Knicks Morning News (2015.04.30)

  • [ESPN.com – New York Knicks] Windhorst: How injury affects Love's contract decision (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 01:48:20 EST)

    Windhorst: How injury affects Love's contract decision

  • [New York Times] Grizzlies Earn Some Rest Before Semifinal With Warriors (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 06:49:04 GMT)

    The Memphis Grizzlies were so busy finishing off their first-round series they haven’t considered the impact of playing the Golden State Warriors without Mike Conley.

  • [New York Times] Spurs Look to Move on, Bucks Try to Hang On in NBA’s Game 6s (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 06:12:59 GMT)

    The San Antonio Spurs want to move on. The Milwaukee Bucks are trying to hang on.

  • [New York Times] Grizzlies Advance, Beating Trail Blazers 99-93 in Game 5 (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 05:48:49 GMT)

    The Memphis Grizzlies missed one chance to finish off their first-round series and get some much-needed rest before facing the Golden State Warriors.

  • [New York Times] AP Source: Thunder, Donovan in Talks About Coaching Vacancy (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 04:21:52 GMT)

    Florida coach Billy Donovan is entertaining a move to the NBA again.

  • [New York Times] Sports Briefing | Pro Basketball: Kevin Love Has Surgery and Will Miss Four to Six Months (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 04:13:20 GMT)

    Love, who was injured in Cleveland’s series-clinching win at Boston on Sunday, had surgery on his dislocated left shoulder and may need six months to recover.

  • [New York Times] Hawks 107, Nets 97: Tepid Start, and Hawks, Are Too Much for the Nets (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 04:05:42 GMT)

    The Nets could not overcome their sloppy beginning against the Hawks in Game 5, and Atlanta now leads the series, three games to two, as the teams prepare to play Game 6 at Barclays Center.

  • [New York Times] Cavs’ Love Out for Season After Shoulder Surgery (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 03:54:41 GMT)

    The Cleveland Cavaliers have confirmed forward Kevin Love is out of the playoffs after “successful” surgery on Wednesday to repair his dislocated left shoulder.

  • [New York Times] Kevin Love Has Shoulder Surgery, Sidelined 4-To-6 Months (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 03:45:52 GMT)

    Kevin Love had surgery on his badly damaged left shoulder that could require six months of recovery, officially ending any remote chance he had of returning during Cleveland’s playoff run.

  • [New York Times] Horford, Teague Help Hawks Hold Off Nets 107-97 for 3-2 Lead (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 03:22:02 GMT)

    Al Horford banged his dislocated finger and spent much of the game fiddling with it. Jeff Teague twisted his right ankle and hobbled to the locker room for a quick tape job.

  • [New York Times] NBA All-Time Scoring Leader Abdul-Jabbar Evaluated for Dizziness After Surgery (Thu, 30 Apr 2015 01:21:41 GMT)

    Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was evaluated and released from the emergency department of a Los Angeles-area hospital on Wednesday, about two weeks after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center said.

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.29)

  • [New York Times] Spurs Edge Clippers 111-107 in Pivotal Game 5 on Late Call (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:57:40 GMT)

    The ball bounced around the rim, and the pivotal fifth game of a thrilling first-round series teetered along with it.

  • [New York Times] Rockets Have Bigger Goals After Advancing to Second Round (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:33:26 GMT)

    After advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2009, the Houston Rockets shifted their focus to much bigger goals.

  • [New York Times] Hawks Facing Pressure, Grizzlies Trying to Advance (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:18:51 GMT)

    Atlanta has to know exactly what Brooklyn is feeling right now.

  • [New York Times] Nets, Exceeding Expectations Against Hawks, Stay Loose (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 04:47:11 GMT)

    After evening their Eastern Conference playoff series against top-seeded Atlanta at 2-2, the Nets hit the road for Game 5 with new confidence.

  • [New York Times] Houston Beats Dallas 103-94 to Advance to Second Round (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 04:30:42 GMT)

    James Harden’s message was simple and clear after the Houston Rockets’ first playoff series victory since 2009.

  • [New York Times] Roundup: Rockets Oust Mavericks for First Series Victory Since 2009 (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 04:08:56 GMT)

    James Harden had 28 points, and Dwight Howard added 18 points and 19 rebounds for Houston, which will face the winner of the Clippers-Spurs series.

