RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Jerome Jordan Envisions Role On Knicks Next Season

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 03:31:12 EDT

Jerome Jordan will play on the New York Knicks' summer league team, but he wants a permanent role on the team next season.

"I'm ready to play," Jordan said. "It was a tough year with the team [in 2011-12]. There was a lot of pressure. I'm just trying to be physically and mentally ready to play on both ends of the floor.

"Defensively, block shots and rebound, and then on the offensive end, just try to be comfortable out there."

Jordan said he was close to signing with the Memphis Grizzlies last fall.

Chandler: Kidd Had 'Couple Of More Years In Him'

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:49:09 EDT

Tyson Chandler was not surprised that Jason Kidd retired recently to eventually become head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, but he does think the former New York Knicks guard could have played more seasons in the NBA.

"I tried to [convince him]," Chandler said. "I did. I thought he had a couple of more years in him. I gave my input. I tried to tell him he could still do it, and you have a lot left in you.’’

Although Kidd went scoreless in the final 10 games of the season, Chandler does not believe he went through a slump.

“I didn’t consider it a slump,’’ Chandler said. “He’s a floor leader. He entered the game as a floor leader and leaves it as a floor leader.He didn’t make shots in the playoffs, but that’s not a slump for him. It’s everything else Jason brings.’’

Felton Accepts Increased Pressure, Leadership Without Kidd

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:18:19 EDT

With Jason Kidd becoming the Brooklyn Nets' new head coach, Raymond Felton admits he will need to take an elevated leadership role on the New York Knicks, as well as increased pressure to make smart decisions.

“I guess that means I have to step up my game a little but more, be a little bit more of a leader,” Felton said. “It’s just a little more pressure on me I guess."

Felton said he learned a lot from Kidd in their one season together with the Knicks, which ended in a loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“There was a lot of behind the scenes things going on, a lot of talking one on one with me and Melo," Felton said. “Whether it’s on the court or off the court, I learned everything from him. J-Kidd did a lot for our team this year. I wish him the best."

Tony Mitchell Set To Workout For Knicks

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:23:39 EDT

Tony Mitchell will work out for the New York Knicks on Friday.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 power forward, averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds this past season for North Texas.

“Best athlete in the draft,’’ one Eastern Conference executive said. “But he’s below average to average skill-wise and his team didn’t win this year.’’

Mitchell will be joined at the workout by Ricardo Ledo, Tahj Tate, Adonis Thomas, Christian Watford and Grant Jerrett.

Gorgui Dieng To Work Out For Knicks, Nets

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:35:40 EDT

Gorgui Dieng will work out for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets before the June 27 draft.

Dieng, a 6-foot-11, 230-pound center, anchored the No. 1-ranked defense in the country during his senior year at Louisville.

The Knicks pick at No. 24 while the Nets own the 22nd selection.

J.R. Smith To Opt Out, Likely To Re-Sign With Knicks

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:38:29 EDT

J.R. Smith will decline his player option of $2.9 million for the 13-14 season with the New York Knicks, a source confirmed.

Smith is "likely" to re-sign with the Knicks, according to a second source.

Smith averaged 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds during the regular season.

Jason Kidd Retires From NBA

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:31:31 EDT

Jason Kidd has announced his retirement from the NBA.

Kidd was the second overall pick out of California by the Dallas Mavericks in 1994.

Kidd was a 10-time All-Star and co-Rookie of the Year in 1995.

Kidd had multiple stints with the Mavericks, culminating in a title in 2011 when he had evolved into a more complementary piece. Kidd also led the Nets to multiple appearances in The Finals.

The New York Knicks had Kidd signed at $3.09 million for each of the 13-14 and 14-15 seasons.

“My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said. “As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”

Brandon Triche To Work Out For Blazers, Kings, Knicks

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:20:53 EDT

Brandon Triche will work out for the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks over the next ten days.

Triche expects to have more workouts with other teams scheduled before the draft.

A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Triche averaged 13.6 points and 3.6 assists during his senior season at Syracuse.

Nate Robinson Would Welcome Return To Knicks

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:19:16 EDT

Nate Robinson would be open to returning to the New York Knicks, according to his agent, Aaron Goodwin.

"Nate's first thought would be to remain with the Bulls, but if the Knicks' opportunity presented itself, I am sure he would appreciate an opportunity to play in New York again," Goodwin said.

Goodwin will likely seek a mid-level contract for Robinson, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1.

Robinson was drafted by the Knicks in 2005.

Woodson Has One Guaranteed Year Remaining On Contract With Knicks

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:08:14 EDT

Mike Woodson has one guaranteed year remaining on the three-year deal he signed prior to the 2012-13 season.

Woodson's guaranteed portion of the contract coincides with Carmelo Anthony's opt-out clause next summer.

Woodson has compiled an overall record of 72-34 with the Knicks — good for the franchise’s highest coaching winning percentage (.679).

21 NBA Teams To Compete In 2013 Vegas Summer League

Wed, 29 May 2013 13:52:37 EDT

The 2013 Vegas Summer League will be comprised of 22 teams and run from July 12 to July 22.

Atlanta Hawks (2010-12)
Charlotte Bobcats (2008, 2012)
Chicago Bulls (2005, 2009-12)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-12)
Dallas Mavericks (2005-12)
Denver Nuggets (2004-12)
Golden State Warriors (2005-12)
L.A. Clippers (2005-12)
L.A. Lakers (2007-12)
Memphis Grizzlies (2007-12)
Miami Heat (2010-12)
Milwaukee Bucks (2007-12)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-12)
NBA D-League Select (2009-12)
New Orleans Pelicans (2005-12)
New York Knicks (2005-12)
Phoenix Suns (2004-12)
Portland Trail Blazers (2005-12)
Sacramento Kings (2005-12)
San Antonio Spurs (2007-12)
Toronto Raptors (2008-12)
Washington Wizards (2004-12)

Amar'e To Resume Work With Olajuwon

Sat, 25 May 2013 19:39:35 EDT

Amar'e Stoudemire will resume working out with Hakeem Olajuwon for the second summer in a row, according to his training adviser Travis King.

King said the workouts will take place in August at Olajuwon's ranch outside Houston.

Olajuwon reportedly charges $50,000 a week for private instruction.

Prigioni Has No Plans To Return To Spanish League

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:16:08 EDT

Pablo Prigioni has no plans to return to the Spanish League.

“If I can choose, I prefer to play in the United States and stay in the NBA,’’ Prigioni said.

Prigioni will hit restricted free agency on July 1.

Prigioni is expected to seek a one-year deal worth about $2 million.

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."

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