RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Carmelo Has Partially Torn Labrum

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:53:35 EDT

Carmelo Anthony has a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Anthony may need surgery to repair the injury, which he played 12 playoff games with.

The New York Knicks are hopeful that Anthony can avoid surgery with rest over the next three to four weeks.

Anthony originally injured his shoulder on April 14th and re-injured it in Game 5 of the first round against the Boston Celtics.

Anthony would likely need three to four months of recovery if he undergoes surgery.

Shumpert To Play On Knicks' Summer League Team

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:25 EDT

Iman Shumpert will play in the Vegas Summer League this offseason for the first time.

Shumpert missed last season due to rehab for his torn ACL, while the lockout cancelled the Summer League during his rookie season.

“They want to see me be more decisive offensively, which I already knew, but that would be big for me to work on this summer…and come in for training camp ready to do that,” Shumpert said.

Carmelo Hopes Knicks Re-Sign J.R. Smith

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:54:46 EDT

Carmelo Anthony would like the New York Knicks to re-sign J.R. Smith this offseason.

“Without a doubt,” Anthony said Monday when asked about Smith. “J.R. is a special player. To me, and to everybody on this team, he’s made a huge step forward as a basketball player. We look forward to that, for him to come out and be focused, the way he was focused this season, win the Sixth Man of the Year, help us to win another division title, helping us to win 50-plus games. He was a big help to this team and I definitely would love him back here.”

The Knicks could be trumped by a rival team with more cap space since they can only offer the early Bird exception beginning at $4.9 million per season.

Carmelo To Have Shoulder Examined, Right Knee Won't Need Surgery

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:10:23 EDT

Carmelo Anthony will have his injured left shoulder re-examined in order to determine how to treat it moving forward.

The New York Knicks are hopeful that Anthony will not need surgery and that it will improve with rest.

Anthony originally injured his shoulder during an April 14th win over the Indiana Pacers. Anthony reported that his left arm "popped in and out" when Kevin Garnett yanked his arm in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics.

Anthony had fluid drained from his right knee two months ago but according to the team official Anthony's knee has improved and won't need arthroscopic surgery. 

Stoudemire Wants Woodson To Make Commitment To Frontcourt

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:40:16 EDT

Amar'e Stoudemire knows his contract will not allow him to leave the New York Knicks, and he plans to meet with Mike Woodson to explain how he, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler can coexist.

“We never gave it a chance,” Stoudemire said after Indiana’s 106-99 victory eliminated the Knicks from the postseason. “So I think just the opportunity of allowing them to understand exactly what my style of play is and what I bring to the table is something that I think I’m going to have to sit down with Coach Woody and express to him."

Stoudemire has two years remaining on his uninsured contract and is nearly impossible to trade. He played just six minutes on Saturday.

“It’s tough, it’s tough,” Stoudemire said. “It’s never easy to sit there and watch. But again, it’s Coach’s decision."

Carmelo Anthony Admits Knicks Failed To Accomplish Goal

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:27:44 EDT

The New York Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, and Carmelo Anthony acknowledged the team failed in accomplishing its goal.

“It’s tough. We all know what the goal was,” Anthony said after the Pacers captured Game 6. “Everybody wanted to go to the championship. That’s the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, our run has to stop here."

The Knicks had the second seed going against the third-seeded Pacers.

“I really don’t know (what happened)," Anthony said. “I have to sit back and think about it."

Knicks Could Lose Chris Copeland In Free Agency

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:42:56 EDT

The New York Knicks could lose Chris Copeland this summer in restricted free agency.

Copeland will measure his market value after posting several strong performances in the Eastern Conference semifinals, including a 13 point, 4-rebound showing in the Knicks’ 85-75 win over the Pacers Thursday night.

The Knicks will extend a qualifying offer to Copeland, making him a restricted free agent, but they may be prohibited from matching any offer more than $3 million.

J.R. Smith Takes Blame For Knicks' 3-1 Deficit

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:42:14 EDT

The New York Knicks trail the Indiana Pacers 3-1 after losing 93-82 in Game 4.

“My frustration with myself is extremely high. I take the blame for this whole series,” J.R. Smith said. “It started off in (Game 5) in Boston... I haven’t been playing (like) myself. I haven’t been playing my part.