  • [New York Times] Mike Phillips, Half of Kentucky’s ‘Twin Towers’ of Basketball, Dies at 59 (Wed, 29 Apr 2015 00:20:10 GMT)

    The 6-foot-10 Phillips played alongside the 6-11 Rick Robey on the Wildcats team that won the 1978 N.C.A.A. men’s basketball title.

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.28)

  • [New York Post] Knicks may land power forward Jackson whiffed on last year (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 02:01:07 -0400)

    Nobody was more surprised than Hawks veteran power forward Elton Brand when he received the midnight email last July 1 from Knicks president Phil Jackson. Free agency had begun, and…

  • [New York Times] Blazers Stave Off Elimination With 99-92 Win Over Memphis (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 06:35:51 GMT)

    After the final buzzer of their Game 4 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, the Portland Trail Blazers all gathered in a huddle at midcourt and raised their clasped hands skyward.

  • [New York Times] Bucks Avoid Elimination Again, Beat Bulls 94-88 in Game 5 (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 06:18:03 GMT)

    Michael Carter-Williams had 22 points and nine assists, Khris Middleton scored 21 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks avoided elimination again with a 94-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

  • [New York Times] Bucks Avoid Elimination Again, Beat Bulls 94-88 in Game 5 (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 04:08:17 GMT)

    The Milwaukee Bucks insisted this playoff series was about more than just showing up, taking their beating and learning from it.

  • [New York Times] Nets 120, Hawks 115, Overtime: Deron Williams Buries Self-Doubt, and Seven 3s, as Nets Pull Even (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 04:07:34 GMT)

    Williams matched his playoff-career-high point total with 35, with 16 points in the fourth quarter, as the Nets won at home to tie their series with the Hawks at two games apiece.

  • [New York Times] Injured Kevin Love Will Miss the Cavaliers’ Second Round (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 03:49:24 GMT)

    Love, Cleveland’s starting forward, has been ruled out for the team’s next playoff series — and perhaps longer — after he sustained a dislocated left shoulder against the Celtics.

  • [New York Times] Nets Beat Hawks Behind 35 From Williams, Tie Series at 2-2 (Tue, 28 Apr 2015 03:23:10 GMT)

    Deron Williams finally delivered the game that’s expected of him, and he wasn’t going to let the Nets lose it.

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.27)

  • [New York Times] N.B.A. Roundup: Wizards Eliminate the Raptors in a Rout (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:25:54 GMT)

    Paul Pierce scored 14 points and received a standing ovation as Washington ousted Toronto in a sweep.

  • [New York Times] After Wizards Get Sweep, Pierce Takes Jabs at Raptors, Drake (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 06:38:22 GMT)

    At age 37, Paul Pierce is having a grand ol’ time on this playoff run with the Washington Wizards.

  • [New York Times] Grizzlies, Bulls Wary Even With Big Leads in Playoffs (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 06:20:24 GMT)

    The Grizzlies and Bulls head into their games Monday night in complete control of their respective series, needing just one more victory to advance to the next round.

  • [New York Times] Ellis, Barea Keep Mavs Alive With 121-109 Win Over Rockets (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 05:29:21 GMT)

    J.J. Barea last started a playoff game when he helped boost Dallas’ run to a championship four years ago. Al-Farouq Aminu had never been on the floor for the opening tip in a postseason game.

  • [New York Times] Santa Cruz Sweeps Fort Wayne, Wins First NBA D-League Title (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 03:23:23 GMT)

    The Santa Cruz Warriors won their first NBA Development League championship Sunday, beating the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 109-96 to complete a two-game sweep.

  • [New York Times] Wall, Beal Lead Wiz Past Raptors 125-94 in Game 4 for Sweep (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:59:29 GMT)

    John Wall twirled a red towel overhead, Paul Pierce motioned to the fans to make more noise, and the sellout crowd of 20,356 chanted “Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!”

  • [New York Times] Clippers 114, Spurs 105: Clippers Absorb Their Coach’s Tongue-Lashing, Then Make a Statement (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:54:59 GMT)

    Los Angeles’s players, criticized by Coach Doc Rivers after a rout by the Spurs in Game 3, received a wide range of contributions in tying a first-round series at two games each.

