^^ You need to stop saying amare is untradeable because of knees....bullshit dude have played every season and average 20 and 9reb......the enticement of amare and melo will tempt the magic to give it a go....trust me new york will do something....i am not a big fan of howard...cuz i think he is vastly overrated ....all he does is dunk and rebounds...golden state is another team that they can trade them both to.

You need to stop saying amare is untradeable because of knees....bullshit dude have played every season and average 20 and 9reb......the enticement of amare and melo will tempt the magic to give it a go....trust me new york will do something....i am not a big fan of howard...cuz i think he is vastly overrated ....all he does is dunk and rebounds...golden state is another team that they can trade them both to.

^^ It's not just Amare's knees that's in question because it's a ticking time bomb but also Amare's contract is really horrible to say the least. Besides why would NY not want Amare in their team if he is really playing oh so well? Maybe it's because infact Amare is not performing at that superstar level that would match his ridiculous contract NY is willing to pay for his services. Between his scary/horrible contract and questionable knees and the Knicks not wanting him on their team, why would another team want NY's questionable commodity then? This makes Amare virtually untradeable because NY will never get equal value for Amare due to the above mentioned reasons so in reality Amare will end up being a salary dump (cap relief) at best for NY, that is if the Knicks are even able to swing a deal for Stoudemire who is too much a risk for most teams to take. It's not Amare but Melo that's the one that has real trade value in this Knicks team and whom most teams would rather do a trade for as shown in most trade scenarios being tossed around. Amare is never mentioned in any current trade talks because Amare has a scary looking contract which makes it really hard for NY to trade him especially with his history of knee problems. Infact I can tell you right now Golden State front office will not trade David Lee especially for Amare. Warriors new ownership has a man-crush on David Lee who is performing so very well along side Monta Ellis in Golden State. Maybe a Melo for Monta (+fillers) pa siguro but even that is pretty far fetched unless NY is willing to take Andris Biedrins to make the trade work salary-wise or a Melo/Chandler for Monta/Lee/Biedrins/Wright trade will probably be enough to get the Warriors to say Yes. In regards to the D.Howard/Turkoglu for Melo/Chandler trade rumor, not sure if Howard is really such a big upgrade to Chandler which is why I'd rather keep Chandler and just concentrate on a Melo trade since he is actually the one that has good trade value which can net a player of difference for this New York Knicks team. Let's wait and see if the Knicks have the balls to do so.



Post ko lang ito ulit...

NY Knicks: Why Amare is untradeable
From The Bleacherreport.com
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1089351-2012-nba-trade-deadline-should-the-portland-trail-blazers-re-tool-or-reboot#/articles/1080747-nba-trade-speculation-10-players-whose-trade-value-is-plummeting/page/8

Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

2011-2012 Per Game Statistics

Points: 17.5

Rebound: 8

Assists: 1.3

Field Goal Percentage: 44.7

Minutes: 33.8

Despite being one of the top players in the league over the last several years, it would be extremely difficult to trade Amar'e Stoudemire.

In addition to his numbers being down, there is no way that most teams in the league can afford to pay the approximately $83 million left on his contract over the next several years.

With that contract and a history of knee problems, the Knicks are committed to Amare for the long term, as other NBA teams will not be willing to give up equal value for him.

^^ It's not just the knees that's in question because it's a ticking time bomb but also Amare's contract is horrible to say the least. Besides why would NY not want Amare in their team if he is really playing oh so well? Maybe it's because infact Amare is not performing at that superstar level that would match his ridiculous contract NY is willing to pay for his services. Between his scary/horrible contract and questionable knees and the Knicks not wanting him on their team, why would another team want NY's questionable commodity then? This makes Amare virtually untradeable because NY will never get equal value for Amare due to the above mentioned reasons so in reality Amare will end up being a salary dump (cap relief) at best for NY, that is if the Knicks are even able to swing a deal for Stoudemire who is too much a risk for most teams to take. It's not Amare but Melo that's the one that has real trade value in this Knicks team and whom most teams would rather do a trade for as shown in most trade scnarios being tossed around. Amare is never mentioned in any current trade talks because Amare has a scary looking contract which makes it really hard for NY to trade him especially with his history of knee problems. Infact I can tell you right now Golden State front office will not trade David Lee especially for Amare. Warriors new ownership has a man-crush on David Lee who is performing so very well along side Monta Ellis in Golden State. Maybe a Melo for Monta (+fillers) pa siguro but even that is pretty far fetched unless NY is willing to take Andris Biedrins to make the trade work salary-wise. In regards to the D.Howard/Turkoglu for Melo/Chandler trade rumor, not sure if Howard is really such a big upgrade to Chandler which is why I'd rather keep Chandler and just concentrate on a Melo trade since he is actually the one that has good trade value which can net a player of difference for this New York Knicks team.


yeah you're right... that move by Dolan was probably worse than that Melo trade... i mean, it would've been okay if it was just 3 years, but this Amare contract is just gonna really drag us down for the next few years... i really hope he meant it when he said he's getting his explosiveness back... we kinda saw an improved Amare last night, especially guarding Dirk... but i'm not holding my breath yet, see if he keeps it up tonight against Duncan...

yo, this team f@cking blows man... trade everyone now damn it

yo, this team f@cking blows man... trade everyone now damn it

Despite having an All-star line-up, the NYK is still not a contender in the east or in the NBA. This team is just a bunch of overpaid and overhyped talents.

Spurs cruise past slumping Knicks
ESPN

Tony Parker scored 32 points while Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili added 17 points apiece as the San Antonio Spurs dealt the sliding New York Knicks a third consecutive loss, 118-105 on Wednesday night, which doesn't figure to ease the mounting frustrations of Carmelo Anthony and teammates.

Fading rapidly is the feel-good glow of Linsanity with NY losing five of seven since Jeremy Lin and Anthony were reunited. The Knicks bear little resemblance to their Lin-inspired resurgence before the All-Star break, and booting Landry Fields from the starting lineup before the game didn't help much.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said relegating Fields to the bench wasn't a demotion but simply a stab at trying to find combinations that work. The change came a night after the Knicks trailed by as many as 19 at Dallas, where Anthony afterward admitted having trouble finding his new role in the offense.

Lin came out of nowhere last month and delivered the Knicks the playmaking point guard they craved. But New York's transition has been anything but seamless since Anthony returned Feb. 20 after missing seven games, mostly because of a groin injury.

The Knicks are 2-5 with Anthony back in the lineup. D'Antoni said before the game that Anthony needs to be New York's leading scorer and said he understood the frustration of his star.

''You have to work through. But there's no reason why it can't co-exist,'' D'Antoni said. ''There's no reason why everybody shouldn't do well. We just got to find the right balance of everybody getting into their spots.''

Lin shot 7 of 15 and had four assists. Amare Stoudemire had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Tyson Chandler sat out with a strained hamstring.

Anthony had as many field goals in the first 6 minutes Wednesday night - two 3-pointers - than he did in a lethargic, unfocused performance the night before in Dallas. He was 12 of 24 from the floor and finished with four times as many points as he did against the Mavericks.

Anthony led New York with 27 points. He was sharper than a listless, six-point game in Dallas a night earlier but had no answers afterward on what's not working.

"I don't know. I really can't answer that," Anthony said. "I really can't put a finger on it."

Amare Stoudemire, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds, took a different view after a game in which New York trailed by as much as 24 in the second half.

"The Spurs don't have nearly enough talent to compete with us," Stoudemire said. "Our personnel, our talent is off the charts."

It hardly looks that way with the Knicks three games below .500.

knicks imploding.....d antonio by get his ass fired soon

NewYork's Amare/Melo experiment is officially a huge expensive bust. Knicks Front Office should start making calls. Time to make trades and retool. :bash: :bash: :bash:

if they don't trade, they better start the fire d'antoni chants in MSG...

anyway, some positives--if you want to call them that... Shumpert as the starting 2 looks ok with the others, shows that D'Antoni is still trying to adjust/experiment... Melo seems to have gotten his shot back, he was also involved nicely on the offense especially in the 1st quarter and the mini comeback that we had... great to see Harrelson hustling, great sub for Jeffries in the long run...

however, we now see how our defense struggles with Chandler out, especially in the paint--no help at all from Amare there...:ohno:

knicks imploding.....d antonio by get his ass fired soon

if they don't trade, they better start the fire d'antoni chants in MSG...

anyway, some positives--if you want to call them that... Shumpert as the starting 2 looks ok with the others, shows that D'Antoni is still trying to adjust/experiment... Melo seems to have gotten his shot back, he was also involved nicely on the offense especially in the 1st quarter and the mini comeback that we had... great to see Harrelson hustling, great sub for Jeffries in the long run...

however, we now see how our defense struggles with Chandler out, especially in the paint--no help at all from Amare there...:ohno:

^^ If D'antoni wanted to experiment, he should have done what I have suggested earlier (see post below) rather than just doing a minor tinker by substituting Shump (for Fields) and why Shump especially when it's JR Smith who is the real 2. IMHO the likes of Shump, Fields, and Novak are more suited as a 3 but Melo is the Knicks superstar so he gets most of the minutes at the 3 to the detriment of this platoon/trio who had shown their competence at the small forward position during Melo's absence in which the Knicks won 9 (8 straight). They were already winning and had already shown they can do so without Melo and yet here we are forcing Melo to gel with the team to win and it's simply not working out because even if Melo comes up big, it's still the same result - A Loss! Simply put Melo's effort/output does no translate into a winning record for NY. Infact the pathetic Knicks have now lost 5 out of it's last 7 games since Melo came back. And now their escape goat will be of course D'antoni (not Melo). It would not surprise me if D'antoni gets fired but I don't think he is the real problem with this team. It really goes much deeper than that. It's really the stubborness of the front office to admit that NY's Amare/Melo experiment is a huge expensive bust. They really need to break up this failed tandem but I doubt they have the balls to do so because it's like admitting their mistake so unfortunately the coach gets fired first.

Chandler is really the defensive anchor of this Knicks team much like what he was for the Mavs championship team last year. I would have thought that seeing Chandler get his NBA Championship ring that it would inspire Melo and Amare to elevate their respective games so they too can get a ring. However as we have seen this Amare/Melo tandem is a huge expensive bust even with the addition of Chandler, JR Smith, and Linsanity.


Maybe it's just a matter of not playing Melo and Amare at the same time. Oh how I wish the Knicks/D'antoni would humor me and sit Melo for now instead of starting him and just start with a first five of J.Lin, JR Smith, (Fields or Schumpert or Novak depending on match-up), Stoudemire,& Chandler instead and see if they can rekindle the magic once more. Have Melo coming off the bench especially when Amare has to sit and/or if D'antoni chooses to play the 2nd five early like he's been doing lately and have Melo play with Baron, (Fields or Schumpert or Novak depending on match ups),& Jeffries or some variation of that and see what happens. Anyway it won't get any worse if the Knicks start playing a different line-up and experiment to shake things up and give it one more push and then make those hard decisions what can be done by the March 15 trade deadline. That's what I would do if I were them. Oh well just wishful thinking... hehehe :lol: :lol: :lol:



Another reason New York will need to trade Melo: Knicks are at the cap already and will go over the cap if they are to resign J.Lin, JR.Smith, and Fields who will be free-agents by season's end.


As NBA trade deadline approaches, Knicks' Big Move Came Without Fanfare
by Tom Ziller
SBNation

It's funny to think that of all the machinations in the New York Knicks' rebuild that began back in 2008, the one with the biggest impact could very well have been when the club picked up Jeremy Lin off of waivers.

The Knicks made moves to clear cap space by forfeiting picks, put on a full-court press for 2010 free agents, engaged in a months-long negotiating session to land Carmelo Anthony and shocked the world by chasing and landing Tyson Chandler. Yet the team finally turned around when the front office grabbed an undrafted second-year Ivy League guard named Jeremy Lin. Sports are weird.

Because the Knicks are now set at every position -- albeit with some deficiencies -- they aren't leading the NBA trade rumor mill at this point. Had it not been for Lin, you could expect "Steve Nash to the Knicks" to be on everyone's lips. Sorry, Steve. Jeremy's taken your spot.


NEEDS & TARGETS

There have been immodest suggestions that the Knicks could still want Dwight Howard, despite landing Chandler. The rumored package has been Anthony and Chandler, which might be appealing to the Magic if a full rebuild was to be avoided.

Dropping 'Melo at this point would leave New York minus their signature wing but could bring in more talent to plug some holes.

One more defender would be a target too as Amar'e Stoudemire is a clear minus on that end of the floor, and 'Melo is far inferior to Chandler's 2011 Finals partner Shawn Marion defensively. Chandler defending the paint against the Heat without Marion or Jason Kidd -- and with 'Melo and Landry Fields or J.R. Smith in their places -- seems problematic.

The Knicks do not have their 2012 first-round pick to use, and cannot trade their 2013 pick on account of having traded their 2014 pick to the Nuggets.


SALARY CAP SITUATION

According to ShamSports.com and adjusting for the recently signed Smith, the Knicks have a salary figure of $63 million, over the league's cap. The Knicks are actually at the cap for next season before accounting for Smith or Lin and project to flirt with the luxury tax when it becomes more punitive in 2013-14.

share ko lang... :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6963788339_007cb57c16.jpg

2013-2014 season, kobe will become the 3rd all-time scoring

my projection:

2011-2012 season-29,300(age of 33)
2012-2013 season-31,500(340
2013-2014 season-34,000(35)
2014-2015 season-35,300(36)
2015-2016 season-37,500(37)
2016-2017 season-38,700(38)-became the highest all-time scorer in nba history and worlds baskeketball history
2017-2018-40,000 mark at the age of 39

with the skills and athleticism of kobe maybe,maybe he will retire at the age of 41 or 42

Despite having an All-star line-up, the NYK is still not a contender in the east or in the NBA. This team is just a bunch of overpaid and overhyped talents.

Are they returning to their old selves again? Years ago, puro overpaid ang mga players ng NYK like Eddy Curry, Stevie Franchise/Stephon. :nuts:

2013-2014 season, kobe will become the 3rd all-time scoring

my projection:

2011-2012 season-29,300(age of 33)
2012-2013 season-31,500(340
2013-2014 season-34,000(35)
2014-2015 season-35,300(36)
2015-2016 season-37,500(37)
2016-2017 season-38,700(38)-became the highest all-time scorer in nba history and worlds baskeketball history
2017-2018-40,000 mark at the age of 39

with the skills and athleticism of kobe maybe,maybe he will retire at the age of 41 or 42

I highly doubt it. He's knees doesn't have enough mileage beyond age 35. I read an article that he's planning to retire already if not for the stem-cell miracle that brought him back to a competitive form again. I think it's possible to surpass MJ in the all-time scoring list but not his legacy.

^ The Mamba is an extreme ball hog so I don't hold his total scoring record in the same regard as that of Lew, Jordan, mailman and Wilt. What's most special about Mamba is NOT his scoring production ability but his ability to exploit opportunities above others and get to the basket under difficult circumstances (extreme tight space... etc

The obsession to equal Jordan in all sort of records is lame and has gone it's course AFAIAC. Moreover Lebron has gotten the better of him for years and years now (something that was decidedly NOT the case when Jordan was ruling: there was no one better than Jordan and by the time his airness was no longer the best, he decided to call it a day (he didn't stay around just to chase records while being a "second best" NBA star
.

2013-2014 season, kobe will become the 3rd all-time scoring

my projection:

2011-2012 season-29,300(age of 33)
2012-2013 season-31,500(340
2013-2014 season-34,000(35)
2014-2015 season-35,300(36)
2015-2016 season-37,500(37)
2016-2017 season-38,700(38)-became the highest all-time scorer in nba history and worlds baskeketball history
2017-2018-40,000 mark at the age of 39

with the skills and athleticism of kobe maybe,maybe he will retire at the age of 41 or 42

i agree

The Knicks are now 32 wins - 39 losses since acquiring Carmelo Anthony from Denver last season. Pathetic. And if that's not bad enough Melo has really been the common denominator in all of this mess/problem NY is having. Melo simply does not fit in. The Knicks need to cut their loss and trade Melo asap. :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:


Carmelo Anthony - Mike D'Antoni experiment not working
By Johnette Howard | ESPNNewYork.com
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7662885/new-york-knicks-carmelo-anthony-mike-dantoni-partnership-working

Fifty-four weeks of the same mediocre Melo-drama? Some might call that crazy!

Of all the maddening conundrums and paradoxes surrounding the Knicks right now, the hardest one to forget is this bad knock-knock joke: Q. You know why no one can say coach Mike D'Antoni doesn't know what he's talking about? A. Because it appears D'Antoni saw much of this coming.

D'Antoni didn't want to trade for Carmelo Anthony in the first place last season. He talked about spelling Jeremy Lin with veteran Baron Davis even before Linsanity faded, like it was always destined to do. In short, he's been right just enough to make you wonder what else he knows -- but won't admit -- now that 54 weeks into the great Melo experiment, the beloved offensive system D'Antoni runs still creaks and wheezes and fails to work. The Knicks are now 32-39 since Melo arrived.

But at some point D'Antoni's right to say "I told you so" won't matter.

D'Antoni is paid to find answers to the Knicks' problems, not just point out when they exist, as he's continued to do after the Knicks' back-to-back road losses to Dallas and San Antonio that again left Anthony questioning his role.

The constant assurances from both he and Anthony that the answer is for Anthony to work his way into D'Antoni's offense aren't good enough anymore. The System that D'Antoni runs -- capital "T", capital "S" -- seems to have a way of making workday players look good here, but it and Anthony mix like sand and oil. Unless there's some mega-trade in the works that is going to send Anthony off to Orlando for Dwight Howard, it's hard to see how D'Antoni survives those paradoxes that the white-hot start Lin got off to only obscured.

How does a coach survive presiding over a team that has better talent but actually plays worse? How is it that a widely acclaimed offensive guru like D'Antoni can't flourish when the man who some consider the best pure scorer in the NBA drops into his lap?

So far the Knicks have taken a wait-and-see approach. And there's been more waiting than seeing. They keep flunking the eyeball test, especially when Anthony is on the court.

There's no denying D'Antoni has a hard job trying to blend 10 or 11 players into his rotation night in, night out. Having players constantly come and go as much as he has since he took over the Knicks increases the challenge exponentially. As Amare Stoudemire said not long ago, he's lost track of how many different roster incarnations he's played on in his short time as a Knick. The fact that D'Antoni has been extravagantly well-paid for the trouble doesn't change the fact the constant upheavals have been a drag on the won-lost record.

Fine. But that's not all that's going on here. The contrast between them and the Spurs on Wednesday night drove home that point. And so did when Boston beat the Knicks a few games before that. Regardless of what Anthony is doing or not, the Knicks still lack the sort of discipline that great teams have -- that bedrock understanding that every possession is important, that details matter, that there's a true art to how great teams are able to close out games, win on nights they're not at their best, or weather the vicissitudes of the schedule or injuries.

And it can't be summed up as play free, shoot 3s, the ball's gotta move.

If the ball doesn't find Anthony enough (as D'Antoni conceded might be true after a frustrated Anthony got only 12 shots against Dallas), and Anthony doesn't do much with it when it finally does, something is going to have to change.

Last season D'Antoni often used to play Anthony and Stoudemire separately, thinking it might help both of them score. Just Wednesday, he didn't disagree that the best way to up Anthony's production might be to just call more plays for him. But look at the result against the Spurs: Anthony had 27 points. No one else did squat. The Knicks were thumped by 13.

Afterward Stoudemire almost wistfully nominated the Spurs as the sort of deep and resourceful team the Knicks could be. But aren't. And D'Antoni again promised it'll come, it'll come.

Barring a trade that sends Anthony out of town, it’'s no given that ’D'Antoni survives this or -- here'’s a novel thought -- if he even wants to once his contract expires after this season.

Anthony's adjustment curve has been beyond slow. And D'Antoni's insistence on looking to his beloved system for the be-all answer has gotten old.

What if what's really happening here -- great scorer + vaunted offense = lousy results -- is not a true conundrum or paradox at all? What if 54 weeks of the same Melo-drama is really just the definition of crazy? Why keep doing the same things over and over when you get the same mediocre results?

That's what the D'Antoni/Carmelo Knicks have gotten so far together. It doesn't matter who else they've been surrounded with.

The smart thing might be to admit it's foolish to keep looking to The System for answers when, over and over thus far, The System doesn't have them.


___________________


Knicks face huge challenge on offense
SI.com
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/03/07/knicks-face-huge-challenge-on-offense/?sct=nba_t11_a5

You could see the story playing out in advance before Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni re-inserted Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin for Josh Harrellson and Baron Davis with 3:57 left Tuesday in Dallas after a motley mix of bench players and one starter (Amar’e Stoudemire) had cut the Mavericks’ 14-point fourth-quarter lead to two. You knew that when Dallas made its run, almost mathematically inevitable, a pseudo-controversy would spring up over whether D’Antoni should have left “the bench” in, and whether the Anthony/Lin pairing is doomed.

You knew this would be so even though the hero of the bench, Steve Novak, remained on the court for another 90 seconds as the Mavs scored eight straight points to basically clinch the game. You knew the ensuing controversy, fueled by Anthony’s postgame comments about his changing role, would (in some corners) be devoid of the complicated context within which it actually exists.

Some of that context:

• The Knicks’ blissful Linsanity stretch — eight games in which Anthony essentially didn’t play because of injury — featured a schedule filled with lottery teams and home games. The schedule has gotten slightly more challenging and road-heavy since then, and New York has predictably struggled.

• During the non-Anthony portion of Linsanity, the Knicks scored 100.85 points per 100 possessions, according to Hoopdata. That would rank about 14th in the NBA. The Knicks, in other words, played average offense against a weak schedule with Lin as the offensive centerpiece.

During those same eight games, against that same weak schedule and with the same depleted roster, New York allowed 93.7 points per 100 possessions. That would be the stingiest mark in the league over the full season.

In simple terms: The Knicks’ defense was the driving force of their success during Lin’s emergence. This is not ground-breaking. I’ve written it more than once, as have other NBA analysts. If you think New York played 2006-07 Suns-level offense while Anthony and Stoudemire sat and Lin became a star, you are ignoring reality.

• Since Anthony’s return on Feb. 20, the Knicks have averaged 99.2 points per 100 possessions in six games, a tiny sample size, per Hoopdata. That is below the league’s average, about 1.5 points per 100 possessions worse than what New York did with Lin/without Anthony. The offense has indeed regressed, but that gap is the equivalent of dropping about four or five spots in the points-per-possession rankings. It’s meaningful, but not huge, and it’s not unexpected given the more difficult recent schedule and — this is important — how crummy New York’s offense was before Lin’s breakout.

The Knicks ranked about 25th in points per possession before forces aligned to unleash Lin. They were average with Lin against a poor schedule. It should not be surprising that they are struggling now to instantly integrate all the disparate and new pieces and produce a decent offense.

• The defense has allowed 99.6 points per 100 possessions since Carmelo’s return, a better-than-average mark that nonetheless constitutes a major drop-off from the stingy number (93.7) that they allowed with Lin/without Anthony. In the long run, it’s probably a good sign, or at least not a bad one, that New York has been slightly better than average on defense in a relatively tough six-game stretch while re-integrating two subpar defenders in Anthony and Stoudemire.

There is no question that the Knicks are flailing a bit in trying to fit a high-usage point guard with two of the highest-usage scorers in recent league history. They’ve had only six games to work at it so far! But the lineup numbers via an NBA.com stats database that the league has allowed a few writers to access show that the issues run much deeper than one player (Anthony) or one player pair (Anthony/Lin). What also becomes clear is the degree to which Lin has relied on Novak to succeed in running an above-average offense.

The Knicks are indeed pretty bad with the Lin/Anthony pairing on the floor, according to NBA.com. New York has averaged 97.9 points per 100 possessions with Lin and Anthony together and allowed 102.4, both worse than its season averages. (Note: NBA.com uses a slightly different formula than Hoopdata to calculate the number of possessions in game, leading to lower points-per-possessions numbers. New York’s season average is 98.3 by this scale, so the Anthony/Lin mark of 97.9 is fairly close to that average.)

With Lin and without Anthony, New York’s scoring jumps way up to 105 points per 100 possessions. That’s a bad sign.

But the Knicks have scored at an even worse rate (97.2 points per 100 possessions) with the Lin/Stoudemire pairing, per NBA.com. Before the shouts come about how Lin plays heavy minutes together with both players, take a look at New York’s full five-man lineup data. The lineups featuring Lin and Stoudemire, but not Anthony, that have played a decent number of minutes have all struggled offensively.

Even the Lin/Tyson Chandler pairing comes out with scoring numbers (98.4 points per 100 possessions) right around New York’s average, something that might surprise you, given the obvious success of the pick-and-roll between those two players.

The Lin/Anthony/Stoudemire trio has indeed been a disaster in 154 minutes. The Knicks have been outscored by nearly nine points per 100 possessions with those three on the floor, the worst scoring margin of any of the team’s 30 trios that have logged at least 130 minutes together, per NBA.com. The offense with these three has scored at a slightly worse rate than when Lin is on the floor with Anthony or Stoudemire but not the other. That is another bad sign.

A revealing little nugget that speaks to this trio’s issues: The Knicks have taken three-pointers on only 12 percent of their shot attempts with Lin, Anthony and Stoudemire on the floor. Only three trios among the hundreds that New York has played this season have relied less on three-pointers, and two of those trios have logged only 33 minutes combined. This speaks to a floor-spacing issue, which brings us to Novak.

The Knicks are scoring an off-the-charts 116.9 points per 100 possessions with Lin and Novak on the floor together, and the only Lin lineups that have logged a decent chunk of minutes together and scored at an above-average rate all include Novak. Having an elite long-range shooter at power forward (or small forward, when two big men are in the game) obviously opens up the middle of floor more when New York runs the pick-and-roll. Anthony is a below-average three-point shooter for his career, and Stoudemire’s mid-range game has suffered this season. Both prefer receiving the ball near the elbows or on the wings, places from which it is easier for their defenders to sag down and clog the lane. This is why you often see one of them stationed in one of the corners on Lin/Chandler pick-and-roll plays.

Having a scorer such as Stoudemire or Anthony standing in a corner is obviously not ideal. Everyone paying any attention at all knew it would take time for the Lin Knicks to jell once they reached full strength. Lin’s emergence as a heavy-minutes starter who dominated the ball amounted to a total remake of the team in the middle of a compressed schedule. Anthony and Stoudemire would have to find ways to work actively on the weak side — screening for each other or cutting backdoor along the baseline — as Lin and Chandler ran pick-and-rolls. New York would have to pick spots for Anthony to isolate in the post, and Lin and Stoudemire would have to discover at least a little pick-and-roll chemistry of their own. The Knicks would have to figure out how to keep the ball moving and the floor spaced.

All of this is happening already, but the commitment, repetition and results have been inconsistent. The stars are feeling their way.

Sometimes you have to point out the obvious: This is an enormous challenge. When the three-pointers are falling, it’s going to look so easy, as if the Knicks could thrive playing Novak 40 minutes per night and never using Anthony and Stoudemire together with Lin again. It would be a fascinating basketball experiment to see them try that, by the way.

But in a conference topped by two superpowers, the Knicks are trying to make the Lin/Chandler/Stoudemire/Anthony quartet work and that will take time, and it’s possible New York just won’t have enough of it this season.

he can go to hell

East-7 below .500
West-11 teams above .500
NY knicks-rank 8, 18-21 win-loss,average of .462

haayyy, good players are from eastcoast but good teams are in the other coast

Tsk tsk tsk... Pathetic Knicks lose again! That's 4 losses in a row and 6 losses in their last 8 games since Melo's return. :bash: :bash: :bash:

Knicks' star power doesn't light up win column
Fox Sports
http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/03/10/12/Knicks-star-power-doesnt-light-up-win-co/landing_bucks.html?blockID=684308&feedID=5196

Since Carmelo Anthony returned to the New York Knicks' lineup, all of the momentum built up through the height of Linsanity has officially been squandered.

Following New York's fourth consecutive loss -- the latest coming Friday in Milwaukee -- there were several Knicks players hanging their heads in the locker room. Most notably, power forward Amare Stoudemire sat at his locker for several minutes staring straight ahead while teammates packed their bags and headed out.

"As a captain of this team, I just have to make sure guys stay together," Stoudemire said. "Understand that it's an up and down season for us, but we still need to get better as a team. We have to stay together and stay positive but also learn from our mistakes."

The biggest problem for New York in its four-game losing streak has been defense. The Knicks allowed Boston to score 115 points, followed by giving up 118 to San Antonio and now 119 to the Bucks.

"Offense should never be a problem," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "What we have to do is have consistent energy, defend harder and have a desperation about us that we need to get in the playoffs."

While Anthony was out with a groin injury, the Knicks won seven of their eight games. It was during that stretch without Anthony that point guard Jeremy Lin went from a player who was nearly cut to a must-see superstar.

Since Anthony returned Feb. 20, New York has lost six of its eight games.

Whether the blame for the Knicks' struggles should fall entirely on Anthony is debatable, but there's no question that it will.

However, last two games proved just how important center Tyson Chandler's impact on the defensive end is for New York. With Chandler out again Friday due to a strained left hamstring, the Knicks allowed the Bucks to score their most points of the season, even while playing without Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson.

"Tyson's a very integral part of our team, and we can't wait 'til he gets back to help us defensively," Stoudemire said. "We have to do a better job defensively out there. We have to do a better job of containing and getting stops.

"The offense is starting to flow. Defense just has to catch up now. We have to do a better job to try to contain the ball and get stops when we can. That's something we have to work on."

Anthony summed things up even more succinctly about the Knicks' problems since he came back.

"Right now we don't have that energy to win basketball games, which we have to find," he said after scoring 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting.

Even the typically upbeat Lin was trying to come to grasps with New York's fading edge in the playoff race.

