Lebron James will truly be a "King" playing in New York posted by Colin Linneweber

Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown said this week that he hopes that Cavaliers basketball icon Lebron James remains in “The Forest City” after this season.

James, 25, the 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player who was born and raised near Cleveland in Akron, Ohio, will be a free agent this summer and many analysts have speculated that the “Chosen One” may opt to sign a long-term contract with an organization located in a larger market.

“Looking at the fact that this is a business, I put that first,” said Brown, 73, a three-time NFL MVP and eight-time First-Team All-Pro selection during his nine-year career with the Browns.

“But having said that, I would love to see him be here. I think it’s a terrific marriage. He does so much for this city and I think that he has an owner (Dan Gilbert) that tries to do everything he can. When you have an owner who is trying to do the best he can do and a player, it’s a terrific set of circumstances. But the business is the business.”

James, currently in his seventh pro season with the Cavs since that franchise selected him out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School with the first overall pick in the 2003 draft, is arguably one of the greatest players in NBA history already.

Brown, who Cleveland chose out of Syracuse University with the sixth selection in the 1957 NFL Draft, was named by The Sporting News as the greatest football player ever.

Brown dominated the gridiron and James is absolutely overpowering the competition on the hardwood.

Playoff Knicks??? posted by john howard

With the Knicks victory over Chicago last night, they pulled to a half game of the playoffs.

David Lee put fourth another solid performance in 18 points and 21 rebounds, along with 5 assists. 

Gallinari had a terrible night shooting, but still managed 7 rebounds, 3 assissts and 3 blocks. 

Duhon and Chandler didn't put up spectacular numbers but had solid performances.  Jarred Jeffries also played well.

Al Harrington also added 20 points off the bench and is bidding for 6th man of the year award.

That is a group that is getting better as the season goes along.  If they can get anything positive from Larry Hughes, Nate Robinson, and/or Eddie Curry, they will be in great shape.  Those players may be traded, but it could be a hard go in finding takers.  Rookies Toney Douglas and Jordan Hill have been early dissappointments, but they are young and will grow.

knicks win!! posted by john howard

The Knicks win over Charlotte isn't the biggest news of the season.  But, there are some things I liked about it.

1) Danilo Gallinari played 36 minutes and had 21 points.  He is maturing by the day.

2)  David Lee is as solid as it gets.  He is going to give you a double double every night.  He was 3 assists away from one against Charlotte.

3)  Wilson Chandler and Chris Duhon are starting to be consistent players.  That gives a nice starting five.

4)  Al Harrington can score and at times score a lot.  Then, you won't see him for a while. This is good and bad.

5)  The player I am most excited about is Jonathon Bender.  He has scored 20 points in 25 minutes the past 2 games.  He could be a very pleasant surprise and success story. 

Knicks Blow Out Best Team in NBA (12-1-09) posted by Paul Stengel

…and we know you don’t care.  This team is not going to trick me into watching it this year.  However, I have decided that I will check in on them, as one would check in on an ailing old friend.  They looked pretty good tonight, beating the Phoenix Suns, 126-99.  I’ll just give my critique of Gallinari’s play, since I know the Knicks arent doing anything this year, and Gallo’s one of the few players I know will be around next year. 

The Knicks and Suns entered the game with records that were the complete inverse of each other (3-14 to 14-3).  Gallinari looked particularly focused on this day, starting the game with a quick dunk, and a reverse layup.  After that his shot was on target the whole night.  In addition, his passing and his defense were excellent.  He never forces anything. 

I think Gallinari stands around too much on the perimeter, passively, away from the action.  Though he was calling for the ball the whole game, there were way too many possesions where he never touched the ball, even in the middle of a scorching hot shooting stretch.   One play that had me yelling at the TV: In the fourth quarter, Gallinari blocked a shot to start a break and clearly shoudlve been rewarded by getting the ball back, yet the thought never crossed any of the other Knicks’ minds.  The other Knicks don’t always look for him, but he also allows himself to fade into the background a little too much.  It seems like the Knicks could really run their offense through him. 