  • [New York Times] Cavaliers 101, Celtics 93: Cavaliers Finish Sweep of Celtics but Lose Kevin Love to Injury (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:38:59 GMT)

    LeBron James had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists to thwart Boston, which was swept in a best-of-seven series for the fourth time in its history, but Love injured his shoulder in the first quarter.

  • [New York Times] Paul, Clippers Even Series With 114-105 Win Over Spurs (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:17:37 GMT)

    The Los Angeles Clippers answered their worst loss in playoff history with one of their most uplifting victories.

  • [New York Times] Deron Williams’s Injury Lingers After Nets’ Reviving Win (Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:03:39 GMT)

    Joe Johnson let slip that his teammate Deron Williams might be playing with tendinitis, but Coach Lionel Hollis defended Williams’s play after the Nets’ come-from-behind win over the Hawks.

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.26)

  • [New York Times] Grizzlies Hold Off Blazers Rally to Win 115-109, Go Up 3-0 (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 06:56:22 GMT)

    Stung by the loss of point guard Mike Conley, the Grizzlies gritted out their latest victory over the Trail Blazers.

  • [New York Times] Warriors Confident After Sweep of Pelicans (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 06:41:19 GMT)

    Golden State coach Steve Kerr dead-panned that he’d be relaxing on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas while waiting to find out who would be the Warriors’ second-round playoff opponent.

  • [New York Times] The 1st Round of NBA Playoffs Seems Way Too Easy for LeBron (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 06:14:19 GMT)

    The first round of the NBA playoffs seems too easy for LeBron James.

  • [New York Times] Warriors Complete Sweep With 109-98 Win Over Pelicans (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 04:35:19 GMT)

    Stephen Curry wasn’t about to say that shooting over Anthony Davis was easy.

  • [New York Times] Roundup: Bucks Topple Bulls With Layup at Buzzer (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 04:27:49 GMT)

    Jerryd Bayless made a layup at the buzzer to lift Milwaukee to a victory over Chicago, drawing the Bucks to within three games to one in their playoff series.

  • [New York Times] Sports Briefing | Pro Basketball: Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle Fined $25,000 (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 03:56:49 GMT)

    Carlisle was fined $25,000 Saturday for criticizing officials after a loss to the Houston Rockets that left his team trailing, 3-0, in a first-round N.B.A. playoff series.

  • [New York Times] Bayless’ Layup at Buzzer Gives Bucks 92-90 Win Over Bulls (Sun, 26 Apr 2015 02:20:44 GMT)

    Jerryd Bayless cut right along the baseline, leaving Derrick Rose a couple of steps behind.

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.25)

  • [New York Times] After Working OT in NBA Playoffs, Curry, Rose Can Earn Rest (Sat, 25 Apr 2015 06:47:21 GMT)

    If Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose are tired after working overtime, now is the chance to earn some rest.

  • [New York Times] Leonard Leads Spurs to 100-73 Win Over Spurs and 2-1 Lead (Sat, 25 Apr 2015 05:29:23 GMT)

    Kawhi Leonard has a passion for playing defense, but the San Antonio Spurs forward does not want to be regarded a one-dimensional player.

  • [New York Times] Pierce, Wall Get Wiz Past Raptors 106-99 for 3-0 Series Lead (Sat, 25 Apr 2015 04:35:23 GMT)

    After hitting a 3-pointer to double the Washington Wizards’ lead with 16.3 seconds left, Paul Pierce turned to the stands with arms aloft, nodded and yelled, “That’s why I’m here!”

  • [New York Times] Roundup: Rockets Edge Mavericks for 3-0 Lead in First-Round Series (Sat, 25 Apr 2015 03:55:11 GMT)

    James Harden scored a playoff career-high 42 points, Dwight Howard had his postseason best with 26 rebounds, and Houston beat Dallas.

  • [New York Times] Harden, Howard Lead Rockets to 130-128 Win, 3-0 Lead on Mavs (Sat, 25 Apr 2015 03:23:20 GMT)

    James Harden deferred to Dwight Howard and his role players when Houston swept two games at home to open a first-round series against Dallas.