"It's hard when you don't win games to keep a bigger perspective to understand that maybe we've had improvement, but it's not showing in the win-loss column," said Lin, who had 20 points and 13 assists in a dual with Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings. "That's the frustrating part, but we'll get there. We're going to win some and lose some."

With four of the Knicks' next five games coming against Eastern Conference playoff teams, there's not much time to lose many more. New York now only leads the Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers by two games for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

New York hosts the 76ers on Sunday, followed by a trip to Chicago to face the Bulls. Meanwhile, Milwaukee's schedule is much easier with games against New Jersey and Toronto. So, by the time the Knicks return from Chicago, their once-commanding lead in the playoffs could be completely gone.

If Lin and Anthony continue to lose while in the lineup together, Thursday's trade deadline could become a lot more interesting in New York. For a team that wants to win now, the Knicks' current roster is clearly not getting it done.

Kaya pala Melo is playing mostly the PF spot today kasi wala si Chandler due to injury, although the latter suited for the game. Ala tuloy box out.

if you are winning with melo out ...and now losing with melo in...shouldnt take rocket science to know what the problem is....if the knicks want to go anywhere they better come up with a trade

The Knicks only have a 2 game lead over the Cavs for the 8th and last spot and with a rather tough schedule they'll be playing, the Cavs may just snatch the last spot from them.

I can already see the blame game starting. Looks like the braniacs in the Knicks front office who collectively over-valued, over-traded for and over-paid Melo is now passing the blame on the coach for the Knicks' pathetic performance of late. D'antoni, who should know his own system best, didn't want Melo in the first place but the front office pushed for the trade and now their escape goat for the Knicks' failings will be D'antoni, not Melo, of course. It would not surprise me one bit if D'antoni gets fired or if he leaves by season's end but I don't think he is the real problem with this team. It really goes much deeper than that. It's really the stubborness of the front office to admit that Melo simply does not fit in this team and their NY's Amare/Melo experiment is a huge expensive bust. They really need to break up this failed tandem but I doubt they have the balls to do so because it's like admitting their mistake so unfortunately in this case, the coach will probably get fired first before the star player actually gets traded. Who knows maybe they'll surprise us.

Time is now for Melo to step up
By Stephen A. Smith
ESPN

With pressure mounting on the Knicks, their biggest star must get it done, especially as NY continues to descend like leaves in the fall and with nowhere else to look other than at the man who asked for the bright lights of Broadway.

"I love the pressure. I want it to be on me," Anthony said weeks ago, when Linsanity had officially taken over the basketball world. "To be elite in this game, you've got to want that pressure."

That's actually Part I.

Part II, however, is a bit more comprehensive. It actually involves doing something constructive once the pressure arrives and mounts.

We can accuse Anthony of a lot of things, but quelling the pressure elevating in his path isn't something he's done well, at all. Shooting near 40 percent this entire season and providing sporadic glimpses of his offensive greatness, the Knicks are just 12-18 in games Anthony has played. And the picture isn't getting prettier.

Statistics will tell us all that Anthony is averaging more than 20 points per game -- again! That he's never spent a day in his nine-year career averaging fewer than 20 points. It will point to his 6-foot-8, 230-pound frame, his ability to go inside-out, shoot threes, mid-range jumpers or score in the post.

It will detail everything but success -- and championships.

But after watching Anthony shoot 3-of-14 from the field against the Bucks Friday night in yet another inexplicable loss, there's nothing but question marks attached to his name these days, and they've become too alarming to ignore.

Can Anthony impact the game in another way other than scoring? Is he actually willing to do so? Is the problem really with Anthony's game or D'Antoni's coaching? Is it up to Anthony to adjust to Jeremy Lin or vice versa? In the end, does any of it matters on any team being led by Anthony?

Listening to some folks, "It does matter. I absolutely believe in Carmelo Anthony," former Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe told me in Los Angeles recently. "Like most other guys in today's game, there's always more to learn. When you have a player of his magnitude, you figure those things out. You don't cut bait."

On the other hand, "It won't matter but so much because it's who he (Carmelo) is," Anthony's former coach, George Karl of the Denver Nuggets, said to me. "Most of the time he thinks he's the best offensive player on the floor, and he's usually right. But your ability to score the ball shouldn't solely define your game. Sometimes, that's not enough. In time, most players learn that."

Let's be frank: Melo doesn't have much time.

With the Knicks at 18-22, having lost four straight road games, they're only two games ahead of Milwaukee, who currently own a tiebreaker since they've beaten the Knicks twice this season.

For anyone who thinks the Knicks felt some heat after the Boston Celtics swept them in the first round of the playoffs last year, imagine what this offseason would be like.

D'Antoni's departure would be guaranteed. Consideration would be given to a shakeup in the front office, as well -- since James Dolan actually does leave most of the basketball decisions to them. But once the dust settled, you'd still have no choice but to look at the stars on this team.

With Melo, where's the true productivity?

"It's fair for anyone to call me out like that, because it's true," Anthony deadpanned during the All-Star break, alluding to his one appearance beyond the first round of the playoffs in his career. "The thing is, I can't break that mold in February or March. I've got to do it when it counts in April and May."

Actually, he's wrong. If he doesn't win games now, he won't get to the end of April or the month of May. And once taking into account Anthony's heroics as an offensive player, the mere thought of omission from the postseason should be deemed nothing short of intolerable failure.

One could easily look at the Knicks' 26-31 regular-season record since Anthony became a Knick. They could easily boast about Lin's exploits and the Knicks' subsequent resurgence and ask, "who needs Melo?"

Personally, my preference is to point to the career 24.7 point-per-game scorer and the man who, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is second only to Chicago's Derrick Rose (four times) for game-winning shots with 30 seconds or less to go to put his team ahead for good.

Anthony did it three times since arriving with the Knicks last February (tied with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Cleveland's Kyrie Irving).

Yet, "it all means nothing in the end," he said. "I know the deal. Believe me. We've got to get it done or else..."

He didn't finish the sentence. Not because he didn't need to as much as because he knows we'll all finish it for him.

It's time, Melo. It's time!

gawin kaya nalang natin tong NEW YORK KNICKERBORDERS thread?

Oo nga no, napansin ko lang na puro NY Knicks ang laman nito. Palapit na ang trade deadline. :lol:

Oo nga no, napansin ko lang na puro NY Knicks ang laman nito. Palapit na ang trade deadline. :lol:

Yeah!

Knicks fantards spamming this thread. :lol:

Para maiba, sino magsusuot ng bagong jersey after Thursday?

its either melo gets traded or the coach gets fired

Grabe na ito. Talo nanaman sila, that's five in a row now. Skid continues for the Knicks. March 15 trade deadline is just around the corner.
If Melo does not get traded then D'antoni will likely get fired (or contract not renewed) as Deebo posted. Let's see what happens.

76ers hand Knicks 5th straight loss, 106-94
By BRIAN MAHONEY
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap ;_ylt=AmMTJHRl2qcOssM83q1dEXK8vLYF?gid=2012031118

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points but Jeremy Lin shot just 5 of 18 for 14 points for the Knicks. Tyson Chandler had eight points and 12 rebounds after missing two games with a strained left hamstring, but he couldn’t solve the Knicks’ defensive woes.

But it’s not only the defensive effort. Coach Mike D’Antoni concedes the intensity just isn’t always there from his team, saying the Knicks sometimes get “lost” or “sidetracked.”

The Knicks might have hoped to catch the Atlantic Division leaders at one point but now are simply hoping to hold onto a playoff spot after entering play just two games ahead of Milwaukee and Cleveland.

And the crowd is recognizing it. The building was often quiet, fans perhaps a little groggy after the clocks sprung forward and with an early start. But the Knicks also are not entertaining them the way they did during their seven-game winning streak last month. Lin has been solid but couldn’t be expected to sustain his sensational level of play, and the Knicks are still unable to settle on their best rotation with a much deeper roster than they had back then.

Anthony, usually loudly cheered, had some boos sprinkled in when he was introduced with the starting lineups. A brief “Fire D’Antoni!” chant broke out in the final minutes, and there were some loud boos near the finish.

players getting booed during the intro, "fire mike d'antoni" chants late in the game, Amare and Melo sitting on the bench with towels on their heads, god this looking like the Curry/Marbury era...:ohno::bash:

unfortunately, all the frustration of the fans will fall into deaf ears it looks like... Dolan's ears are probably covered with money he doesn't give a chit...:ohno:

oh well, let's just watch them get beat by 30 tomorrow...

I have a feeling something is going to happen this coming week...if the bulls drub the knicks ...d antoni is gone.....they need a coach with a new system...its not like d'antoni won any titles with phoenix either...i doubt they will trade melo...but we shall see...knicks can still get howard

So sad to see that both the Lebron-less Cavaliers and/or the Bogut-less Bucks may actually have a real good chance of actually snatching the 8th and last playoff spot away from the pathetic Knicks. If the Knicks keep this up, the only good thing with all this losing is NY may just end up missing the playoffs but get a much needed lottery pick instead in this coming draft which is not necessarily a bad thing given that NY will in all likelihood go down in the first round anyway. Besides with how bad they are playing right now, I don't think people will even suspect if they start tanking the season to possibly secure a better draft position. Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Talo na naman ang Knicks vs. Bulls, 99-104. It's the sixth straight loss for the Knicks.

:hilarious......bulls chanting overrated @ lin....knicks have sanked this low :ohno:

Rose nets 32 in Knicks' 6th straight loss
The Knicks' star power is no match for the Bulls' consistent team effort
ESPN

Derrick Rose had another big scoring night to help the league-best Chicago Bulls to another win this time over the NY Knicks. Once again, the Bulls, who won 104-99, were without key components Luol Deng, Rip Hamilton and C.J. Watson.

Rose had 32 points, six rebounds and seven assists for their 10th win in 11 games and sending the reeling Knicks to their sixth straight loss. Still, he was frustrated after the game as he had to work for his points, shooting 12 for 29 from the floor while absorbing contact from Knicks defenders all night.

''I've got to be the only the only superstar in the league that's going through what I'm going through right now,'' Rose said. ''Can't say too much about it.''

It was a physical game throughout as New York attempted 31 free throws and Chicago had 28.

''I'm going to continue to play the way I know how to play,'' Rose said. ''I came into this league as a driver. Nothing has changed.''

They got a jolt of energy from the reserves, led by Taj Gibson's 15 points and a team-high 13 boards. Chicago, which outrebounded New York 56-38, entered the game leading the league in rebounding margin.

''I thought our rebounding was outstanding,'' Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. ''Taj was great. I thought the second shots he got us in the second half was the difference in the game.''

Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and Amare Stoudemire added 20 for the Knicks, but the two combined for just seven points in the fourth quarter as the Bulls pulled away.

''They are very tenacious on the offensive boards,'' Stoudemire said. ''They did a phenomenal job. Whenever there was a mismatch, they took advantage of it as far as crashing the boards.''

Jeremy Lin had 15 points and eight assists for New York, but shot just 4 of 11 from the floor and while he bothered Rose at times, he ultimately had little luck stopping him.

Lin, who has been plagued by turnovers, committed just three miscues against Chicago's elite defense.

''He's good,'' Rose said. ''He didn't turn the ball over that much. He's playing with a lot of confidence. His teammates believe in him. You can go so far in this league when you have your teammates behind you.''

The Knicks did play better Monday night, or at least better than they had during this recent losing streak, raising their level of play before a national television audience by playing inspired defense at times, moving the ball, shooting well and looking engaged.

''Second chance points just got us,'' Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. ''You can't give these guys 20 more shots at the basket than we had.''

Carlos Boozer scored 15 points and Joakim Noah had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls. Rookie Jimmy Butler played a key role with eight points in 29 minutes, making several big energy plays to excite the sellout crowd.

''Gibson and Butler are the reason why we won, making huge plays, big shots, diving for the ball, saving balls," Rose said. "That's the reason why we won. I definitely take off my hat to both of them guys.''

The Knicks have lost six straight for the second time this season and, combined with Milwaukee's win at New Jersey, are now tied with the Bucks for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New York has lost eight of 10 since Anthony returned to the lineup from an injury on Feb. 20.

Knicks fans can't understand why the team isn't much better, mostly blaming it on the old standby, We just need to jell. Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony need to play more with Jeremy Lin. Tyson Chandler is new. This crazy schedule is not allowing for enough practice time, particularly with the complex offense of coach Mike D'Antoni.

''We didn't finish the job,'' said Knicks center Tyson Chandler, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds. ''You've got to get the rebound. ... A lot of it is Derrick Rose. The pressure he applies getting to the basket, attacking. Drawing two defenders. It kind of unleashes them on the offensive glass.''

"It's the confidence we have in each other where we hold each other accountable when we're on the floor," Rose said. "We know the way we practice and everything, we can compete with some of the best teams in the NBA if we go out there and execute the game plan."

It sounds simple enough and yet few teams can do it consistently like the Bulls have.

The Bulls have been doing it for a season and a half under Tom Thibodeau.

It's a superstar league.

And the little team from Chicago still believes they're the underdogs.

the knicks can trade melo for two chicken pot pies from KFC...cuz i am hungry right now

Walang mangyayari sa kahit anung team basta andun si Melo.

"This is MY team". Kahit si Jordan hindi sinabi yun nung asa Bulls sha.

Linsanity was good while it lasted. Mashado atang na overhype si JL, ayun naging marked man sa NBA.

Tama ba yung nabasa ko? Melo and Amar'e only with a combined 7 points in the 4th? Mas malala pa ata yan sa Choking Moments ni LeBron last Finals ah. :lol:

Linsanity was good while it lasted. Mashado atang na overhype si JL, ayun naging marked man sa NBA.

IMO overhyped, pero he lived up to that. Yun nga lang, na-depensahan na ng maganda.

OK ANG LARO NAMAN NI LIN,15 POINTS, asian siya kayat di kailangan ang expectations 10 points and up, ang hirap kaya umiskor sa NBA, si melo at amare ang dapat magbuhat at yung mga afro,ang lalaki ng sweldo di makascore ng tama, si lin wala nga sa $30,000 ata ang per month, minimum salaried lang ang tao at nakikitira pa, pwera lang sa sales nung shirts,jackets,and jersey niya na million dollars na ngayon ang shares niya

Alisin na si Melo at Amare sa Knicks, lalakas na ulit mga yun :D

Knicks 2 options - to fire D'antoni or to trade Melo. I'm betting on the former happening eventhough it should really be the latter that they should be doing...

Anthony unhappy with Knicks coach
By MARC BERMAN
New York Post
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/source_melo_mike_on_rocks_ho7LF1MWCeOPZS7cjV1kJO

As the NBA trade deadline fast approaches, the relationship between Mike D’Antoni and Carmelo Anthony appears to be deteriorating just as quickly.

There are several indications the alliance is getting worse, not better, and it seems inconceivable both will be back with the Knicks next season. According to a source familiar with the situation, Anthony is disgruntled and he may have given off those signs when he didn’t join the huddle during a third-quarter timeout. (Anthony claimed that occurs often).

Anything bold happening at the trade deadline would seem unlikely. D’Antoni is more likely to get fired than Anthony get traded after the Knicks dropped their sixth straight game, 104-99, to the Bulls.

The Knicks are 2-8 since Anthony returned from injury and D’Antoni continues to stress running the club through Jeremy Lin and not Anthony because that’s what spawned the 8-1 NY winning streak and turned the Knicks into a global story.

D’Antoni heard brief “Fire D’Antoni’’ chants Sunday. He admitted the team’s psyche and spirit has reached a low point just weeks from the Knicks being on top of the sports world. The D’Antoni-Anthony-Lin troika is not working.

D’Antoni realizes his future is tied to the hip of Lin and strenuously defended Lin on Sunday and again last night before the game.

“I’m not real concerned,’’ said D’Antoni of Lin. “If we get everything straight and make everything easier for him. We’re making it hard for him now.”

D’Antoni didn't want Melo in the first place and rarely has been passionate about him and that’s probably why Anthony is not too happy and probably longing for George Karl right now. In fact, a person connected to Anthony said he was once told after the Boston playoff sweep last spring that D’Antoni likely would not return as coach.

Whether D’Antoni hasn’t figured out how to coach Anthony or Anthony hasn’t figured out D’Antoni’s system is a moot point.

D’Antoni is probably a long shot to stay unless owner James Dolan is adamant about seeing what assets he can get for Anthony, whose stock has plummeted because of his contract and poor season. If the Knicks want to build around Lin and D’Antoni’s speedball offense and Tyson Chandler’s defense, then Anthony could be sacrificed.

Lin can be re-signed for the Knicks $5 million mid-level exception and they can match any offer. Much to Lin’s chagrin, D’Antoni probably is the one who won’t be offered a contract extension, even though Linsanity never happened unless the former undrafted point guard wasn’t running the D’Antoni’s attack that gives the point guard all the freedom and decision-making.

Moa arena status
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150671230418570&set=a.370978248569.159839.370968203569&type=1&theater
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417742_10150671230418570_370968203569_9415245_491699271_n.jpg

I do hope the Philippine team is not seriously considering JaVale McGee.
Just look at some of the bone-head plays he's done this season. Enjoy! :lol:

AgSYA3Gb7oI&feature=player_embedded

I do hope the Philippine team is not seriously considering JaVale McGee.
Just look at some of the bone-head plays he's done this season. Enjoy! :lol:

AgSYA3Gb7oI&feature=player_embedded
:rofl:

Moa arena status
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150671230418570&set=a.370978248569.159839.370968203569&type=1&theater
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417742_10150671230418570_370968203569_9415245_491699271_n.jpg
^^
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

I do hope the Philippine team is not seriously considering JaVale McGee.
Just look at some of the bone-head plays he's done this season. Enjoy! :lol:

AgSYA3Gb7oI&feature=player_embedded

Di lang to ngayong season. Compiled vids yan.

I do hope the Philippine team is not seriously considering JaVale McGee.
Just look at some of the bone-head plays he's done this season. Enjoy! :lol:

AgSYA3Gb7oI&feature=player_embedded

^^ok lang yan, kahit si kobe at jordan may compilation din na ganyan:lol::lol::lol::lol:

mas nakakatawa yung kay gary payton

Moa arena status
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150671230418570&set=a.370978248569.159839.370968203569&type=1&theater

Lady Gaga will rock the MOA Eye this coming May :lol:

Sabog Araneta pag nagbukas na to.

Carmelo Anthony Reportedly Wants a Trade from the Knicks (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/03/carmelo-anthony-reportedly-wants-a-trade-from-the-knicks/)
Mike D’Antoni has reportedly lost the team, some in the front-office seem to want Carmelo Anthony gone, and now there’s talk that ‘Melo himself is so frustrated with the state of affairs, that he’s possibly looking for a way out of Gotham. Wow. Per the NY Post: “Carmelo Anthony’s discontent with the Knicks organization became so severe after Monday night’s loss to the Bulls, he told a confidant he preferred to be traded before Thursday’s NBA deadline, The Post has learned.
On Monday night, Anthony only wanted to remain a Knick if he had assurances D’Antoni wouldn’t be back next season.

Alisin nyo na si Melo sa NY, back to winning ways na ult NYK.

Kahit sang team nyo pa dalhin yan, hindi magiging winner yan hanggang hindi nawawala yung "This is MY team" mentality nya.

melo-3 players sa lakers, except kobe,gasol,bynum,worldpeace,fisher,walton, lahat pwede na, kahit 9 lang sila sa lakers pwede na

LAKERS FOREVER!!!!

Alisin nyo na si Melo sa NY, back to winning ways na ult NYK.

Kahit sang team nyo pa dalhin yan, hindi magiging winner yan hanggang hindi nawawala yung "This is MY team" mentality nya.

Buti na lang pag Olympics di sya makapag-bakaw. :lol:

since 1996, ako lang ata sa lahat ng nakilala ko na si kobe hindi buwaya, kong buwaya siya ano si jordan,magic,bird,unseld,chamberlain,shaq,robinson,silas,erving,at mga team leader, BUWAYA din ba tawag sa kanila?

si melo pwede kayang matawag ngayon na buwaya? kayat 6th straight loss na ang NY kasi gusto niya buhatin ang team ng nag iisa, look behind your past and youll see the future within

trade melo and get him the fuck out of new york....he ruined jeremy lin's rhythm with his old ball hog ways...what did he win in denver...if he was that good why did denver trade him....

Mike D’Antoni resigns as Knicks coach

Adrian Wojnarowski

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports 25 minutes ago

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Mike D’Antoni has resigned as coach of the New York Knicks, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

D’Antoni and Knicks owner James Dolan agreed on Wednesday to end his three-plus-years run as Knicks coach, a source said. “It was a mutual decision to no longer coach the Knicks … conflicting visions of the club’s future,” the source said.
More From Adrian Wojnarowski

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D’Antoni had clashed with Carmelo Anthony after the trade brought the All-Star forward to the Knicks a year ago, and he could never get the Anthony to buy into his system.

The Knicks have lost six consecutive games to nearly drop them out of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Assistant Mike Woodson, who formerly coached the Atlanta Hawks, will take over as the interim coach.

Carmelo denies trade demand; Mike D'Antoni resigns from the Knicks
ESPN

Carmelo Anthony said he doesn't want to be traded, denying a report that he would welcome an exit from New York. Mike D'Antoni on the other hand has had enough and resigned as coach of the New York Knicks.

The back page of Wednesday's New York Post ran a headline saying "Melo Wants Out", a little more than a year after the Knicks acquired Anthony from Denver. And the trade deadline is Thursday.

"No, no, no, no. Let's nip this in the bud right now. No," Anthony said after the Knicks' morning shootaround.

"I don't know where that came from. I'm tired of hearing it. It came out this morning from I guess an anonymous source. I'm tired of anonymous sources. I don't want to be traded. I don't know where that foolishness came from, so let's put a cap on that and make this the last time I hear about that."

"I've only been here a year," Anthony added. "I don't want to leave right now, so I'm here to stay."

Anthony also said he believes fellow players and team officials prefer he stays, saying he received text messages from teammates asking him about the story and telling him they don't want him to go.

D'Antoni on the other hand seems to have fallen out of favor from NY's top brass while trying to solve the Knicks problems on the court with little to no success and growing disappointment from his players evident.

D'Antoni's resignation was first reported by Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday. The coach's agent, Warren LeGarie, told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that the parting was "a mutual decision" because D'Antoni and the franchise have "conflicting views of the Knicks' future."

New York had high expectations coming into this season with Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler on the roster. After struggling through the first six weeks, though, the Knicks went 8-1 in a nine-game stretch in mid-February on the strength of point guard Jeremy Lin, who electrified both the fan base and his teammates after being claimed off waivers in late December.

The Knicks (18-24) have hit a tailspin in the last two weeks, losing six in a row and seven of eight to fall six games below .500 and have fallen into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference entering Wednesday's game against Portland.

Assistant Mike Woodson will take over from D'Antoni as the interim coach.

so sad...:cry: good luck D'Antoni!

D'Antoni wanted the same player I would have loved the Knicks to trade Melo for in Deron Williams but looks like Dolan didn't go for it as expected which eventually led to D'Antoni resigning. Maybe Dolan and the Knicks can throw big money at Phil jackson to lure him out of retirement. Anyway with D'Antoni out of the picture, Melo has no one to blame now if ever the pathetic Knicks continue it's losing ways after all it's his team now to lead.

Before Resigning, Mike D’Antoni Wanted To Trade Carmelo Anthony For Deron Wiliams
by Riley Schmitt
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/report_mike_dantoni_wanted_to_trade_carmelo_anthony_for_deron_wiliams/10312069

The Mike D’Antoni era has ended in New York and the Knicks are in a tailspin. I don’t think Mike Woodson is going to save them. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. That’s what this New York roster is. None of the parts fit together, kind of like a bad end table from IKEA.

However, David Aldridge is reporting that D’Antoni tried to save the roster a little bit. D’Antoni desperately wanted to do a Carmelo Anthony for Deron Williams swap with the New Jersey Nets. It would have worked for sides as New Jersey would keep a superstar and Amare Stoudamire would get to play with a great pick and roll point guard in Williams.

Alas, owner James Dolan didn’t want to give up the guy he blew his roster up for. Sad to see, because Williams/Amare/Chandler is a lot better than Melo/Amare/Chandler. At least all the pieces fit together in the first scenario while the latter has shown it's not.

Good luck Woodson. You are dealing with an awful roster and worse owner. None of us envy you.

NY lottery bound? Let's see if such is indeed the case.

Bucs-Warriors trade: Bogut for Ellis bad for Knick playoff hopes
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/38744/bogut-trade-bad-for-knick-playoff-hopes

John Hollinger (Insider) on the Monta Ellis trade's effect on the East, where the Knicks are in a dogfight with the Bucks to make the playoffs.

Milwaukee has been playing well even without Andrew Bogut, and have now added some talent that may help secure a playoff spot.

The big loser here may be the New York Knicks, who are going to have a much tougher time keeping pace with Milwaukee for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference now that the Bucks have added both Ellis and, don't forget, a much-needed frontcourt defender in Udoh.

The Bucks were already playing well, having won four of five -- the only defeat in that stretch came on a Derrick Rose buzzer-beater in Chicago.

They were doing this even while starting Tobias Harris and running Ilyasova and Gooden into the ground; now they have a coherent rotation with Udoh off the bench to spell the frontcourt starters, Elli and Delfino starting on the wings, Mike Dunleavy backing them up, and Udrih filling in the gaps. When Mbah a Moute and Livingston are healthy, this will be one of the league's deepest teams and one capable of matching up big or small.

Knicks rout Blazers in first game without Mike D'Antoni
ESPN
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320314018

NEW YORK -- The Knicks won their first game in the post Mike D'Antoni era just when they finally got his offense right.

Amare Stoudemire made all seven shots in the first half, Carmelo Anthony passed and shot well, and the Knicks shook off the surprising departure of their coach to rout the Portland Trail Blazers 121-79 on Wednesday night, snapping a six-game losing streak.

Anthony, who denied wanting a trade or having friction with D'Antoni earlier Wednesday, had 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting and tied a season high with seven assists. Stoudemire finished with 17 points and shot 8 of 10, before both stars sat out the fourth quarter while the Knicks rang up their highest point total of the season.

Bulls beat the Heat without Derrick Rose and Rip Hamilton. Amazing game! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

John Lucas III scores 24, powers Rose-less Bulls past Heat
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/7835/rapid-reaction-bulls-106-heat-102

CHICAGO -- John Lucas III scored 24 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat 106-102 without Derrick Rose in a charged showdown between the Eastern Conference's top two teams Wednesday night.

Even better, they won without their superstar, and they did it on a night when Dwyane Wade scored 36 and LeBron James finished with 35 points for the Heat.

How it happened: Playing without Derrick Rose (groin) and with backup point guard C.J. Watson hobbled by a bad ankle, John Lucas III came up huge for the Bulls. He scored 22 points and gave Chicago a huge lift down the stretch. Lucas played with no fear against LeBron James and that confidence permeated up and down the roster. Joakim Noah scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Ronnie Brewer added 12 points and six rebounds. Given the circumstances, this has to be one of the most satisfying wins of Tom Thibodeau's career. His bench played great and Lucas, the man he has always defended even when fans wondered why he was still on the roster, was a huge reason the Bulls were able to pull off the win.

What it means: This was the Merriam-Webster definition of a Thibodeau victory. The veteran coach prides himself on the notion that no matter who steps on the floor, his team will always have a chance to win if they defend and rebound. The Bulls did both of those things, and they did them without Rose, which makes the victory even more impressive. Without the reigning MVP, the Bulls proved yet again that they have the deepest bench in the league. Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler and Omer Asik all played well off the bench and gave Thibodeau even more confidence that he can use that group down the stretch in big games.

In the grand scheme of things, this game still doesn't mean much because the Bulls have to prove that they can beat the Heat in the playoffs. Still it will definitely make the Bulls, and Thibodeau, feel good about the culture they have created around this team. No matter who goes down on any given night, they always feel like they will come out on top.

Stat of the night: The Bulls outrebounded the Heat 50-34.

Bold play of the game: James switched onto Lucas as the final minutes ticked down in the fourth quarter and it didn't matter. Lucas continued to drive to the rim and score. His play ignited both the United Center crowd and his teammates throughout the night -- especially late in the fourth quarter when he knocked down two huge free throws with six seconds left that iced the Bulls' victory.

Sixers coming to town?:)
Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscorner/columnscontent.aspx?articleid=787338&publicationsubcategoryid=69) March 15, 2012

There’s a plan in the works to bring over the Philadelphia 76ers for a series of exhibition games against ABL teams San Miguel Beer and Indonesia Warriors, possibly at the soon-to-open MOA Arena.

Although nothing is final, initial talks have reportedly begun involving Warriors owner and Indonesian media mogul Eric Thohir. A source said it has been proposed for Manila to host the games and take care of food, accommodations and inland transportation with Thohir flying in the Sixers from the US.

Why not plan a preseason game here? Mas maganda yun :D

^^
I agree! :okay:

D'Antoni wanted the same player I would have loved the Knicks to trade Melo for in Deron Williams but looks like Dolan didn't go for it as expected which eventually led to D'Antoni resigning. Maybe Dolan and the Knicks can throw big money at Phil jackson to lure him out of retirement. Anyway with D'Antoni out of the picture, Melo has no one to blame now if ever the pathetic Knicks continue it's losing ways after all it's his team now to lead.

Before Resigning, Mike D’Antoni Wanted To Trade Carmelo Anthony For Deron Wiliams
by Riley Schmitt
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/report_mike_dantoni_wanted_to_trade_carmelo_anthony_for_deron_wiliams/10312069

The Mike D’Antoni era has ended in New York and the Knicks are in a tailspin. I don’t think Mike Woodson is going to save them. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. That’s what this New York roster is. None of the parts fit together, kind of like a bad end table from IKEA.