“I’ve been letting my teammates down. I’ve been letting my coaches down. And it doesn’t feel good.”

Smith went 7-for-22 in Game 4 and is now shooting 28.6 percent over this last six games.

“Everybody’s been encouraging me, ‘Keep shooting, keep shooting, keep shooting,’” Smith said. “I’m still trying to get to the basket, trying to get easy ones, easy layups, get to the free-throw line.

“But I’m even missing layups, too. I missed a technical free throw tonight. It’s just frustrating.”

Shumpert MRI On Knee Comes Backs Negative

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:51:21 EDT

Iman Shumpert underwent an MRI on Tuesday, which did not reveal any structural damage in his left knee.

Shumpert is expected to play for the New York Knicks in Game 4.

Shumpert tore his ACL approximately a year ago.

Iman Shumpert Expects To Play In Game 4 With Sore Knee

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:25:24 EDT

Iman Shumpert sat out the New York Knicks' practice on Monday due to soreness in his left knee, but he is expecting to play in Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

"In my mind, I'm playing," Shumpert said.

Mike Woodson also believes that Shumpert will play and wanted to be cautious by leaving the guard out of practice.

Shumpert tore the ACL in his left knee last April.

J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin are gametime decision for Game 4 with sickness.

Carmelo To Discuss Criticism From Chandler In Private

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:13 EDT

Carmelo Anthony intends to privately speak with Tyson Chandler about comments made by the latter about him being too selfish in Game 3.

"You want to take over the game or you want to make a big shot where you (should) stick to the game plan," said Chandler, not mentioning Anthony by name. "A good team wins basketball games. Unless you’re a great, great, great, great individual…and we only have a few of those come through.”

Anthony was asked about the comments on Monday.

"I really don’t want to go back and forth about that because I really don’t know exactly what he’s talking about. But if he feels that way…we’re about to get together right now and discuss that amongst ourselves and figure that out. Just get his take his perspective on that comment. And we’ll handle that internally and figure that out amongst ourselves."

Smith, Martin Miss Knicks' Sunday Practice

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:05:30 EDT

J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin missed the New York Knicks' practice on Sunday with the flu.

The Knicks will meet the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 on Tuesday.

The Knicks trail the best of seven series 2-1 after losing in Game 3 in which Smith played with a 102 degree fever.

Agent: Prigioni Interested In Return To Knicks

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:07:06 EDT

Pablo Prigioni is interested in returning to the New York Knicks for a second season.

Prigioni will become an unrestricted free agent in July.

"Pablo really enjoyed himself here, and he has interest in playing again next year," Bass said. "He's fallen in love with New York, there's no doubt. The Knicks are just a first-class organization, so it's been good all the way around."

Prigioni will likely test the free agent market.

"I do believe there will be other teams that will have interest in him, but you never know how much interest," Bass said. "If somebody came along and offered him more money, then that's a whole different story."

Nate Robinson Leads NBA In Postseason Fourth Quarter Scoring

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:47:05 EDT

Nate Robinson is averaging 8.3 points in the fourth quarter in the playoffs, up from only 4.8 points during the regular season.

Robinson’s minutes have gone up from 25.4 during the regular season to 31.5 during the postseason.

Carmelo Anthony ranks second in the league in postseason fourth quarter scoring, averaging 8.1 points.

Woodson May Leave J.R. Smith On Bench If Struggles Continue

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:06:59 EDT

Mike Woodson may bench J.R. Smith if he continues to struggle in the second round against the Indiana Pacers.

Smith is 7-of-30 from the floor in his last two games and is 1-for-7 from beyond the three-point arc.

“If he’s struggling and I feel the need, I got to pull him,” Woodson said. “I will do that as head coach.”

Woodson said he hasn’t pulled him yet because Smith is still defending well.

“He’s missing shots and he’s not playing well from an offensive standpoint,’’ Woodson said. “He’s giving a lot defensively. That’s why he’s staying out there on the floor.’’

Novak Hopes To Return From Back Spasms For Game 3

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:25:51 EDT

Steve Novak believes he can return to the New York Knicks' lineup for Game 3 on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers.

