also been shared with J.R. himself, but I did notice a decided shunning of over-dribbles into pull-ups in lieu of purposeful drives and some really, really nice dishes (the one to a cutting Stat for a first quarter flush being especially noteworthy). Which is all going a long way to say that I’ll take this kind of J.R. performance – measured, smart, not entirely spectacular – over the kind that ends with me slapping my own face as hard as I can.

    Five Things We Saw

    1. We all saw it: Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick running around the MSG hardwood like they lease the joint, negotiating shots both routine and totally impossible en route to a ridiculous 9-11 first quarter that had Knick fans the planet over lighting their gasoline-soaked bed posts on fire and marching en mass to Woodson’s Garden office, which I can only assume is between utility closet and the nacho cheese vat. Orlando’s motion offense is predicated on proper spacing, aggressive dribble-drives, and rapid-fire passes resulting in easy lay-ups and a good number of open jumpers. Against a team that switches on ball and off-screens alike, a quick start can mushroom very quickly into disaster for the defense. The hot hands eventually cooled off, thank Christ, but Redick and Nelson once again proved a hefty handful for the Knick D.
    2. At one point early in the game, the Knicks sent a double team on Glen Davis. It failed, of course. Davis left soon thereafter with a sore foot. Woody-Ergo: DOUBLE TEAM EVERYONE BECAUSE THEY’LL GET SORE FEET AND LEAVE.
    3. After getting smoked like Benedict salmon by the Magic guards in the first half, the Knicks employed a weirdly effective strategy to start the third quarter – hedge hard, often into full-on traps, on ball screens. It actually worked on a few occasions, with the double-team – usually featuring Chandler – batting the play far enough afield to force the Magic into rushed sets and mid-range jumpers from not-ideal sources. I don’t know of this is something that’s a legitimate long-term strategy or not, but it was a hell of a lot better than the pussy-footed switches to which we’ve grown accustomed.
    4. With a fourth quarter triple from the left wing, Carmelo Anthony tallied 20 points for the 30th consecutive game, breaking the record of 29 previously set by Richie Guerin back in the 1820s or something. Which was really cool for the fifteen minutes of locker room and Jim Cavan house parties before Resident Wet Blanket Seth Rosenthal pissed on everyone’s parade by noting that, if you string together two season, Guerin actually chalked 20 in 33 straight (the final 29 of one season, and the first four of the next). So, yeah, I guess Melo will have to put that cake I sent him with me inside it in the freezer. Thanks, Seth. Jerkbutt.
    5. Aided by a Nets home loss to Miami, the ‘Bockers fluffed their Atlantic cushion to 2.5 games ahead of Friday’s home showdown with the Bucks. With four games left on their five-tilt home stand, gobbling up Ws when and while we can is of the utmost. While the Blockers flirt with full roster strength, getting Sheed and Kidd back – even if the former lags far behind the latter – can only help. Whether that’s enough to mask the fast manifesting palls (double-teaming career afterthoughts, switching on 1-5 picks like its some kind of performance art, etc.) is anyone’s guess. But – as I’m sure some old Irish saying goes – better to be second-guessing than next-year-waiting.

    Knicks Morning News (Wednesday, Jan 30 2013)

    Mike Kurylo 29 Comments
  • [New York Post] Knicks’ Smith, Shumpert looking to â??pick’ it up and get on a â??roll’ (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:23:40 -0500)

    The Knicks’ offense has stagnated the last eight games, bogged down by too much isolation and too many jumpers. In order to alleviate that problem, coach Mike Woodson put J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert through a pick-and-roll crash course Tuesday in practice.
    “Our offense has struggled somewhat in terms…

  • [New York Post] Woodson wants Knicks to shore up their defense (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:25:15 -0500)

    The Knicks’ once-airtight defense has been leaking like a sieve lately, and coach Mike Woodson has let them hear about it. Woodson said he doesn’t want to listen to alibis and excuses about injuries, and demanded they take pride in guarding the man in front of them and not…

  • [New York Times] Lakers Hold Off Swarming Hornets to Maintain Run (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:46:21 GMT)

    The Los Angeles Lakers continued to build on their recent momentum with a 111-106 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday, as the home team staved off a late rally to register a third consecutive victory.

  • [New York Times] Lakers Edge Hornets 111-106 for 3rd Straight Win (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:13:36 GMT)

    Dwight Howard scored 24 points, Kobe Bryant had 14 points and 11 assists in another pass-first performance, and the Los Angeles Lakers hung on to beat the New Orleans Hornets 111-106 Tuesday night for their first three-game winning streak in five weeks.

  • [New York Times] Blazers Come From Behind to Beat Mavs 106-104 (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:04:23 GMT)

    LaMarcus Aldridge hit a turnaround jumper at the final buzzer and the Portland Trail Blazers came back from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-104 on Tuesday night.

  • [New York Times] With So Many Ailing, Knicks Focus on Plan B (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 04:21:24 GMT)

    The Knicks’ Jason Kidd (back) and Tyson Chandler (neck) missed practice Tuesday because of their injuries.

  • [New York Times] Jennings Scores 30 as Bucks Beat Pistons (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:34:30 GMT)

    Brandon Jennings scored 20 of his 30 points in the third quarter, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-90 victory in Detroit.

  • [New York Times] AP Source: Cavaliers Interested in Oden (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:05:03 GMT)

    Greg Oden’s next comeback could be with the Cavaliers.

  • [New York Times] Thompson Leads Warriors Past Cavaliers (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:53:06 GMT)

    Klay Thompson scored 32 points and the short-handed Golden State Warriors beat the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-95.