However, David Aldridge is reporting that D’Antoni tried to save the roster a little bit. D’Antoni desperately wanted to do a Carmelo Anthony for Deron Williams swap with the New Jersey Nets. It would have worked for sides as New Jersey would keep a superstar and Amare Stoudamire would get to play with a great pick and roll point guard in Williams.

Alas, owner James Dolan didn’t want to give up the guy he blew his roster up for. Sad to see, because Williams/Amare/Chandler is a lot better than Melo/Amare/Chandler. At least all the pieces fit together in the first scenario while the latter has shown it's not.

Good luck Woodson. You are dealing with an awful roster and worse owner. None of us envy you.
^^
Kung natuloy ito, mababawasan yung magiging playing time ni Jeremy Lin kasi magiging back-up PG na lang siya. Pero pwede rin na ilipat siya sa SG at SF naman si Landry Fields. :D

Why not plan a preseason game here? Mas maganda yun :D

IIRC, hininihintay lang ng NBA matapos yung MOA Arena, meron talagang strong possibility na mkapag pre-season game na dito.

^^ Hininihintay? :D

Aba, tahimik mga tao dito ah. Parang ayaw nila ng mga trades na nanyare. :lol:

^^ Duleng lang. :lol:

Eh yung over hyped trade rumor hindi kasi nagmaterialize hehe

si fisher pa natrade oh,dapat yung iba nalang

^^ OK lang yan if Derek Fisher had to go (though I would have prefered if it was Steve Blake instead who got traded) because they were able to get younger and better by the addition of Ramon Sessions who is an upgrade at the point guard position compared to the two they originially had. Lakers will surely miss Fisher's locker room leadership though but Kobe is there to take over the torch so to speak. Fisher was actually traded for Jordan Hill who is a big question mark as far as how he will contribute to the Laker's play-off run since he is actually a power forward and not a forward who shoots long range that LA actually needs. Ramon Session who the Lakers traded Walton and Jason Kapono for is less of a risk and expected to have a major role and play major min with Blake at point. Hope the Session's trade pans out for LA with the West pretty competitive with the Spurs, Clippers, Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Thunders all vying to battle for the Western Conference Championship and for the NBA Title.

The biggest trade surprise is Denver Nuggets trading Nene to the Washington Bullets for the infamous JaVale McGee. Why the Nuggets did this is probably to free up money to resign Wilson Chandler. Didn't think McGee is a real trade commodity with all the bone-head plays he's done this season. Take a look for your self. Enjoy! :lol:

AgSYA3Gb7oI&feature=player_embedded

Kung natuloy ito, mababawasan yung magiging playing time ni Jeremy Lin kasi magiging back-up PG na lang siya. Pero pwede rin na ilipat siya sa SG at SF naman si Landry Fields. :D

^^ Playing time at shooting ni Lin mababawasan din dito sa bagong coach ng Knicks dahil iba yung style niya kay D'Antoni. Lin will be the starter but Baron Davis will surely have lots of playing time too. The coaching change will definitely hurt Lin the most as he'll need to adjust again to a new/changing role in this Knicks team. Atleast with D'Antoni gone, Melo will have no one else to blame now if the Knicks continue to suck after all it's his team now and the new coach even catering to Melo's isolation plays more from this point on. This new system will have it's offense running through Melo so the Knicks will win or die with Melo's performance now. He'll be the man but he'll also be under a microscope now. Dito natin makikita if the D'Antoni system minus Melo is actually better or worse than Melo playing under the Woodson System.


Jeremy Lin remains Knicks starter
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7696738/mike-woodson-jeremy-lin-remain-new-york-knicks-starting-pg

New New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson made one thing clear after shootaround Friday morning: Jeremy Lin is still his starting point guard. But questions remain over how Lin's role will change in Woodson's offense.

"Jeremy is a big part of what we do. He's our starting point guard," said Woodson, who replaced Mike D'Antoni Wednesday. "He and I are on the same page. I thought the other night he played extremely well. We played well as a group."

Lin's role likely will change in Woodson's system, which features more isolation and fewer pick-and-roll sets. Pick-and-rolls were a staple of the offense of D'Antoni, who resigned as part of a mutual decision with management. Lin generated many scoring opportunities off pick-and-rolls.

That means Lin likely will take fewer shots in Woodson's set. Some have speculated that Baron Davis could even usurp Lin as the Knicks' starter, but that won't happen -- yet.

Lin and Woodson spoke Friday and the coach told the second-year guard that he remains the team's starter.

"He said that's not going to change. He told me not to worry about anything, just play my game," Lin said after conferring with Woodson to make sure it was OK to answer a reporter's question about his role.

Woodson also told Lin to "continue to initiate the offense, be aggressive. He's said there's going to be a lot of spacing and still the opportunity to play pick-and-roll. But at the same time we're going to utilize the post as well."

Mike Bibby, who played for Woodson in Atlanta, said Woodson's offense is 'totally different' from D'Antoni's. A point guard's role in Woodson's offense, Bibby says, is to get the ball in the hands of the team's scorers.

"Just make plays and knock down shots," he said.

Lin had been relied upon to score more under D'Antoni. He took 14 shots per game when D'Antoni was coaching.

Woodson's new offense should give Carmelo Anthony more opportunity to operate in the post, meaning fewer shots for Lin. But Anthony thinks it's premature to predict the end of Linsanity.

"Lin is Lin. I don't think Lin is paying attention to any of that stuff that is going on right now. Lin is about winning. Lin is about this team. Lin is about doing things to help this team win," Anthony said. "As far as the Linsanity thing goes, it's still there. That's not going nowhere."


______________________


Chandler on Melo boos: 'It's unfair criticism'
By Jared Zwerling
ESPN
March, 15, 2012


NEW YORK -- New York may be the only city in the country where a large majority of hometown fans at a professional sporting event are not afraid to boo the superstar player.

But, hey, that comes with the territory of being in the media capital of the world, and Carmelo Anthony knows it. Following the Knicks' 121-79 blowout win over the Trail Blazers Wednesday night, he said the heightened pressure doesn't bother him -- even now as the Knicks have gone from 7-1 before his return on Feb. 20 (after a groin injury) to 3-8 since then.

Now, Anthony is going to have to get used to hearing the boos when his name is called during pregame introductions at the Garden. It's happened in the Knicks' last two home games against the 76ers on Sunday and Trail Blazers Wednesday night. Until the Knicks can beat a few formidable opponents in a row, the massive cheers won't return anytime soon.

While the 3-8 record (including tonight's victory against the Blazers) demonstrates that he's hurting the Knicks in some ways, Tyson Chandler feels the blame should lie more on the team; not just the 2012 All-Star.

"I think it's unfair," Chandler said. "Carmelo has taken a lot of criticism from every angle and to be honest with you, I think it's unfair criticism. There always has to be a scapegoat. In every situation, you look for the person to point the finger and the person to blame, and in this situation it fell on Melo. But I don't think it should fall on Melo's shoulders. We're all NBA players in this locker room and we've got a full coaching staff, and I think all of us are to blame for [the losing streak]; not just one individual."

Anthony is clearly the most polarizing figure on the Knicks, and until he can jell with the other players and build Ws, he'll be the current target for the team's failures. Knicks fans haven't yet let up their aim on who they blame for the team's recent struggles. Once trailing D'Antoni, the answer to them is now Melo.

Would Woodson bring over his isolation style of coaching?

Knicks' back to back wins, intensity on 'D biggest change so far
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/new-york-knicks-back-to-winning-under-mike-woodson-but-will-it-last-031612

As the Knicks scrambled to pick up the pieces in the wake of coach Mike D’Antoni’s sudden resignation earlier this week, interim coach Mike Woodson made a vow to New York fans that things were going to be different going forward.

And thus far to a certain extent, he’s been right - half right that is.

Things were different Friday during New York’s 115-100 throttling of the Indiana Pacers — just like they were two nights earlier, during a 121-79 rout of Portland — but in both instances, things were only different in the sense that they were the same as they used to be.

It would be easy to say that the Knicks have been a changed team on offense since Woodson took over, sharing the ball, playing well in transition, running pick and rolls and getting everyone involved. But the reality is that they’re playing just like they did when Carmelo Anthony was out with an injury and the excitement over Jeremy Lin’s play was at its peak.

For all the talk coming into Friday’s game about Woodson transforming the offense and handing the reins to Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, the game plan essentially was pretty much left unaltered. In fact, throughout each of the past two games, the Knicks’ offense has resembled D’Antoni-ball much more than it has taken the shape of Woodson’s isolation-based system.

On the other side of the court, however, the defense has shone brightly as it once did before, showing an unwavering intensity that had been absent since the team’s seven-game winning streak in February — one that saw the Knicks hold each of their opponents to less than 100 points and four of them to less than 90.

During that streak, New York held its opponents to an average of 42.9 percent shooting from the floor and just 26.2 percent from 3-point range. On Friday, the Pacers shot 39.5 percent from the field and hit just four of their first 12 3-point attempts as the Knicks built an insurmountable lead.

“They’re putting more heat on the basketball, 94 feet up the floor,” Woodson said of his team. “Our bigs are up, we are putting heat on wing entries where teams are trying to initiate offense. They’re fighting in the low post. If there’s a loose ball, I like to think we’re going to come up with it.”

In addition, the Knicks’ attitude was different from the start Friday — as evidenced by the pregame dunk contest that players such as Anthony, Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert participated in. That helped the Madison Square Garden crowd grow as raucous as ever, their fervor reaching a euphoria that hadn’t been seen in perhaps three weeks.

Even the Knicks players can’t help but draw parallels between their latest two wins and the unexpected winning streak that sparked the Linsanity movement.

“You can’t really describe how much fun we were having during the seven-game win streak, and that’s what we’re building towards now,” said Lin, who filled the stat sheet Friday with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. “I think if we get a couple more (wins), this team will be even more fun.”

So it’s not so much that New York (20-24) has done anything it hasn’t done before as it climbs back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Knicks are just getting back to playing the type of basketball that bred so much success during February.

The only thing that’s new about the Knicks these days is the guy calling the plays — the same plays they were running before, mind you — and maybe that a change in scenery was all the motivation they needed.

“Unfortunately, sometimes it takes something dramatic to open up guys’ eyes,” said Knicks center Tyson Chandler, who had 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting Friday. “Guys now are responding to everything that has happened, and now we’re trying to make a positive out of a negative.”

From the opening tip, the Knicks played with the kind of intensity that was typical of the team before Anthony’s return to the lineup on Feb. 20, rather than the passivity that was constantly on display during the 2-8 stretch after his return — a slide that, in the end, led to D’Antoni’s demise.

“With the change, we had to come together as a team and really ask ourselves what we want,” said Anthony, who scored 12 points on just 4-of-12 shooting. “We want to win basketball games, we want to get to the playoffs, and why not start now?”

New York jumped out to a 21-6 first-quarter lead and eventually increased the advantage to 50-31 at the half. By the end of the third quarter, the Pacers were down 30, and only then did they make a rally, scoring 42 fourth-quarter points against a listless and unmotivated New York defense and making the game respectable in time for the final buzzer.

The win was just the second straight for New York, but it felt like the start of something bigger.

“It was sort of an eye-opener for us,” reserve forward Steve Novak, who had 16 points Friday, said of the Knicks’ recent six-game losing streak.

“When you’re winning you feel like you’re doing everything right, and when you’re losing you feel like you’re doing everything wrong. I feel like that was a time when we really did a lot of soul searching as a team, and we really don’t want to go back to that.”

They’ll get another chance to revive their image Saturday when the Pacers and Knicks play again in Indianapolis.

“I thought tonight was playoff atmosphere, and it was great for the fans to see how these guys will come out and respond,” Woodson said. “Tomorrow, going back against the same team, they’re not going to forget what happened tonight, so we’ve got to go out and meet that challenge.”

At some point, the adrenaline from New York’s unexpected coaching change will wear off, the schedule will get tougher once again and we’ll really see what this team is made of. We’ll see how Woodson and his team adjust to struggles. We’ll see if the Knicks can maintain the defensive energy that they showed Friday.

But until that happens, these new Knicks are simply a rebirth of the old Knicks. For now, that’s OK.

Would Woodson bring over his isolation style of coaching?
^^
Hopefully not.

WooHoo Knicks 3 in a row now! Is this the start of Woodsonity? Nice to see them winning again for a change. Go Go Knicks! Keep it up! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Lin leads Knicks past Pacers
By CLIFF BRUNT
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012031711

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—With Baron Davis out, don't count Jeremy Lin out just yet. Lin outscored 19 points to help the New York Knicks defeat the Indiana Pacers 102-88 on Saturday night and improve to 3-0 under interim coach Mike Woodson.

Lin also had seven rebounds and six assists. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire each scored 16 points and J.R. Smith added 11 for the Knicks, who won on the road for just the eighth time this season.

The Knicks have won all three games by an average of 23.7 points since Woodson took over for Mike D’Antoni. New York defeated the Pacers 115-100 on Friday night in New York.

Roy Hibbert had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Paul George scored 18 points and Darren Collison added 15 points for Indiana, which made just 4 of 15 shots in the fourth quarter.

Back-to-back 3-point plays by Hibbert cut New York’s lead to 72-70. The Knicks held on and led 77-74 at the end of the third quarter. Indiana forced the Knicks into 3-for-13 shooting and six turnovers in the third quarter. Hibbert scored 12 points in the period for the Pacers.

Lin scored on an awkward-looking floater, then made a jumper on the next possession to push New York’s lead back to 86-79. Pacers coach Frank Vogel was issued a technical foul and Anthony made the free throw to push the Knicks’ lead to eight.

New York pulled away from there, leading by as many as 16 points.

before it's Linsanity...but now it's WOODSONITY..:lol:

See what happens when you have a defensive minded coach instead of an offensive minded coach....like 3cr have been preaching defense win championships

The question now is just how long will the Knicks buy into Coach Woodson's program especially Melo and Amare who both have stepped-up their intensity on D. Will that intensity on D actually last til season's end or will it fizzle as soon as they start losing again. That's the biggest question mark really that needs to be answered. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things unfold...


Carmelo Anthony's defense is the difference in Knicks' resurgence
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/14652/opening-tip-carmelo-anthonys-defense

Every weekday morning throughout the season, ESPNNewYork.com will tackle a burning question about the Knicks in our "Opening Tip" segment.

Today's Burning Question: Will Carmelo Anthony continue to exert himself consistently on the defensive end?

A lot of credit to the Knicks' resurgence can be attributed to Anthony who seems to be buying into the accountability that Mike Woodson has been stressing since he replaced Mike D'Antoni last Wednesday.

Woody has placed a higher degree of accountability on Anthony, since he's the team's veteran leader, and Melo has been stepping up to the plate during the Knicks' three-game winning streak.

Even while attempting fewer shots and averaging only 14.7 points during those three games, not once has Anthony looked disgruntled. He's playing spirited, which Woodson has wanted to see more from the team, and taking that to the defensive end. In addition to Melo swarming the ball carrier and using his 6-8, 230-pound frame to body up defenders, his footwork has stood out the most, especially rotating on the perimeter to close out on shooters and to the block to provide help-side D.

"I think in the last three games, my focus just was having energy that I haven't had so far this season, especially on the defensive end," Anthony said at Monday's practice.

"Everybody on this team, and everybody in the world, knows I can score the basketball, so it's not that important to me. As far on the defensive end, just showing my teammates that the effort is there, giving that extra effort and, as a result, everybody's been feeding off of that."

They sure have. In Mike D'Antoni's final 10 games as their coach, the Knicks allowed 103.7 points per 100 possessions; in Woodson's first three games, they've given up 93.4 points per 100 possessions. They've also lowered their opponents' field goal percentage from 46.7 percent (in those 10 games under D'Antoni) to 39 percent (under Woodson). And they've forced 60 turnovers in the last three games.

One veteran Western Conference scout said it's not a secret Anthony can play defense, it's just a question of when he feels like doing it.

"Carmelo was a guy who was kind of pushed by [Nuggets head coach] George Karl on the defensive end and I've seen Carmelo when he wants to play defense," the scout said. "He can play defense. The question is: Does he take rest on defense? He obviously expends a lot of energy on offense; so does Amare [Stoudemire]. And it's hard to really be dominant at both ends, unless you're a guy like Michael Jordan or somebody close to that level.

"That's what separates the Jordans from the rest of the world. Kobe [Bryant] is close to that. He picks and chooses his spots, too, where he can kind of catch his breath defensively. But I think Mike [Woodson] will be able to get through to some of those guys, including Carmelo."

Requesting moderators to close this thread if not rename it to New York Knicks thread.

Nasa NYK ang focus nito eh. :lol:

Requesting moderators to close this thread if not rename it to New York Knicks thread.

^^ Huh? This is the basketball thread so the NBA and Knicks basketball fall into this thread title so we're within the confines of the thread topic and not breaking any rules. Why don't you just post what sports topic that's of interest to you. Eh bakit kasi di kayo magpost ng sports topic na gusto niyo pag-usapan kesa pinapake-alaman niyo yung pinag-uusapan namin. Wala namang nagbabawal sa inyo magpost dito. No need to close the thread or even rename it. It's just fine the way it is.

Requesting moderators to close this thread if not rename it to New York Knicks thread.

stfu and go to hell...what do you think we are talking about in a basketball thread...porn?

sayang natalo ang lakers....tsk tsk tsk,bawi nalang next time

sayang natalo ang lakers....tsk tsk tsk,bawi nalang next time

:dance: :banana: :banana2:

Si Bynum eh, madaling mapikon. :nuts:

part yan ng pagkabata, lahat dumadaan dyan para ma boost yung ego at personality ng isang future superstar

^^ Yup si Bynum sobrang immature - isip bata - such a headcase. Kobe needs to set that guy straight because he is an integral part of the team. He was thrown out of the game and partly to blame for LA's lost to Houston yesterday.

Dapat sana pumayag nalang ang LA Lakers i-trade si Gasol kasama ni Fisher sa Houston Rockets for Scola, Dragic, Kevin Martin and Jordan Hill kaso si Fisher lang trinade nila for Hill tapos trinade nila si Walton at Kapono for Ramon Sessions. Not sure if these 2 moves they made during the trade deadline will be enough to become more competitive fighting for the Western Conference much more for the NBA title. Para lang kasing mahihirapan sila this year kasi madami nang mas magagaling at mas batang teams kaysa sa kanila ngayon.


Btw Fisher just signed with the Thunder, one of those very good young teams I was talking about.

Derek Fisher signs with Thunder
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7719497/derek-fisher-signs-oklahoma-city-thunder-uniform-wednesday-night

Derek Fisher has chosen the Oklahoma City Thunder as his spot to pursue a sixth NBA championship.

Fisher signed with the Thunder on Wednesday and general manager Sam Presti says he's available to play immediately. The Los Angeles Clippers were in town Wednesday night to face Oklahoma City.

Fisher was due to earn $3.4 million next season under the terms of his contract with the Lakers. But he surrendered all of next season's salary after being traded to Houston last week to secure a buyout from the Rockets and the opportunity to pick a contender to join for the stretch run.

ESPN.com reported Tuesday that Fisher and the Thunder were "very close" on a deal despite a strong pitch from the Heat, who could only offer the veteran minimum salary. The Thunder have roughly $3 million left of their mid-level exception and thus possessed the ability to outbid Miami by offering a portion of that amount to sign Fisher to a one-year deal.

At the morning shootaround before Tuesday night's game against the Utah Jazz, Kevin Durant strongly endorsed the prospect of signing Fisher to The Oklahoman, telling the newspaper: "Derek is a consummate professional ... an unbelievable leader. And he played with arguably one of the greatest players to ever play in Kobe (Bryant), and Kobe really respected him as a player and wanted him on his team, so that speaks volumes."

Looks like the Heat is already loading up in preparation for the Eastern Conference Finals and more importantly for that NBA Title. Turiaf signing with the Heat may just put them over the top as they're going to be even better now with Turiaf being part of their frontline rotation. This Heat team is deep and ready to go battle... Will it be their year?

Ronny Turiaf picks Heat
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/7718396/ronny-turiaf-sign-miami-heat-agent-says

The Miami Heat are expected to add the size they have been looking for by signing veteran Ronny Turiaf, his agent said.

Turiaf is expected to clear waivers Wednesday and could be in uniform by Friday, when the Heat play at Detroit, if the contract details can be ironed out.

"We're trying to get a deal done and our plan is to get it done today," Turiaf's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Wednesday. "I think it's a great fit for Ronny."

Yahoo! Sports initially reported Turiaf had chosen the Heat.

Turiaf was waived by the Denver Nuggets Monday after he was traded there along with JaVale McGee as part of a package for Nene last week.

D'Antoni's revenge! Payback is a bitch! Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Melo's role in D'Antoni's resignation may have just cost him an Olympic spot
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba

Regardless of what Carmelo Anthony would like us to think, we all know he was the number one factor that contributed to Mike D’Antoni’s resignation as their relationship went south in a hurry.

And now that Mike Woodson has taken over and Anthony remains in New York, you would think the relationship between him and his former coach is a thing of the past, however that may not be necessarily the case.

With the Olympics coming up this year, D’Antoni is an assistant coach for Team USA and Melo is a roster invitee. According to CBSSports.com, a person with close ties to international basketball says that Anthony’s role in D’Antoni’s resignation “did not sit well with USA Basketball authorities.”

With other talented players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love playing better than Anthony and not needing star treatment, the team could decide to go in another direction. “I don’t even think Carmelo is thinking about this, but I think it’s going to hurt him,” the source said.

For a short time it appeared Melo may talk his way out of New York, but he ultimately got his way when D’Antoni called it quits. That same talking and his streaky play as of late may have just cost him a spot at the London Olympics.

kagabi lang :rofl:
ZuOG09PGYFc

WooHoo Woodsonity! Knicks won 5 in a row now under coach Woodson! Go Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Lin and Stoudemire lead Knicks past 76ers
FoxSports

PHILADELPHIA -- As Amare Stoudemire walked into the New York locker room with a towel over his shoulders, the coaching staff followed. When the door closed, one jubilant voice inside screamed: "How 'Bout Those Knicks!"

How about 'em, indeed.

Amare Stoudemire had 21 points and 9 rebounds while Jeremy Lin scored 18 to lead the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 82-79 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Carmelo Anthony had 10 points and Landry Fields had 8 to help the resurging Knicks pull within three games of the Atlantic Division leaders.

Elton Brand had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers. Jrue Holiday scored 16.

The game ended with thousands of New York fans chanting, ''Let's go Knicks!'' They had reason to celebrate after Stoudemire hit a pair of big buckets down the stretch to clinch the win.

Each team was backed by a heavyweight A-list supporter: Co-owner Will Smith rooted on the Sixers and Spike Lee sat adjacent to the Knicks bench.

This could be a crushing week for the Sixers with Boston set to visit on Friday. The Celtics are only a game back for the division lead and an automatic top-four seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

;89684748']kagabi lang :rofl:
ZuOG09PGYFc

trending

D'Antoni's revenge! Payback is a bitch! Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Melo's role in D'Antoni's resignation may have just cost him an Olympic spot
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba

Regardless of what Carmelo Anthony would like us to think, we all know he was the number one factor that contributed to Mike D'Antoni's resignation as their relationship went south in a hurry.

And now that Mike Woodson has taken over and Anthony remains in New York, you would think the relationship between him and his former coach is a thing of the past, however that may not be necessarily the case.

With the Olympics coming up this year, D'Antoni is an assistant coach for Team USA and Melo is a roster invitee. According to CBSSports.com, a person with close ties to international basketball says that Anthony's role in D'Antoni's resignation "did not sit well with USA Basketball authorities."

With other talented players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love playing better than Anthony and not needing star treatment, the team could decide to go in another direction. "I don't even think Carmelo is thinking about this, but I think it's going to hurt him," the source said.

For a short time it appeared Melo may talk his way out of New York, but he ultimately got his way when D'Antoni called it quits. That same talking and his streaky play as of late may have just cost him a spot at the London Olympics.

Hati naman ang kukunin mula sa 2008 at 2010 teams. Siguro may konting bago rin. Kung tutuusin nga, kawawa mga PFs kay Melo dati. Kung di sya kukunin, may KD pa. Pwede sya mag-4 sa Olympics

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/03/09/shaqtin-a-fool-episode-9/

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/03/09/shaqtin-a-fool-episode-9/

;89684748']kagabi lang :rofl:
ZuOG09PGYFc

epic.

^^ Playing basketball. More lag in the Philippines :nuts:

Will be exciting to watch the Thunder with Fisher on board battle the Lakers. Seems Fisher has a grudge on LA and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove it was a mistake to have traded him.

Fisher signing should help Thunder
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7719497/derek-fisher-signs-oklahoma-city-thunder-uniform-wednesday-night

OKLAHOMA CITY -- After winning five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher chose the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder as the team where he wants to go for No. 6.

Fisher signed with the Thunder for the remainder of the season Wednesday, not quite a week after he was traded to Houston by the Lakers and subsequently bought out of his contract instead of playing with the Rockets.

He picked jersey No. 37, the same as his age, and took a bit of a shot at the Lakers in the process.

"Especially this season, it seemed to be a negative thing that I was 37," Fisher said after scoring five points in 19 minutes in Oklahoma City's 114-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

"So I just wanted to send a message that the Thunder organization and I see it as a positive that I'm a guy that can still help a team be successful and compete for a championship at the age of 37."

Former teammate Kobe Bryant, for his part, said Wednesday night that he will have no problem treating Fisher like a foe on the court.

"Look, we don't get five championships by being sympathetic towards each other and kissing each other's [a--] during the game," Bryant said Wednesday when asked about the Lakers' game against the Thunder next week. "I'm going to demolish him. He understands that. If he switches off on me in the post, there's going to be problems. I'm sure he'll put an elbow right in my back, and that's why we love each other."

Hati naman ang kukunin mula sa 2008 at 2010 teams. Siguro may konting bago rin. Kung tutuusin nga, kawawa mga PFs kay Melo dati. Kung di sya kukunin, may KD pa. Pwede sya mag-4 sa Olympics

Well kung kay Melo lang, I think Kevin Durant is really more deserving to go to the Olympics. There's also alot of good young 4's already like Kevin Love and Blake Griffin who are also deserving to go. Team USA does not need Melo to tell you the truth since there's enough talent there already to win it all. Huwag na isama si Melo sa team USA baka ma-jinx lang pagpinagsama ulit si Melo at D'antoni. Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:


Anthony taking shot at D'Antoni with new attitude?
Written by Philip Rossman-Reich on
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/anthony_taking_shot_at_dantoni_with_new_attitude/10378102

Mike Woodson has revived some swagger in New York. The Knicks are undefeated since firing Mike D'Antoni and getting a new voice in the locker room.

Whatever the problems were in that locker room that led to the mutual separation of the Knicks and D'Antoni, the team has responded in a big way.

New York's beleaguered star player Carmelo Anthony has yet to score 20 points in any of those wins, but just judging from his mood and the face he is putting on with the press, it is hard not to say that he has been generally happy with the move. The winning helps too after the Knicks fell in the standings and continued to flirt with missing the postseason this year.

What is the strangest though is that the usually offensive-minded Anthony is now talking defense and responding more on that end than he ever has in his career.

In the five games since Woodson took over, the Knicks are giving up 86.6 points per game and have allowed more than 90 points just once. On the year, the Knicks are giving up 95.4 points per game and are seventh in the league in defensive rating giving up 100.8 points per 100 possessions. This was not a bad defensive team to begin with.

The difference for the Knicks now is that there is finally a real focus on playing defense. What Anthony is saying, in support of his new coach, is that defense is something the team works on.

It is a not-so-well-kept secret in the NBA that D'Antoni's practice have very little focus on defense afterall D'Antoni hired Woodson to be his defensive coordinator.

So now that D'Antoni is gone and Woodson has taken over, has the Knicks' defense been unleashed? Is Anthony saying something about D'Antoni and the way he ran the team in complimenting Woodson on this brief run not only through words but more importantly in his actions?

That is yet to be seen. But the speculation coming from New York considering the seemingly fractured relationship between Anthony and D'Antoni (remember: D'Antoni was reportedly upset that the Knicks even acquired Anthony) and between D'Antoni and the Knicks organization is that this renewed focus and this change of tone from Anthony might have something to do with the change. After all, no coach before Woodson has gotten Anthony even really to say the "D" word, much more actually have him do it in a consistent basis.

This answer might come to another head this summer when Anthony begins trying out for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Anthony has been an integral part of Team USA during the 2006 World Championships and the 2008 Olympics. Mike Krzyzewski used Anthony as his do-everything power forward and he often led the team in scoring. He even played a little defense under Coach K's scheme.

D'Antoni though is very much the team's offensive coordinator and he will have a say on who makes the team and who does not -- for better or worse. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that Anthony's role in D'Antoni's departure did not sit well with U.S. Basketball officials (h/t Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk). It should not affect their decision -- that should be left to his play on the court -- but humans rarely compartmentalize these things.

This story is not going away. Let's see what happens.

Stoudemire returning to elite level
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7720897/new-york-knicks-amare-stoudemire-looks-all-way-back-bockers-looks-legitimate-contender

It seems like a lifetime or two ago when Amare Stoudemire slipped on that fresh cap, accepted the challenge that sent LeBron James fleeing to South Beach and announced to New York something more stunning than a Tim Tebow trade to the Jets.

"The Knicks are back," he said.

He was reminded of those first words after the Knicks punctuated a long, crazy day in New York sports with a decisive victory in Philly over the first-place Sixers. Stoudemire was sitting at his locker the way Patrick Ewing always sat at his, white towel wrapped around his waist, large ice packs wrapped around both knees, waiting to be asked about the burdens a big man must bear.

