Knicks Blog

Report: Knicks in running to get guard Fernandez from Blazers

July 28, 2010 , ι POST STAFF REPORT

The Knicks are one of three teams in the running to acquire guard Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers, The Oregonian reports. The 6-foot-6 Spaniard and his agent have requested a trade,... Read on

The Knicks are one of three teams in the running to acquire guard Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers, The Oregonian reports.
	 
The 6-foot-6 Spaniard and his agent have requested a trade, and the team had discussions with the Knicks, Celtics and Bulls.
	 
"I'm confident that Portland is cooperating and finding a solution for everyone involved,"
	 agent Andy Miller told the newspaper.
	 
Two seasons ago, Fernandez made 159 3-pointers, an NBA rookie record. He is unhappy serving as a backup to Brandon Roy and being used primarily as a shooter rather than a playmaker, according to the report.
	 
"I totally understand how he feels," coach Nate McMillan said. "He was a star in his league. He was Brandon Roy. Now he's playing behind an All-Star and the minutes are really limited.”
	 
The report says. “Some of the teams interested in Fernandez have offered a future first round draft pick, while other offers would pair Fernandez with another Blazers player.” It does not say what the Knicks’ offer would be.
	 
Fernandez has two years remaining on his contract, with $1.25 million due this season. A first-round pick by the Suns in 2007, he averaged 8.1 points in 23 minutes per game last season, after 10.5 points in 25 minutes as a rookie.
	 
“Rudy is a team player, and his style of play requires minutes. He's not a guy who is just going to come down and jack up a shot,” McMillan said. “He needs to get into a flow, into a rhythm, and that's not a backup role. And I think that is his frustration."

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Hornets hold all the cards in Paul saga

July 23, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Chris Paul is not feeling it in "Who Dat Nation.'' The Hornets did nothing to upgrade this summer. Paul has every right to be upset about the situation.But guess what? Paul is the one who signed his... Read on

Chris Paul is not feeling it in "Who Dat Nation.'' The Hornets did nothing to upgrade this summer. Paul has every right to be upset about the situation.
	 
But guess what? Paul is the one who signed his contract extension a couple of years ago that has him bound to 2012. He has no leverage. His new LeBron James handlers can demand a trade and squawk anonymously to the media.
	 
But Paul is bound by that contract – which is a lot more meaningful than any Paul wish list.
	 
The two sides meet Monday in the Big Easy after which new Hornets brass must decide whether to start accepting trade offers. The Knicks should hope they wait until December 15th, when the summer free agents and draft choices can be dealt.
	 
That way, Knicks new point guard Raymond Felton can be added to a package of Danilo Gallinari, $3 million and a 2014 first-round pick. Is that too much for Paul?
	 
Absolutely not. You have the two stars in Paul and Amar'e Stoudemire and fill out the starting lineup with the three Golden State pickups – Rony Turiaf at center, Anthony Randolph or Wilson Chandler at small forward and Kelanna Azubuike at shooting guard. The bench is a little thin but it's a top five team in the East.
	 
As long as Ema Okafor is not in the deal, they keep their flexibility to sign Carmelo Anthony in 2011. If Paul gets here, no way Anthony signs that contract extension.
	 
Here's the problem to the dream scenario. The Gallinari-Felton package with cash and a pick is a darn good offer, but the Hornets could be reluctant to send Paul to where he wants and onto the giant Broadway stage where they would have to hear about him constantly.
	 
As we reported today, everyone's on the table but Amar'e. But the Hornets hold the power – a contract signed through 2012 that does not go away because of a wish list.

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Waiting list back for Knicks season tickets

July 22, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

The Knicks' season-ticket waiting list is back after a hiatus of eight years. According to an MSG spokesman, the Knicks have hit their magic number of 4,000 new season-ticket plans and officially... Read on

The Knicks' season-ticket waiting list is back after a hiatus of eight years.
	 
According to an MSG spokesman, the Knicks have hit their magic number of 4,000 new season-ticket plans and officially sold out of season-tickets last week for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.
	 
Those who inquire about season-tickets for the 2010-11 season are put on a waiting list and it's believed to contain more than 100 names.
	 
