Untitled Page

New York Knicks News

Bulls 105, Knicks 102: Derrick Rose scores 15 of his 32 points in fourth quarter
February 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Maybe it was just a coincidence that one night after Derrick Rose sat out the fourth quarter of a 16-point loss to the 76ers, the Bulls' irrepressible point guard found a second wind in the fourth quarter and carried his team to a nerve-wracking 105-102 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night. Or maybe not. Maybe Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau — whether it was by design or not — made the prudent move when he ostensibly gave up a long shot at beating the Sixers to keep Rose fresher for the Knicks. That's the way it played out at Madison Square Garden as Rose recovered from a sluggish third quarter to play a spirited fourth quarter as the Bulls barely fended off Amare Stoudemire,"
All-Star starter Rose, again, leads Bulls to 105-102 victory
February 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"Since ending the Bulls' post-dynasty All-Star drought as a reserve in 2010, Derrick Rose, voted in Thursday as a starter for the second straight year, has made the game an annual routine. This is becoming routine as well: Following Rose's lead to prevent a two-game losing streak. The Bulls haven't lost consecutive regular-season games since Feb. 5-7, 2011 after Thursday night's 105-102 victory over the Knicks at a raucous Madison Square Garden."
In the Knick of time
February 3
Boston Herald
 
"The Celtics/Knicks matchup has gone from a Christmas Day centerpiece to an intriguing warmup slipped in two days before Super Bowl Sunday, and the players on the losing end of the last meeting believe much on their end has changed. For one thing, the Celtics, who may miss Rajon Rondo for the eighth straight game tonight at the Garden, are now 6-2 without their starting point guard, who is still suffering from a sprained right wrist. With Rondo in the lineup, they fell behind the Knicks by a 34-23 margin on Dec. 25, rallied, and fell just short when Kevin Garnett missed a 15-footer at the buzzer in a 106-104 loss to New York."
Carmelo Anthony, All-Star berth isn't the brightest of his career
February 3
New York Daily News
 columnist Tim SMith
"Before the Knicks took the court against Chicago at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, the results of the NBA All-Star balloting were announced. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and Bulls guard Derrick Rose were selected starters for the Eastern Conference team. It was Anthony's fifth selection to the All-Star team — his fourth as a starter. But it was clear from the way that Rose — who finished with 32 points and 13 assists — was dissecting the Knicks in Chicago's 105-102 victory and helping the Bulls maintain their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference that not all All-Stars are equal."
Knicks start crucial 3-game stretch with loss to Chicago
February 3
New York Post
 
"The Knicks have been underwhelming and underachieving, and there have been reports coach Mike D'Antoni could be fired as soon as tomorrow if his team lost last night to Chicago and tonight in Boston. If so, he's halfway there after a 105-102 defeat to the Bulls at the Garden in which the Knicks' comeback against Derrick Rose and his teammates fell short just like late 3-point attempts by Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. In truth, the Knicks, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games, have showed signs of turning the corner: Anthony got back on the court, Stoudemire got back in a groove and they nearly rallied for the victory. But they were undone at the start by their own"
Rose shows 'em what star guard does
February 3
New York Post
 columnist Kevin Kernan
"One superstar point "card'' trumps all the Knicks' stars. All-Star guard Derrick Rose was spectacular last night, leading the undermanned Bulls to a 105-102 victory over Carmelo Anthony (a fellow East All-Star), Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks at the Garden. When Rose was done destroying the Knicks, he talked about his supreme will to win and how much his team hates to lose. A few minutes after that, he was inthe hallway outside the visiting locker room shaking hands with Yankees manager Joe Girardi and telling Girardi, who grew up in East Peoria, Ill., "Thank you for coming, sir.''"
Woodson strategy making Knicks predictable
February 3
New York Post
 columnist Peter Vecsey
"Despite coming into the Garden 0-8 on the road recently, the Bucks were oddly confident. They had watched a tape of the Knicks' home setback to the Suns and were happy to see them employing the same defensive principles assistant Mike Woodson used as head coach of the Hawks. "They switch on just about every play, and it creates a lot of favorable mismatches for opponents," a member of the Bucks disclosed before his team broke the schneid with a 100-86 win Jan. 20. "Check out how many times Tyson Chandler wound up having to guard Steve Nash." If the answer is Baron Davis, what is the question? Column contributor Sam Lefkowitz ominously offers some personal perspective on Baron's precarious"
Rose scores 32 points, Bulls beat Knicks 105-102
February 3
New York Post
 