He'd called himself a "pioneer" on arrival at the Garden, the first star willing to try to save the Knicks from themselves. The Phoenix Suns didn't want to max out on Stoudemire's bum knees, and so the free agent shook Jim Dolan's hand inside a suite at the Four Seasons, signed the uninsured $100 million deal and spoke of starting "a dynasty approach program here."

A dynasty. No, there hasn't been a hint of one with Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony and the rest. The Knicks did come back a bit under Mike D'Antoni last year, disappeared after the Melo trade and then re-emerged last week after D'Antoni surrendered to the fact he could no longer inspire his team.

But in the Wells Fargo Center, pitted against the same opponent that destroyed D'Antoni's system in the Garden and left the losing coach sounding like a beaten man, the Knicks looked all the way back -- back as a legitimate contender in the East -- for one simple reason:

Stoudemire looked all the way back, too.

Mike Woodson is coaching his rump off and deserves as much credit as anyone for the 5-0 record and the defensive intensity that forced Philly to miss its first 14 shots and to go nearly eight minutes without a field goal. Woodson has connected with the players his predecessor couldn't reach, especially Anthony, and it must be tough for D'Antoni to watch.

Woodson felt the pain in Atlanta, and now he's trying to build himself a second career in New York. He's lit Anthony's fire and nurtured Jeremy Lin's confidence in the wake of Linsanity's premature burial. But more than anything, Woodson has resurrected Stoudemire as an explosive frontcourt force.

Why has the power forward suddenly rediscovered his bounce?

"I don't know," Woodson said through a smile. "I'm just happy it is back." Stoudemire was good for 21 points and nine rebounds in this 82-79 victory, but it was his demeanor that shaped the night. With nine-tenths of a second left in the first half, Stoudemire grabbed a loose ball under the hoop, slammed it home and flexed his arms as he screamed toward a crowd full of approving New Yorkers.

"I was really able to get my point across out there," he said.

Stoudemire chased down Elton Brand for a crucial block in the final minutes, then waved his arms the way a back judge would wave them to signal an incomplete pass. When Andre Iguodala had an open 18-footer with just under a minute to play, Stoudemire challenged the shot that ended up as an air ball.

"My rhythm is back, my strength is back and my timing is back," he said. "I rehabbed my back the whole lockout, didn't play contact basketball for six months, and that's the most I've ever been away from the game since I was a little kid."

But the back injury that benched him during last year's playoff series with Boston has quieted, and a leaner, meaner Stoudemire now weighs in at 250 pounds. "I feel great," he said. "This is my game. This is who I am. I'm an aggressive, explosive player, always have been, and that's not going to change."

It did change for a while. Before D'Antoni fired himself, Stoudemire too often came across as an athletically challenged shell of what he used to be.

“I think Amar’e still has a lot left in the tank,” TNT analyst Steve Kerr said. “Naturally, everyone loses a step as they get older, particularly with the knee surgeries he’s had. So, he’s not as explosive as he was, but he’ still an excellent player.”

In the 15 games between Stoudemire’s return and D’Antoni leaving, he averaged 15.7 points per game. That is up to 16.8 ppg in the five games Mike Woodson has coached, which is a negligible difference. But Stoudemire appears to be a more assertive player on offense, as much as Anthony does on defense.

“But what I love about Amar’e is that he’s developed into a team guy and you haven’t heard any complaints out of him about getting the ball and he’s still trying to make things work with his teammates and be effective as he can,” Kerr said at the time.

"He got his spark back," Anthony said.

So did the rest of this team, and, yes, everyone in the NBA has seen this movie before. A coaching change regularly elevates a team's performance in the short term. But what about the long term? Will the same Knicks now playing defense like the '85 Bears revert to their soft ways after the first losing streak under Woodson?

"They're loaded," Sixers coach Doug Collins said of the Knicks before describing them as a potentially dangerous low playoff seed. "The cream of the crop is Miami and Chicago, and I guarantee you Miami and Chicago sure don't want to see the New York Knicks at 7 or 8, I can tell you that."

The Knicks don't want to see themselves at 7 or 8, either. This rugged conquest of the Sixers gives them some hope of winning the Atlantic and earning the 3-seed and the favorable first-round matchup that would come with it.

"If we stay focused," Stoudemire said, "we have a great chance to win the division."

Wednesday night, Anthony and Lin combined to shoot 9-for-32 from the floor and the team managed all of two 3-point field goals. But Stoudemire announced again that the Knicks are back, this time by playing the way he did before the Melo deal last year, when the Garden used to chant "MVP" for him.

At a time when Lin is the crowd favorite, Anthony is the biggest star and Tyson Chandler takes his fair share of pick and rolls, this much is clear: The Knicks won't win anything if Stoudemire allows himself to be a forgotten man.

Carmelo Anthony performed well in the past Team USA international games.

^^ Yeah but past performance is different from present performance and the way Melo has been playing this NBA season is not going to make a good case for his inclusion in the Olympic team especially with D'Antoni being Team USA's offensive coordinator. There's alot more deserving players who should actually go and try to win gold for the country and for themselves. Besides Melo got his already.

Btw Knicks lost badly to the lowly Toronto Raptors tonite. Tinambakan sila and Melo didn't do squat. Buti pa si Amare nabuhay ulit. Novak actually even played better than Melo in the 3 spot. Now with their honeymoon period with coach Woodson over, it will be interesting to see how the Knicks will react after their mini winning streak has been snapped by this loss. Will they go back to their old ways or learn from their past mistakes especially with the Bucks only a game behind them now for the 8th and last spot. Let's see what happens...


Raptors deal Knicks first loss under new coach Mike Woodson
ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/recap?gameId=320323028

TORONTO -- Raptors coach Dwane Casey came up with just the thing to slow down the surging New York Knicks: a zone.

DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points before leaving with a sore left ankle, Andrea Bargnani had 21 and the Raptors routed the Knicks 96-79 Friday night, snapping New York's five-game winning streak.

Gary Forbes added 19 points, one shy of his career-high, and Jose Calderon had 10 assists as Toronto snapped a three-game skid.

"The zone knocked us on our heels," Knicks center Tyson Chandler said. "We had trouble finding ways to score against it and that really was the outcome because we never got a rhythm or momentum."

Chandler said Toronto's zone was similar to the one he played under Casey when both were with Dallas during last season's championship run.

"It's designed to force you to take jump shots and we kind of fell into the trap," Chandler said.

The results weren't pretty. New York shot just 32 for 85 (38 percent) and no Knicks player made more than six field goals.

"Everybody struggled to make shots, and I mean wide-open shots," New York coach Mike Woodson said. "I thought we moved the ball but we just couldn't make shots and defensively we couldn't get stops. That's a bad combination."

The Raptors, who had lost seven of 10 coming in, never trailed and led by as many as 22, avenging a 106-87 loss at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

"That was good to see, especially after the spanking they put on us down in New York," Casey said. "I was really proud of the way our guys came out."

Losing for the first time in six games since replacing Mike D'Antoni, Woodson didn't feel the same way about his team's effort.

"I just didn't see energy tonight," Woodson said. "We were a step slow from the very beginning. We've got to play at a much higher level than we did tonight."

Amare Stoudemire scored 17 points, Steve Novak had 15 and Carmelo Anthony 12 for the Knicks, who came in having won six of seven against the Raptors, including three straight in Toronto.

Jeremy Lin made a game-winning 3-pointer on New York's last visit to Toronto, a 90-87 victory on Feb. 14, but was held in check this time, finishing with six points. Hundreds of fans cheered Lin with signs and Taiwanese flags, but many in the crowd booed whenever he touched the ball.

Lin had as much trouble with the zone as his teammates.

"We didn't necessarily attack as much as we should have," he said. "It's something we really don't have a lot of plays for, so we kind of just float around the outside and end up settling for a lot of jumpers."

Trailing by 17 to start the fourth, the Knicks opened with a 7-0 run, including a three-point play by J.R. Smith and a 3 from Novak. Forbes stopped the run with a pair of baskets before Novak added another 3.

The Knicks scored just one basket in the next 4 minutes as Toronto surged ahead. Bargnani and DeRozan had consecutive dunks, forcing a New York timeout. After the stoppage, DeRozan dunked off Forbes' alley-oop off the glass before Forbes forced a steal and drove in for a layup, making it 86-65 with 4:54 left.

Tempers nearly flared in the first after Bargnani leveled Lin with a screen and Anthony responded by hauling down Calderon on a drive to the basket. Calderon got up yelling, and Raptors center Aaron Gray gave Anthony a hard shove. Both Gray and Anthony got technicals, while Bargnani was whistled for an offensive foul.

More words were exchanged in the tunnel as the teams left the court after the final buzzer, but Chandler downplayed the incident.

"That kind of happens," he said. "You get edgy sometimes when you lose a game you felt like you were supposed to win. Emotions run high."

Yao-owned Shanghai Sharks looking at possible Philippine trip (http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/yao-owned-shanghai-sharks-looking-at-possible-philippine-trip)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L61-rD2Nan0/T2x8Jbl2O3I/AAAAAAAAcfI/FN6EfaePipM/s1600/Untitled-1.gif
The Shanghai Sharks, a Chinese Basketball Association squad co-owned by retired NBA superstar Yao Ming, might be making a trip to the Philippines soon.

Shanghai team officials are scheduled to meet with Philippine Sports Commission officials next week for a possible friendship game with a local or national squad.

Shanghai Sharks vice general manager Qian Anke and team leader Wang Qun will meet with representatives of the PSC, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy on Monday to discuss the possible friendly match.

The meeting is part of the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the PSC with China’s sports minister Liu Peng last year for further cooperation.

Aside from the friendly game that is targetted for a June date, a series of clinics will also be in the offing.

The Sharks are one of the most successful teams in the CBA, having captured the regular season and playoff titles in the 2001-2002.

Shanghai was also the ball club of Yao before he made a jump in the NBA with the Houston Rockets in 2002. Yao bought into the franchise in the 2009 after the team suffered financial issues.

With the planned friendly game, does that also mean that Yao will also make a trip in the Philippines?

“We hope so,” said a PSC source who requested anonymity. “It will still depend on the talks between the two governments.”

;89684748']kagabi lang :rofl:
ZuOG09PGYFc
:rofl:




aba! sikat na pba players sa Amerika! :lol:
ZSscH3yy00Y

GXZ7weq34EI

#2... yan lang pala ang kailangan para maexposed players natin

^^ Yeah but past performance is different from present performance and the way Melo has been playing this NBA season is not going to make a good case for his inclusion in the Olympic team especially with D'Antoni being Team USA's offensive coordinator. There's alot more deserving players who should actually go and try to win gold for the country and for themselves. Besides Melo got his already.

And does past performance not count in becoming a Team USA player? So if you're going to set up your own dream team, what will be your basis for player selection? Won't it also be past performance? THINK not ATTACK because if you want WAR .i. can give you one but a SMART one!


Btw Knicks lost badly to the lowly Toronto Raptors tonite. Tinambakan sila and Melo didn't do squat. Buti pa si Amare nabuhay ulit. Novak actually even played better than Melo in the 3 spot. Now with their honeymoon period with coach Woodson over, it will be interesting to see how the Knicks will react after their mini winning streak has been snapped by this loss. Will they go back to their old ways or learn from their past mistakes especially with the Bucks only a game behind them now for the 8th and last spot. Let's see what happens...

Why do you keep on attacking Carmelo Anthony? To annoy me? Why don't you take a look at the bigger picture of the game rather than blame only 1 player? Who made the most fouls and turnovers which in turn gave points to the opponent?

Teka, it's as if tinitira ka nya, gmaer. Observance nya yun. Kung puro si Melo nakikita nya, that's what he observed.

Score-wise, lamang nga si Novak kay Melo, 15-12, so mas maganda nga ang performance ni Novak in terms of points.

Past performance is different from present performance and the way Melo has been playing this NBA season is not going to make a good case for his inclusion in the Olympic team especially with D'Antoni being Team USA's offensive coordinator. There's alot more deserving players who should actually go and try to win gold for the country and for themselves. Besides Melo got his already.

Btw Knicks lost badly to the lowly Toronto Raptors tonite. Tinambakan sila and Melo didn't do squat. Buti pa si Amare nabuhay ulit. Novak actually even played better than Melo in the 3 spot. Now with their honeymoon period with coach Woodson over, it will be interesting to see how the Knicks will react after their mini winning streak has been snapped by this loss. Will they go back to their old ways or learn from their past mistakes especially with the Bucks only a game behind them now for the 8th and last spot. Let's see what happens...


And does past performance not count in becoming a Team USA player? So if you're going to set up your own dream team, what will be your basis for player selection? Won't it also be past performance? THINK not ATTACK because if you want WAR .i. can give you one but a SMART one!

Why do you keep on attacking Carmelo Anthony? To annoy me? Why don't you take a look at the bigger picture of the game rather than blame only 1 player? Who made the most fouls and turnovers which in turn gave points to the opponent?


Teka, it's as if tinitira ka nya, gmaer. Observance nya yun. Kung puro si Melo nakikita nya, that's what he observed.

Score-wise, lamang nga si Novak kay Melo, 15-12, so mas maganda nga ang performance ni Novak in terms of points.

^^ Hehehe... Ewan ko nga ba why Gmaer thinks the world revolves around him and his feelings (about Melo) - Paranoid ata. I don't know why you (gmaer) are so affected by my posts. Need to have thicker skin bro. Besides I would not waste my time posting just to annoy the hell out of you bro if that is what you think I'm doing. Don't give yourself too much credit/importance because I don't. Hell I don't even know you. But I'm entitled to my own opinion as you are and there is nothing wrong to express it here.

I'm just stating facts based on my obseravtions watching the Knicks games. I know Melo is trying but see how Melo's production has gone down ever since he started putting out the effort doing D? Not Superstar no#'s. And I bet if Novak is given Melo's time on court, he will be a much more productive player on both ends of the court (both offensively and defensively) than Melo is putting out there as was the case when Melo was out and even last night where more points scored in less minutes for Novak while Melo had those long stretches of scoreless minutes on the floor. Melo was not particularly productive which was all what I was saying but you took it the wrong way. It's obvious you are a Melo fan more so than a Knicks fan and I am a Knicks fan first more so than a Melo fan and that's OK. It's just more important for me to see the Knicks win and atleast secure the last and eigth playoff spot than be starstruck with Melo like you. And as for the Olympics, going by these following players I'll mention it's quite an impressive list already even without Melo being there and quite frankly he shouldn't. So OK starting at the three position, there is a guy named LeBron James and another, Kevin Durant (The All Star MVP), and even Paul Pierce just to name three who's more deserving to be part of team USA than Melo and that's not even mentioning the likes of James Harden (from OKC) and others. In the two position there is D.Wade, Kobe, Monta Ellis and even Russell Westbrook (at 2) to name a few. In the PG position there is D.Rose (MVP), D.Williams, Chris Paul and Westbrook and that's still not even counting Rajon Rondo. on PF position there is Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett and even LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland) and David Lee (Golden State). And finally there's D.Howard and Andrew Bynum on Center spot. Not bad at all as a starting list and these players/pieces are also pretty much interchangeable so Team USA can cut this down futher as the selection process is finalized. Yup Melo is indeed an invitee for the try-outs but definitely not a shoe-in for this US Olympic Team especially with the kind of attitude and (lack of) performance he had shown ex-Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who ironically is the Offensive Coordinator/Coach for Team USA, which is why I really doubt it's going to make a good case for his inclusion in the US Olympic Team especially when there are more deserving players who should actually go and try to win gold for the country and for themselves. Besides why have Melo in a team being assembled by D'Antoni and company when we already gotten a preview of their disastrous relationship in NY. Better siguro huwag na lang isama si Melo sa team USA baka ma-jinx lang pagpinagsama ulit si Melo at D'antoni. Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:


If you think I'm just imagining things to single out Melo, well I'm not. Melo's not playing well especially for a highly paid superstar. Performance alone is good enough reason why Team USA doesn't need him. They can win without him especially with how bad he's been playing. Anyway here's an article written about how bad Melo is playing. Atleast it's from an independent source (ESPN) so perhaps it'll not only be less biased in your eyes but also give credence to what I've been saying all along about Melo not playing well.


What's up with Melo?
By Mike Mazzeo
March, 24, 2012
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/15079/whats-up-with-melo

Carmelo Anthony doesn’t know why he can’t seem to make shots -- but the Knicks small forward isn’t concerned.

“I wish I had an answer,” said Anthony, who went 1-for-7 in the first half before making four of his last five shots in his team’s 101-79 blowout victory over the Pistons on Saturday night at the Garden.

“I’m not worried about that. I’ve been around this game a long time, and it happens."

Anthony, who finished with 15 points in 29 minutes, came into Saturday night’s shooting 31.7 percent (26-for-82) from the field in his previous five contests -- including 2-for-16 from 3-point range and 7-for-30 on jumpers, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson said he wanted to help Anthony get on the right track. So after the 27-year-old All-Star missed six of his first seven shots, Woodson ran two early plays in third quarter for Anthony -- both of which resulted in layups.

“I opened up the second half with two plays to get Carmelo closer to the bucket and he delivered both times,” Woodson said. “As a coach, I have to help him -- that’s my job. I’m willing to continue to work with him and try to put him in the best position possible to be successful to help us win.

“He drew two plays for me and we executed them and got some easy ones,” said Anthony, who added another layup and a 13-foot jumper in the period. “But as far as my offensive game goes, I’m telling you, I promise you, I’m not concerned about that.”

The Knicks are 6-1 in their last seven games, so that’s understandable. But if they’re going to make a playoff run, Anthony is going to have to become the elite offensive player he was in Denver. The Knicks can’t afford for him to become a ball-stopper on offense due to the fact he thrives in isolation sets. At the same time, they aren’t paying him $18.5 million this season to defer to others.

The Knicks (24-25), who currently have a 1.5-game lead over the Bucks (22-26) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, will host Milwaukee on Monday night.

“That’s a very big game for us,” Anthony said. “We need that game, and we’re gonna go out there and do everything in our power to go and get it.”

The only way that’s likely going to happen is if Anthony raises his level -- both offensively and defensively.

But especially offensively.

Good that the Knicks won tonight and handily at that. Every win counts. Monday's game against The Bucks will be an important one for The Knicks.
The Bucks are only a game and a half back from The Knicks for the last play-off spot and The Bucks hold the tie breaker. Go Knicks! Beat The Bucks!

Tyson Chandler, Knicks cruise past skidding Pistons
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/15056/rapid-reaction-knicks-101-pistons-79

RAPID REACTIONS: Knicks 101, Pistons 79

NBA CAPSULES: Tyson Chandler had 15 points and tied a season high with 17 rebounds, and the New York Knicks rebounded from their first loss under Mike Woodson by routing the Detroit Pistons for the third time this season, 101-79 on Saturday night.

Amare Stoudemire scored 17 points for the Knicks, who are 6-1 since Mike D’Antoni resigned. They lost 96-79 on Friday night in Toronto, but had no trouble with Detroit for the third time in three meetings this season.

Carmelo Anthony finally got his shot to fall in the third quarter and finished with 15 points, while Jeremy Lin had 13. The bench put it away early in the fourth, allowing some banged-up Knicks to get some extra rest. Lin sat down with a sore left knee but could have returned, while Stoudemire went out with a sore lower back and the Knicks said at the time his return was questionable.

WHAT IT MEANS: The Knicks made sure to not let another lottery team roll over them, which happened Friday night in Toronto.

The Knicks took care of manageable business Saturday night at the Garden by beating the 16-30 Pistons, improving to one game below .500 at 24-25. The team is now 6-1 under interim head coach Mike Woodson.

TURNING POINT: The third quarter. The Knicks did not have a collapse in the period -- one in which they've lost the scoring margin in nine of their past 10 games. The Knicks turned around a sloppy first-half performance with 14 turnovers to play like they had been doing during their five-game winning streak. They outscored the Pistons 27-24 in the third quarter and then switched to the highest gear in the final period, finishing with a 25-16 advantage.

THE GOOD: 1. Tyson Chandler's inside production. Not only did he score 15 points, but he matched his season-high with 17 rebounds. Chandler took advantage of an undersized Pistons' frontcourt. When the Knicks find Chandler slashing to the basket and he makes his impact down low on defense, that gives them an edge in games.

2. Production from the Knicks' bench. They struggled Friday night against the Raptors, but they picked things up on Saturday. Steve Novak did his usual thing, hitting two 3-pointers, and J.R. Smith finished with 14 points.

3. Josh Harrellson's rebounding. He stepped in for an injured Jared Jeffries (out for roughly two weeks with inflammation in his right knee) and provided some inside muscle. He finished with eight rebounds (five offensive).

BOLD PLAY OF THE GAME: With 2:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Knicks created a highlight reel for SportsCenter tonight. On a fastbreak play, Smith passed to Iman Shumpert, who made an in-air pass back to Smith for the flush. The unbelievable double alley-oop put the Knicks ahead 99-77.

THE BAD: 1. Turnovers. The Knicks started the game very sloppy with their passing. In the first half, the Knicks had 14 turnovers, and to make matters worse, eight of them came from the point guards (Jeremy Lin had five, while Baron Davis had three). The Knicks have been struggling a bit to find offensive rhythm under Woodson, who has added several halfcourt sets. There is a learning curve going on and it's something to watch. Previously, Mike D'Antoni's offensive system encouraged flow and gave players confidence. Currently, there is too much hesitation and uncertainty going on in the offense, which is partially leading to the turnovers.

2. Anthony outside shooting, once again. In the first half, he went 1-for-7 from the field, which forced the Knicks' offense to stall. Not to mention, his lack of penetration didn't create scoring opportunities for others. Fortunately, Melo adjusted in the third quarter, becoming more of a post threat against Pistons small forward Tayshaun Price, and finished with eight second-half points. Overall, while Melo is obviously a great talent, his recent misses and not being able to distribute the ball very well has led to occasional breakdowns in the Knicks' offense.

3. Lin and Amare Stoudemire game injuries. Lin went down in the second half with a sore left knee and STAT suffered from a sore lower back. Both players sat during the fourth quarter.

WHAT'S NEXT: A team who wants to knock the Knicks out of the eighth spot in the East, the Bucks. Entering Saturday, while the Knicks were 24-25, the Bucks were right there at 22-25. Before the March 15 trade deadline, the Bucks upgraded by acquiring shooting guard Monta Ellis (21.2 points per gamae) from Golden State.

WooHoo what could possibly be a preview of this season's NBA title match, Heat vs Thunder tonite! Must C TV as this should be an exciting one! :banana: :banana: :banana:



Just an update... the much anticipated game between the Thunder and the Heat just finished and all I can say is Wow simply wow! Thunder is for real as Durant and the guys beat up Lebron and the Heat 103 - 87 in what could be a preview of the NBA Finals. This Thunder's win halted the Heat's winning streak just after OKC beat the Timberwolves in a classic epic double-overtime game just the other night. At the rate they're going, the Thunder is definitely looking like it's the team to beat! :okay: :okay:


Durant and Thunder halt Heat streak in potential Finals preview
ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320325025

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant had 28 points, nine rebounds and tied his season-high with eight assists, Kendrick Perkins added a season-best 16 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder opened a difficult stretch in their schedule by beating the Miami Heat 103-87 on Sunday night.

The two title contenders opened the day tied for the second-best record in the NBA, three games behind the Chicago Bulls in the race for the top overall seed in the playoffs.

Oklahoma City claimed this one, getting a season-high 13 steals and forcing Miami into 21 turnovers that led to 28 Thunder points.

Dwyane Wade led Miami with 22 points but also committed a season-worst six turnovers. LeBron James had 17 points, seven assists and four turnovers.

Yes that's what I'm talking about. No Stoudemire, no Lin, no probem. Melo finally breaks out of his slump and delivers a superstar performance in beating the Bucks 89-80. This is the kind of performance/output I'm expecting from a $19 million dollar superstar like Melo every time in every game. After all that's why he is being paid the big bucks and tonite he earned it. Nice game Melo! Keep it up! :applause: :applause: :applause: :cheers:


Stoudmire and Lin out but Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks still beat the Bucks
Foxsports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/new-york-knicks-beat-milwaukee-bucks-032612

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points, delivering his highest total in two months without the injured Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin, and the New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 89-80 on Monday night to increase their lead for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Shortly after learning Stoudemire was lost indefinitely with a bulging disk in his back, the Knicks opened a 2 1/2-game lead over the Bucks and prevented Milwaukee from winning the season series and clinching the tiebreaker if they finish with the same record.

Baron Davis scored 13 points in his first start in place of Lin, who has a sore right knee. Tyson Chandler also had 13 and Iman Shumpert 11 as the Knicks overcame the absences of their second- and third-leading scorers.

But they won this one with defense, limiting Milwaukee to 36.5 percent shooting and containing high-scoring guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Jennings shot 6 of 22 for 15 points, and Ellis made only two of 14 shots for four points.

Mike Dunleavy scored 26 points for the Bucks, but missed all three shots in a scoreless fourth quarter after he was 10 of 11 through three.

The Knicks won for the seventh time in eight games, while Milwaukee lost for only the third time in its last 10. The Bucks had won five straight road games and suffered a rare loss at Madison Square Garden, where they had won six of seven.

Anthony hadn't scored this many since netting 35 points on Jan. 20 in a loss to the Bucks. But he said before the game he needed to step it up a notch after learning that Stoudemire would be sidelined.

Stoudemire left the Knicks' victory over Detroit on Saturday after saying his back tightened up. An MRI on Monday afternoon revealed the injury, which the Knicks said won't require surgery. He had led them in scoring in four straight games, and the Knicks remember from their playoff loss to Boston last year how tough it is without Stoudemire.

It'll be easier if they keep defending like this.

The Knicks outscored the Bucks 21-12 in the third quarter to take the lead despite shooting just 3 of 21 from the field. They went 15 of 18 from the free throw line while Milwaukee didn't attempt one.

New York pushed it to 84-74 on JR Smith's 3-pointer with 4:38 remaining, and after Milwaukee scored six in a row, Shumpert's 3-poiner with 2:09 to go put it away at 87-80.

Reyes bares 16-man SMART-Gilas pool (http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/reyes-bares-16-man-smart-gilas-pool)
Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV · Tuesday, March 27, 2012 · 3:48 pm
The list includes guards Jimmy Alapag, Alex Cabagnot, Jayson Castro, LA Tenorio, Gary David, and Ryan Reyes, swingmen James Yap, Larry Fonacier, Gabe Norwood, and Marcio Lassiter, forwards Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Kelly Williams, and centers Enrico Villanueva and Sonny Thoss.
This is not yet the final lineup, as it is still subject to approval by the PBA and the individual teams. But PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon said the league is open to expanding the list.

Dami nagrereklamo sa bagong pool of players ng Gilas II. Bakit daw may Enrico Villanueva. :nuts:

In the works: NBA player McGee’s naturalization for SMART-Gilas

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program is working to make NBA center JaVale McGee a naturalized Filipino citizen to allow him to represent the Philippines in international competition.

SMART-Gilas operations manager Butch Antonio confirmed the news to InterAKTV on Tuesday, shortly after coach Chot Reyes announced his wishlist of 16 PBA players to be included in the national pool. He said that the group has already had discussions with McGee about the plan.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/in-the-works-nba-player-mcgees-naturalization-for-smart-gilas

Dami nagrereklamo sa bagong pool of players ng Gilas II. Bakit daw may Enrico Villanueva. :nuts:
^^
Kaya nga pero hindi pa naman yan final. Wala nga si JVee Casio at Chris Lutz.

eh ateneo eh, sila na yung maging atenista para magsali sila ng players na gusto din nila

bakla si MVP
bias si chot

ano pa nga ba ang hahanapin mo

With Amare Out It's All About Melo Now
by Joe Caporoso
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/new_york_knicks_all_about_melo_now/10421734

Carmelo Anthony has had his moments since joining the New York Knicks last season. Unfortunately, they have been overshadowed by an alleged dispute which led to the resignation of former head coach Mike D’Antoni and a winning streak that he wasn’t apart of. Yet, now Anthony is part of this Knicks team that has won 7 of their last 8, moving back to .500 and getting within striking distance of first place in the Atlantic Division…and now, more than ever, Anthony must assert himself as this team’s franchise player especially with Amare Stoudmire out with a back injury.

Stoudemire is likely not coming back until the playoffs begin, if he is lucky and the Knicks happen to get there. Jeremy Lin is banged up and won’t be suiting up tonight against Orlando, the conference’s third best team. Anthony is dealing with a groin pull himself which he gutted through in the fourth quarter and will gut through again tonight against the Magic. It is admirable to see him play through pain, especially when the lifting will be so heavy without his power forward and point guard.

The Knicks have quality role players around Anthony and have learned to win ugly with defense, hustle and rebounding which is a beautiful and welcome sight to basketball fans in this city who have fond memories of the early 90s. Yet, if they are going to get through this brutal stretch of the schedule which is filled with playoff caliber opponents, it must be Anthony who takes the lead on both ends of the floor.

The Knicks need their franchise player to carry them to a playoff spot and just maybe a division title. These are the kind of situations where elite players are made and Anthony knows that.

“A situation like this requires me to step my game up a little bit more, take it up a notch,” Anthony said. “I love moments like this.” – Carmelo Anthony on Monday.

The Knicks brought him here to love moments like this and to thrive in them. There is enough talent around Anthony to make some real noise in the Eastern Conference, now it is up to him to lead the charge.



________________________




In the works: NBA player McGee’s naturalization for SMART-Gilas

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program is working to make NBA center JaVale McGee a naturalized Filipino citizen to allow him to represent the Philippines in international competition.

SMART-Gilas operations manager Butch Antonio confirmed the news to InterAKTV on Tuesday, shortly after coach Chot Reyes announced his wishlist of 16 PBA players to be included in the national pool. He said that the group has already had discussions with McGee about the plan.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/in-the-works-nba-player-mcgees-naturalization-for-smart-gilas

^^ Wow seriously? Here's some JaVale Mcgee highlights this NBA season. Actually more bloopers than highlights really. This is the player they're bringing in. Yikes! Hehehe...:lol::lol::lol:

AgSYA3Gb7oI&feature=player_embedded

jeremy lin.....................................bangko,di pinaglaro...............racism nga ba????