The Knick season-ticket waiting list gave the Garden its cache when the Knicks were the hottest ticket in town. The list swelled to 15,000 during the Knicks' 1990's heyday.
	 
The Knicks say the season-ticket renewal rate was more than 90 percent. Those who didn't renew by mid-June had their tickets taken and put back in the pool. Last summer, season-ticket holders had until September.
	 
In anticipation of their cap space entering The Summer of LeBron, the Knicks, unprecedentedly, launched 2010-2011 season-ticket sales in late February and received a strong response.
	 
That they didn't land James and settled for five-time All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire, PG Raymond Felton and forward Anthony Randolph was a letdown, but probably won't hurt next season's attendance figures.
	 
Many bought their plans in anticipation of signing James and there is still hope in 2011 that Carmelo Anthony will sign with the Knicks, who again will be well under the cap.
	 
Single-game tickets go on sale in mid-September. Depending on the response, the Knicks may sell five-to-10-game mini-plans thereafter.

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Waiting list back for Knicks season tickets

July 22, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

The Knicks' season-ticket waiting list is back after a hiatus of eight years. According to an MSG spokesman, the Knicks have hit their magic number of 4,000 new season-ticket plans and officially... Read on

The Knicks' season-ticket waiting list is back after a hiatus of eight years.
	 
According to an MSG spokesman, the Knicks have hit their magic number of 4,000 new season-ticket plans and officially sold out of season-tickets last week for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.
	 
Those who inquire about season-tickets for the 2010-11 season are put on a waiting list and it's believed to contain more than 100 names.
	 
The Knick season-ticket waiting list gave the Garden its cache when the Knicks were the hottest ticket in town. The list swelled to 15,000 during the Knicks' 1990's heyday.
	 
The Knicks say the season-ticket renewal rate was more than 90 percent. Those who didn't renew by mid-June had their tickets taken and put back in the pool. Last summer, season-ticket holders had until September.
	 
In anticipation of their cap space entering The Summer of LeBron, the Knicks, made an unprecedented move by launching 2010-2011 season-ticket sales in late February and they received a strong response.
	 
That they didn't land James and settled for five-time All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire, PG Raymond Felton and forward Anthony Randolph was a letdown, but probably won't hurt next season's attendance figures.
	 
Many bought their plans in anticipation of signing James and there is still hope in 2011 that Carmelo Anthony will sign with the Knicks, who again will be well under the cap.
	 
Single-game tickets go on sale in mid-September. Depending on the response, the Knicks may sell five-to-10-game mini-plans thereafter.

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Knicks keep Stoudemire off Team USA

July 20, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Amar'e Stoudemire will not participate for Team USA this summer in the World Championships, according to Knick president Donnie Walsh.The Knicks have asked Stoudemire to withdraw because Team USA won... Read on

Amar'e Stoudemire will not participate for Team USA this summer in the World Championships, according to Knick president Donnie Walsh.
	 
The Knicks have asked Stoudemire to withdraw because Team USA won't insure him against a potential career-ending knee injury. Stoudemire is in Las Vegas and was ready to participate in today's first session of training camp.
	 
Stoudemire had an uninsured contract in case of a career-threatening knee injury with Phoenix. Stoudemire has had major eye surgery and microfracture knee surgery.
	 
The Knicks are applying for insurance on Stoudemire's new $100 million deal and are working with insurance provisions from the old contract. It is unlikely the contract won't be insured for a knee injury either.
	 
The Knicks are not willing to risk Stoudemire hurting his knee, Walsh said.
	 
"It's a much bigger risk, he understood and he didn't (complain) but he wanted to play,'' Walsh said.
	 
Team USA spokesman Craig Miller told The Post Team USA can't insure the contract on its end and it would be up to the Knicks to allow him to play. Miller said the Knicks were informed Friday.
	 
"He played until deep in the playoffs,'' Walsh said. "He would be playing from today till Sept. 13 and start with us on the 14th. That's a pretty filled up summer. We haven't learned him yet. One thing that makes him a good risk is he's worked so hard.''
	 