"Derrick Rose scored 32 points to outduel fellow All-Star starter Carmelo Anthony, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Knicks 105-102 Thursday night. Rose had 15 in the fourth quarter and repeatedly answered when the Knicks rallied. With Chicago leading 88-83 midway through the final period, the reigning MVP scored on three straight possessions. He split Anthony and Amare Stoudemire to flip in a shot from past the backboard, then hit a 3-pointer to put the Bulls up 95-88. Stoudemire had 34 points and 11 rebounds but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 10 seconds left. New York has lost 10 of 12 and now heads into its first back-to-back-to-back since 1999 with coach Mike"
Kenyon Martin cleared to return to NBA
February 2
Yahoo! Sports
 
"In a surprising turn of events, the governing body of international basketball – FIBA – has granted free agent Kenyon Martin his letter of clearance to immediately return to the NBA, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Martin has visited with several teams interested in signing him, including Atlanta on Thursday, and will huddle with agent Andy Miller in New York over the weekend to reach a decision. The Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat are leaders for Martin, but the Hawks, Lakers, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs remain in pursuit of him. New York has faded from contention in recent weeks, sources said, because of more pressing guard needs."
Knicks and embattled coach Mike D'Antoni face three games in three nights
February 2
New York Daily News
 
"Mike D'Antoni sounds optimistic that he will have Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony for all three games over the next three nights as the Knicks get to see what they're made of. But as for his own immediate future, D'Antoni knows the heat is still on, even with his Knicks coming off an easy win over the dreadful Pistons. "The only thing (Tuesday night) proved is that I can get one good night's sleep," D'Antoni said after practice Wednesday in Greenburgh. "That's the only thing that happened. We're still 8-13, and the posse is after me. I'm running as fast as I can run. And hopefully I can turn the posse into a parade. That's my focus, and I'm working as hard as I can work.""
Embattled D'Antoni still believes Knicks can make title run
February 2
New York Post
 
"Coach Mike D'Antoni said despite the Knicks' 113-86 blowout of Detroit on Tuesday, he still feels under the gun, but has not given up on his preseason prediction of contending for an NBA title. A giant challenge awaits as the Knicks (8-13) embark on their only back-to-back-to-back set. It starts tonight when they play host to the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls, who entered last night with an 18-5 record. The Knicks play in Boston tomorrow and play host to the Nets Saturday as the lockout-reduced schedule rears its ugly head. "The only thing [Tuesday] night proved is I could get one good night's sleep this week,'' D'Antoni said. "That's the only thing that happened. Other than that, we're"
Knicks make 'point' to look at Cavaliers' Sessions
February 2
New York Post
 
"As the Baron Davis injury saga gets increasingly murky, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni didn't dismiss a query about the club's potential interest in a long-time target, Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions. D'Antoni didn't knock down the possibility of upgrading the roster, and the Knicks also are linked to free agent Kenyon Martin. The Cavaliers are shopping Sessions, and the Knicks have had interest since 2009 free agency when they were close to a deal. Perhaps D'Antoni didn't evade the question because he's trying to light a fire under Davis, whose debut is delayed because he was unable to compete in scrimmages Monday or yesterday because of back soreness."
Kenyon Martin deciding which contender to join
February 1
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Kenyon Martin is expected to decide by this weekend which NBA team he'll join, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks have expressed interest in signing the veteran forward. Martin signed with Xinjiang Gyang Hui of the Chinese Basketball Association, but has since returned to the United States. He's not eligible to sign with an NBA team until Xinjiang's season ends, which could be as soon as Feb. 16. "He's a veteran guy who knows how to win at a high level and in a playoff environment," one NBA general manager said. "He also plays multiple positions. If you get him to a situation"
Knicks get visit from awful Detroit Pistons at perfect time, run away with 113-86 laugher
February 1
New York Daily News
 