  • [New York Times] Knicks 106, Hawks 104: On Anthony’s Night of 3-Pointers, His Layup Wins It (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:36:15 GMT)

    Carmelo Anthony completed a three-point play on a driving layup with 12.5 seconds left to lead the Knicks past the Hawks in front of a national television audience.

  • [New York Times] Off the Dribble: Section 15: Family Fun (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:44:02 GMT)

    A Nets game is a night out for the Pritchards of Bedford-Stuyvesant: Steve, Nicole and their toddler, Ivy.

  • [New York Daily News] Knicks need to pick up ‘D’ regardless of who is on DL (Wed, 30 Jan 2013 04:45:21 GMT)

    Mike Woodson deemed Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler as probable for Wednesday night against Orlando, but the Knicks’ defensive efficiency still remains no better than questionable. Regardless of who is or is not in the lineup, Woodson believes the Knicks must continue rediscovering the intensity with which they played in their own end in the early part of the season.

    • Knicks Morning News (Tuesday, Jan 29 2013)

    Mike Kurylo 25 Comments
  • [New York Times] Iguodala’s Last-Second FT Lifts Nuggets (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 06:16:13 GMT)

    Andre Iguodala’s defensive stop in the final moments helped the Nuggets survive a nerve-racking finish against the Pacers.

  • [New York Times] Nets Dispel Magic to Get Back to Winning Ways (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:58:05 GMT)

    The Brooklyn Nets used a dominant fourth-quarter display to power away from the struggling Orlando Magic for a 97-77 victory on Monday.

  • [New York Times] Rockets Hand Jazz Worst Home Loss (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:46:17 GMT)

    James Harden had 25 points, and the Houston Rockets rolled by the Jazz, 125-80, handing Utah its worst home loss in franchise history.

  • [New York Times] Nets Compound Orlando Misery With 97-77 Win (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:04:06 GMT)

    The Brooklyn Nets powered away from struggling Orlando with a dominant fourth quarter to thrash the Magic 97-77 on Monday.

  • [New York Times] Iguodala’s Last-Second FT Lifts Nuggets (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:02:06 GMT)

    Andre Iguodala made a free throw with 0.4 seconds remaining after forcing a turnover to deny a last-second shot by Indiana, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Pacers 102-101 Monday night.

  • [New York Times] Knicks Will Ask Less of Kidd (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:02:35 GMT)

    Jason Kidd’s abrupt departure on Sunday underlined the tightrope walked by the Knicks, the league’s oldest team.

  • [New York Times] Butler Scores 19 to Lead Bulls Past Bobcats, 93-85 (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:58:18 GMT)

    Jimmy Butler scored a career-high 19 points and Nate Robinson added 15 as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 93-85 on Monday night.

  • [New York Times] Grizzlies Rally From 17 Down to Beat 76ers (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:49:17 GMT)

    Marc Gasol scored a season-high 27 points and Rudy Gay had 26, and the visiting Memphis Grizzlies rallied from 17 down late in the fourth quarter for a 103-100 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

  • [New York Times] Nets 97, Magic 77: Brook Lopez and Nets Beat the Magic (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:47:05 GMT)

    Brook Lopez, who the Magic did not want in a potential trade involving Dwight Howard, played an efficient game scoring 16 points in the Nets’ victory.

  • [New York Times] Thomas’ Shot Ends Kings’ Skid, Top Wizards 96-94 (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:55:34 GMT)

    Isaiah Thomas made a floater with a second to play, capping a seesaw finish as the Sacramento Kings broke a four-game losing streak with a 96-94 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

  • [New York Times] Lee Scores 21 as Warriors Beat Raptors 114-102 (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:52:41 GMT)

    David Lee had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Stephen Curry scored 17 points before leaving with an injury, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Toronto Raptors 114-102 on Monday night.

  • [New York Times] Nets Rout Magic 97-77 for 8th Straight Home Win (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:52:36 GMT)

    Deron Williams had 20 points and nine assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Orlando Magic 97-77 on Monday night for their eighth straight home victory.

  • [New York Daily News] Back woes slow Knicks’ Kidd (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:37:51 GMT)

    JASON KIDD’S recurring back problems are a growing concern for the Knicks despite Mike Woodson saying on his weekly radio show that he expected the veteran point guard to be available for Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

  • [New York Post] Felton’s return to Knicks could be Rx for slumping Novak (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:19:05 -0500)

    Knicks coach Mike Woodson said last week he hoped point guard Raymond Felton’s return would jump-start the slumping Steve Novak.
    Felton helped get Carmelo Anthony out of a recent shooting funk Sunday with his franchise-record-tying nine 3-pointers, but Novak, the Knicks’ best long-range shooter, has been silent.
    “We got…

  • [New York Post] Knicks eager to get Wallace back on court (Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:23:21 -0500)

    The Knicks got point guard Raymond Felton back to reignite the offense. Now coach Mike Woodson is waiting on Rasheed Wallace to reenergize a defense that allowed the Hawks to shoot 60 percent Sunday at the Garden.
    There have been false hopes before, but Wallace is expected to return to…

    • NYT: Is Stoudemire returning to form?

    Jim Cavan 37 Comments

    Sure looks like it! My take over at Off the Dribble:

    In the game last Thursday against the Celtics, with time winding down and his team’s 10-point lead nearly erased, Amar’e Stoudemire leapt up from the paint and over Kevin Garnett. With a touch both delicate and confident, Stoudemire tipped in a J.R. Smith miss to give the Knicks an 86-82 lead with just more than three minutes remaining.

    The Knicks went on to beat their Atlantic Division rival, 89-86, their first win in Boston since 2006.

    Stoudemire’s put-back was not the most important play of the game, but it might have been its most emblematic – the exclamation point on a vintage performance without which the Knicks most certainly would have squandered yet another late lead against the Celtics.

    Commit!