Novak has been suffering from back spasms since Game 5 of the Knicks' first round series against the Boston Celtics.

“Yeah, I mean right now we think Game 3,” said Novak.

Despite missing Game 6 against the Celtics on Friday and Game 1 against the Pacers on Sunday, Novak has felt progress during treatment and told the media no MRI will be necessary.

“No, because if it hadn’t gotten better we would have, but each day it’s gotten better,” said Novak. “We think we know that it’s tissue, it’s not a disc or anything like that.”

Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith have struggled shooting the ball recently and Novak believes his return would help space the floor for both to operate. 

Washburn Explains Voting For Carmelo Instead Of LeBron For MVP

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:12:36 EDT

LeBron James received all but one first place vote for the 2013 NBA Most Valuable Player award as Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe cast his vote instead for Carmelo Anthony.

James joked in his MVP press conference that he bet a writer from New York voted for Anthony instead of him. Washburn is the longtime beat writer for the Celtics with the Boston Globe.

"Firstly, when I submitted my vote in mid-April, I had no idea I would be the only voter to leave LeBron out of first," wrote Washburn. "This isn’t Mrs. Wilson’s class, I don’t walk around asking fellow sportswriters their answers to the US History quiz. I had no idea whom the writers were voting for, so this was no LeBron conspiracy.

"Secondly, this isn’t the Best Player in the Game award, it’s the Most Valuable Player award, and I think what Anthony accomplished this season was worthy of my vote. He led the Knicks to their first division title in 19 years."

Amar'e Stoudemire May Return In Game 3 Of Second Round

Sun, 05 May 2013 00:41:17 EDT

Mike Woodson said on Saturday it is unlikely that Amar'e Stoudemire returns to the New York Knicks in either of the first two games of their second round series against the Indiana Pacers.

But Woodson did say Stoudemire might play in Game 3 of the series.

Stoudemire has played just 29 games this season due to lingering knee injuries.

Carmelo Felt Shoulder Pop Out Of Place In Collision With Bradley

Sat, 04 May 2013 11:45:58 EDT

Carmelo Anthony felt his left shoulder pop out of place when he collided with Avery Bradley during the fourth quarter of the Knicks' Game 6 win over the Boston Celtics.

"It was a little sore throughout the whole game," Anthony said. "Then when Bradley came and hit my shoulder from behind, it really just kind of popped in and out a little bit. But I'm fine."

Anthony expects to be healthy enough to take the floor in Game 1 of the Knicks-Pacers series on Sunday afternoon.

"It's not something I come into the game thinking about," Anthony said. "Certain things I do out there on the court, I can feel it."

Knicks Win First Series Since 2000, Have Bigger Goals

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:39:44 EDT

The Knicks defeated the Celtics on Friday night, advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

"Well, it's just another step," coach Mike Woodson said after the game. "It's a major step for this organization, for our fans in New York who've been with us for many years. The players that put in all the time this summer to get to this point. My coaching staff. It's been a total team effort, but it's just one step. I'm looking at the big picture and I'm only in this for one thing and that's to try to win an NBA title and we made a major step today, but we've got a long way to go."

New York will host the Pacers in the semifinals beginning on Sunday afternoon.

"It's a big relief for myself, for us as a team, for the organization, to make that next step, which is getting out of the first round. It's something that I've been looking forward to since I came here to New York. It's something this organization has been looking forward to, it's something that the city of New York has been looking forward to. And we were able to accomplish that."

Knicks Still Targeting Second Round For Amar'e

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:44:29 EDT

There has been talk that the Knicks could get Amar'e Stoudemire back if they advance to the second round of the playoffs, and that remains the case.

Mike Woodson said this week that he wants to get Stoudemire some practice time to see how his knee responds. Stoudemire has missed New York's last 28 games following surgery. He underwent a debridement in early March.

"I don't think he's at that stage yet," Woodson said when asked if Stoudemire could play in Game 6, or a possible Game 7, against the Celtics.

Carmelo Anthony Admits Wife Should Be Upset

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:50:02 EDT

After Jordan Crawford allegedly made a derogatory comment about his wife LaLa, Carmelo Anthony admitted his celebrity spouse has every right to be upset over being brought up repeatedly.