"Carmelo Anthony had a bounce in his step and more confidence in his jumper. Apparently a little rest, not to mention the arrival of the Detroit Pistons, can do wonders for the Knicks and their best player. "My legs felt great out there tonight," Anthony said. "I felt refreshed, just taking off these five, six days that I did, it really helped me out big time. I could feel me having my explosiveness back. Anthony, who missed the last two games, scored 25 points in his return as the Knicks crushed the dreadful Pistons, 113-86, at the Garden. It was as if Melo and his teammates suddenly discovered the secret cure for their bumps, bruises and losing streak."
D'Antoni buys time
February 1
New York Post
 columnist Kevin Kernan
"These are the cold, hard facts. A coach's No. 1 job is to win. His No. 2 job is to get the players to play together. On both accounts, Mike D'Antoni has failed. There must be more nights like last night for D'Antoni. His Knicks roughed up the woeful Pistons, 113-86, at the Garden to up their record to 8-13 as Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup after missing two games with assorted injuries. Melo played a complete game, getting his teammates involved instead of being a ball-stopper. That was the difference. "We played hard, we played with energy,'' said Anthony (25 points, six assists) of the Knicks, who compiled 25 assists."
Knicks' Baron Davis still not ready to return from injury
February 1
New York Post
 
"Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni acknowledged Baron Davis was too sore to practice Monday, and believes Davis' Knicks debut may not take place until as late as "next week.'' "We all wanted things earlier,'' D'Antoni admitted. "But we want when he comes back he could stay back and not risk the in-and-out and all that stuff.'' Davis, who has not played this season because of a back injury, is expected to return to practice today. During the condensed lockout schedule, practice time is at a premium, which is why D'Antoni wanted to ease Davis in during games to remove the rust. But Davis has wanted no part of that."
Melo's return sparks Knicks
February 1
New York Post
 
"This is exactly what Knicks owner James Dolan envisioned when he traded for Carmelo Anthony — greatness. This is what Dolan envisioned when he held Landry Fields out of that deal — a dynamic teammate for Anthony. Desperate for a victory, a healthier Anthony returned from a two-game absence and breathed life into a dying season as the Knicks clobbered the woeful Pistons from start to finish in a blissful 113-86 victory at the Garden. Anthony, in his most efficient, selfless performance of the season, scored 25 points, made 9 of 14 buckets, was 2 of 3 from the 3-point line, made all five of his free throws and dished out six assists."
Melo's stand on D'Antoni: I like Mike
January 31
New York Post
 
"With the Knicks an underachieving and underwhelming 7-13 coming into tonight's game against the Pistons, it's no shock Mike D'Antoni's job security is being questioned. Even D'Antoni admitted himself with gallows humor that it's cause for concern. But Carmelo Anthony backed his coach, and Amar'e Stoudemire insists the talk hasn't crept into the locker room. "We don't talk about that," Anthony said. "Anytime teams are losing, that's the first thing that comes to mind, the coach. But we don't talk about that. We support Mike 100 percent. "We deal with it. He's here with us, we're here with him, and we're going to roll with that.''"
Knicks Anthony, Davis hurting
January 31
New York Post
 
"The Knicks got a double dose of bad injury news yesterday with Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis sitting out practice, and both listed as doubtful for tonight's game against the Pistons at the Garden. Davis missing his first practice opportunity in a week is concerning, despite coach Mike D'Antoni's refusal to call it a setback. Meanwhile, Anthony hopes to play after missing the last two with ankle, thumb and wrist injuries. He admitted the ankle is worse than he thought, and he'll test it in a rare home shootaround, possibly scheduled for his benefit."
Knicks owner James Dolan gives coach Mike D'Antoni silent treatment
January 30
New York Daily News
 
"What was once identified by Mike D'Antoni as a "little crisis" is evolving into a full-blown catastrophe. The Knicks can't win, score or stay healthy. They've lost nine of their last 10 games and in doing so D'Antoni's job security is now a daily topic, one that no one in the organization will publicly discuss. Garden chairman James Dolan doesn't speak to the media and interim general manager Glen Grunwald is barred from doing so."
Amar'e deflects heat from coach
January 30
New York Post
 
"At the very least, embattled Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has the support of Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. Those players' cutting postgame remarks late Saturday night in Houston were aimed at their teammates — not a coaching staff under fire. Stoudemire and Chandler have been around the league long enough to know D'Antoni will go from lame duck to dead duck soon if the club continues to come unglued. The Knicks next play tomorrow against the Pistons at the Garden. Stoudemire ripped some of his mates for not studying the game plan and "reading the board'' before games. Stoudemire, who mostly has been upbeat, is calculating in what he says to the media and his accusations serve a"
Point-ed critique of Baron
January 30
New York Post
 
