The Knicks and Nets continue to trade insults.

The two clubs will face off on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Knicks recently released a radio ad tweaking the Nets, stating "Hey Nets. You can walk like us, you can talk like us, but you ain't never gonna be like us."

Just hours before the game, Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov responded to the radio spot.

"I don't think we want to be like the Knicks. I think we'd more like to resemble the Lakers," he said in a statement.

Hawks guard Jamal Crawford hasn't received the contract extension he desires from the team, which means he'll likely become a free agent next summer.

The Knicks, one of Crawford's former teams, will have cap space and the guard is open to a return to New York.

"I would definitely listen," Crawford said.

Amar'e Stoudemire says that he was never taught defense.

Stoudemire says defense is more a priority now for him than ever before in his career.

"When trying to win ball games, defense is what does it," Stoudemire said. "Getting stops, getting rebounds ... it's imperative for me to bring that defensive intensity."

Stoudemire doesn't argue that his reputation as a poor defensive player was well deserved in Phoenix and seemed to suggest that former Suns and current Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni was indirectly responsible.

"It was fair," Stoudemire said. "I was never taught defense. I just never was taught it in high school and also in the NBA."

When the renovation of Madison Square Garden is finished, spectator bridges will hang from the ceiling, allowing a bird's-eye view of the playing surface.

The bridges are expected to be functional by October 2013.

"They'll be like no other seat in professional sports or entertainment," MSG President Hank Ratner said.

"I think probably the Green Monster [at the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park] is the only thing you could come to making the comparison. But these are going to take it up a notch -- because you're on bridges."

The Garden renovation is expected to cost $775 million to $850 million and will change the entrance, seating, concourses and displays of the arena.

The Knicks are keeping tabs on the progress of Vernon Goodridge, a 6-foot-9 Brooklyn native who was the last cut of the Warriors in October and is now playing for New York's D-League affiliate.

Donnie Walsh likes the 26-year-old Goodridge's leaping ability and defensive tools.

Kelenna Azubuike says his left knee is feeling good and he could make his debut with the Knicks next week.

"It's holding up fine, and I'm getting more confident," he said. "I'm getting excited."

Azubuike completed a full practice with New York for the first time on Tuesday.

"They want me to get in more practices," Azubuike said.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh underwent hip-replacement surgery last week and plans to return to his office within two weeks.

"I'm feeling pretty good," Walsh told The New York Post. "That's what I'm shooting for. I'm thrilled I had it done. It needed to be done."

Walsh had put off hip surgery for six years and has needed a walker or wheelchair since late June after unexpectedly undergoing spinal cord surgery.

The New York Knicks? Amar`e Stoudemire and the Oklahoma City Thunder?s Russell Westbrook today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively for games played Monday, Nov. 15, through Sunday, Nov. 21.

Stoudemire averaged 29.0 points on .608 shooting from the field, 9.5 rebounds and compiled eight blocks, leading the Knicks to a 3-1 week on a four-game west coast road trip.  The Knicks? captain posted a point/rebound double-double in each of New York?s three wins during the week and scored a season-high 39 points while adding 11 boards in a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.

Westbrook led the Thunder to a 4-0 week, averaging 23.0 points, 7.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds.  With 7.3 seconds remaining, Westbrook connected on two free-throws at Milwaukee to help secure the team?s fourth consecutive victory.

On Monday, Kelenna Azubuike participated in a five-on-five scrimmage for the first time since his left knee was operated on early last season.

No timetable for Azubuike's return to action has been announced.

LaLa Vazquez, the wife of Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, says she's not pushing her husband to play for the Knicks.

Anthony has a three-year, $65 million contract extension on the table from Denver that he's yet to sign. There has been speculation that he'll soon play for the Knicks or Nets.

Vazquez insists she's not the driving force behind the rampant speculation that her husband will end up in New York.

"Wherever he's going to feel comfortable is where I want him to be," she said. "If that's here in Denver, then we are happy to stay here in Denver."

Anthony told reporters that he's not ruling out staying in Denver but is keeping his options open.