Stoudemire, who played for the 2004 Olympic Team, was excited about rejoining the club for the World Championships in Turkey in late August.
	 
Stoudemire was expected to make the team as training camp begins in Las Vegas today. David Lee is also on the unit and will likely make the 12-man roster that will hold another training camp in Manhattan in August.
	 
"He had to pull out because he couldn't get insurance on his knees. So, he's not able to play," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who is an assistant with the U.S. team, told the AP.
	 
"I don't know if his (future USA Basketball) status has changed or not. I have no idea. I hate it for him, but it's business."

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Knicks assistant Weber: Amar'e is fine without Nash

July 19, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Knicks assistant coach Phil Weber is known around the team as the eternal optimist. So it is no surprise that Weber, who was closest to Stoudemire on the old Suns' staff, thinks the five-time All... Read on

Knicks assistant coach Phil Weber is known around the team as the eternal optimist. So it is no surprise that Weber, who was closest to Stoudemire on the old Suns' staff, thinks the five-time All-Star won't miss a beat without Steve Nash.
	 
"Steve Nash is arguably one of the best point guards to ever play in the league,'' Weber told The Post over the weekend at the Las Vegas Summer League. "Everybody's going to look very good playing with him. But Amar'e in his own right, he's got the versatility, quickness and shooting ability, he's going to wreck havoc on the defense.''
	 
The Knicks coaching staff continue to point out Stoudemire's explosive series in the Western Conference Finals vs. Tim Duncan four years ago when they designed plays for him to create his own shot.
	 
"You're looking at a guy whose a power forward who can take smaller guys down and he's able to step out and use quickness against bigger guys,'' Weber said. "We put him in on the elbow in Western Finals vs. San Antonio and he averaged 36 and 9 vs. Tim Duncan. And his game has continually expanded. He's been through the wars and has had tremendous success.''
	 
Several league personnel men in Vegas believe the Knicks – with the choice of either Chris Bosh or Stoudemire – are much better off with the former Sun as the lead guy. People close to Bosh in Toronto think Bosh would not have handled the pressure well in the Big Apple.
	 
"Amar'e has always had star qualities,'' Weber said. "He'll be great for you guys because of some of the quotes he'll say. But he is ready to work.''
	 
And lead. "His leadership qualities are really about to flourish,'' Weber said.
	 
--
	 
Mike D'Antoni has a lot of possibilities with his starting lineup and one of them is playing Danilo Gallinari at shooting guard, with Anthony Randolph, Stoudemire and active Ronny Turiaf up front. That may give the Knicks the best rebounding lineup – which is a concern with the loss of David Lee. That would allow Chandler to come off the bench as a backup power forward or make him expendable in a trade for a good outside shooter.Since the Knicks plan to have Turiaf play only 25 minutes a night, D'Antoni will probably have a deeper rotation – at least nine men.

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Knicks statement on George Steinbrenner

July 13, 2010 , ι From the Knicks

Cablevision Systems Corporation Chairman Charles Dolan released a statement today on the death of George Steinbrenner:“George Steinbrenner and I share Cleveland as our original hometown and I... Read on

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Walsh steals Russian center from Prokhorov

July 12, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Knicks president Donnie Walsh kept his courting of 7-1 Russian center Timofey Mozgov top secret for one chief reason.According to a source, Walsh figured if word got out, Nets Russian billionaire... Read on

Knicks president Donnie Walsh kept his courting of 7-1 Russian center Timofey Mozgov top secret for one chief reason.
	 
According to a source, Walsh figured if word got out, Nets Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov would try to steal him.
	 
But Walsh beat Prokhorov in his own backyard, making the Nets owner's July even more miserable.
	 
As reported in the Sunday Post, Walsh will complete the signing today of the 24-year-old mystery man who wowed the Knicks in a late May workout. Mozgov flew in from Russia under of a cloak of secrecy and the Knicks have waited anxiously for the clearance papers from FIBA and his Russian team that will arrive today. Mozgov was in Las Vegas a few days ago meeting with the Knicks coaching staff at the summer league. He flew back yesterday and practice with the club, but probably won't play.
	 