"Some Knicks are surprised point guard Baron Davis did not make his debut on their four-game recent road trip, according to a person familiar with the situation. Despite the club's crisis-level 1-9 slide in their past 10 games, Davis — who has not played this season because of herniated disks — keeps postponing his Knicks debut after returning to practice one week ago because he feels he is not sharp or strong enough yet in scrimmages. Davis' return still is up in the air, and a source said it could be one week before he makes his Knicks debut. Davis will practice today in his first 5-on-5 scrimmage since last Monday, and unless he looks terrific, he won't play tomorrow against the Pistons"
Hurting Anthony just needs to heal
January 29
New York Post
 columnist Peter Vecsey
"If players only love you when they're playing, imagine how tough they are on themselves for deciding against suiting up. The pressure from within to play, no matter how hurt, is far more demanding than the subtle suggestions of a team's medical staff, behind-the-back criticism of coaches and teammates, or mindless indictments by the media. As a result, ailing athletes must be rescued from their self-destructive competitive spirit. The renowned and repulsive illustrations of athletes who have made time for the pain are incalculable. That's the trouble — their occasionally imprudent reasoning is celebrated from sea to shining shore by people who live paycheck to paycheck and regularly must"
Knicks' Shumpert off the point
January 29
New York Post
 
"The Iman Shumpert starting point guard experiment ended last night. Toney Douglas was promoted to starting point guard last night for rookie Shumpert, but then played so poorly he got benched for third-string Jeremy Lin for the final 20 minutes of the Knicks' 97-84 loss to the Rockets. One week ago, Lin was in the D-League rather than being wasted on the Knicks bench. D'Antoni said the move also was made to get Shumpert, who had 11 points on 5 of 13 shooting, more time at small forward in the absence of Carmelo Anthony, who has shut it down for a couple of games to rest his assorted ailments. But D'Antoni gave an indication Douglas could stay there when Anthony gets back, pending the Baron"
Knicks fall to Rockets; Amar'e says team unprepared
January 29
New York Post
 
"The Rockets own the Knicks' first-round pick this June from the Tracy McGrady trade. It seemed unfathomable entering the season the issue of the picks' protection rights ever would come up. But as the Knicks flounder without a true point guard and look more beat up and ragged by the game, the notion of that pick being a lottery selection is no longer absurd. The Knicks could even get it back, as the pick is protected through five. The Knicks, playing again without the resting Carmelo Anthony, were clobbered, 97-84, by the Rockets as coach Mike D'Antoni's club has lost nine of 10 and have fallen to six games below .500 at 7-13. The point guard situation is such a complete mess that D'Antoni"
Source: Sixers inquire about Stoudemire
January 29
CSN Philly
 
"Last year at this stage of the season, Amare Stoudemire was the toast of New York. Every time he stepped to the foul line during games at Madison Square Garden, Stoudemire was serenaded with, "M-V-P!" chants and was cited as the catalyst for the resurgence of the Knicks. These days Stoudemire and the Knicks are struggling to a degree that the inevitable trade chatter is beginning to heat up. According to a league source, the Sixers have inquired about Stoudemire, though it was categorized as "due diligence." Nothing is said to be imminent or even in the early stages other than just talk, the source said. Nevertheless, in past seasons the Sixers were reportedly discussing trade scenarios"
Knicks' attack of threes posed trouble for Miami Heat
January 28
Miami Herald
 
"It seems the Knicks might have dragged some New York weather with them on their trip to Miami. The Knicks made it rain for three quarters Friday, launching 34 three-pointers and connecting on 15. But the Heat weathered the storm, and by the fourth quarter Miami's suffocating defense proved too much. Miami held New York to 3?of?9 from beyond the arc in the final period, and the Knicks managed just 18 points. "Once [New York] started to hit a few [three-pointers], they all got into that three-point party and they all started getting into a rhythm," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It became contagious. It felt like they hit 30 of them." While Miami drove the ball into the paint in the first half,"
It lacks punch, but Heat-Knicks still a heavyweight bout
January 28
Miami Herald
 
"The New York Knicks might be a mess but there's still life in the old rivalry with the Miami Heat. There were no brawls Friday night, nothing reminiscent of P.J. Brown's slam of Charlie Ward or Alonzo Mourning's fistfight against Larry Johnson. And former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy was broadcasting the game rather than attaching himself to Mourning's leg like a rabid Yorkie. Pat Riley must have rolled his eyes at the 53 three-point shot attempts and the lack of bruising defense. Despite all the water under the bridge since the late 1990s, Heat-Knicks still delivers great entertainment. This one was close until the Heat blazed ahead in the last five minutes to win 99-89. Dwyane Wade was"
Knicks flame-out without Carmelo Anthony
January 28
New York Daily News
 