"I would be upset too if I were her," Anthony said on Friday. "She always gets thrown into the mix of the Boston Celtics series. So I would be upset. She's her own person and at the end of the day so she has the right to say what she wants to say."

Crawford has denied making comments about LaLa, who took to Twitter and posted, "Try again. You on the bench for a reason" and then included an image that said "Strong women only intimidate weak men."

When asked about Crawford on Friday, Anthony said: "That's nonsense to me. I don't pay attention to that. I told you the other day it wasn't worth typing that."

Carmelo Struggling To Score In Isolation Against Celtics

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:38:44 EDT

Carmelo Anthony has been in isolation on 44.7 percent of his offensive plays against the Boston Celtics.

Anthony has scored just .724 points per possession in isolation for the series, down from his regular season mark of .915 points per possession.

Anthony is shooting 32.2 percent on isolation plays, and 44.9 percent on other shots.

Jason Kidd Wins NBA Sportsmanship Award

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:50:32 EDT

Jason Kidd has won the 2012-13 NBA Sportsmanship award.

Kidd won the award, which is given to a player who demonstrates ethical behavior, fair play and integrity, last season as well.

Luol Deng, Stephen Curry, Mike Conley, Nick Collison and Jameer Nelson were also nominated for the award.

Shumpert Not Thinking About Knee As He Gets Closer To Full Strength

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:45:41 EDT

Iman Shumpert tore his ACL a year ago and is not all the way back athletically, but he continues to get closer to full strength.

Shumpert had 12 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals in the New York Knicks' 97-90 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday in Game 4.

"I'm not really thinking about my knee," Shumpert said. "We've just got to win games. I've got the whole summer to work on things, to get myself to where I want to be individually, athletically. But right now, with what we've got and how my knee feels, it's good enough to play and I've got to go out there and make plays."

J.R. Smith Suspended For Game 4 Due To Thrown Elbow

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:04:27 EDT

J.R. Smith has been suspended for Sunday's Game 4 of the New York Knicks' first round series against the Boston Celtics, the NBA announced.

Smith threw an elbow and struck the chin of Jason Terry in Game 3.

Smith has averaged 16.3 points in the Knicks' three playoff games.

The Knicks have a 3-0 lead over the Celtics.

Source: J.R. Smith Likely To Test Free Agency

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:34:25 EDT

According to a source, J.R. Smith will likely opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Smith signed a one-year deal with a player option last summer.

Smith has posted a career-year in his second season with the Knicks, averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 33.5 minutes off the bench.

Stoudemire Hoping To Return For 2nd Round

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:20:13 EDT

Amar'e Stoudemire is optimistic that he can be available to return from his right knee injury in the time for the Eastern Conference Semifinals should the New York Knicks advance.

“If everything goes great, then I’m willing to play, and sooner than later, hopefully, if everything continues to improve. So we’ll see,” Stoudemire said. “I’m doing pretty good, actually. I’m progressing well, for the most part. Everything is on schedule, for the most part, as far as the recovery.”

Stoudemire was sidelined for the first 30 games of the regular season following a debridement procedure on his left knee, which he had again on his right knee on March 11.

“It’s the same exact procedure, and it may take the same recovery time, depending on the body. The body is unpredictable. Hopefully it heals sooner than eight weeks. If not, then I just have to be patient,” Stoudemire said. “The blessing is that we have such a great team and they’re doing so extremely well in these playoffs so far.

"If we continue to win, that gives me more time to really heal up 100 percent. That’s kind of the blessing that we have right now.”

J.R. Smith Wins 6th Man Of The Year

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:13:34 EDT

J.R. Smith will be named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year.

Smith averaged 18.1 points per game on 42.2 percent shooting from the field this season. His previous career high in points came in 09-10 when he averaged 15.4.

Smith had a PER of 17.6, up from 15.2 last season.

Knicks Sign Earl Barron

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:58:36 EDT

The New York Knicks have signed Earl Barron.

The Knicks had a roster spot become available following the retirement of Rasheed Wallace.

Barron played for the Washington Wizards earlier this season and was waived in December.

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