Lin is injured - sore knee
Stoudmire is out - bulging disk
Anthony played injured - slight groin pull

Another nice game by Melo! :okay: :okay:

Anthony, Shumpert lift Knicks over Magic
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/nba-new-york-knicks-carmelo-anthony-keep-rolling-beat-Orlando-Magic-Dwight-Howard-032812

Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks climbed above .500 for the first time since mid-January by beating the Orlando Magic 108-86 on Wednesday night.

Anthony and Iman Shumpert each scored 25 points for the Knicks (26-25), who won for the eighth time in nine games despite playing without the injured Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin.

New York outscored Orlando 65-30 in the middle two quarters and has a winning record for the first time since it was 6-5 before a loss to Oklahoma City on Jan. 14.

The Knicks moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and pulled within 2 1/2 of Philadelphia for first place in the Atlantic Division.

New York could get Stoudemire back before the end of the season, announcing Wednesday that he could be back in two to four weeks after non-surgical treatment for a bulging disk in his back.

Anthony knows he must step up until then without Stoudemire and Lin (sore left knee), and he had his second straight strong performance since they were hurt. Anthony scored 28 points Monday, and would have easily surpassed that had he not been limited to 26 minutes.

Playing despite a strained right groin, Anthony shot 9 of 15, his jumper that has been off all season falling in a third-quarter flurry with the Knicks scoring 21 straight points that blew open the game.

jeremy lin.....................................bangko,di pinaglaro...............racism nga ba????

I don't think so... a coach's decision is a professional decision! Think as a team not as an individual.

Injured si Lin. Saka, siya na ang starting PG ng Knicks.

^^hope Lin is gonna be back soon, can't wait to see him in action against the nets at the prudential center.

Kelangan nya ulit bumawi kay Deron. :lol:

ilang puntos ba ni deron last game? career ata ano?

Matagal na yung 57 nya against Charlotte.

Deron had around 30+ pts ata last night if I'm not mistaken so definitely that's not his high (57 pts was his high as 1100 pointed out). Actually Kevin Love of the Timberwolves that's having career/record games lately especially in scoring. He had a 50 pt and then a 40 pt scoring night on top of his usual double digit rebounding. He definitely step up his scoring after Rubio's injury. He seems to be the best white player in the NBA right now which is why he is now being groomed as the next Larry Bird. Won't surprise me if they include his name in the MVP running as a token of his performance this season. Of course he won't win it because the likes of Kevin Durant, D.Wade, Lebron James and others are also vying for that MVP.

Bad news for the knicks

.......

Lin needs knee surgery, could be done for season
By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer
29 minutes ago
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NEW YORK (AP)—Jeremy Lin will have left knee surgery and will miss six weeks, possibly ending his amazing breakthrough season.

The New York point guard had an MRI exam this week that revealed a small, chronic meniscus tear.

With the regular season ending April 26, the biggest story in basketball this season is probably done unless the Knicks make a deep playoff run.

He was barely holding on to a place in the NBA back in February. Now, after the back-to-back Sports Illustrated covers and popularity around the world, he has to go back to the bench when he wants to play most.


“If this was done very early in the year, obviously … I don’t know where my career would be. I could be, would be definitely without a job and probably fighting for a summer league spot,” Lin said Saturday. “But having said that, this happening now hurts just as much, because all the players, we really put our heart and souls into the team and into season, and to not be there when it really matters most is hard.”

The Knicks will continue to turn to Baron Davis in place of Lin, the undrafted Harvard alum who became the starter in February and turned in a series of brilliant performances, kicking off a phenomenon that was called Linsanity.

Lin is averaging 14.1 points and 6.1 assists, but the numbers only tell a small part of the story.

The Knicks were under .500 and looking like a mess when Lin was given a chance to play extended minutes at point guard for then-coach Mike D’Antoni on Feb. 4 against New Jersey.

Lin, the first American-born player of Taiwanese or Chinese descent to play in the NBA, scored 25 points with seven assists in that New York victory, was inserted into the starting lineup two days later against Utah, and took the Knicks on a seven-game winning streak that gained world-wide attention.

Lin left the Knicks’ easy victory over Detroit last Saturday, saying afterward he could have returned for the fourth quarter if the game had been close. He took part in shootaround before their game Monday and believed he could deal with the pain.

Though the swelling went down, the pain never did, and after testing it again Friday and Saturday, he decided to have the surgery.

“I can’t really do much. Can’t really cut or jump, so it’s pretty clear that I won’t be able to help the team unless I get this fixed right now,” Lin said before the Knicks played Cleveland. “It’s disappointing for me, it’s hard to watch the games and I think I’d want to be out there obviously more than anything right now. But hopefully, it’s a six-week rehab process but I tend to heal fast, so hopefully I can come back as soon as possible and still contribute this season hopefully.”

It’s the second serious injury loss of the week for the Knicks, who are fighting for a playoff spot. Amare Stoudemire is out two to four weeks with a back injury, leaving the Knicks without their second- and third-leading scorers for perhaps the remainder of the regular season.

Davis still isn’t 100 percent after a herniated disk in his back kept him out of action until February. The Knicks also have Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas, plus rookie Iman Shumpert as point guard options, but none as good as Lin.

“We’ve got to go on, but he’s a big piece of our puzzle and what we were doing as of late before he actually went out,” interim coach Mike Woodson said. “All’s not bad. Again, we’ve got three veteran point guards sitting over there and the rookie we could play some at the point. We’re just going to have to make do until he’s able to get back into uniform. But it is a big blow.”

Lin flourished in D’Antoni’s offense, and there was immediate speculation he would struggle—or even lose his starting spot—when Woodson replaced him on March 14. Instead, Lin kept on rolling, leading the Knicks to six wins in seven games before he was hurt.

Woodson said he’s known of players that have played through meniscus tears, but that only Lin knows his body. Lin knew he would need surgery eventually, but hoped to delay it until after the season.

“He’s elected to have the surgery and we’ve got to respect that, because only he knows the pain that he’s feeling. And there is a problem, so it’s got to be fixed,” Woodson said.

The Knicks had already tried three point guards when they finally turned to Lin, who had been cut by Golden State and Houston before signing with the Knicks. D’Antoni immediately elevated him to the starting lineup after his performance against the Nets, and Lin responded with the greatest beginning stretch ever for a starter.

He was the first player with at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five starts since the Elias Sports Bureau began charting starts in 1970. He had a 3-pointer to win a game in Toronto, scored 38 points to outplay Kobe Bryant in a national TV victory over the Lakers, then had 28 points and 14 assists in another nationally televised victory over the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

All along, the frenzy around him increased. Commissioner David Stern said he had never seen so much interest created by one player in such a short period of time. Knicks games were picked up by TV stations in basketball-crazed Asia, and Lin actually pleaded for privacy for his family in Taiwan.

Lin will be a free agent after the season and said he hopes to return to New York, but otherwise wasn’t thinking that far in the future.

“I’m not even worried about that right now,” he said. “It’s not like a career-ending thing or it’s not something that will bother me. Once it’s fixed, it’s fixed, it’s the most simple surgery you can have and so I’m more concerned about the season.”

^^ Oh what a bummer! Yikes w/ Lin down & out, it will be the brittle and often injured Baron Davis that will take over as point guard. That's a downgrade at the point guard position & precisely the kind of unfortunate scenario why I originally suggested the Melo for D.Williams trade. May god help the Knicks now! :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Nasabi ko na to dati eh. Kung bata pa sina Bibby at Davis, magiging contender pa rin talaga ang Knicks.

Di naman kasi talaga PG si Iman, tapos nabulok na ng tuluyan sa bench si Douglas.

^^ No choice sila kasi but to play the available players left which is why Knicks have been fielding such odd makeshift line ups (with players playing out of position). Knicks have too many 3 in Fields, Novak, Schumpert and Melo but running thin on PG with Lin out, Bibby and Douglas not playing, and the often injured Baron Davis left as their starting and only active PG. Precisely why I so wanted D.Williams here in NY even if it meant trading Melo being that they still had a trio of forwards left anyway. Hope Lin recuperates quickly and same with Stoudmire so that they can both be back with the team if ever the Knicks get to the playoff round even with a decimated roster like they currently have. Now NY's playoff fate is up to the hands of Melo, Schumpert, JR Smith, Novak and Chandler to keep things afloat until atleast Lin and Stoudmire are able to get back from their injuries. Knicks need Lin and Stoudmire badly if they are to have any realistic chance of competing in the playoffs much more competing for the NBA title, that's if they even do make it that far. NY will definitely be in survival mode now that's for sure.


Knicks in no-Lin situation for playoffs
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/jeremy-lin-season-ending-knee-surgery-finishes-new-york-knicks-chances-of-deep-run-in-nba-playoffs-033112

The Jeremy Lin Era arrived in a flash in New York, gripping a frenetic city and not letting go, as basketball's newest cult hero laid the foundation for a legacy at Madison Square Garden.

Now, just eight weeks after emerging as the NBA's hottest story, "Linsanity" is done for the season.

The Knicks announced Saturday that Lin, who had missed the last three games with a sore left knee, would undergo surgery to repair a "small, chronic meniscal tear" — a procedure expected to keep the point guard sidelined six weeks.

"It's disappointing for me," a dejected Lin, 23, said Saturday before the Knicks' 91-75 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"It's hard to watch the games. I want to be out there, obviously, more than anything. It's a six-week rehab process, but I tend to heal fast, so hopefully I can come back as soon as possible and still contribute this season."

But for the Knicks, even the most optimistic recovery time is about two weeks too long.

Because without Lin in the lineup, New York's playoff prospectus is as grim as it was before the benchwarming point guard out of Harvard took the city by storm — transforming a lottery-bound, 8-15 also-ran into a potential playoff dark horse.

The postseason is scheduled to start April 28, four weeks from now, and the Knicks should be in it — but barely, as the likely No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

New York holds a 2 1/2-game lead on Milwaukee for the East's final spot with 13 games to play.

But with Lin out of the picture for at least the first round — and with the prognosis of Amar'e Stoudemire's balky back still not entirely clear — it's difficult to see New York posing even the remotest threat to the East's top seed, be it Chicago or Miami.

"This season's been — you talk about ups and downs — a lot of downs and a lot of ups," said Lin, who has averaged 14.6 points, 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game since taking over the starting point guard job in early February.

"At the end of the day, I'm still thankful to be here. I'm thankful to be part of the Knicks, to see this team, how we've grown. And we're going to make a push for the playoffs and hopefully go deep in the playoffs. As a team, we're doing OK, and we're going to be just fine."

Frankly, the Knicks should be grateful they've gotten this far. They have succeeded with an undrafted, twice-waived, D-Leauge point guard with no particularly exceptional skills at the helm while the team's top two stars — Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony — were sidelined.

Then they overcame the return of Anthony — who selfishly demanded the offense was run his way — and the resignation of coach Mike D'Antoni, whom Anthony stealthily ran out of town when D'Antoni insisted on making Linsanity work.

Through all of their ups and downs, the Knicks somehow found an excess of success with a dearth of talent.

But the magic could only last so long, and it seems New York is finally out of miracles.

"We've got to go on, but he's a big piece of our puzzle and what we've been doing as of late," interim head coach Mike Woodson said Saturday.

It could hardly be a worse blow for the 27-26 Knicks, as their playoff hopes now rest in the shaky hands of aging point guards Baron Davis and Mike Bibby, out-of-position rookie Iman Shumpert and ineffective and little-used Toney Douglas.

"It stinks, not being able to be out there with the team," Lin said. "But it is what it is."

Lin will be a free agent after the season, and said he hopes to return to New York — but otherwise wasn't thinking that far in the future.

''I'm not even worried about that right now,'' he said. ''It's not like a career-ending thing, or it's not something that will bother me. Once it's fixed, it's fixed. It's the most simple surgery you can have, and so I'm more concerned about the season.

"If this was done very early in the year, I don't know where my career would be. I would be definitely without a job and probably fighting for a summer-league spot.

"But having said that, this happening now, it hurts just as much because, all the players, we really put our heart and soul into the team and into the season.

"I think we're growing as a team, we're finding an identity. ... I think it's a process as far as reaching our potential."

Unfortunately for Lin, it's a process that — this year at least — won't get to play out in full.

yup, the Knicks franchise and its fans are cursed, just like the Cubs, the Mets...:ohno::bash:

Kung kelan medyo nabuhay na sila saka ulit downhill ang tinatahak nila...

go go KU-Jayhawks! going to the championship against Kentucky. woohoo!

kentucky ako, davis is great kahit lampa,lol

Siguro kung di umalis sina John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, at Patrick Patterson, champion Kentucky. :lol:

At panigurado galit si Derrick Rose sa Jayhawks. :lol:

UK WILDCATS! Go WILDCATS GO! WooHoo! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Who Will Step Up Now For The Knicks?
Fox Sports
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/loss_of_lin_a_true_heartbreaker_for_knicks_who_will_step_up_now/10466158

With Jeremy Lin out for the next six weeks, and Amar'e Stoudemire's return date to the court unknown, there are many questions as to whether or not Carmelo Anthony can carry the Knicks on his own to the post season and beyond.

Like Stoudemire who basked in the spotlight of being team-savior last season, that is until his back injury sidelined him duting the playoffs, Anthony seems to thrive when he is the center of attention as well. He appears to enjoy carrying the scoring burden, plays better under pressure, and furthermore, elevates his leadership when he's put into such a situation. Regardless of whether or not being "the man" is what Anthony prefers, the underlying question remains: can he do it all?

As he led the Knicks to a 6-4 start to begin the season, there were games in which Anthony was off, but the fact is when you're helping your team win 60% of their games, chances are you're doing a decent job. Unfortunately that trend didn't go on forever, and Anthony has had to cope with injuries all throughout the season, most recently suffering his second groin injury of the season while in the midst of a mini winning streak. And now as he continues to play through the pain, Anthony will ultimately need some help if the Knicks want to firmly hold onto a playoff spot.

The Knicks having to rely upon a balanced effort offensively is exactly why Lin's absence will hurt the team that much more than Stoudemire's. Despite STAT being a six-time all-star, a potential M.V.P. candidate, and most recently, an 18 point per game scorer, his production and impact appears easier to replace than Lin's.

Without Jeremy Lin, there is no Amar'e Stoudemire being that his production is almost entirely dependent upon a point guard effectively finding him in the right spots. Unfortunately, this stands to be the case for many of the Knicks, as the outbreak of LINsanity resulted in a domino effect of elevated performances. Steve Novak, Landry Fields, and even Iman Shumpert all saw spikes in offensive production as Lin emerged, finding them in the open floor again and again.

With other potent offensive options, the Knicks have the opportunity to replace Stoudemire's scoring. But it's clear a number of teammates have struggled since Lin has been sidelined. Aside from Novak and Fields, Tyson Chandler has also seen his role on offense diminish, though that in itself could be a result of a slightly different offensive playbook as of late. Even Baron Davis played better with Lin active, simply because he began to find a rhythm with the second unit with Lin as starter. But can Davis be as effective taking over the starting point guard position now that Lin is out?

Though Shumpert did in fact play decently with Lin, he's also been looked upon to fill a void offensively. So far, he's done well answering the call, turning in back-to-back 25 point performances last week. Though he's just a rookie, Shumpert too seems to crave the spotlight, anxious to take on different challenges, so expect him to thrive while taking on more responsibility as well.

With Lin sidelined and the loss of him on the court likely to continue affecting a handful of his teammates, the Knicks will have to look for someone else to step up to the plate aside from Anthony and Shumpert. That player should indeed become J.R. Smith, who was signed by the Knicks midseason not simply for more depth, but also to help provide a boost towards their playoff push.

Smith's moment in New York is now, if there ever was one. Aside from being signed for this very reason, Smith game and style of play suits him perfectly for what the Knicks are in need of right now. With very few options at point guard, the team will surely benefit from having other position players create their own offense.

Whereas a player like Stoudemire may depend on a floor general, Anthony will play well because he can do things for himself. And so will Smith. In fact, Smith struggled early on and that could very well be because he doesn't play well if the ball doesn't start off in his hands.

As it stands now, Smith has the green light to shoot the ball, and will likely thrive while being able to create for himself. Hopefully, such an elevated effort can propel the Knicks to some key needed victories down the stretch, much like his 20 points did Saturday night vs. the Cavaliers.

The ball's in Baron's hands
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/15738/the-balls-in-barons-hands

This was back in late January, when Jeremy Lin was still a seldom-used guard stuck on the end of the Knicks bench.

New York was mired in a six-game losing streak, an NBA team without an NBA-caliber point guard.

The entire organization was waiting for Baron Davis get healthy.

Because of the team's dearth of talent at point guard, Davis was viewed as a savior of sorts for the Knicks.

And it was a role he was ready to embrace.

“I’ve been playing basketball for a long time and I’m very confident in my skill set and what I bring to the table," Davis said on Jan 20. "And I accept any challenge.”

That challenge, of course, didn't immediately present itself. Instead, Linsanity did.

But Lin's out for at least six weeks due to a torn meniscus. So the challenge that Davis was so eager to accept earlier this season is now here.

The Knicks will turn to the 32-year-old veteran to run the team for the rest of the regular season and -- they hope -- the first round of the playoffs.

Davis has struggled to combat injuries and conditioning issues all year.

He missed the first two months of the season due to a herniated disk in his back. He sat out two games in mid-March with a strained right hamstring.

The hamstring injury is still giving him trouble.

The team's training staff considered removing him from the game in the first half of the Knicks' win over Orlando last Wednesday because his hamstring was barking. He was also slowed by the hamstring in the Knicks' loss to Atlanta on Friday.

Interim coach Mike Woodson said recently that he wanted to avoid playing Davis for extended minutes because of all of his ailments.

"That's something I've got to gauge," Woodson said when asked about Davis' workload. "... I can't play Baron 30-plus minutes. He's just not physically there yet to do that."

That's where Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas come in.

Woodson will rely on both backups to spell Davis, who has averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4 turnovers per game as a starter. Rookie Iman Shumpert will also see time at the point.

The backups will likely play significant minutes down the stretch to help ease the strain on Davis's body.

Woodson said on Saturday that the Knicks are unlikely to look outside the organization for point guard help.

"I don't think there's a whole lot out there right now who will make a big difference for our ball club," the coach said.

So, as long as he remains healthy, the keys to the Knicks offense will belong to Davis.

And that means it will take on a decidedly different feel.

At 32, Davis a step slower than Lin, so the Knicks will likely play at a slower pace with the ball in his hands.

Davis also seems to be looking for Carmelo Anthony in the post more frequently than Lin did. Though that has more to do with a change of philosophy under Woodson than anything else.

Woodson has had to weather plenty of injuries in his brief tenure.

In addition to Lin, Amare Stoudemire is out for 2-4 weeks and Jared Jeffries is sidelined with a knee ailment. Despite their poor health, the Knicks are 9-2 since Woodson took over on March 14. They entered play Sunday 2 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

"We've just got to hang in there together and keep the bodies that we do have healthy playing when they step out on the floor," Woodson said. "The season is what it is. It's not going anywhere. We can still control our own destiny."

They certainly can. But with Lin out, it looks like a large part of it will be controlled by Baron Davis.

http://i44.tinypic.com/34s041f.jpg

Praise God for a successful surgery! Now on the road to recovery! Lets gooo. Much love to all the fans for your support and kind words -Jeremy Lin

From facebook

Teka, tuhod lang in-operahan kay Lin ah. Bakit parang isang major operation ang ginawa sa kanya? :nuts:

^^ Eh baka naman kakapunas (sponge bath) palang sa kanya when that pic was taken kanya ganyan! Baka pagmakarami siya gumaling agad!Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:


Actually it's good Lin had his surgery already before the injury got any worse. Besides who else would look out what's best for him but he himself especially now that he his a well known talent and a soon to be free agent no less. He really has to be a 100% come next season when he becomes a free agent in which time I hope Lin gets to sign up with one of the up & coming "team basketball" type franchises where he can really showcase his talents better than he'll ever be able to do in NY where he has to adjust much of his play for Melo's sake. Besides it looks like Melo is actually doing better now that Lin is not playing and Baron Davis at the helm so perhaps what NY really needs is a veteran pointguard that's better both talent-wise and health-wise than Baron like a Steve Nash for example who is also a free agent next season.

Melo's 39 not enough as Granger rallies Pacers in second-half comeback vs Knicks
ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/recap?gameId=320403011


INDIANAPOLIS -- The matchup was reminiscent of the classic Pacers-Knicks games from the 1990s. The crowd was electric, the action was chippy, Reggie Miller jerseys were plentiful, and Indiana rallied from a seemingly hopeless deficit to win.

Danny Granger played the role of Miller, scoring 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Pacers rallied from 17 points down late in the third quarter to take a 112-104 victory on Tuesday night.

Granger made all three of his 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, a fitting performance one day after Miller was announced as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame's 2012 class.

Miller, one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in NBA history, was known for clutch shooting and leading comebacks. He saved his most spectacular performances for the Knicks.

"I guess it was from one shooter to another, my tribute to Reggie Miller," Granger said.

Granger has scored plenty of points in his career, he wants the reputation Miller has -- that of a winner.

"It's playoff time," Granger said. "We need momentum going into these playoffs. For the first time in a lot of years, we have a really good team and can make a lot of noise."

Paul George scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and reserves Leandro Barbosa and Dahntay Jones added 12 points each for the Pacers.

Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 39 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Landry Fields scored 15 points and Tyson Chandler added 12 points and 14 rebounds for New York, which fell to 9-3 under interim coach Mike Woodson.

Anthony said the loss was inexcusable.

"I think we got a little bit complacent being up 17," he said. "They stuck with it, they played harder coming into that fourth quarter. They played harder."

New York is battling for a playoff spot without two of its best players. Forward Amare Stoudemire (back) missed a fifth straight game, and point guard Jeremy Lin is out for the regular season after having surgery on his left knee. The loss stung considering the fourth-quarter collapse and the fact that the Knicks nearly stole one on the road short-handed.

"It was just unfortunate," Anthony said. "We can't have that."

Indiana led 101-93 in the fourth quarter before New York rallied. A three-point play, then a 3-pointer by Anthony cut Indiana's lead to 101-99.

The Pacers led 106-102 and New York had another chance to get close. Anthony's 3-pointer from the left wing was off and George rebounded. George was fouled and made two free throws.

George then stole J.R. Smith's inbounds pass and dunked. On New York's next offensive possession, Smith threw Barbosa to the ground, was called for a flagrant 2 and ejected.

A lineup switch in the second half keyed Indiana's comeback. The Pacers moved George from shooting guard to small forward and Granger from small forward to power forward to give Anthony, who was playing power forward with Stoudemire out, a tougher matchup.

Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Granger accepted the challenge. "He was dominant on both ends," Vogel said. "He really manned up and guarded Carmelo at a very high level."

Granger wasn't too upset with Anthony's point total.

"Carmelo, it's hard to stop him completely," Granger said. "I just wanted to make his shots difficult for him. Even the shots he made, just make them tough shots. He got 39 points, but we got the win."

The Kentucky Wildcats are the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Champs! :cheers:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/523772_10150774352978760_176134773759_11754680_526180899_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/562578_10150774349638760_176134773759_11754654_1688776887_n.jpg

Source: facebook:NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness (https://www.facebook.com/NCAAMarchMadness)

hahahaha, champion kami!!!!

Maybe NJ/Brooklyn Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, can go after Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin when he becomes a free agent next season especially when it's looking more than likely D.Williams will not resign with the Nets and may rather choose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, his hometown team. There's actually ways of back loading a potential Lin multi year offer that will make it really difficult for the Knicks to match without going over the cap or by not resigning another of their free agents like Fields. Afterall this is not the first time the Nets/Prokhorov have made such a sly move that made the Knicks pay dearly for a player. Remember how the Nets/Prokhorov joined the Melo sweepstakes and lured the Knicks into trading most of their promising players to the Nuggets to get Melo? Not only does this actually make sense for the Nets but they can also hit the Knicks twice by going after J.Lin next season. Who knows losing Lin may be a blessing in disguise for the Knicks as it's looking like Melo is doing better with Lin out/injured and Baron Davis at the helm so perhaps what the Knicks really need is a veteran pointguard better than Baron. Dolan can then open his wallet and go after Steve Nash especially once D.Williams signs with the Dallas Mavericks or perhaps even the Orlando Magic.


Teams Like The Trail Blazers Should Take a Run at Jeremy Lin
By Adam Sparks
Yahoo Sports

No matter what else the Portland Trail Blazers do the rest of this season, we're going to see roster—and possibly coaching—upheaval for the 2012-13 season.

On the NBA's trade deadline day, Portland fired coach Nate McMillan and got rid of the high-priced contracts attached to starters Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby. The Blazers also waived Greg Oden, and took on a couple of expiring contracts to help clear more cap space for next season.

They also received a conditional first-round pick from the New Jersey Nets, one that could net them two lottery picks in the 2012 draft.

In short, the Blazers have set themselves up to get a whole lot better real quick, provided they do the right things with their picks and their extra cash. This team can build around All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge and budding young star Nicolas Batum, keeping a few of the guys on the current roster—Wesley Matthews, J.J. Hickson, maybe Luke Babbit—and then adding draft picks and free agents to help right the ship right away.

With Dwight Howard opting out of free agency for the coming offseason, instead choosing to remain with the Orlando Magic, the list of available players doesn't have that marquee feel to it. But there are still plenty of top-notch free agents the Blazers could make a run at.

Chief among them is New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, the league's breakout star of 2011-12, who had surgery on his left knee Monday, a procedure that's expected to keep him out for six weeks.

Lin's salary for the current season is a mere $800,000, and he becomes a restricted free agent at season's end. According to Grantland's Jay Caspian King, whichever team signs Lin must pay him no more than around $5 million for the first two years of the deal, since he's only been in the league for two seasons. But he can also be given a multi year deal like a four-year offer sheet that's backloaded to pay him significantly more.

Caspian King went on to write:

Here's a list of teams that could offer Lin deals that would go significantly beyond the mid-level exception: Houston, Cleveland, Indiana, New Jersey (without Deron Williams), Toronto, Dallas, Denver, Minnesota, New Orleans, Phoenix, Portland, and Sacramento.

More than one of those teams already has a good, young point guard in place, which would seem to shorten that list significantly to among a handful. Portland is one such team that could potentially make a play for Lin after all, most Blazers fans will agree that point guard is the place where Portland needs the most help and Williams will cost significantly more than Lin.

The Blazers have indicated that they're also not interested in adding high-priced free agents who are near the end of their careers, which would seem to exclude soon-to-be free agent point guards like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups.

The Blazers' best bet is to sign Jeremy Lin as their point guard with Raymond Felton as back up for next season.

panalo Lakers!!! good job clippers!!!

Bynum-36 points,Bryant-31 points

^^ Yup that was a good game. Ganda din ng Heat-Thunder game kahapon in what could be a preview of the NBA finals. Very physical game with the Thunder rallying and even able to take the lead in the last few minutes but the Heat sealed the deal and won in the last minute. Great Game! :okay::okay:



Btw Orlando has it's own soap opera brewing with the feuding Magic star D.Howard and Magic coach Stan VanGundy. Sounds familiar NY Knicks fans? Wonder if this will have any effect on the Magic's performance against the Knicks tonite. Knicks badly need all the wins they can get as the Bucks are hot on their trail for that 8th and last Eastern playoff spot. Now that Melo is doing well and filling up the stat sheet, let's see just how many more games the Knicks actually win now that it's a Melo show Knicks ball system primarily being employed now with Lin and Stoudmire out.


Depth Woes Turn Knicks Into A Carmelo Anthony Show
Yahoo Sports
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-11193792

Variety is good. Balance is good. Being one-dimensional is bad. This is what troubles me about the New York Knicks right now. They are relying way too much on forward Carmelo Anthony.

Without Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin, the Knicks needed Anthony to step up. Anthony has done just that. He has found his shooting touch. He is playing through a groin injury. Anthony has put the team on his shoulders. But too much Anthony is apparently a bad thing. The Knicks have lost two out of five games without Stoudemire and Lin in the lineup. Anthony scored 30+ points in each of those losses.

This is a disturbing trend. The Carmelo Anthony Show was never more obvious than last night (04/03/2012) against the Indiana Pacers. Anthony was on fire, hitting 54.8% of his shots. But he took 31 shots, 60% of the team total. Anthony filled the stat sheet with 39 points and 10 rebounds. But he failed to achieve the most important stat of all: the win.

Too many times last night, Anthony took the ball in the frontcourt and isolated his man. The rest of the Knicks just stood and watched wondering if they woould actually be part of the play. There was no ball movement. There was no offensive execution. It was all Anthony. The strategy worked until the fourth quarter, when his teammates needed to contribute. But they couldn't. They were rarely in the flow of the offense which ultimately affected their play and so Anthony's stellar performance was all for naught with the Knicks ultimately losing to the Pacers 104-112.

The sad thing is that Anthony actually knows the problem. In January, he questioned whether he was shooting the ball too much. Of course the Knicks need Anthony to shoot the ball but not at the expense of the other members of the team. Aside from his scoring the Knicks need him to do other things too, like defending well and getting teammates involved. That's what great players do. They contribute more than just scoring. They make their teammates better.

The Knicks will never win a championship relying solely on Anthony playing isolation basketball. The Knicks were clearly a better team when Lin distributed the ball and led a balanced offensive attack. They were better when Stoudemire was an additional scoring threat. As great as Anthony is, he is just one of five players on the court. Although he can win games by himself, Anthony will never win a championship until he trusts and relies on his teammates.