"It was unconventional, risky and just about the only chance the Knicks, minus Carmelo Anthony, had against the Miami Heat. It was also classic Mike D'Antoni circa 2005. And it almost worked. The Knicks went 3-point crazy. The more they shot, the more they seemed to make. But ultimately, the Knicks' Phoenix Suns-inspired offense was no match for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. The superstar duo scored a combined 59 points as Miami survived New York's long-range attack and escaped with a 99-89 victory Friday night. With former team president and head coach Isiah Thomas sitting a few feet from the Knicks' bench, D'Antoni's club lost for the eighth time in nine games and fell to 7-12. "We tried"
Amar'e Stoudemire can't get it done without Carmelo Anthony in lineup
January 28
New York Daily News
 
"Here were the Knicks without Carmelo Anthony against the mighty Miami Heat Friday night, and you just know that Amar'e Stoudemire had to love it. For this night and as will be the case Saturday in Houston, the Knicks were Stoudemire's team again, just as they were before Anthony came to the Garden and took over the entire Knick operation. Anthony had not made a shot in what seems like weeks and you can bet that factored into his decision to shut himself down. But the idea that he had "LeBron Flu" is preposterous. If you have watched Anthony and James go at it head-to-head over the years, you know neither backs down. They are good friends off the court and that is evident when they are on"
Baron's debut delayed again
January 28
New York Post
 
"The Knicks had hoped to get Baron Davis on the court on their current four-game road trip. But he hasn't looked good enough during scrimmages for that to happen. Coach Mike D'Antoni, whose team lost to the Heat 99-89 last night, said it was unlikely Davis will make his Knicks debut tonight in Houston, though he has had no setbacks. Tuesday at the Garden against the Pistons would be the most likely date for Davis to return. The Knicks had wanted to start Davis during this trip in a less-pressurized environment but as of yesterday, the point guard didn't have his game back. "He doesn't have a pop yet,'' D'Antoni said. "We'll wait until he can be NBA ready. He's not quite there yet.'' That"
Sitting out vs. Miami not move of a leader
January 28
New York Post
 columnist Marc Berman
"Carmelo Anthony has a sore wrist, ankle and thumb, and yesterday morning he came down with a case of The LeBron Flu. With the Knicks' nationally televised game against LeBron James and the Heat looming last night, with the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Isiah Thomas in front-row seats, Anthony bailed out. He decided to shut it down, spent the entirety of the Knicks' 99-89 loss in the locker room receiving treatment, and he also will miss tonight's game in Houston. If Anthony truly felt he couldn't help the team in any capacity last night, I'd commend him for being a team player. But more likely Anthony felt he couldn't help the image of Melo The Superstar."
Long-range shooting not enough for Knicks vs. Heat
January 28
New York Post
 
"It was Bill Walker mano-a-mano against LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. It wasn't a fair fight, but it turned out closer than anyone could have expected. With Carmelo Anthony bailing out last night to rest, the Knicks went into Miami feeling their only chance of survival was to bomb away from the 3-point line, play gritty defense and seeing where the chips fall. It almost worked, but ultimately Walker could not save them despite sinking seven 3-pointers and finishing with 21 points in the Heat's 99-89 victory at American Airlines Arena. The mighty Heat staged a parade of highlight-reel dunks while the Knicks lived off 3-pointers, but threatened to pull a major upset for more than three"
Sources: 5 teams eye Kenyon Martin
January 28
ESPN.com
 