Saturday morning, Knicks officials, when contacted by The Post, confirmed they were close to signing a 7-foot Russian center but declined to confirm the name, saying they did not want another team to get interested.
	 
According to a source, Mozgov's contract of 3 years/$9 million is padded because Mozgov still has to pay his Russian team, Khimki nearly $2 million for his buyout. The Knicks paid the other $500,000 – the maximum they are allowed. The signing gives the Knicks enough cap room to sign just a minimum-wage player.
	 
The Knicks' secrecy demonstrates much they like him and their feeling he flew under the radar of most NBA clubs. Knicks European scout Kevin Wilson was on top of the case and Knicks executives Glen Grunwald and John Gabriel flew to Russia to see him play this season.
	 
"We do like him a lot,'' Walsh said yesterday. "We think he's a very good prospect with great promise to be a very good player. Plus, he's 7-1.''
	 
Walsh likes he can score inside, outside, run the pick-and-roll, finish nicely and block shots. "Mike (D'Antoni) runs a lot of pick and rolls,'' Walsh said. "He's not a post guy but he's got good moves and can play with his back to the basket.''
	 
Walsh said when he was eligible to be drafted three years ago, he was "too young. Big men in Russia aren't finished products at 21.'' He also was playing on Khimki's second team back then.
	 
He played on the Russian National Team under famed coach David Blatt but did not have an especially strong past season. One Russian journalist Alexander Chernykh wrote to The Post yesterday, "Everybody expected Mozgov to have a better season, but it didn't happen. So his NBA deal with the Knicks comes as a surprise.''
	 
The Knicks wanted another center for their roster as they look to trade Eddy Curry.

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Amar'e accepts Team USA invite

July 11, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

New Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire, who was not on the 2008 gold-medal winning Redeem Team, has accepted an invitation to participate for Team USA in the World Championships, according to Team USA... Read on

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Steve Nash talks Stoudemire, D'Antoni & Miami Heat

July 10, 2010 , ι BRIAN LEWIS

No less an authority than two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash says the Miami Heat -- with the addition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and retention of Dwyane Wade -- can win the title. But he cautioned that... Read on

No less an authority than two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash says the Miami Heat -- with the addition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and retention of Dwyane Wade -- can win the title. But he cautioned that it'll be lot harder than just showing up and expecting to be bequeathed a championship trophy.
	 
"They've stacked the decks. It should be very interesting for the fans to see it unfold. (But) I think it'll be more difficult than just, 'Thank you very much, we got our title in July,'' Nash said at last night's Red Bull game. "I think there are compelling arguments for both (sides).
	 
"They are obviously going to be incredibly explosive talent. At the same time this sport is won by intelligent teams that play together. So they have to build a team. They obviously have the capability to do that, three amazing pieces to start with. They could do it. They could win a title right away. It's not the easiest thing in the world. While they're capable, they have a lot of work to do."
	 
Speaking of explosive talent, Nash was a Phoenix Sun teammate for six years with forward Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks' free-agent acquisition and answer to LeBron James. And while Nash understands New York was lusting for LeBron, he says they won't be disappointed with Stoudamire.
	 
"New York is going to love Amar'e; he's as exciting as they come,'' Nash said. "I have had the pleasure of playing with him for six seasons. In some ways, it feels like losing a family member. He is somebody that obviously we had a great relationship and great connectivity on the court. Our kids play together. It's sad to see him go but New York is going to love him.''
	 
"I think he'll love (New York), honestly. New York City can eat some people up, but I don’t think he'll ever approach it like that. He'll take it all on and enjoy it.''
	 
Nash downplayed Stoudemire's reported rift with Knick coach Mike D'Antoni during their time together in Phoenix.
	 
"They'll be flying out of the gates," Nash said. "It's overblown. Yeah maybe they had a moment or two of disagreement but overall Amar'e and Mike had a great relationship.
	 
"Everyone wants to live off whatever negatives they can find, but between mike and Amar'e it was 95 percent positive. Whatever little things you could say negatively about their relationship will be so far gone and forgotten already that it really wasn’t worth bringing up in the first place.''