LeBron Makes His Only Trip to "The Garden" Tonight posted by Scott Shepherd

LeBron James makes his only trip to Madison Square Garden tonight.

For the past two seasons there has been plenty of talk about LeBron bolting his hometown of Cleveland for the bright lights of New York City.

In his career, LeBron has been fantastic at the Garden. He’s averaged 30.1 points, 6.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals in ten trips to The Garden. In his last two trips to the Mecca of Basketball, he’s had a 52-10-9 game and a 50-10-8 game.

Needless to say, all eyes will be on LeBron tonight to see if he can put on another show on Broadway.

Also on tap for tonight, the undefeated Nuggets make their only trip to Miami to take on Dwyane Wade and the Heat; the Pistons look to continue their dominance over the Magic in Orlando; and the Suns try to outrun the Celtics in Boston.

I’m gonna wear out my Directv remote trying to keep up with all the games tonight. Should be a great night of basketball.

Stay tuned…

Knicks preseason so far.... posted by john howard

So far it looks a lot like last year.  Who knows who is going to play and how well they will do.  Sounds a lot like a Dr. Seuss title. There is one thing that looks like it will be consistent and that is David Lee.  He looks like he will do a double double most every night.  Draft picks Toney Douglas and Jordan Hill have looked like rookies.  They don't look like they will add much fire power early on.  But, they are young and need time to develop.  Wilson Chandler looks like he will start and probably have the second most amount of  minutes this year.  Who will be the leading scorer?  Lee might score the most points at season's end without ever being the leading scorer in a game.  Nate Robinson has his moments as does Al Harrington and Larry Hughes.  But, they also can lay goose eggs the next night.

Danilo Gallinari looks to be the most improved.

Darko Milicic, Jarred Jeffries, and Chris Duhon should be backups that will get their share of starts. 

 This team is still trying to regroup and rebuild.  The coaching is outstanding and will make up for a lack of talent.

posted by ucatchtrout

If you think about the power forward spot on the Blazers there is only one name that really comes to mind.  LaMarcus Aldridge.  LA.  L-Train.  After three seasons with Portland Aldridge has proven to be one of the best, if not the best young power forwards in the league.  And sometime within the next month or so he will likely be rewarded for his play with a near maximum contract.
 
The draft day move that brought the former Texas Longhorn to Portland has paid off.  LaMarcus has been a good fit here in not only on the floor, but in the locker room and in the community.  Touted by many as a future all-star, he has the starting 4 spot on the Portland roster locked up. 

There isn't any question about who the starter is, but after Aldridge its power forward by committee, with veteran Travis Outlaw and rookies Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph all likely to see some PT.  Outlaw, who is in the last year of his contract, has been oft mentioned in trade rumors and will likely be playing in a different uniform next year.  Travis was drafted originally as a power forward.  He was skinny as a toothpick and we were told he would eventually grow into the postion.  Although he has put on some muscle and has been a fixture in the playing rotation over the last few seasons he is undersized for a 4, and if something were to happen to Aldridge I'd hate to see us have to rely on him as our starter.  Perhaps that is what Kevin Pritchard was thinking when he signed Paul Milsap to an offer sheet?
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I mean, really Knicks?? posted by Ondre Baronette

I hope that Mr. Donnie Walsh goes out there and gets Ramon Sessions. This young baller out of Nevada can be Raja Bell like for Mike D'Antoni's Knicks. No, he won't guard the two, but he can be a good player against the point. Raja Bell might have been a bit of an overstatement, but I really think they need depth at the point. Duhon and Douglass cannot be the full plan. I could see Monta Ellis finding his way with the team. Golden State has depth at his position, and although they are committed to him, I could see them working something out. I just believe that with the team staying the way it is, the season will be just like last year, even with the addition of Hill and Douglass. Nate and David are still unresolved, and training camp is 10 weeks away or there about. I think it's about time we see what we have. The ambiguity with which Mr. Walsh has the Knicks operating on is different, and the organization needed different, but come on. This is New York, and I know we are waiting for 2010, where the marquee players will be available, but this is just not what the fans are looking for. Draft picks aren't good enough to rally the base, and only Rubio, Curry, or Evans, would have excited the city. Hill and Douglas-especially Douglas- will prove to be well researched players. They might turn out spectacular plays, but don't have the rubber stamp, of cant miss player tag. I just want to see the organization take steps towards greatness, and it's not likely going to come from buying a team, although the Yankees may have done it this off-season. But, there were players on the YankContinue reading "I mean, really Knicks??"