"The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks are pursuing free-agent forward Kenyon Martin, according to league sources. Martin has spoken with executives from each of the clubs and is hoping to make his decision next week. The veteran of 11 NBA seasons will be eligible to sign and begin playing with a team as soon as the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers complete their season in the Chinese Basketball Association. Martin signed a $2.6 million deal with Xinjiang during the lockout, but left the team in late December in hopes of returning to the NBA. The CBA's rules, however, prohibit him from joining an NBA team until Xinjiang's season ends,"
Wade scores 28 in return as Heat hold off 3s-wild Knicks
January 28
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The Miami Heat finally are whole. And for a while there Friday night, they were in a whole lot of trouble against an opponent that was living by the 3-pointer to an absurd degree. But with Dwyane Wade back, and a semblance of reality eventually returning to a New York Knicks offense that somehow was over-the-top thriving in the injury absence of Carmelo Anthony, the Heat held on for a 99-89 victory Friday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. For Wade, this was no subtle return, with 18 of his 28 points coming in the first half, a start that included a Euro-step layup, a dunk and a nifty reverse layup off a feed from LeBron James. "It's a nice welcome back for that young kid, number three,""
Struggling Knicks arrive where Heat stood last season
January 27
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
""Eventually," LeBron James said as he unwound from this latest stretch of four games in five nights, "it just clicks." He was talking not about this Miami Heat run of five victories in the last six games without sidelined Dwyane Wade, but rather about last season's revival from early struggles to the NBA Finals. He just as well might have been talking to the New York Knicks, because at this moment, it is exactly what they need to hear. Having secured their own big three on a timetable that lagged behind the Heat's July 2010 free-agency haul of James, Wade and Chris Bosh, the Knicks arrive Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena looking very much like the Heat did at the start of last"
In sped-up NBA season, Knicks standing still
January 27
Detroit News
 columnist Vincent Goodwill
"Welcome to Bizarro World, otherwise known as the 2011-12 NBA season. In this truncated, 66-game sprint to the playoffs, some things look exactly as they should: LeBron James and Kevin Durant playing at MVP levels, Oklahoma City and Chicago with the league's best records and former Pistons coach Flip Saunders losing yet another locker room. Then there are the New York Knicks."
Reeling Knicks gear for red-hot Miami
January 27
New York Post
 
"LeBron James always brings out the best in Carmelo Anthony, ever since their high-school wars. The Knicks haven't seen the best of Anthony in a while. Nobody needs a good-feel night worse than the sore-wristed, sore-ankled, sore-thumbed Anthony. His disastrous shooting slump is the chief cause of the Knicks' dreadfully disappointing 7-11 start, as fans clamor for coach Mike D'Antoni' scalp. Tonight, the Knicks, who have lost seven of their last eight games, take their underachieving act into American Airlines Arena for the first showdown against Miami's Dream Team."
Heat's LeBron: Knicks need time to gel
January 27
New York Post
 
"LeBron James compared the Miami Dream Team's slow start last season to the Knicks' current malaise, but stopped short of calling them contenders for the Eastern Conference title. "It takes time,'' James said Wednesday night from Detroit. "It's never going to work right overnight, and we were the prime example of that. It took us time. We were 9-8 at one point, but it took us even longer after that to become a good team, to know each other, to learn each other, what works for each other, what don't work. I think they're going through the same thing right now but people want results now. That's just the league and the world we leave in.''"
Knicks' season still has a long way to go
January 27
New York Post
 
"In 1982-83, Bernard King's first season with the Knicks, the team lost its first seven games. So, the Brooklyn native has no problem relating to the slow start of this Knicks team, which is 7-11 heading into tonight's game with the Heat. "But the difference is the expectations for this team from the outset this season," said King, who is working several games as a guest analyst for MSG Network, including tonight in Miami. "If you look at the fact that the Knicks are trying to integrate [Tyson] Chandler and Iman Shumpert into their starting rotation and develop a chemistry between Amar'e [Stoudemire] and Carmelo [Anthony] that takes a little time in an abbreviated season where you had a"
Cavs beat NY Knicks' again 91-81, send them to seventh loss in eight games
January 26
New York Daily News
 
"Are the Knicks aware that LeBron James no longer plays for the Cavaliers? For all of New York's alleged star power, not to mention the multi-million dollar contracts Garden chairman James Dolan has thrown around, you'd think that Cleveland would be no match for a lineup featuring Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. But the Knicks are so dysfunctional that losing to bad teams is quickly becoming a habit. "We have enough talent on this team but we have to figure out how to play with one another," Tyson Chandler said following the Cavs' 91-81 victory. "And we've got to figure out what it takes to win games and we have to do it consistently. To be an elite team in this league you have to be"
Knicks lose to Cavaliers as Baron Davis sits
January 26
New York Post
 
"The Knicks confirmed last night they will be a lousy team until point guard Baron Davis comes back. As currently constituted, this team stinks. Davis' debut was not last night and it might not be tomorrow in Miami, where a South Beach slaughter may await. Coach Mike D'Antoni's job is likely safe as ownership realizes the coach can't be judged until Davis is running this awful show. There was no flow, no bench, no structure, no answers and no sign of Carmelo Anthony last night as the lowly Cavaliers thumped the disinterested Knicks, 91-81, at Quicken Loans Arena for their seventh loss in eight games."
Douglas' rookie contract option exercised
January 26
New York Post
 
"The Knicks made a commitment to combo guard Toney Douglas yesterday, exercising the final year option on his rookie contract, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer. Yesterday was the deadline. But Douglas didn't repay them with a good showing last night in an awful 91-81 loss to Cleveland. Douglas, who is now the Knicks' sixth man after losing his starting point guard job to rookie Iman Shumpert, shot a pitiful 3 of 12 and 2 of 8 from the 3-point line. He also had three turnovers low-lighting another dreadful bench display."
Curry slimmer, but still has beef with Knicks
January 26
New York Post
 
"A slimmer and rejuvenated Eddy Curry tried to keep his bitterness to a minimum as he anticipates tomorrow's first showdown against the Knicks, but he admitted there are people he is not fond of in the organization. Curry, who had a terrible stint under Mike D'Antoni and may go down as one of the biggest busts in Knicks history, signed with the Heat after the lockout ended. "It feels good to be wanted," the 7-foot center said. "As far as self-worth, I always feel like I'm worth a lot. I have high expectations for myself, even when other people don't. I'm pretty much fueled from the inside and that's all that really matters.""
Knick$ valued at $780M
January 26
New York Post
 
"The Knicks are no longer the most valuable team in the NBA — but their 19 percent increase in value springboards them ahead of the Mets to become the fourth most valuable pro sports franchise in the city. The Knicks, according to Forbes magazine, saw their value grow by 19 percent to $780 million but were leapfrogged by the L.A. Lakers after the West Coast team's value soared 40 percent to $900 million. The Mets, according to Forbes, are worth $747 million."
Baron could make long-awaited Knicks debut tonight
January 25
New York Post
 
"The Baron Watch took all sorts of twists and turns yesterday. Whenever Baron Davis makes his Knicks debut — be it tonight in Cleveland or, more likely, Saturday in Houston — his former coach Paul Silas believes they will get the floor leader they have lacked this season. Yesterday morning, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni would not rule out the injured point guard making his Knicks debut tonight against the Cavaliers, who cut Davis this offseason via the amnesty provision. But after Davis performed poorly in a 3-on-3 scrimmage in the afternoon, the point guard admitted he felt it was unlikely."
Anthony scores career low as Knicks cruise
January 25
New York Post
 
"That's what Carmelo Anthony scored last night in a stunning — and perhaps telling — result. With Anthony muted, the Knicks (7-10) bombed the Bobcats, 111-78, last night at Time Warner Cable Arena to break their six-game losing streak. Anthony's one point was a career low, and it was the first time he failed to sink a field goal since Nov. 28, 2005. "I needed a night like this, where I didn't have to do too much and we still won the game by a lot,'' Anthony said. "We just had it going. Everybody had it going. I needed a night like this when I score one point and we win by 20. We all got tired of losing.''"
Baron Davis practices while recovering from herniated disk
January 24
New York Daily News
 
"Help is one step closer, Knicks fans. Veteran point guard Baron Davis practiced for the first time Monday and said that when he gets back he can assist the floundering team. "I know I can definitely help. I know I can definitely do some things out there that can help," Davis said after practice in Greenburgh. "We all need each other at this point as a team. We need to just figure out how to play off of each other and just play with a style that suits everybody and works to everybody's strengths. It's a short season, but it's a long season and we have enough time to really get it together.""
D'Antoni fiddles while 'O' burns
January 24
New York Post
 columnist Peter Vecsey
"Once Mike D'Antoni's mid-life crisis in New York concludes, the one and only question will be whether Steve Nash enters the Hall of Fame as a player or as a coach. It's one thing to appoint Nash the offensive caretaker, but, does D'Antoni honestly expect the Knicks to win as a unit by making Carmelo Anthony predominately responsible for ball movement? I understand the improbability of coordinating any kind of cohesive drone strike or ground attack without a prototype playmaker, a current affliction shackling the Knicks. However, if D'Antoni is the superior coach he was cranked up to be in Phoenix, he would have adapted his approach to the talents of the team versus a single lost soul who"