New York Knicks Blog – Page 135 – NBA Blog

Clippers fans march in streets for LeBron

The AP reports:

A band of Clippers fans took to the streets outside Staples Center to show love for LeBron James.

Clippers fans march in streets for LeBron

At least 75 Clippers fans in red-and-blue gear waved signs and chanted slogans as they marched up and down Chick Hearn Court on Thursday night in the hours before Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.

With signs displaying the No. 6, which will be James’ uniform number next year, the fans chanted “We want the King!” and “L-B-J!”

Although the Clippers are a longshot in the LeBron sweepstakes after 17 losing seasons in the past 18 years, they’re among a handful of NBA teams with a combination of salary cap room, a solid supporting cast and a major media market to entice James.

A.J. Price injures knee in charity game

Indiana Pacers guard A.J. Price injured his left knee in a charity basketball game Saturday night in New York.

The extent of the injury has not been determined and Price will be examined by Pacers team doctors Monday afternoon in Indianapolis.

The Pacers finished the 2009-10 regular season with a 32-50 record, which was 10th best in the Eastern conference.

For the season, Price played 15.4 minutes per game, averaging 7.3 points and 1.9 assists.

Obama thinks LeBron fits with Bulls

The AP reports:

If LeBron James isn’t sure he can win in Cleveland, President Barack Obama thinks there’s an opportunity with his hometown Chicago Bulls.

“You know, like I said, I don’t want to meddle,” Obama told TNT. “I will say this: (Derrick) Rose, Joakim Noah it’s a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there.” …

“I think that the most important thing for LeBron right now is actually to find a structure where he’s got a coach that he respects and is working hard with teammates who care about him and if that’s in Cleveland, then he should stay in Cleveland,” Obama said. “If he doesn’t feel like he can get it there, then someplace else.”

Wilson Chandler charged with drug possession

Karen Zraick of the New York Times reports:

Wilson Chandler of the Knicks was charged with criminal possession of marijuana during a traffic stop in Queens on Tuesday night, according to law enforcement officials.

Chandler, 23, a guard and forward, was behind the wheel of a white 2010 Mercedes-Benz when the police, on routine patrol, pulled him over for driving without his headlights on at the corner of 213th Street and 94th Avenue at 11:17 p.m.

During the stop, police officers from the 105th Precinct detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to Paul J. Browne, the police department’s chief spokesman.

Mark Jackson will not be next 76ers coach

Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Mark Jackson, who seemed to be in the final stages of scheduling an interview with the 76ers for their coaching vacancy, has removed his name from consideration, according to his agent, Steve Kauffman.

Kauffman said Jackson “doesn’t feel it’s the right opportunity for him at this time.”

In the last week, Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski met with two candidates, Doug Collins and Avery Johnson, but has yet to formally meet with a third.

Before stepping out of the race, Jackson seemed poised to become Stefanski’s next official interview. According to an NBA source, Stefanski will formally meet with Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams on Monday.

LeBron James would love to own NBA team

The AP reports:

LeBron James, whose path to superstardom has followed a similar trajectory as Jordan’s, said Tuesday night before the Cavaliers faced the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of the playoffs that he would “love” to own an NBA team someday. Jordan assumed ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats in March, buying the club for $275 million from Bob Johnson.

“I would love to be in that position,” James said. “It’s a great position to be able to own a team and be able to put pieces together and make decisions.”

InsideHoops.com says:

Well, if any current player should have the money to own most or all of an NBA team by the time his playing days are over, it’s LeBron.

Bill Walker says Knicks veterans were not leaders

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Bill Walker, one of this past season’s pleasant revelations, said he believes one of the reasons for the Knicks’ 29-53 record was a lack of leadership in the locker room.

Walker, who came over from the Celtics in the Nate Robinson trade on Feb. 18, told The Post it was jarring to see none of the veterans step up in the leadership department after he spent two seasons in Boston with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

The 6-foot-6 Walker is expected to be part of the Knicks’ future. The swingman’s contract for next season becomes guaranteed on Aug. 1, and he likely is a keeper unless they need an extra $800,000 in cap space. The Knicks must round out their roster with minimum-wage players if they are to fit one or two superstars under the salary cap.

Patience a friend to Knicks fans

Steve Adamek of the Bergen Record reports (via blog):

It’s more than two months until July 1, which means the Knicks and their fans will need a lot of patience.

Patience when Marcus Camby, a likely free-agent target, decides to re-up with Portland for two more years.

Patience when Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo proclaims that Chris Bosh can expect a max-salary offer from his team.

Patience when Dwyane Wade says the Heat are “in the driver’s seat” when it comes to his future.

Patience if LeBron James says anything suggestive (or definitive) about staying in Cleveland.

That’s the problem with these next two-plus months. While the Knicks can’t do anything (officially, anyway) in terms of recruiting members of the upcoming free-agent class, those members’ teams can sign them to extensions or new deals to keep them off the July 1 market.

CC Sabathia chimes in on LeBron staying or going

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

CC Sabathia told WFAN there’s a likelier chance of his friend LeBron James leaving for New York if Cleveland wins the NBA title.

Asked about James’ thought process, Sabathia told hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno, “I think it depends on what happens this year in the playoffs and how they play, to see how close they get and if they win, how that weighs in his decision.

“I know he wants to go where he can win. I know he likes the idea of New York.”

Sabathia added, “I think if he won (a title), it would be easier for him to leave.”

Knicks may keep Earl Barron

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

In this wacky NBA world, their new 7-foot center, Earl Barron, has a better shot at returning next season than David Lee, an unrestricted free agent who may have played so well this season to have priced himself out of a return.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh told The Post last night he is interested in re-signing Barron for next season as their backup center, probably for the minimum. His 10-day contract expired last night and the Knicks will renew that deal for today’s game and the season finale Wednesday in Toronto.

“No doubt about it, I’d say we have interest in him next summer,” Walsh said of Barron. “We’re going to try to keep him here.”