Anthony and the Knicks bury 13 3s to rout melodramatic Magic 96-80
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/16047/rapid-reaction-knicks-96-magic-80

WHAT IT MEANS: Maybe the Knicks learned their lesson.

On Tuesday, the 'Bockers blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter and fell to the Pacers. On Thursday, they again had a 17-point lead in the fourth, but they held on, beating Dwight Howard and the Magic, 96-80.

The Knicks have won 10 of 14 under Mike Woodson and are 4-2 without Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin. They lead idle Milwaukee by 1-1/2 games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Of course, they beat a team in disarray on Thursday night. Earlier in the day, Stan Van Gundy told reporters that Howard wanted him fired. On Thursday, Howard played like a guy who wanted his coach gone. He didn't have a field goal until three seconds to go in the third quarter and finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Orlando has lost five straight.

THE GOOD: Whatever Woodson said to J.R. Smith on Wednesday seems to have worked. According to reports, Woodson talked to Smith about being more professional after he was tossed from Tuesday's game for a flagrant foul on Leandro Barbosa.

Smith responded on Thursday with a 15-point night. He went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and handed out nine assists, providing offensive firepower that the depleted Knicks sorely needed. Carmelo Anthony finished with 19 points and Baron Davis had a nice floor game with five points, five assists, one turnover and two steals.

Toney Douglas, who started the season as New York's starting point guard but was buried on the bench after Lin emerged, had 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting with six assists and five rebounds.

THE BAD: The Knicks came out slow on offense, missing 11 of their first 13 shots. They went away from the ball-movement based offense that had worked well for them earlier in the season, instead relying on isolation. But Smith helped remedy that by leading New York on a 14-3 run in the second quarter.

The Knicks allowed Orlando to shoot 37.5 percent from beyond the arc but overall held them to 41 percent shooting from the floor and just 80 points.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Knicks will return to New York late Thursday night or early Friday morning and then have two days to rest or practice before playing the Chicago Bulls at home on Sunday. They then travel to Chicago on Tuesday and play a pivotal game against Milwaukee on Wednesday. Milwaukee leads the season series, 2-1. The Knicks have a much more difficult schedule for the rest of the way.

^^ Oh what a bummer! Yikes w/ Lin down & out, it will be the brittle and often injured Baron Davis that will take over as point guard. That's a downgrade at the point guard position & precisely the kind of unfortunate scenario why I originally suggested the Melo for D.Williams trade. May god help the Knicks now! :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Too bad for your Linsanity and now you want Melo for a lower value Deron Williams? Do your math again because what you're suggesting will not be a fair trade!

^^ Hehehe... C'mon it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Deron is actually much better than Melo as far as playing the game of basketball is concerned. Deron Williams is a consistent multifaceted player who can distribute, defend, and score within the flow of the game and that makes his team better in the process not like Melo who is a one dimensional ball hog that can fill up his stat sheet but to the detriment of his team because he has to have the ball too much. Deron really brings synergy to a team while Melo merely brings all the drama, such a "Melonoma" which hurts the team's growth and chances of success. That's why I'd rather have a player like Deron Williams than Melo in a Knicks uniform especially with J.Lin out. The trio of Baron/Bibby/Douglas simply will not cut it at PG which makes me wonder how the Knicks can possibly make the playoffs now, much more contend for the title with NY reverting back to their old ways relying on the Melo show to win games. Melo in our native tongue is known as "BAKAW" and the Knicks will never win an NBA title with Melo playing his usual selfish give me the ball and stand back isolation basketball while the other 4 players look, wait and wonder if Melo will ever pass the ball back or shoot it himself which is what usually happens. He is a scoring machine but his one-man show takes his other team mates out of the game and out of their game. Melo seems to forget that basketball is a team sport. How can one expect the Knicks to ever win an NBA title with Melo playing this way when he has shown from time to time he can actually be more than just a scorer for the Knicks, that is when he chooses to do so. As I've said before I'm a Knicks fan first more so than a Melo fan and this article below said it very well and pretty much sums up my gripe with how Melo plays the game of basketball. So hard for me to admire a player like that knowing he can actually be so much better/more still as a basketball player. He'll really need to evolve if he truly wants to be considered one of the greats of the game.

Depth Woes Turn Knicks Into A Carmelo Anthony Show
Yahoo Sports

Variety is good. Balance is good. Being one-dimensional is bad. This is what troubles me about the New York Knicks right now. They are relying way too much on forward Carmelo Anthony.

Without Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin, the Knicks needed Anthony to step up. Anthony has done just that. He has found his shooting touch. He is playing through a groin injury. Anthony has put the team on his shoulders. But too much Anthony is apparently a bad thing. The Knicks have lost two out of five games without Stoudemire and Lin in the lineup. Anthony scored 30+ points in each of those losses.

This is a disturbing trend. The Carmelo Anthony Show was never more obvious than last night (04/03/2012) against the Indiana Pacers. Anthony was on fire, hitting 54.8% of his shots. But he took 31 shots, 60% of the team total. Anthony filled the stat sheet with 39 points and 10 rebounds. But he failed to achieve the most important stat of all: the win.

Too many times last night, Anthony took the ball in the frontcourt and isolated his man. The rest of the Knicks just stood and watched wondering if they woould actually be part of the play. There was no ball movement. There was no offensive execution. It was all Anthony. The strategy worked until the fourth quarter, when his teammates needed to contribute. But they couldn't. They were rarely in the flow of the offense which ultimately affected their play and so Anthony's stellar performance was all for naught with the Knicks ultimately losing to the Pacers 104-112.

The sad thing is that Anthony actually knows the problem. In January, he questioned whether he was shooting the ball too much. Of course the Knicks need Anthony to shoot the ball but not at the expense of the other members of the team. Aside from his scoring the Knicks need him to do other things too, like defending well and getting teammates involved. That's what great players do. They contribute more than just scoring. They make their teammates better.

The Knicks will never win a championship relying solely on Anthony playing isolation basketball. The Knicks were clearly a better team when Lin distributed the ball and led a balanced offensive attack. They were better when Stoudemire was an additional scoring threat. As great as Anthony is, he is just one of five players on the court. Although he can win games by himself, Anthony will never win a championship until he trusts and relies on his teammates.


___________________________



Hey Gmaer, see the Big Difference? Melo brought his A game today and finally played his best overall game this season stunning the Bulls in overtime with a 3 pointer with 8 seconds left. All his effort was well rewarded with a Knicks win and Melo did his thing on both ends of the floor and within the flow of the game instead of his usual one dimensional "Bakaw" way of playing to score. He filled his stat sheet not to the detriment of his team and team mates. That's what I've been talking about! This is the kind of well rounded performance I expect from a $19M superstar like Melo in any given game night. Keep it up Melo. Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Melo's 3 pointer stuns Bulls with 8.2 left in OT
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/16230/rapid-reaction-knicks-100-bulls-99

WHAT IT MEANS: Carmelo Anthony put on his best performance as a Knick, scoring a game-high 43 points, including two clutch 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter and in overtime, to lead his team over the NBA's overall top seed, the Bulls (43-14), who saw the return of Derrick Rose.

The Knicks improved to 29-27, holding on to the eighth seed. But if the Philadelphia 76ers lose later Sunday against the Boston Celtics, the Knicks would move up to the seventh spot.

TURNING POINT: The Knicks had a commanding 31-19 first-quarter lead, even leading at one point 27-8, but the Bulls fought back, winning the next three quarters. A big reason was D-Rose, who scored only two points in the opening period, but 27 the rest of the game. He hit a big 3-pointer to tie the game at 67, the first tie since 0-0, and went on to make two more in the fourth quarter, to build a bigger lead. But after the Bulls missed four straight free throws, Anthony made them pay with a 3-pointer with 11.2 left in the final period to tie the game at 91 to send it into overtime. And then a 3-pointer from about that same exact spot, on the right wing, beat the Bulls.

THE GOOD: 1. Carmelo Anthony shined bright in a big game. In his past six contests, as the Knicks have gone 4-2, Melo has regained his shooting touch, especially right out of the gate, as he's averaged 27.7 points per game. Sunday afternoon, it wasn't any different in the first quarter. Melo came out firing and aggressive, scoring 12 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field (2-for-2 from downtown). He didn't let up, as he finished with a game-high 43 points.

2. Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler anchoring strong defense against D-Rose. Shumpert started it from the perimeter, playing right up on the newly-returned Bulls point guard, who missed 12 straight games with a strained right groin. Rose was obviously out of rhythm, and Shumpert took advantage of the situation, giving him no clear line of sight and forcing him into seven turnovers.

In the paint, Chandler clogged Rose's room to finish around the rim and put up his patented floater. Rose shot 5-for-14 from the field, but only two of those came within close range. The others were 3-pointers.

3. The Knicks limited the Bulls' prowess at second-chance scoring. Entering Sunday, the Bulls were tied for tops in the NBA in second-chance points per game (15.9, along with the Utah Jazz). A big reason for that has been Joakim Noah, who's tied for fourth best in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.7, along with the Pistons' Greg Monroe). But Chandler held him to only two on Sunday.

THE BAD: 1. Too much perimeter play. While the Knicks exploded to a 31-19 first-quarter lead on hot jump shooting, especially on Melo's 12 points, they relied too much on that starting in the second period, as the Bulls built a 26-22 lead. Then in the third, the Bulls outscored the Knicks 30-19.

The Knicks still played too much one-on-one ball without enough creative play calling. Their lack of penetration off of pick-and-rolls didn't allow them to get as many open looks as they had earlier in the game. Quick, ill-advised shots were also to blame. The overarching issue is that the Knicks don't have a legitimate and consistent second playmaker to help spread the floor.

2. The Knicks went away from their defensive game plan in the second half. Their approach resembled how they collapsed in Indiana on Tuesday night and just like in that game, it allowed the Bulls to go off from downtown, especially at the start of the final period when they had two 3-pointers to put them up 81-75.

3. Tyson Chandler suffered a right elbow contusion in the first quarter, but he did return in the following period. However, his elbow was heavily iced while he sat on the bench. Considering Chandler is already playing through groin and wrist injuries, this is something that certainly bears monitoring in the coming days.

BOLD PLAY OF THE GAME: With 7:16 to play in the third quarter, Landry Fields missed a 3-pointer from the left wing and Iman Shumpert timed the bounce off of the rim perfectly to soar in for the one-hand putback dunk. The rookie performed a similar play Thursday night in Orlando to close out the first quarter.

WHAT'S NEXT: A rematch with the Bulls on Tuesday night in Chicago.

PBA naman tayo! :lol: Bmeg vs. BGK sa Semis. This oughta be good :cheers:

Yup, Go! Bmeg :banana:

Pennisi, please whip the Tropang Texters' asses. :lol: :lol:

any idea kung magkano tikets sa cuneta astrodome at kung pwd bumili ng advance at kung saan pwd bumili... salamats

PBA naman tayo! :lol: Bmeg vs. BGK sa Semis. This oughta be good :cheers:
^^
Manila Clasico! :cheers:

Hey Gmaer, see the Big Difference? Melo brought his A game today and finally played his best overall game this season stunning the Bulls in overtime with a 3 pointer with 8 seconds left. All his effort was well rewarded with a Knicks win and Melo did his thing on both ends of the floor and within the flow of the game instead of his usual one dimensional "Bakaw" way of playing to score. He filled his stat sheet not to the detriment of his team and team mates. That's what I've been talking about! This is the kind of well rounded performance I expect from a $19M superstar like Melo in any given game night. Keep it up Melo. Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

And you still want him traded for a lesser Deron Williams? Straighten up your thoughts... think before posting or I'll bang your head! :ohno:

And you still want him traded for a lesser Deron Williams? Straighten up your thoughts... think before posting or I'll bang your head! :ohno:

Look, ang sinasabi nya, if Melo continues to play just like that game against the Bulls, he won't mind his $19M salary, and he would want Melo to stay in NYK. Hindi mo ba napansin na hindi ganun ka-ganda ang performance nya this season? Sadyang sumabog siya that game, and that's what 3cr is expecting of Melo every single game. I'm not saying na he should have 40-pt. games, pero if he keeps up a very good game, the Knicks will be a threat.

^^ Ganda nung game-tying 3 ptr ni Melo vs Bulls kahapon...bakaw na bakaw e. :D Parang "wala akong paki kung manalo o matalo tayo, basta ako titira" :D

4 straight missed FTs by the Bulls cost them the game.

2 of them came from The MVP :lol:

Hey Gmaer, see the Big Difference? Melo brought his A game today and finally played his best overall game this season stunning the Bulls in overtime with a 3 pointer with 8 seconds left. All his effort was well rewarded with a Knicks win and Melo did his thing on both ends of the floor and within the flow of the game instead of his usual one dimensional "Bakaw" way of playing to score. He filled his stat sheet not to the detriment of his team and team mates. That's what I've been talking about! This is the kind of well rounded performance I expect from a $19M superstar like Melo in any given game night (And not just when he chooses to). Keep it up Melo. Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:


And you still want him traded for a lesser Deron Williams? Straighten up your thoughts... think before posting or I'll bang your head! :ohno:

^^ Look, ang sinasabi nya, if Melo continues to play just like that game against the Bulls, he won't mind his $19M salary, and he would want Melo to stay in NYK. Hindi mo ba napansin na hindi ganun ka-ganda ang performance nya this season? Sadyang sumabog siya that game, and that's what 3cr is expecting of Melo every single game. I'm not saying na he should have 40-pt. games, pero if he keeps up a very good game, the Knicks will be a threat.

^^ Hehehe...Ewan ko nga ba hindi naman mahirap intindihin yung sinasabi ko bakit kaya si Gmaer mukhang hindi niya magets at maintindihan ka-simple lang naman. At aba lumabas pa ang pagkabatang-kalye niya at naghahamon pa ng away ah. Hahaha Too Funny natawa nalang ako. Guess only goes to show Gmaer has such a man crush on Melo that he is quite oblivious to the faults and short comings ng Idol niya. Anyway just don't mind him as it's not worth the time nor effort to get into an argument with him when it's obvious he is not operating on the same wave length as most of us. To each his own. Sabi nga nila Love is blind. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Btw Knicks and Bulls playing again later. Wonder which Melo shows up tonite. Let's see if it will be as exciting as last Sunday's game. Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Knicks still need more than just Melo
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7792141/new-york-knicks-need-more-carmelo-anthony

As awesome Carmelo Anthony was last Sunday, it will still take a team effort to get job done.

Carmelo made a 3-pointer with 11.2 seconds left in regulation that would extend the New York Knicks beyond regulation and he made another 3 with 8.2 seconds left in overtime that sent Madison Square Garden into a frenzy, especially after it saw Carmelo Anthony yelling, "This is my house!"

It was perfectly OK for Melo to display such bravado following the Knicks' 100-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls. But the fact that the Knicks needed such a Herculean effort from their resident superstar to save their day, perhaps, may speak more loudly than the victory itself. Or as Knicks coach Mike Woodson put it when asked whether the Knicks have turned the corner on their way to the playoffs:

"We'll know whether that's true or not over these last 10 games."

Right on!

Go ahead and celebrate the Knicks' victory, Melo's performance and the fact they actually beat a legitimate championship contender while holding reigning league MVP Derrick Rose relatively in check. But there's still work to be done, and if we're being honest, the jury is still out on whether the Knicks can get the job done.

Hidden beneath the euphoria of Sunday's victory is the unpleasantness of a squandered 21-point lead, sporadic defense, far too many jacked-up 3-point shots, a poor shooting percentage, excessive dependency on Anthony, putrid rebounding -- and the reality that Rose's 29 points came via an unimpressive 8-for-26 shooting performance.

If the Bulls hadn't missed five free throws in the final 34 seconds of regulation -- two by Rose, who missed four in the game's last 1:40 to help keep the Knicks breathing -- there would be nothing to celebrate.

"We feel we can go out there and compete," an excited Anthony proclaimed after the game. "We know we can compete."

Yeah! But since when has that become the criteria?

The answer would be never. Primarily because when you're talking about a $223 million frontline, competing is the least the Knicks could do. In fact, they'd possess a lot of nerve if they failed to do so.

"They can compete," Bulls center Joakim Noah said after the game. "We can't sit here and take that away from them. They're tougher team than they were before. There's no doubt about that. They played hard every possession. I mean every possession. They're tough. They kept coming. They're showing a lot of heart. And they were able to give the ball to Melo when it counted. I've got to give him credit for making that shot.

"But I'm not about to sit here and give Anthony too much credit. We might have to meet them down the road. So I'm not about to sit here and soup his head up. He's not getting anything else from me."

Melo's jumper was falling. So was his midrange game. So was his ability to get to the hole, driving to the basket and drawing fouls. And he did all of this without compromising his defensive effort, which clearly contaminated the rest of the Knicks in the best way imaginable.

"It was two teams that didn't want to lose, that were just banging and battling," Woodson said after the game. "Unbelievable. The Knicks just wouldn't give in."

Maybe that explains why Woodson was seen bear hugging Tyson Chandler near the locker room, as if the Knicks has just won a championship. Chances are, they recognize what the rest of us should: that they have no shot of winning anything without Chandler, who's clearly this season's NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Consider that the Knicks, with Melo's better-than-50 percent shooting performance, still shot 38 percent from the field collectively, just 23 percent from 3-point range, and managed to record a gran -total of six assists in the last three quarters and overtime. So what is there to brag about?

"Actually, they can brag a little bit," said Rose, shockingly. "The Knicks know where to get the ball now. Guys aren't taking many silly shots. Melo's at least touching the ball when they come down the court now. They're running the offense through him and he's making plays. He's hitting tough shots, great shots, and he's getting to the line.

"I've got to take my hat off to Coach Woodson. He's doing a great job of making sure everyone's playing hard and playing team basketball. You've got to give them credit. They're playing hard throughout the whole game. They're a great defensive team now. Especially when they get you playing out of control. But it still comes down to Melo."

Yes! It does.

Knicks assistant Darrell Walker said, "In the waning moments I looked at Melo and told him, 'The Carmelo Anthony I've known and loved all these years smiles at moments like this,'" but the Knicks will need more for Melo to truly enjoy himself.

Not just from Melo. Not just from Chandler. Not even just from Iman Shumpert, who continues to impress.

"It'll take all of us," Woodson said. "We've got 10 games left, six of them versus playoff teams. It's on the line. We'll see what happens."

Amen! And then some.

Knicks Lost against the Rose-less Bulls... :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Game really showed why the Knicks is so desperate for a consistent and dependable point guard who can distribute the ball and be the set-up man as it was painfully obvious the PG trio of Baron, Bibby, and Douglas just won't cut it in J.Lin's absence. The Knicks were out-scored by the Bulls as Melo was not able to get much scoring support from his team mates who could not create their own shot and there was no one among the Knicks PG trio consistently dependable enough to distribute the ball and set-up the other Knicks supporting cast to score in this game. And with the Knicks supporting players not really able to create their own shots and score, Knicks had to rely pretty much on the Melo show again. Melo was the only one who was able to create his own shot and score as the Knicks reverted back to playing iso basketball much of the game. The Knicks were also out-rebounded due to a lack of front court size which were turned into opportunity points for the Bulls. Because of the lack of depth, Melo played Power Forward and was able to out quick his opponent to score but was not much help in the rebounding department, though he did defend quite well. Knicks need Amare back to add size. A.Stoudmire please come back soon and help Chandler protect the rim and rebound. But this game really showed more how much the Knicks sorely miss J.Lin's ability to distribute and set up players like Novak, Schumpert, Fields, JR Smith, Chandler and others who can't create their own shots and depend on PG help to set them up to score. And it's a perfect example why I would have loved to see what a Derron Williams in a Knicks uniform would have brought on the table especially with J.Lin out. J.Lin may be a marketing cash cow but he is still pretty raw a player really but hey he's what the Knicks got so hopefully he comes back soon as this current trio of Knicks PG's really suck and can't get the job done. Until then the Knicks will continue to be in survival mode until help arrives. Hopefully help (J.Lin, A.Stoudmire, Jeffries, etc) comes sooner rather than later before it's too late.

Hope Knicks beat the Bucks tonite. Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Bulls Cut Knicks Lead over Bucks in Playoff Race to One Game
Knicks face must-win situation in Milwaukee
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/16431/must-win-in-milwaukee

CHICAGO - 'Game Seven.' 'Must win.' 'Huge game.'

Those were the words flying out of the Knicks' locker room early Wednesday morning after their loss to the Bulls.

And they all fit perfectly.

Because the Knicks will be playing the biggest game of their roller-coaster season in Milwaukee on Wednesday night.

New York's 98-86 loss to Chicago cut its lead over Milwaukee for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference to just one game.

So the importance of Wednesday's game can't be understated.

"It’s probably one of the biggest games of the season for us, and we gotta approach it like that," Carmelo Anthony said. "We gotta be ready. Forget this game, it’s behind us. We gotta move on."

They sure do.

If the Knicks lose on Wednesday, the ramifications could be damning.

A defeat would put them in a tie for eighth place with Milwaukee (28-29). But they'd lose the tie-breaker with Milwaukee based on head-to-head match ups (the Bucks are 2-1 against New York this year.)

"It's a must-win for us," Tyson Chandler said. "We have to approach this as if it's a Game Seven playoff game in all honesty."

They'll will tip-off in Milwaukee less than 20 hours after the final buzzer of Tuesday's game against the Bulls. Not an easy task, even by the standards of the condensed season.

"It is what it is," Anthony said.

It certainly is.

The Knicks (29-28) lost plenty of winnable games early in the season. So you could make an argument that their sluggish start has put them in this position (they were 8-15 in early February, before the emergence of Jeremy Lin.)

But what happened Tuesday night sure didn't help their cause.

The Knicks were smacked around by a Bulls team without Derrick Rose. Chicago dominated the Knicks on the interior and stifled any ball movement or spacing they had going on offense.

The Bulls out rebounded the Knicks, 51-33 and had an 18-5 edge on the offensive glass. Chicago ended up taking 17 more shots than the Knicks. The rebounding edge led to a sizable difference in second-chance points (25-5) and points in the paint (40-28) for Chicago.

"When you give a team 17 more shots, then more than likely you're not going to come up with a victory," said Chandler, who added that the Knicks looked 'flat' at times against the Bulls.

So now the Knicks are left with a win-or-fall-out-of-the-playoffs scenario Wednesday in Milwaukee. If the lost to the Bucks, they'd still have seven games to makeup ground. But no one in the visiting locker room wanted to think about that possibility late Tuesday night.

"We have to understand what's at stake," Chandler said. "Ultimately we hold our own future in our own hands."

That's true. And their future could be decided Wednesday. The 58th game of the season is now a Game 7 for the Knicks.

Knicks won against Milwaukee!

^^ Ganda nung game-tying 3 ptr ni Melo vs Bulls kahapon...bakaw na bakaw e. :D Parang "wala akong paki kung manalo o matalo tayo, basta ako titira" :D

4 straight missed FTs by the Bulls cost them the game.

Oonga! Tama! Ganyan klaseng post ang magandang basahin yung walang paninira sa iisang player lang dahil ang basketball ay isang team sport so manalo o matalo... it depends on the team effort.

Knicks won against Milwaukee!

New York Knicks Hold Playoff Destiny in Own Hands with Win over Milwaukee Bucks (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1142320-new-york-knicks-hold-playoff-destiny-in-own-hands-with-win-over-milwaukee-bucks)

The New York Knicks now have their NBA playoff destiny in their own hands after a huge win over the Milwaukee Bucks, 111-107.

It wasn't pretty, but the Knicks now find themselves two games up on the Bucks for the eighth and final playoff spot thanks to Carmelo Anthony's 32 points and 10 rebounds.

They also remain just one game back of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The win evens the season series between New York and Milwaukee and that means the Knicks won't lose out on the tiebreaker if both finish with the same record.

That being said, if the two teams do tie, it comes down to conference record, which the Knicks (23-18) have a game-and-a-half advantage over the Bucks (21-19) at this moment.

If New York can secure that tiebreaker, Milwaukee will need a three-game swing in order to take the eighth seed, so clearly the deck is stacked in the Knicks' favor.

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/652/725/140681060_crop_650x440.jpg?1334201279

OT sa KNICKS thread:lol::lol::lol:

30 rebounds by bynum,lifts lakers

That game showed that the Spurs' frontline can't match-up with the younger bigs. Just take a look at last year's playoffs.

ang dapat bawian ng lakers ngayon ay yung 4-0 nila na talo sa play offs sa dallas, pwede magkatapat sila sa 1st round 3 vs 6

Knicks win and get to keep the 8th & last play-off spot (for now). Another good game by Melo. Keep it up Melo! J.Lin and Amare come back soon! :banana: :banana: :banana:

New York Knicks: Finding A Way To Win
by Joe Caporoso
Fox Sports

The New York Knicks can be infuriating to watch at times. This season has been a bizarre roller coaster of about five different teams, all of which are deeply flawed but unquestionably talented. This current Knicks version is entirely too reliant on Carmelo Anthony on the offensive end and is still prone to mind numbing lapses on defense despite having two candidates for first team All-Defense in Tyson Chandler and Iman Shumpert.

Prior to this week starting, we knew it was very important for the Knicks to split with Chicago and beat Milwaukee if they wanted a chance to make the playoffs. They pulled it off. Last night was a textbook example of this team finding a way despite their flaws. Milwaukee gave them their best shot in their building. Monta Ellis finally woke up and ripped off 35 points. Brandon Jennings hit a number of ridiculous shots en route to 22 points. Ekpe Udoh and Larry Sanders were blocking shots like Serge Ibaka and Dwight Howard but the Knicks still prevailed.

The primary reason is that Carmelo Anthony is now finally playing as well as he ever has in his career and is actually doing it on both ends of the court. He is really thriving under Coach (Mike) Woodson's system and is playing like an All Star. Whenever the Knicks offense begins to sputter, he has gladly taken over the scoring chores to bail them out. His support on the offensive end has been erratic at best since Jeremy Lin's injury. Last Night Anthony dropped in 32 points on an efficient 13-26 from the field, along with grabbing 10 rebounds. Tyson Chandler added another 19 but really at this point JR Smith or Iman Shumper is the team’s number two scoring option.

Smith has been wildly inconsistent. He literally has zero conscience and will continue to jack up shots and make head scratching plays mixed in with making unbelievably difficult shots and distributing the ball like a point guard. Last night he was brutal for 3 and a 1/2 quarters but woke up when it mattered most and hit what turned out to be the game winning 3 pointer in the final minute.

At point guard, Baron Davis is the starter in name only. He logged a forgetful 19 minutes last night and had more turnovers than assists. For some reason Davis repeatedly drives into the paint and passes up an easy shot to attempt a difficult pass that is usually stolen. The Knicks crunch time point guard is not Toney Douglas but actually a rookie who is not even a point guard. Iman Shumpert played 42 minutes last night. We know how good Shumpert is on defense but his offensive game is quite inconsistent and still has a ways to go. He is not shooting the ball consistently but similar to Smith, doesn’t lack confidence to attack the basket.

So this is what you have with the Knicks. A team entirely too reliant on Carmelo Anthony, an erratic shooting guard in JR Smith and a rookie playing point guard in Iman Shumpert anchored by Tyson Chandler in the middle. It's a flawed but gutsy team that has shown the ability to scrap out wins. When you play defense and with confidence on offense, the wins will come. Will they come consistently enough to win a playoff series? That is the question that still needs to be answered.

sm mall of asia arena near completion
photos by FHM phils
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/539527_266918883396420_126923160729327_563336_2113720594_n.jpg

WooHoo Knicks on the roll! Wins again and is now tied for 7th spot! Finally some PG and shooting help! It's about time! Keep it up guys! Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Knicks rout Wizards, move into tie for No. 7 spot in East
ESPN/Associated Press
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320413018

NEW YORK -- Baron Davis scored a season-high 18 points on his 33rd birthday, J.R. Smith had 23, and the New York Knicks surged into a tie for seventh place in the Eastern Conference by routing the Washington Wizards 103-65 on Friday night.

Carmelo Anthony and Steve Novak also had 18 for the Knicks, who could now be looking at a playoff preview when they host second-place Miami on Sunday. The Knicks tied Philadelphia after the 76ers lost earlier Friday to New Jersey, and New York holds the tiebreaker for the No. 7 seed.

Anthony was well off his NBA-leading average of 32.4 points through his first five games in April. But he only played 29 minutes as the Knicks narrowly missed their second 40-point victory under interim coach Mike Woodson.

^^ At one point of that game, Knicks fans were chanting "47!" :lol:

Darn, kung kelan na-ESPN ang Rockets sa home court natalo pa. FFFFUUU

^^ Hehehe... Mukhang malabo to take the 4th seed. Not sure if the Knicks can really catch up with the red hot Celtics of late. Boston is playing like a Championship caliber team right now despite the injuries. They'll be hard to beat especially with the way Rondo is dishing out the ball and making assists record like that. The Heat is the one looking beatable right now. Not sure what the Heat's problem is right now but if the Knicks are in full strength and secures the 7th spot, I think it will be a real interesting series if NY gets to face Miami.

Yup didn't expect the Suns to beat the Rockets especially at home. Suns are really making a surge. Btw do they have the tie breaker in case they tie the Rockets? Rockets really need/miss Kevin Martin. Will he be back soon? Didn't realize Dragic will be a free agent. Hope the Rockets get to keep him. There's actually an article about Dragic open to hearing what the Knicks have to offer. As much as I like Dragic I'm hoping the Knicks can entice Nash instea. I think the Knicks will be better off with a veteran PG like Nash so that J.Lin can also learn from him.

Yup didn't expect the Suns to beat the Rockets especially at home. Suns are really making a surge. Btw do they have the tie breaker in case they tie the Rockets? Rockets really need/miss Kevin Martin. Will he be back soon? Didn't realize Dragic will be a free agent. Hope the Rockets get to keep him. There's actually an article about Dragic open to hearing what the Knicks have to offer. As much as I like Dragic I'm hoping the Knicks can entice Nash instea. I think the Knicks will be better off with a veteran PG like Nash so that J.Lin can also learn from him.