Knicks still searching.... posted by Ondre Baronette

As the free agent market is all but dried up for the summer of 2009, Donnie Walsh continues to work the back channels of the team player personnel. They are even doing their due diligence, in taking a look, or speaking to former household names, such as Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Willams, and Jamal Tinsley. These players are passed their prime, but i guess put in the right situation, help a team contend for a championship. But, contend for the bottom seed in the playoffs? I don't think so. My opinion is that of, making sure the New York Knicks have an identity on the basketball court. Last year an identity was being established. They had the ability to put points on the board. Much like any team that is given the freedom to play, and not have to be robotic in running plays all the time. Their defense caused them to falter down the stretch. Their inability to have a stable head given them sound direction and passing. If The Knicks had the Chris Duhon of the first half of the season, during the second half of the season, they still don't make it to the playoffs. I thought that Duhon was only a good signing if he had Marbury there also. (I guess Duhon wished he really consider that Orlando offer, and Walsh offered him that money early in the free agency period if i remember correctly.)

           Nash wouldn't have helped the team any either, because he would need a healthy Eddy Curry in the middle to spread the court some more for the rest of the team. But, as constituted right now, if they add Sessions, they can fight Chicago, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Toronto, for the bottom seeds. I figure Detroit will be bad this year, Washington takes their place. Boston will be good, along with Atlanta, Cleveland of course, Orlando, Chicago, and Miami too. ( I put them in 2010 order on a next post, East and West.) It took 39 wins to win an 8th seed in the East last season, and that number should go up. Last year, it was only because of Detroit's salary dump, and Larry Brown team figuring it out late, with the trade also, did the number dip. The Knicks, probably won't win 40 as constructed. But Eddy Curry is the key, and the reason for this blog. 

What are the Knicks doing?!?! posted by Anthony Arroyo

Why aren't the Knicks doing something to better themselves this offseason?

Seriously.

The organization is so far up their butts looking into the 2010 season that they seem to care less about what is going on this year. Sure, they might be making all the right moves to give LeBron James the most money that is available to a player, but regardless of money, why would James leave when he won't have very many options around him.

He wants money, but more than anything, he wants a ring. And if he wins the 2009 NBA Championship, you better believe that he will not be leaving Cleveland.

Then what? Project LeBron becomes a failure. Tracy McGrady? I'm sure he would love to play in New York, but at the stage of his career, he wants a ring. Plus, didn't he flirt with the idea that he may retire once his contract is up?

Manu Ginobli, Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton? Once again, good prospects, but they aren't coming to play for New York. Stephen Jackson? Probably not either. How about the bigger names:

Amare Stoudamire
Dwayne Wade
Chris Bosh
Dirk Nowitzki
Josh Howard
Mike Redd

The most likely one that the team could get is Stoudamire, because he has played in D'Antoni's system and likes the coach. Plus, the Knicks could easily give the guy the kind of money he thinks he deserves.

If Miami lands Odom, they will be tough out East. Wade already said he enjoys the beach in Miami and if his organization is willing to get players that he wants on his team, he is not going anywhere. You better believe that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is going to do all that he can to keep Nowitzki and Howard on the team for years to come. They will be tough this year, and if everyone stays healthy, they could make a title run.

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Knicks' Jeffries, Harrington day to day (AP)

Forwards Jared Jeffries and Al Harrington are questionable for the New York Knicks' game at Washington on Saturday. Jeffries missed the second half of the Knicks' 106-104 loss to Toronto on Thursday because of a hyperextended right knee. An MRI exam Friday confirmed a bone bruise, and the team said Jeffries would be listed as day-to-day. [read full article]

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