  • [New York Times] Roundup: Bulls and Cavaliers Move Within a Game of Sweeping Their First-Round Series (Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:55:32 GMT)

    Chicago and Cleveland each lead their series by three games to none, a deficit from which no N.B.A. team has ever recovered.

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.24)

  • [New York Times] For Some in the N.B.A., Pregame Chapel Can Be a Spiritual Ankle-Taping (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 09:00:12 GMT)

    There are critics of N.B.A. teams’ pregame chapel services, but many people in the league have made the practice an essential part of their pregame ritual.

  • [New York Times] Warriors Erase 20-Point Hole, Beat Pelicans 123-119 in OT (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 06:50:28 GMT)

    Stephen Curry wasn’t about to turn down the music, or put any kind of damper on a giddy locker room celebration that seemed more reminiscent of a series-clinching triumph.

  • [New York Times] Clippers-Spurs Series Giving Lopsided 1st Round Some Drama (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 06:20:49 GMT)

    One of the most memorable opening rounds in NBA playoff history came last season. One of the least memorable is playing out this season.

  • [New York Times] Rose Scores 34, Bulls Hold Off Bucks 113-106 in Double OT (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 04:17:19 GMT)

    Jimmy Butler intercepted the errant pass and darted the other way for a fastbreak basket.

  • [New York Times] Roundup: Bulls and Celtics Move Within a Game of Sweeping Their First-Round Series (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 03:46:25 GMT)

    Chicago and Cleveland each lead their series by three games to none, a deficit from which no N.B.A. team has ever recovered.

  • [New York Times] James Scores 31, Cavs Beat Celts 103-95 for 3-0 Series Lead (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 03:35:38 GMT)

    LeBron James got to the arena early. When he left the Cleveland Cavaliers had a chance to put an early end to the series.

  • [New York Post] What the Knicks think of Tim Hardaway Jr. after his strong finish (Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:58:49 -0400)

    Tim Hardaway Jr. has been through three team presidents, two coaches and more teammates he'd care to count in his two seasons after becoming the Knicks' 2013 first-round draft pick….

  • Knicks Morning News (2015.04.23)

  • [New York Times] It Might Be Now or Never for Pelicans, Bucks and Celtics (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:05:24 GMT)

    In theory, this is where the first batches of real postseason trouble are supposed to start presenting themselves to Golden State, Cleveland and Chicago.

  • [New York Times] Hawks Reach Agreement to Sell NBA Team for $850 Million (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 07:26:34 GMT)

    The Atlanta Hawks are taking care of business during the NBA playoffs — on and off the court.

  • [New York Times] Duncan and Leonard Help Spurs Beat Clippers 111-107 in OT (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 07:05:22 GMT)

    Three days from his 39th birthday, Tim Duncan keeps getting better with age. He smartly stayed on the court while playing the last eight minutes with five fouls, and recovered from a woeful fourth quarter to steady the Spurs in overtime.

  • [New York Times] Roundup: Grizzlies Defeat Trail Blazers to Extend Series Lead (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 06:39:06 GMT)

    Mike Conley and Courtney Lee each scored 18 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies grabbed their first 2-0 lead in a playoff series.

  • [New York Times] Hawks 96, Nets 91: Nets Can’t Sink Shot to Stay Out of Hole (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 04:11:45 GMT)

    Late in the fourth quarter of Game 2, the Nets had a chance to tie the score and potentially even their first-round playoff series with Atlanta, but they couldn’t make the basket they needed.

  • [New York Times] Bulls’ Jimmy Butler Knows the Drill: Work Hard, Get Paid (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 04:11:36 GMT)

    Butler’s junior college coach said determination and a belief in hard work have fueled the Bulls player’s growth as a premier N.B.A. wing, one who will be a free agent this summer.

  • [New York Times] Grizzlies Take 2-0 Series Lead, Beating Trail Blazers 97-82 (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 04:02:53 GMT)

    Known for pounding opponents inside with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies are showing they can be just as effective outside the paint.

  • [New York Times] Hawks, Ressler Agree on $850 Million Sale for NBA Team (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 03:26:23 GMT)

    Seven months after a racially charged email put the Atlanta Hawks on the market, there’s an agreement to sell the NBA team for $850 million.

  • [New York Times] Millsap Scores 19, Hawks Hold Off Nets 96-91 for 2-0 Lead (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 02:56:47 GMT)

    Paul Millsap answered all those questions about his shoulder. Al Horford didn’t let a dislocated finger slow him down.

  • [New York Times] Oklahoma City Thunder Fire Coach Scott Brooks After 7 Years (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 01:56:22 GMT)

    Scott Brooks did everything but win a championship.

  • [New York Times] Rondo Finished With Mavs, Knee Bumps Parsons From Playoffs (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:41:33 GMT)

    Rajon Rondo is out in Dallas.

  • [New York Post] More signs Phil Jackson stalling his big Knicks move until 2016 (Thu, 23 Apr 2015 02:47:24 -0400)

    Tuesday's 45-minute State of Zen address established two elements of patience — team president Phil Jackson is not trading his draft pick for a veteran if the Knicks are picking…

  • Poll: Jackson Year 2 Record

    From the New York Times:

    Pressed on what he meant, Jackson said he hoped the Knicks could make the playoffs — which he also predicted last fall before blowing up an underachieving roster in midseason — though not as the Nets did this season, with a losing record.

    “I hope it’s not at the extent that well, we just made the playoffs and we’re not 35 and 47,” he said. “I want to see us having a winning record, and that’s a big jump to make.”

    On Pardon the Interruption, Tony and Mike brought up Jackson’s belief that the Knicks would have a winning record in 2016. With his psychic costume on, Kornheiser predicted the Knicks would sign Kevin Love and win 42-45 games. Allowing for Tony to keep his fantasy of the Knicks signing Kevin Love, Wilbon asked how many seasons prior to Cleveland did Love have a winning record (answer: none). Then he predicted a 38-40 win season for New York.

    So I was curious where our readers stand.

    Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

    Knicks Morning News (2015.04.22)

  • [New York Times] Injuries Again Playing Prominent Role in NBA Playoffs (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 06:44:23 GMT)

    The NBA playoffs have picked up right where the regular season left off — with key players fighting to stay healthy when they are needed most.

  • [New York Times] Phoenix Suns’ Morris Brothers Charged With Aggravated Assault (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 05:23:14 GMT)

    A grand jury in Arizona has indicted Phoenix Suns players Marcus and Markieff Morris on two counts of aggravated assault relating to an incident after a basketball tournament in January, court papers showed on Tuesday.

  • [New York Times] Howard and Harden Lead Rockets Over Mavericks 111-99 (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 04:44:22 GMT)

    Dwight Howard scored 28 points and James Harden added 24 to help the Houston Rockets coast to a 111-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference playoff series.

  • [New York Times] N.B.A. Roundup: Cavaliers Extend Lead on Scrappy Celtics (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 04:27:17 GMT)

    LeBron James scored 30 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, to pass the Hall of Famer Jerry West on the career playoff scoring list and make sure Cleveland did not slip up at home.

  • [New York Times] Wall Has 26 Points, 17 Assists, Wizards Rout Raptors 117-106 (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 02:56:32 GMT)

    John Wall had 26 points and 17 assists, Bradley Beal scored 28 points and the Washington Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors 117-106 on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

  • [New York Times] LeBron Scores 30, Cavaliers Hold Off Celtics 99-91 in Game 2 (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 01:50:38 GMT)

    LeBron James scored 30 points, Kyrie Irving added 26 and the Cleveland Cavaliers finally shook off Boston in the fourth quarter, beating the Celtics 99-91 on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their opening-round series.

  • [New York Daily News] Phil Jackson: I’m OK not being here for Knicks turnaround (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 05:43:48 GMT)

    Phil Jackson addressed the media for nearly 45 minutes on Tuesday, and perhaps his shortest answer was the most revealing one.

  • [New York Daily News] Isola: Phil Jackson needs to stand up for Knicks at lottery (Wed, 22 Apr 2015 03:05:52 GMT)

    Phil Jackson owes it to James Dolan, the Knicks and their fans to be sitting on the dais during next month’s NBA Draft Lottery.