No clue about K-Mart's return. Pero it seems na hindi siya malaking kawalan kasi the Rockets have been performing well eh, thanks to Goran and Courtney Lee. Their season series is tied at 2-2, so I think it will still depends on how Dallas and Denver performs at this time. Langya, 6th na bumagsak nanaman :nuts:

It seems na gusto ng Rockets maglaro sa ibang homecourt. 3 straight loses na sa Toyota eh. :lol:

D-Wade: Knicks a tougher team with STAT
By Christopher Hunt
ESPNNewYork.com
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/16786/d-wade-says-knicks-a-tougher-team-with-stat

NEW YORK -- The Knicks keep looking for a consistent second scoring option and the more they look, the hungrier they become for the return of Amare Stoudemire.

Knicks players said after New York’s 95-83 loss to Miami Sunday night that they match up well with the Heat, especially if Stoudemire is back on the floor. The Knicks (31-29) fell back to the eighth spot with the loss but, with six games left in the regular season, New York could still meet Miami, not top-seeded Chicago, in the first round of the playoffs.

"From what we see today, it should be interesting,” said J.R. Smith, who finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. "Hopefully, we'll have STAT back and get him at least 90 percent by the playoffs. I think it's going to be a different story in the postseason when we have our team mates back."

Stoudemire took contact in a workout for the first time Thursday while trying to return from a bulging disk in his back. The star forward had an epidural shot to relieve the pain on March 29. The team originally said he would be out 2-4 weeks. Currently, there is no definitive answer on when he will return, but coach Mike Woodson said he "looked good" during his workout Thursday.

Stoudemire is still considered day-to-day.

Dwyane Wade commended the Knicks' resiliency and said that he expects the New York to be better and more dangerous when Stoudemire returns to the lineup.

"Amare is obviously a dynamic player," Wade said. "He's one of the best players in our game. He's always putting pressure on the defense and on the rim. No question they're a tougher team, they're a better team with him and I'm sure he'll be back and ready when the playoffs come.

"We understand they are a man down, but they've been a man down all year and always found a way to pick it up, stay competitive and be a good team despite the set backs. This is a very good team that's playing better and better no matter who's out on the court."

Carmelo Anthony put up another incredible individual performance. He posted 42 points and nine rebounds, shooting 14-for-27 from the field. Smith was the only other Knicks player in double figures.

Miami, on the other hand, got 73 points from its Big Three. LeBron James scored 29, Wade 28 and Chris Bosh scored 16 along with 14 rebounds.

Baron Davis called the Heat "a little more complete as a unit"than the Knicks are right now. The Knicks have juggled their lineup because of injuries all season and would have to adjust yet again if Stoudemire can rejoin the team in the postseason.

"Their offense is a little bit more intact, their defense is a little bit more intact at this point. When I say complete, they've just been together -- they have that established identity. We're continuing to establish ourselves. I think using these last couple games to continue to hone in on how we play ... we'll be just as good as anybody.”

The Knicks need a better point guard than the trio of Davis, Bibby, and Douglas who collectively isn't really cutting it. Hope J.Lin is able to comeback soon and get this team running/firing in all cylinders again come the post season. Just goes to show why the Point Guard position is so important in the game of basketball. Melo can't carry this team alone. Hopefully Lin and STAT will still be able to play like their old selves prior to their injuries as the Knicks will definitely need all their players healthy and playing well to have any realistic shot in the playoffs; otherwise, it won't surprise me if it's another early exit for the Knicks like last year. :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Knicks' pace hurts production in 4Q
By Jared Zwerling
ESPNNewYork.com
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/16775/knicks-pace-hurts-production-in-4q

NEW YORK -- For 3½ quarters on Sunday afternoon against the Heat, the Knicks were right in the game with the score tied at 79-79 against the East's second seed.

But then with 6:35 remaining the Knicks' offense, which had been basically run through Carmelo Anthony, had another one of those major scoring malfunctions and couldn't put up points to balance that with their new-look defense, holding opponents to 88.8 points per game since March 14 -- the second-best mark in the league during that span.

The main reason the offense fluttered in the most critical minutes of the game was because of a lack of pace, which was the first thing that Coach Woodson addressed during his news conference, and he put the blame on himself.

"I thought our pace was so slow," he said. "I mean, we've got to get the ball up the floor a lot quicker and get into our offense. We missed a lot of good shots. I thought the one stretch that we got to the penalty in the third quarter, we didn’t utilize the free throw line and kind of lived on jump shots. That's on me. I've got to get guys to understand time, score, situations. I didn't do a good job with that tonight."

A lot of the onus falls on Baron Davis, but he's still not 100 percent healthy. Previously, with Jeremy Lin in the lineup, the Knicks were able to fill the wings and run with him. While Davis has some explosive spurts during games, they're not consistent enough to put pressure on the defense and force teams to adjust on the fly.

When the rhythm is too much of the same, the defense has an advantage setting a tempo, which the Heat were able to do on Sunday. Looking ahead, Davis said that's something he needs to change.

"We just have to play at a better pace offensively," he said. "Melo is great for us in the halfcourt offense. I think for the rest of us, we have to play in a better pace. That falls on my shoulders, which I don't have a problem with, being able to push the ball up and get guys easy shots."

With that lacking, the Knicks have become more a grind-it-out, halfcourt team, and occasionally they suffer to get penetration in the lane. That happened in the final period, when the Knicks played too much beyond the arc, resorting to 3-pointers. In the last 7:31 of the game, they were 1-for-5 from downtown.

"We settled a little bit for jump shots down the stretch, and they made the shots they needed to make," Shumpert said. "It was really frustrating, but we'll regroup and get ready for Tuesday [against the Celtics]. It's obvious that we can beat [the Heat], we just have to do so. If it takes us facing them in the playoffs, then that's what it takes."

Another reason the Knicks had only one field goal from 5:45 to 2:03 to play in the fourth quarter (a Chandler slam dunk) was because they got stagnant watching Anthony too much.

"We definitely relied on him to score because he was so hot, so I don't know how you can go away from him," Chandler said. "But we definitely have to get a little more ball movement, not just from him. I want him taking shots that he's been taking, but the rest of us have to get a little more aggressive and find a way to get in the game. I think we stopped attacking a little bit. If we face the Heat again, we have to attack the basket a little more."

The man everyone was talking about after the game, Anthony, wants to see his teammates help him establish a better flow in the offense, where it's not just him all the time.

"Tonight, there were times where we didn't have any flow on the offensive end. Even when I was out of the game, we didn't have any flow. Guys were just trying to find where they were going to get the ball, where they were going to shoot the ball from. This is the first time in a long time that I've seen that in our offense. But it's just one game. On to the next. We've got Boston in here Tuesday. That's our focus right now."

panalo na naman ang LAKERS

With a little help from the referees.....




......and Jason Terry. :rofl:

^^ Hehehe... Yup they surely did! Hard for the Mavs to really defend their title as defending Champions. The Mavs are not as good as last year's team when they didn't get to resign Tyson Chandler and add to that the wasted trade for LaMar Odom. They're not even on this season's West top 5 teams I would think. In the West I think the team to beat is OKC Thunder, followed by the LA Lakers, the SA Spurs and then the LA Clippers or perhaps even the up and coming Memphis Grizzlies. Tingin ko nga mahirapan ang Lakers to beat the Grizzlies and the Thunder if Kobe is not back 100%. In the East I think it's going to go down to either The Bulls or The Heat.

Masyadong tight ang competition out West. Playoff positioning pa lang tight na.

yehey pasok sa Finals ang BMEG :banana:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5LZFBy22PXs/TGjw7EDGiAI/AAAAAAAAQQM/GkXZ3gSFU0E/s400/krisaquino.jpg

^^ :lol: :lol: :rofl:

Sana manalo ang Manong Brigade bukas. :D

Sana nga :)) Para mas maraming bugbugan. :lol: Ganitong ganito ang mga teams noong unang panahon. :D

NBA preseason game slated at MOA Arena? (http://www.smprime.com/smprime/index.php?p=587&type=2&sec=49&aid=11931)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Philippine Star By Joaquin Henson
MANILA, Philippines - There is a plan to host an NBA preseason game at the soon-to-be-launched P3.5 billion Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena and if ever it pushes through next year, the NBA players should feel right at home in the state-of-the-art 64,085 square meter facility which is patterned after the Atlanta Hawks’ stadium Philips Arena.
Macapagal said the US architectural company Sink Combs Dethlefs used the Philips Arena as its model. “Our first basketball game will be played during the NCAA season opening,” said Macapagal. “All the UAAP games will be played at the MOA Arena starting in July. We are now talking with the PBA to hold some games. Next year, we hope to host an NBA preseason game or an NBA invitational exhibition like the All-Star Game that was held in Manila during the lockout.”

All-Star weekend sana, kaso naka-sched na siya sa Houston next year at sa New Orleans sa 2014.

NBA preseason game slated at MOA Arena? (http://www.smprime.com/smprime/index.php?p=587&type=2&sec=49&aid=11931)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Philippine Star By Joaquin Henson

I hope it will be an NBA preseason game between the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets so we can see 1st hand who's a more valued player between Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams.

i prefer Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics

and i hope that we will have 2 pre-season games with Miami Heat and chicago bulls

even the tickets priced in dollar

i prefer Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics

and i hope that we will have 2 pre-season games with Miami Heat and chicago bulls

even the tickets priced in dollar

Wow a new poster with a very familiar posting style! Now how do you think will average Filipino NBA fans afford to buy tickets priced in dollars? Whoever planned that NBA preseason games here thought of bringing the NBA to the Filipino masses not just to rich Filipino NBA fans.

Yup I agree Miami Heat is a good choice given their big 3 (LeBron, D.Wade & C.Bosh) are certified NBA superstars and will surely be a big attraction and New York Knicks would be a good choice as well with Melo and Amare but especially because of the Linsanity factor/phenomena. Given that Lin is of Asian Heritage/Origin, siguradong sold out yan lalo na Pinoys are basketball crazy at laki na rin ng Chinoy population sa Pinas. Would not surprise me if Chinese tourists even fly down to Manila just to watch J.Lin play. They should also show it in the big screens so that those who can't afford to watch it live can atleast have the chance to watch it still like the Pacquiao fights. Heat and Knicks would be my choice. Anyway just wishful thinking... :) :) :)

OT: Someone got banned and returned back with a new name! Mods please do an IP check. :cheers:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/292661_10150968721448378_655383377_13142207_1892266304_n.jpg

Was at the knicks vs nets game last night. The prudential center looked and sounded more like you are the garden. With all the knicks fans present. parang naging homecourt tuloy nila. hehehe

Although i never got to see Lin and Stoudamaire, It was all okay since the knicks won , thanks to melo and company, they led the game from start to finish.

It was kinda historic game too, since it will be the last time these 2 teams will meet each other ever, since the NJ Nets will cease to exist and will move to the east river in nyc, as the Brooklyn Nets.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/292661_10150968721448378_655383377_13142207_1892266304_n.jpg

Was at the knicks vs nets game last night. The prudential center looked and sounded more like you are the garden. With all the knicks fans present. parang naging homecourt tuloy nila. hehehe

Although i never got to see Lin and Stoudamaire, It was all okay since the knicks won , thanks to melo and company, they led the game from start to finish.

It was kinda historic game too, since it will be the last time these 2 teams will meet each other ever, since the NJ Nets will cease to exist and will move to the east river in nyc, as the Brooklyn Nets.

Is that for real? Carmelo Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York City and the very reason why he chose to play for the New York Knicks was to be close to his birthplace. This could be a bad omen!

Yes, that's true. Mikhail Pokhrov will move his team next year at the brand new Barclays Stadium located in Brooklyn.

Is that for real? Carmelo Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York City and the very reason why he chose to play for the New York Knicks was to be close to his birthplace. This could be a bad omen!

^^yup, they are moving April 30,2012.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575959_10150819127056873_745056872_11865056_164106136_n.jpg


and i was in the Garden where the Knicks played the Celtics, the night before they played the Nets. It has indeed the best place to watch the NBA, or any sports or event for that matter. The crowd was electric and you can feel the excitement in the atmosphere.



https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/292661_10150968721448378_655383377_13142207_1892266304_n.jpg

Was at the knicks vs nets game last night. The prudential center looked and sounded more like you are the garden. With all the knicks fans present. parang naging homecourt tuloy nila. hehehe

Although i never got to see Lin and Stoudamaire, It was all okay since the knicks won , thanks to melo and company, they led the game from start to finish.

It was kinda historic game too, since it will be the last time these 2 teams will meet each other ever, since the NJ Nets will cease to exist and will move to the east river in nyc, as the Brooklyn Nets.

WooHoo! The Pacers beat the Bucks, thus ensuring that the Bucks cannot finish this season with a better record than the Knicks. This is very important because the Knicks hold the tiebreaker with the Bucks which means the Knicks are guaranteed to finish above the Bucks in the standings. Simply put: no matter what happens, the Knicks are play off bound for sure with the Heat or the Bulls as 1st round opponent. It's good Amare will be back by then, Go Knicks! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Amare Stoudemire returning soon
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7835110/new-york-knicks-amare-stoudemire-says-return-regular-season-ends

Amare Stoudemire reiterated that he will return before the end of the regular season. "Absolutely, I'll be back before the playoffs," Stoudemire posted on his YouTube channel, STAT TV.

According to a report by Yahoo! Sports, Stoudemire will return Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the Knicks have officially listed him as day to day. The team clinched a playoff berth on Thursday night after the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers.

Stoudemire has been out since May 24 with a bulging disk in his back. Interim coach Mike Woodson said Stoudemire 'possibly' can return to the lineup on Friday against the Cavaliers.

The Knicks had hoped to see Stoudemire test his injury on Thursday in a scrimmage at the team's practice facility.

According to a team spokesman, the Knicks were unable to hold the scrimmage because they didn't have enough players available.

Stoudemire is expected to participate in the team's shootaround on Friday morning, giving him another opportunity to test his back injury before the game.

In the video, Stoudemire said he's been working on strengthening his back and has "no doubt" that he'll be back at 100 percent health.

"It was a bulging disk, so whenever that happens your back goes into a spasm," he said. "So you want to take care of that as soon as possible and that's what we're doing now."

If Stoudemire does return on Friday, Woodson said he will insert the power forward into the Knicks' starting lineup.

Carmelo Anthony had been starting at power forward in place of Stoudemire. Woodson has said that Anthony will move back to small forward when Stoudemire returns. It is unclear who will be removed from the starting five, but Landry Fields, who has been struggling, is a possible candidate.

The Knicks are 9-4 without Stoudemire, but they have lacked a consistent second scorer without him -- a role Stoudemire could conceivably fill.

"Carmelo's been playing great basketball. Iman Shumpert's playing great defensively. Tyson Chandler's having a phenomenal season so far.... So, collectively, we're playing total team basketball, which is fun to be a part of," Stoudemire said in the video. Stoudemire was shooting around 40 percent from the field and averaging 17 points -- well below his career averages. But before he went down with the back ailment, Stoudemire was averaging 18 points on 57 percent shooting in the five games before his injury.

Some observers thought Stoudemire may even come off the bench upon his return to the lineup, both to give the second unit a boost and to keep he and Anthony from sharing the floor. Both players' statistics from this season indicate that they are less productive when playing with one another.

But Woodson has said repeatedly that Stoudemire would return to the starting lineup, when he is healthy enough to play.

"I've got to make it work," Woodson said earlier this week of the Anthony-Stoudemire pairing.

Anthony has carried the Knicks in Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin's absence (Lin suffered a knee injury and last played on March 24). Anthony is averaging 32 points on 51 percent shooting in April -- sizable increases from his season averages of 22.6 points per game on 43 percent shooting.

Speaking after the Knicks' 104-95 win over New Jersey on Wednesday, Anthony said nothing will change when Stoudemire returns. He is looking forward to having his fellow All-Star back in the lineup.

"That's another body that we're missing that we definitely can use," Anthony said. "Another rebounder, another guy we can go to; we don't have to rely on me every night. So I'm looking forward to having Amare back."

bad luck Howard, his drama ends this season..:ohno:

Who will win the top seed in the West?
Spurs or Thunder????

Rockets. :rofl:

Mas gusto ko OKC. Gurang na ang Spurs e :nuts:

bad luck Howard, his drama ends this season..:ohno:
^^
Hindi rin siya makakalaro sa 2012 London Olympics. :ohno:

Amare and Melo search for offensive rhythm
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/17286/amare-knicks-search-for-offensive-rhythm

The fact that Amare Stoudemire played 27 minutes of injury-free basketball in the Knicks loss to the Cavaliers was about the only thing that pleased Knicks coach Mike Woodson on Friday.

"It was good having Amare back," Woodson said after the Knicks lost 98-90 in Cleveland. "I thought he played decent at spurts, but again, as a unit, we just didn't compete. And that's unacceptable."

In his first game since March 24, Stoudemire was effective at the offensive end, drawing fouls and finishing uncontested layups, but he struggled to keep Cleveland's active frontcourt off the boards. He ended up with 15 points and 3 rebounds.

Despite Cleveland's plus-20 rebounding advantage, Stoudemire was pleased with his first game back after missing 13 with a bulging disk in his back.

"I feel great. I feel really good out there," Stoudemire said. "As the game went on I felt more and more comfortable. I felt my rhythm coming back a lot faster. It's that muscle memory. Once you get going again, it just comes back to you."

Much was made of whether Stoudemire could complement Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks' first option. On Friday, as the two combined for seven turnovers, their offensive chemistry looked like oil and water.

The Knicks' offense, already adjusting to playing with reserve point guard Mike Bibby, was out of sync as it searched for ways to include Stoudemire in the offense. Anthony dictated their possessions and often took his defender one-on-one while the remaining four players tilted off to one side. Anthony ended up with 12 points in 5 for 13 shooting.

"We're not really concerned about the flow," Anthony said. "Guys have to make adjustments and things like that. As far as the offense goes, he can come right in and get back to where he left off at."

In the five games before Stoudemire's back injury, he was averaging 18.6 ppg and 8.6 rebounds.

Fellow big man Tyson Chandler was impressed with how Stoudemire responded: "I thought he looked well, moved well. It's gonna take some time for him to get back into the rhythm, for guys to get in the rhythm with him being out there, but I thought he looked very fluid out there on the floor."

"There's no reason to panic right now," Stoudemire said. "We feel like we can do some damage in the postseason."

NBA preseason game slated at MOA Arena? (http://www.smprime.com/smprime/index.php?p=587&type=2&sec=49&aid=11931)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Philippine Star By Joaquin Henson

This is really possible now that SM MOA Arena will be finished real soon.

Laki siguro ng ilulugi ng SMART-Araneta pag nagopen na to next month.

^^ panung malulugi ang Araneta? eh diba dun pa rin naman maglalaro ang PBA at UAAP? o baka naman sa MOA Arena na rin sila maglalaro :D talagang malulugi

I believe the UAAP will also play at the MOA.

Based on the news article, MOA Arena operations senior manager Jacob Macapagal said that they are now talking with the PBA to hold some games in MOA Arena.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/72950_10150988813573378_655383377_13177115_257426650_n.jpg
last weds. at the prudential center for the knicks vs nets game.

Dapat di Metta World Peace kundi Metta World War! :lol: LMAO with the "ovation of ignorance". :lol: :banana2: :lol:

Based on the news article, MOA Arena operations senior manager Jacob Macapagal said that they are now talking with the PBA to hold some games in MOA Arena.


We shall see how things go with this. With Smart partnering with Araneta, I expect MVP to pressure the PBA to play most games at the Araneta Coliseum.

Who will win the top seed in the West?
Spurs or Thunder????

Nandito ka pala yung nagmura saken sa PM dahil nabuking na ikaw ay isang poster na nag-double account dahil na-banned yung isang account mo! mahuhuli ka rin ng mga moderators dito may pamura-mura at pagbabanta ka pa ah at higit sa lahat hindi ako cebuano!

^^:lol::lol::lol::lol:,andoon ako:lol::lol::lol:

im 100% sure that lakers will won this year NBA champions


.

^^:lol::lol::lol::lol:,andoon ako:lol::lol::lol:
saan?


.:uh:

I find it ridiculous how the amount of time OKC's Harden is out of circulation directly affects the length of suspension the NBA will now very likely impose on Metta World War in the coming days.

^ Haha. Oo nga. Since malakas-lakas si Harden, Metta World War will get less days of suspension than otherwise he deserves. Putek kung si Durant yun, baka na-coma na and hence, maybe life ban parusa ke MWW. :lol:

;90665928']^^ panung malulugi ang Araneta? eh diba dun pa rin naman maglalaro ang PBA at UAAP? o baka naman sa MOA Arena na rin sila maglalaro :D talagang malulugi

NCAA at UAAP games this year will be hosted by MOA Arena.

UAAP Host for this year is the NU. Nu is owned by the Sy family. Ayun. :naughty:

im 100% sure that lakers will won this year NBA champions


.

Champion na pala Ser, won na e...ahihihi joke lang po ha :D

^ Haha. Oo nga. Since malakas-lakas si Harden, Metta World War will get less days of suspension than otherwise he deserves. Putek kung si Durant yun, baka na-coma na and hence, maybe life ban parusa ke MWW. :lol:

:lol: :lol:

Fear the Beard! :lol:

Nasty is how I can best describe the elbow Metta World Peace threw out which hit James Harden on the head. Simply uncalled for and sadly very ironic given his name is World Peace no less. Throwing an elbow generally falls into the 1-2 game suspension category, but this one had nothing do with fighting for the ball or clearing space but an unprovoked attack on a player who was not even part of the previous play. Metta bumped into Harden and then bang his elbow to Harden's head. WTF? If memory serves me right the player who lowered his shoulder and gave Blake Griffin a concussion was suspended for 2 games so I can only expect Metta to be suspended far more than that. I think it's only right that Metta be suspended severely for what he did and the suspension should definitely be atleast more than the number of days Harden, the player he injured, will be out due to a concussion. Harden is still lucky because actually Metta's elbow could have hit him on the face had he not been already turned to the side. Imagine if instead of the back of the ear the full force of that elbow hit the side of the face, it could have easily fractured the cheek and/or eye socket. And given that this is not the first time Metta exhibited such vicious and violent action on the court (remember the nasty clothesline move he did on then Dallas PG JJ Barea, and how about that infamous brawl with fans during his Pacer days) so accordingly Metta's punishment for this obvious elbow job should definitely be severe enough to teach him a lesson and to set an example that such actions will not be tolerated in order to deter others from hurting their fellow NBA players. If the Lakers will be without Metta for an extended period during the post season, I just don't see LA going far in the playoffs given there's just too many good teams in the West that can actually beat a depleted LA Lakers team.


METTA ELBOWS HARDEN

gP23pOHv7A0&feature=related

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/523272_350685378312859_189902237724508_908182_998251825_n.jpg

:lol:

(photo from FB)

^^
:lol:

WWE RAW AT MMA Champions tong dalawang to!!!


anyway!!! LAKERS

Punishment for the RonRon elbow could be as long as 10 games according to reports. The longer they announce Metta's suspension the higher the probability it will be a longer one. If it so happens, not much of a chance of winning the championship this year for the Lakers considering the many good teams in the West capable of beating the Lakers even with Metta playing. What more now with Metta gone. Too bad for the Thunder as well because if James Harden will not be his old self, it will open the door for teams like the Spurs, Clippers and Grizzlies to have a great shot of winning the West.


Metta World Peace Deserves Harsh Punishment
by Ben Watanabe
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/metta_world_peace_deserves_harsh_punishment_for_taking_out_very_valuable_james_harden/10632037

With one needless flying elbow, the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship hopes may have crumbled along with James Harden's body on the floor at the Staples Center.

It remains unclear how quickly Harden will recover from the concussion he sustained Sunday when Lakers forward Metta World Peace gave him a celebratory, intentional (no matter what World Peace claims) elbow to the back of the head. Harden's condition is day to day, and the league has yet to rule on disciplinary measures for World Peace.

The league is expected to weigh World Peace's actions in the context of his history, when as Ron Artest, he incited numerous senseless incidents -- the brawl in Detroit in 2004 the most notable among those. Whatever decision is made, the league must also take into account that World Peace's actions might also have cost the Thunder a championship. Harden is that important to the Thunder, and an extended absence would downgrade Oklahoma City from a viable championship contender to just another above-average team in a stacked Western Conference.

To most fans, Harden is a good, complementary player to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. He is the presumptive Sixth Man of the Year this season and drew praise during last year's playoffs, when the basketball public at large became aware of the versatile swingman from the small-market Thunder. He is third on the team in scoring, averaging a full 10 points per game less than Durant, and unlike forward Serge Ibaka with his shot-blocking prowess, Harden does not possess a singular skill that shows up in box scores.

But Harden is pivotal to what the Thunder do, and previous cases of other players with concussions do not bode well for a quick comeback.

Minnesota's Kevin Love suffered a concussion April 11 and was shut down for the final two-plus weeks of the season. Boston's Mickael Pietrus missed more than two weeks after sustaining a concussion, and throughout that time, the Celtics marveled at how well Pietrus responded after the first few scary days. If Harden's scenario is similarly "good," he might not return until the end of the first round or possibly the beginning of the second round.

The constant gripe with the Thunder is that Westbrook, the NBA's fifth-leading scorer at 23.7 points per game, is not a pure point guard in the pass-first sense. Westbrook tried to fit into that role the last two seasons and averaged 8.0 assists or more in both campaigns, but this season he has gone into full-on scorer mode and his assists have dropped to 5.4 per game.

That has not been a problem, though, largely because Durant has played at an MVP level, and also because Harden takes the distributing duties off Westbrook's hands at the most meaningful times. Harden does not start for Oklahoma City, but he always finishes, and his presence helped the Thunder hold onto the top spot in the West for much of the season.

The Thunder are a strong offensive team overall with an offensive rating of 106.9, which measures their points scored per 100 possessions. With specifically Durant and Westbrook playing together, the team is slightly better, as one would expect. When Durant and Westbrook are both on the court, Oklahoma City's offensive rating gets a boost to 107.8.

Here is the thing that might not be so obvious: With Harden on the court, the Thunder, Durant and Westbrook are all better.

The Thunder score more than 112 points per 100 possessions with Harden on the court, but plummet to 98.0 when he is off it. That's Washington Wizards territory. Not even Durant or Westbrook have that big an impact on the Thunder's production.

Moreover, when paired with one or both of those two stars, Harden makes the team even better. The Thunder score 113.8 points per 100 possessions when Harden is on the floor with Westbrook and 113.6 when Harden is on the court with Durant.

The league must keep this in mind as it decides on a punishment for Metta World Peace. The Lakers are a longshot to win the title this season, but any suspension for World Peace must hamstring the Lakers' title hopes in a manner that approaches how Harden's absence could affect the Thunder's chances of winning the title as well. World Peace could never be as important to L.A. as Harden is to Oklahoma City, but the league has to atleast try to find a punishment comparable to the crime in order to bring justice as well as order in this league.

^^ What happened to the New York Knicks' news?

bukas pa ang laro bro, bukas maraming NYK ang ipopost

ngayon my LAKERS lang muna at WWE, iba na ang hollywood, maraming drama,lol

7 games lang!

To be fair. Maraming charity work si Ron Artest. Medyo sira lang ang ulo paminsan minsan. Para sa akin nawala ang mojo nya simula noon nag pa under sya kay kobe.

Knicks already made it to the post season so the games left for NY until then are pretty much meaningless except for more Melo-Amare bonding time on court in preparation for the play-offs. Sadly without a good point guard like J.Lin I do honestly think New York will bow out in the first round (again) if the Knicks play the Bulls or the Heat, unless of course they move up to 6th place in the Eastern conference where they'll have a better chance. So in the mean time dito muna tayo sa LA drama with Metta. With 1 regular game left for LA, the 7 game suspension for Metta will mean 6 play-off games that LA will be without Metta. Boy did he let his team and teammates down. The exciting part is finding out who LA will actually be playing in the first round. If it's the Grizzlies or the Clippers, Lakers will probably bow out in the first round. I do hope James Harden of the Thunder is able to comeback soon and play at the same level before this Metta incident. He's an integral part of this Thunder team and their post season run. If Harden is not back like his old self, this will definitely open the door for teams like the Spurs, Clippers, and Grizzlies to have a great shot at winning the West. It's really wide open.


Metta World Peace suspended seven games
Yahoo Sports
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--ron-artest-suspended-seven-games.html;_ylt=AppO..0THPst7pSBK9b5TQM5nYcB

The NBA has suspended Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace for seven games for elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden in the head, the league announced.

World Peace will miss the Lakers' regular-season finale against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday and the Lakers' first six playoff games. If the Lakers play only four or five games in the postseason, the suspension will carry over to the start of next season.

“The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement announcing the punishment. "We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations."



No World Peace could end Lakers' title hopes
Fox Sports
http://www.foxsportswest.com/04/25/12/No-World-Peace-could-end-Lakers-title-ho/landing.html?blockID=716318&feedID=7972

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers gave Peace a chance. Again. And now they're paying the price for their misplaced benevolence.

With Metta World Peace suspended for the final regular-season game Thursday in Sacramento and the next six games they play after that, the Lakers have to figure out where they're going as the playoffs approach.

Normally, Matt Barnes would pick up the starter's minutes vacated by World Peace, backed up by Devin Ebanks and possibly even Kobe Bryant seeing some time at small forward. But Barnes is dealing with a severely sprained ankle, and two months ago Ebanks was playing in the D League. Giving Kobe more time at the three spot is likely very appealing to coach Mike Brown, but asking your star player to play a more physically demanding position after surviving a season of injuries probably wouldn't be the smartest move for Brown.

Plus, it means putting rookie Andrew Goudelock back into the rotation, and he's been averaging just three minutes in his past 10 games.

Basically, World Peace's vicious elbow to the head of Oklahoma City's James Harden has thrown the Lakers into disarray at the absolutely worst possible time.

General manager Mitch Kupchak released this statement concerning the incident:

"Metta has for the most part been a model citizen both on and off the court since joining the Lakers. Still, his most recent lapse in judgment is not to be condoned or accepted. His actions could have seriously injured another player, and his absence during this suspension will hurt our team as well. While we accept the league's decision, we will be supportive of Metta and try to help him be more professional on the court."

The Lakers have continuously supported World Peace, as the veteran could have been "amnestied"— waived, with his remaining salary no longer counting against the team's cap — after he reported to training camp overweight and out of shape. It took him months to get into something resembling game shape, and while he did his skills weren't sharp. His offense was non-existent and he kept shooting — and missing — 3-pointers; he's shooting less than 30 percent from behind the 3-point arc.

His defense, which World Peace says is the best part of his ability, was lacking to the point that he was ranked 192nd in defense among all players. And while Brown continued to give him minutes, hoping he'd see him start making contributions,World Peace went to the media, claiming Brown wasn't really a good coach, just "a video guy" who looks at the stats "too much."

It was the perfect time to send World Peace packing, but the Lakers decided to try to get something more out of their investment, so they kept him. And surprisingly he responded, playing his best basketball since coming to L.A.

In the 10 games prior to the suspension, he averaged 15.9 points and four rebounds, and was shooting 49.6 percent from the field. At the other end of the floor, he was becoming the Lakers' lock-down defender.

For the Lakers to have any shot at winning another title, they needed World Peace to continue his great play. However, now he's gone for the next seven games after assaulting a player who could have been seriously hurt. And it's not the first time he's let his team down in such a way.

Bryant stepped up for his teammate after Sunday's game, saying that "you all know (Metta) is a sweet guy."

Is he?

How does a sweet guy keep making serious mistakes — mistakes that detract from the hard work of his teammates, and jeopardize their goal of winning an NBA championship?

Some Knicks news...

Amare on last year's sweep: Left sour taste
By Jared Zwerling
ESPN

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Just over a year ago, Amare Stoudemire was looking sharp on the Knicks' bench.

But not the kind of sharp that makes opponents notice. That's because STAT was forced to dress in business casual for Game 3 against the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. And his absence left the Knicks without enough offensive firepower beyond Carmelo Anthony.

Now, in addition to Anthony playing arguably his best basketball in years (offensively and defensively), Stoudemire says his back feels "phenomenal" at the right stretch just before the postseason, and he's thinking much bigger this time around.

"We want to have more of a run this year," STAT said after Tuesday's practice at the team's training facility. "Last year, we lost in the first round. We got swept by the Celtics and it left a sour taste in our mouth. It wasn’t fun. Going out with an injury in the first round and getting swept by a team is never fun. We’re looking forward to having a deeper run."

Not only are Stoudemire and Anthony both healthy, but they seemed to play better together on Sunday, capitalizing offensively in different ways during the Knicks' 113-112 win over the Hawks. They didn't stall the offense by both settling for isolation opportunities. While Anthony mostly put up points in isolation (he had a game-high 39), Stoudemire scored nine of his 22 points in pick-and-rolls.

"Amare was phenomenal," Anthony said afterwards. "The way we played off each other -- when he had it, he had it. When I had it, I had it.’"

Of course, Tyson Chandler, who's been the primary screener this season, rested that afternoon, but Mike Woodson can't get away from using Stoudemire in that role as well. Both players will have to divide up those opportunities and also set off-the-ball screens to free up Steve Novak and J.R. Smith from 3-point range. Spacing, above all, is the most important factor, so Chandler and Stoudemire don't get in each other's way and they have enough room to slash to the basket. That will also help shooters get open.

A benefit to having Stoudemire on the court with the constantly attacking Anthony is that STAT can receive the feed down low for the dunk, as well as catch and shoot from Melo's passes. (Chandler is better suited playing inside.) Offensive balance between Stoudemire and Anthony is key, because what can't happen is that they both become stand-alone isolation scorers. That will disrupt the entire flow of the offense and allow the defense to make easier stops.

Here's one scout's take on the Anthony-Stoudemire pairing:

"The dynamic between Anthony and Stoudemire is one of the Knicks' biggest problems. I don't think they can play together. Much like oil and water, they don't mix. Anthony and Stoudemire are really very similar in that they've both got sticky fingers. The ball goes to them and they're used to being the focal point; they're used to getting isos. So they spend the next 7-8 seconds sizing up their defender or waiting to see how the defense is playing them while the others look and wait. That's not conducive to team ball nor to each other's game for that matter.

"It's a your-turn, my-turn thing, so it's hard to get into the flow. When you've got two selfless guys who are healthy and very gifted offensively, you may be able to pull it off -- kind of like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. But when one's not healthy or what he used to be, like Stoudemire is now, it doesn't work."

Overall, with Anthony as the primary isolation scorer -- not Stoudemire -- the offense will have a better flow because Melo's a better passer. Woodson needs to continue to work the ball through Anthony in his sweet spots (the midrange and post-up areas), while using Stoudemire as a pick-and-roller, and a shooter from kick outs and off down screens. And those could be set by Chandler, who then could roll to the rim for an easy alley-oop pass from STAT.

The Knicks have the frontcourt pieces to make plays, but they'll need to get creative with their two- and three-man games. They've shown glimpses of that this season, but not enough, and that's partially been due to all of the injuries the team has faced. They haven't been able to build a consistent rhythm -- and a rotation for that matter -- and those are things that will be crucial come playoff time.

"I've got to start thinking about rotations," Woodson said after Monday's practice. "I'm going to try to look at Dan Gadzuric a little bit tomorrow with all the bigs that the Clippers have to see how he fares a little bit. But I'm in the rotation mode now, trying to figure out who's going to play and where I'm going to slot guys in."


__________________________


Jeremy Lin gets some work in
By Jared Zwerling
ESPNNewYork.com

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- For the first time publicly since his injury, Jeremy Lin was seen doing some light jogging and slow-paced basketball moves during New York Knicks practice Wednesday morning.

Lin is in his fourth week of recovery after undergoing surgery to repair a small chronic meniscal tear in his left knee on April 2.

Working with one of the team's trainers and wearing a brace on his left knee, Lin gingerly moved side to side receiving passes on the left and right corners of the foul line and shooting jumpshots. Occasionally, when he got the ball, he would execute a few different dribbling patterns -- some crossovers, some behind-the-backs -- leading into a jumpshot. Afterward, he took some free throws and then did slight knee-ups from one end of the court to the other.

Overall, Lin's basketball moves looked sharp, but he moved very methodically and was hardly getting off the ground. At one point, he almost tripped over himself moving side-to-side, which caused him to be even more cautious.

"He's starting to smell the gym a little bit more now, which is great," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "I asked him yesterday how he felt after getting out running a little bit, and he said he felt pretty good. But we've got to put him through drills where he's cutting and things of that nature just to make sure that the knee doesn't swell up and he's not physically sore. I mean, there's going to be some soreness, but we've got to make sure that when he steps back out on the floor, he's able to play basketball."

Woodson hinted that the best-case scenario is Lin returning for the conference semifinals, which has been the likely timetable since his operation. The recovery was considered six weeks.

"I'd like to think if we're able to get out of this first round, he should be ready for the second round, I would think," Woodson said. "But that's not for me to determine. He's got to come to us, along with the doctors, and say that the knee feels fine and he's confident that he can cut and do things that he once did. Then, we'll put him back in uniform."

Nice win by the Knicks over the Clippers today. Looks more than likely now that the Knicks will be facing the Heat in the first round. Go Knicks! :)

La Lakers on the otherhand looks like will be facing the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Nuggets should be quite a handful for the short-handed Lakers especially with Metta suspended for 6 more games. If the Lakers are able to stretch out the Denver series and win it in the end, they should have Metta back sometime earlier in the second round where they'll need him even more. Ironically if LA beats the Nuggets quickly then it will be deeper/later in the second round before Metta is able to come back which may be too late by then.

It has always been the L.A. Lakers and the Denver Nuggets in the 1st round of the West Playoffs, and that's the very reason why Carmelo Anthony had a hard time bringing up the Denver Nuggets back then because they always meet the champions at the start of the playoffs!

Now that it's looking like the Knicks will be playing the Heat in the first round, it will be quite interesting to see how Melo will actually do with Lebron guarding him. That will indeed be a nice match-up to watch. Must see TV even if the Heat is expected to win this series. Hope the Knicks can make it exciting atleast...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6g5kRgfiwM/T5TUQgmzCzI/AAAAAAAAJvI/NOp6LhnF1DY/s1600/pba+finals+talk+n+text+vs+b-meg.jpg

Now that it's looking like the Knicks will be playing the Heat in the first round, it will be quite interesting to see how Melo will actually do with Lebron guarding him. That will indeed be a nice match-up to watch. Must see TV even if the Heat is expected to win this series. Hope the Knicks can make it exciting atleast...

A classic match! Reminds me of the days when Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning battle each other in the middle during the 1990s.

^^
It also reminds me of the brawls between these two teams. Like when Jeff Van Gundy clung to the leg of Alonzo Mourning. He held on for his dear life.

^^ Yup I definitely agree guys that this should be a classic match. The Knicks actually match up well with the Heat: Baron/Bibby vs Chalmers, JR Reid/Shump vs D.Wade, Melo vs LeBron, Amare vs C.Bosh, and T.Chandler vs J.Anthony/A.Haslem. Sana ma-upset ng Knicks ang Heat. Go Knicks!

^^ Yup I definitely agree guys that this should be a classic match. The Knicks actually match up well with the Heat: Baron/Bibby vs Chalmers, JR Reid/Shump vs D.Wade, Melo vs LeBron, Amare vs C.Bosh, and T.Chandler vs J.Anthony/A.Haslem. Sana ma-upset ng Knicks ang Heat. Go Knicks!


may pagasa pa Philly mag 7th..pero i doubt jung gusto pa nilang manalo, sinabi na ni Turner na they want Chicago sa 1st round..ibabangko na nila yung first stringers nila tonight.

^^ Yup Philly matches up quite well with the Bulls din kasi eh so all they have to do is lose the game tonight to secure the 8th spot. Anyway I'd be quite surprised if the Knicks actually lose to the awful Bobcats team who's expected to be owning the worst record in NBA history after tonight.


On a side note, good to hear James Harden has been cleared to play again for the Thunder. Hope the Metta incident has no lasting effect on his play on court since he is an integral part of this Thunder team. They need him to play like his old self - the likely 6th man of the year awardee.

Thunder's James Harden cleared to play
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/oklahoma-city-thunder-james-harden-cleared-to-play-after-metta-world-peace-elbow-042512

The good news! James Harden should be back in time for the playoffs.

Harden passed the NBA-mandated tests required for him to return from the concussion he suffered when the Lakers' Metta World Peace elbowed him in the back of the head, but the Thunder held him out of Wednesday night's regular-season finale against the Denver Nuggets.

''We decided as a group to hold him out one more game and give him 24 more hours,'' coach Scott Brooks said. ''He should be fine in our recovery practice tomorrow as a team and our practice Friday.''

The playoffs start this weekend, with Oklahoma City as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and hosting its postseason opener.

''I'm just worried about his health and want to see him back on the floor with us because he means so much to us,'' said Durant, the league's two-time scoring champion. He means so much to the city.

''It's just been tough not to see him right next to me in the locker room.''

Durant and Harden have neighboring lockers in the dressing room and the two have grown into close friends, now even sharing an agent.

When World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, reared back and clocked Harden after a dunk in the first half Sunday, it hit Durant hard emotionally.

''Maybe if I would have stopped Ron Artest from dunking that ball, he wouldn't have did it. So I kind of felt a little bit of me when he did it,'' Durant said.

''I'm just looking forward to seeing him back in the locker room.''

World Peace was suspended seven games for elbowing Harden. He'll miss the Lakers' regular-season finale Thursday night at Sacramento and then the start of the playoffs.

With Harden being cleared, it removes the concern that Artest could beat Harden back to the court if his concussion had been severe.

''James is a strong person, he's a positive person and he doesn't let anything like that bring him down,'' Durant said. ''And he didn't bring that into the locker room. ... From seeing him yesterday, you would think it never happened.''

Harden averages 16.8 points, easily the most among NBA reserves, and was two games removed from his first career 40-point outing when he was clobbered by World Peace.

''You don't win in this league without having your best players,'' Brooks said. ''You can do it for a short period of time. You need your best players.

''James has been having a terrific year. He's been one of the leaders on our team. He's been consistent. He gives us a spark, whatever we need off the bench — whether it's scoring, playmaking, defending. He's been terrific. He's a really good player.''

^^
It also reminds me of the brawls between this two teams. Like when Jeff Van Gundy clung to the leg of Alonzo Mourning. He held on for his dear life.

That was the infamous Larry Johnson vs. Alonzo Mourning fight!

http://www.donthatemiami.com/images/alonzo_mourning_larry_johnson_heat_knicks_fight.jpg

http://www.donthatemiami.com/heat/heatknicks-1-nba-fight-alonzo-mourning-vs-larry-johnson/

Knicks' key versus Heat: Slow them down
ESPNNewYork.com
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/17550/knicks-key-versus-heat-slow-them-down

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Fast and faster. The most dangerous fastbreak attack in basketball.

That's one of the main things on the minds of the Knicks heading into their first-round series against the Heat, starting Saturday in Miami (3:30 p.m. ET. on ABC).

"Miami's a team that plays great getting turnovers and they get out and run well," Amare Stoudemire said after the Knicks beat the Bobcats Thursday night, 104-84, in both teams' regular-season finale. "So if we can contain our turnovers and contain their fastbreak, we've got a great chance to win. Halfcourt defensively, we're playing as one the best in the league, but it's easier said than done. It's going to be a tough battle, regardless."

There's no denying how good the Heat are in transition, but when the pace slows down and they have to initiate their halfcourt offense, that can be a different story. One of their biggest weaknesses is halfcourt execution when the game bogs down, which is what the playoffs are all about. Grind-out possessions.

In general, the Heat's offense is mostly about beating defenders off the dribble with James and Wade, and they are two of the best at it, along with the Thunder's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook -- the equivalent of the Heat in the Western Conference. But if the Heat plays a team that can force them into grind-out possessions, which the Knicks can do because of their halfcourt defense, that's where they're vulnerable, especially if they're not making 3-point shots. Already, they don't get the ball much inside at all, and the Knicks have the ability to further disrupt their offense.

"We're a much better defensive team than we were before, and we have so many threats offensively that we can match up with their offensive threats," Stoudemire said. "I think we are even as far as our starting lineups and I think our second unit is a little bit stronger."

Overall, the Heat can end up getting very stagnant offensively in their halfcourt offense in a pressure-filled game, which hurt them in last year's Finals with Tyson Chandler being the defensive anchor for the Mavericks. And that's exactly what the Knicks want to hear -- making halfcourt defensive stops and limiting fastbreak opportunities.

"Absolutely, absolutely because it's going to come to a slow pace," Mike Woodson told ESPNNewYork.com after Wednesday's shootaround at the Knicks' training facility. "You might have one or two games in the playoffs where things just get out of hand and you have big numbers on the scoreboard. But 90 percent of the games are going to be ugly because nobody wants to go home, and only the strong is going to survive. That's how I look at it."

Stoudemire said every possession in the playoffs is very important, and that's where the Knicks' halfcourt defense comes into play, which has held opponents to 91.5 points per game since March 14 (when Woodson took over) -- the fourth-best mark in the NBA. Also during that span, they've only allowed 11.6 fastbreak points per game -- 10th-best in the league.

"It's really down to the team that makes the less mistakes normally wins the game and normally wins the series," STAT told ESPNNewYork.com at Wednesday's shootaround. "So we have a certain game plan and we have to make sure that we really study the game plan, key in on personnel and really take care of the ball. I'm very, very huge on that because turnovers in the playoffs ... You can't go a game and say, 'We lost this game because of 21 turnovers.' One loss in the playoffs can be series, so we've got to be very, very careful."

While there was a lot of debate heading into tonight about who the Knicks would fare better against, the Bulls or Heat, the Knicks themselves didn't caught up in that. They respected both teams for compiling the top two records in the East during the regular season.

Of course, that doesn't mean there's a little extra motivation heading into Miami.

"I mean, it's going to be a great matchup. A lot of rivalry history there," J.R. Smith said after the Bobcats game. "More than anything, we're ready to play. A lot of people were speculating, do we want to play them or the Bulls? I mean, it doesn't matter. In order to be an NBA champion, you've got to beat the best teams in the NBA. That's our goal and we're not going to stop until we get it."

Woodson is also excited about the matchup.

"I couldn't be happier. That's what we played for," he said. "It was a great regular season and now it's playoff basketball time. They will be ready. They're battle-tested, well-coached. It should be a good series."

Yan lang talaga tututukan ko. Walang dating sakin yung iba eh, lalo na yung Spurs-Jazz :nuts:

^^ Ditto! A Definite Must C TV! Go Knicks! :okay: :okay:

panalo ang B-Meg!!!!

WooHoo Knicks vs Heat about to start in a few! Go Knicks! One Big Fight! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Heat start title chase with series vs. Knicks
FoxSports
http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/04/28/12/Heat-start-title-chase-with-series-vs-Kn/landing_heat.html?blockID=719091&feedID=3720

MIAMI (AP) -- LeBron James started thinking about what a playoff opener against the New York Knicks would mean a few days ago. Amare Stoudemire started talking about taking down the Miami Heat a few months ago.

Here they are.

One of the most hotly contested NBA postseason rivalries of a generation ago is about to be rekindled.

The second-seeded Heat open defense of their Eastern Conference championship -- and look to take the first step toward grabbing a bigger prize -- when they host Game 1 of the playoffs against the seventh-seeded Knicks on Saturday afternoon.

Miami went 3-0 against the Knicks this season, two of those wins coming before New York ended the regular season with 18 victories in 24 outings.

"We're all looking forward to the challenge again," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday. "And what we did was recommit to an unknowable future. There's more than a handful of teams that feel exactly like us right now, that feel like they have a legitimate chance to contend for a title.

"Nothing is guaranteed. We understand that. But what can be guaranteed is our commitment to each other and to this journey."

It's the first time the Heat and Knicks play a postseason series since an epic run of four straight years of matchups from 1997 through 2000. All of them started with Game 1s in Miami. All of them went the distance. New York won the final three.

The history may add some intrigue, but the players involved this time around say they already know this one won't be lacking for spice.

"It's going to be a fun series," said Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who'll likely be matched up much of the time against James, a favorite to garner his third MVP award in four years. "It's going to be a tough series. At this point, we're just ready to play."

Still, to get ready what's coming up against Miami, the Knicks have spent some time talking about the past.

New York center Tyson Chandler's last postseason game was also in Miami -- the one where he and the Dallas Mavericks wrapped up a victory in the NBA finals last June. And yes, Chandler (who couldn't practice Friday and was left at the hotel with the flu) has talked to his new club about what it takes to capture the moment in the playoffs.

So has Allan Houston, who hit a shot to win the 1999 New York-Miami series, still a painful moment for Heat fans. Knicks coach Mike Woodson asked Houston -- now an assistant general manager for the team -- and another veteran of those series, Larry Johnson, to provide some motivation not long ago. They happily obliged.

"We shared a couple of things," Houston said. "Mostly it was about them. It really wasn't about us. It was about what they have the potential to do."

It probably hasn't been easy for either side to completely prepare for this series. For starters, the game will tip off about 36 hours after the Heat returned home from the regular-season finale in Washington.

Also, even the teams involved aren't sure what to expect from themselves.

Stoudemire played in only four games over the final month of the season because of a back injury, and he and Anthony have looked far from in synch during their time on court together in the last week.

"We're focused, man," Stoudemire said. "We've got a keen sense of what we've got to do to win. Easier said than done, but preparations have been great. Everybody's studying. So we're good to go."

For Miami, Wade has been out with a dislocated left index finger, Heat backup center Ronny Turiaf -- New York's starter in last season's playoffs -- is coming back from a hamstring problem, and Chris Bosh missed the season's final six games with his own hamstring troubles. On Friday, Bosh insisted that he's good to go.

"If I step on the court, I'm not limited," Bosh said. "If I play out there, no matter what happens, there are no excuses. If I'm out there I expect to play at a high level."

Same goes for James, who got the final two games off to rest a number of nagging issues.

He didn't wait for the Knicks to clinch the No. 7 seed on Thursday night -- Philadelphia, last year's first-round foe for Miami, also could have gotten the 7 spot if the Knicks stumbled -- to start prepping for his matchup with Anthony, J.R. Smith or anyone else New York throws his way in this series.

"Mentally, I got in on them," James said. "I didn't go through the books, I didn't go through the film session, but mentally I started thinking about the Knicks, thinking about the matchups, thinking about their personnel, things like that. The mind had already started working."

Hey, it was December when Stoudemire was overheard in the Knicks locker room saying that the team could go "hunting" in Miami this season -- and then clarifying to say the team could hunt "D-Wade and LeBron."

All in good fun, but it shows that even before the season started, New York probably figured Miami would be in its postseason path.

"We all talked about it before, playing against each other in the playoffs," Anthony said. "Right now, the time is now. I know I can't wait. I'm pretty sure they feel the same way."

Bye bye D.Rose - Torn ACL

Bye bye Knicks. No Lin No Shump No chance.

^^ Yup Knicks' Shumpert and Bulls' Rose gone with torn ACL and with that gone too are their team's chances of going to the finals. This unfortunate turn of events may have just opened the door for a Celtics vs Heat Eastern Finals.

LeBron led Heat dominates Melo, Knicks 100-67
By Brian Windhorst
ESPN.com

LeBron James stood tall above Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks in Game 1.

James scored 32 points after shooting 10 for 14 from the field, and the Heat rode the strength of what became a 32-2 run to easily beat the Knicks 100-67 on Saturday, striking first in the series between clubs that waged classic annual battles from 1997 through 2000 and are meeting for the first time since.

Dwyane Wade added 19 points in his first game back after dislocating his left index finger.

No, this wasn't redemption for falling short in last season's finals but for James and the Heat, it sure was a fine start.

James has played a lot of great playoff games in his career. In fact, he’s had some flat out fantastic Game 1s. In his first-ever Game 1, for example, he had a triple double. What was different, however, was the way James went about it.

James is not known for taking charges and he’s not known for playing without emotions. But both happened in the opener against the Knicks. It was a businesslike approach that he might aspire to but doesn’t usually favor.

There was something churning inside, that showed when he scored nine straight points after Chandler committed a flagrant foul when he hit James with a blind pick late in the second quarter. But for the most part, James operated with subdued calculation.

“As one of the leaders of this team I just want to be sharp, I’m not always going to play the way I played tonight and go 10-of-14 from the field,” James said. “But I’m going to make sure I’m in tune from start to finish and give us a chance.”

James comments afterward were generally bland and emotionless as well. It was left to others to describe the effort that splinted the Knicks defense.

“He was spectacular, his play spoke for itself,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It seemed as if he had his hands on every single play in some form or another.”

As the weekend approached, James described his pent up emotions and eagerness to get to the postseason. That manifested itself in a strong performance, the type that the Heat will need from him from start to finish in the postseason if they’re going to reach their goals. But it was devoid of matching expression from James.

Perhaps it was just the mood that struck him on this particular day. Perhaps it is James debuting a more weathered exterior after the playoff disappointments of the last three years. That will unfold in the next few weeks.

James’ play has been uneven over the last two postseasons, dazzling at times and adrift at times. Saturday it was dazzling, once again opening the conversation of this perhaps finally being the year James makes this the norm throughout the playoffs.

“I just trying to be in attack mode throughout these games,” James said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

New York Knicks suffer insult to injury in loss
Melo missing in action for Knicks, shooting just 3-for-15
By Ian O'Connor
ESPNNewYork.com
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7868288/2012-nba-playoffs-new-york-knicks-suffer-insult-injury-loss-miami-heat

The New York Knicks threw everything at LeBron James, including a vile Tyson Chandler forearm into his upper back, and nothing could stop the self-acclaimed Chosen One from choosing to make a mockery of the assault.

On a day they added injury (Iman Shumpert's) to insult (a staggering 100-67 defeat), the Knicks watched James muscle his way through a defense exposed by Chandler's flu-ridden state. The center was so useless in Game 1 that he abandoned his professional approach and delivered a cheap shot right out of that old, reliable Knicks-Heat handbook.

Chandler's blind pick honored a rivalry that belongs in helmets and pads, a rivalry that might see its first playoff romp now that Shumpert is down and out for six to eight months with a shredded knee.

Without any contact in the third quarter, the rookie grabbed his left knee, collapsed onto the court, and cried in pain. Shumpert needed to be carried off the floor, and his loss to a torn ACL and lateral meniscus will be felt across the balance of this series, however long it lasts.

But James had already established the early first-round tone, shaking off Chandler's second-quarter hit, and the Knicks, with the greatest of ease. LeBron scored 23 of his 32 points in the first half and left everyone on the losing side with this alarming question:

If their superstar could do that to our defense, why couldn't our superstar do at least half of that to theirs?

"It's a bad feeling," said Carmelo Anthony, who missed 12 of 15 shots and finished with a lousy 11 points and four turnovers.

At least Chandler had an excuse for losing his mind, for committing four offensive fouls in the first half. He was sick. It's no fun going to work when you're sick.

Carmelo Anthony was perfectly healthy when he staged his no-show at the worst possible time.

"I've got to do a lot of things better," he said. "My shot wasn't falling, I turned the ball over. It was just one of those days. ... I have to make some major adjustments come Monday."

Maybe it doesn't matter anymore what Anthony can or cannot do against James and the other active defenders Miami will run at him. Maybe Shumpert's injury eliminated any remote chance the Knicks had of scoring a best-of-seven upset, just like Derrick Rose's own devastating knee injury eliminated any shot Chicago had of winning it all.

The Knicks were already undermanned against Miami before losing Shumpert, their best perimeter defender. They had nobody to stop James, nobody to stop the Heat from reducing this to a glorified varsity-jayvee scrimmage.

It was 30-29 in the middle of the second quarter before, Mike Woodson said, "all hell broke loose." The Heat scored 32 of the next 34 points, and suddenly the notion of tanking games to face Chicago in the first round didn't seem like such an ignoble thought.

LeBron James, the leader of Miami's Redeem Team tour, the megastar desperate for his first championship ring, made the Knicks look small and weak.

"He's on a mission," Woodson said.

Melo should be on a mission, too. He won his NCAA title at Syracuse, but his past Nuggets and Knicks teams lost in the first round of the playoffs seven times in eight trips.

Anthony has never reached the Finals, so yes, he should be playing with LeBron's passion and purpose. But when James fronted him in the post, and when Miami sent help on lobs over the top, Anthony had no clue what to do.

"Our strategy and system worked for Game 1," LeBron said.

Melo missed his first seven shots, and didn't score a basket until 22 minutes had bled from the clock. A half minute later, Chandler committed his flagrant foul on James, who went down hard, grabbed his neck, and stumbled about the court in apparent agony before paying back the Knicks with the final nine points of the half.

James was at the very top of his game, making 10 of 14 shots and taking more free throws (14) than the Knicks took as a whole (11).

"He got it going early," Anthony said. "The good thing he did was he got to the free throw line. He got a rhythm at the line, got some calls going his way, and then he made some shots. Once you get a rhythm like that, your shots are going to start falling and start coming from everywhere."

Anthony should know. He was the league's leading scorer in April, averaging 29.8 points over 12 games. Melo dropped 42 on the Heat in the Garden, and appeared primed for a big series, if not a winning one.

Only James and the rest threw him something of a curve Saturday. "No," Anthony said, "I wasn't expecting that."

The Heat fronted him into oblivion, and afterward Anthony promised to study the films and counter Miami's adjustments with some of his own.

"But most importantly for me and my teammates," he said, "we just want to remain positive. The fun starts now."

On the losing side, Game 1 was nobody's idea of fun. Baron Davis' back acted up, Chandler should've stayed in bed, and the Heat allowed Steve Novak a mere two looks at the rim. Meanwhile, James and Shane Battier were making like walk-ons trying to catch their coach's eye; they staged a contest to see which guy could draw the most offensive fouls.

LeBron was playing through contact, playing through the Chandler hit and a hard foul from Amare Stoudemire, who managed a grand total of two baskets in 32 minutes. Of course, the most depressing Knicks development involved Shumpert, a kid who deserved better.

"My prayers go out to him," Anthony said.

The Knicks star said his team would recover and fast. Even the conquering James suggested his counterpart would emerge a much stronger foe in Game 2.

"He's going to make adjustments," LeBron said of Anthony, "like all great players do."

Anthony needs to be a great player Monday night and beyond. If he fails, this edition of Knicks-Heat will bow out in the first round again like last year but won't require the winner-take-all game that defined the four death matches that preceded it.

Not even close. A mediocre Melo means his team won't be taking its talents back to South Beach next week.

Now with Derrick Rose gone, I'm praying for a Celtics-Lakers match up in the Finals. I hope the Celtics can beat the Heat if ever they make it, and the Lakers can beat OKC or San Antonio.

Anyway, if ever things don't go down that way, it might be a San Antonio vs Miami match up the finals. If this happens, San Antonio will finally have fans just like what happened to Dallas when they become unintended fan favorites. :lol:

-------Battle Royal------
Lakers VS Celtics

-------Battle Royal------
Lakers VS Celtics

I want lakers to overtake celtics in the most number of championship rings :banana:

Bye bye D.Rose - Torn ACL
^^
Out for the playoffs. :ohno: