New York Knicks Blog – Page 139 – NBA Blog

Good first half in Tracy McGrady debut

Starting at shooting guard alongside Chris Duhon, Tracy McGrady looked very good and certainly better than expected in his New York Knicks debut Saturday night as the team hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder in Madison Square Garden.

T-Mac came out gunning and shot 7-of-12 for 19 points, two rebounds, three assists (two turnovers) and a steal in 17 first half minutes.

The Knicks lead 57-52 at the break.

Also in the first half, David Lee shot 6-of-9 for 16 points and five rebounds.

For the Thunder, Russell Westbrook (6-of-9) has 15 points and four rebounds. Kevin Durant (4-of-10) has 14.

The Knicks had 14 first half assists, the Thunder just six.

McGrady played six games for the Houston Rockets and has not been on the court since December 23 until tonight.

T-Mac deal: Knicks clear much-desired cap space

By Jerald Hoover

The big deal is finally done and as it seems all parties got what they wanted out of the trade: The Knicks created much-needed LeBron James cap space (for this summer’s free agency class) all the while bringing in a former All-star whom they hope can be lighting in a bottle and regain more than a glimpse of his former self. McGrady alone can be enough to entice others to come along for the ride if he looks anything he used to.

Flashy point guard Sergio Rodriguez, aka “Spanish Chocolate,” was brought in as an apparent upgrade over Chris Duhon, who seems to be devoid of any type of penetrating move. Rodriguez, while turnover-prone, is lightning quick at 6-foot-3 and has exceptional court vision.

Did the Knicks give up too much in the way of first round picks. In a word, NO! First off, first round picks are a crap-shoot at best, and yes, even those picked 1st or 2nd in the draft. Please see the file on the Clippers Michael Olowokandi and Detroit’s Darko Milicic for top picks in their respective drafts.

The Knicks are just flip-flopping on the 2011 pick, and yes they’re giving up the 2012 pick, but it’s Lottery-protected. Not only that, if one thinks about it the Knicks could always parley someone like Wilson Chandler to a team for a first round pick.

The Rockets not only rid themselves of McGrady and his high maintenance ways (according to them), but they bring in a young scoring stud in Kevin Martin to go along with Aaron Brooks in the backcourt. They should be extremely explosive. Swingman Trevor Ariza should have a field day.

The Sacramento Kings gained a young forward in Carl Landry who should help down low with Jason Thompson.

Jerald L Hoover is a producer and director of a Mount V, NY basketball documentary: Four Square Miles to Glory.

Tracy McGrady ready to rock

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

“Just stay tuned,” Tracy McGrady said. “This is not the same Tracy from last season, when I was hobbling on one leg. That’s not going to be me. I’m a lot more explosive, a lot more confident in my leg. What I’ve been as far as rehabbing, I feel I can do everything I can do in the past.”

“I’m pretty close to being 100 percent. With surgery, I know Allan Houston had it, a lot of guys who had surgery ended their careers. I’ve worked extremely hard to not allow myself to be one of those players where I can’t prolong my career.”

It has been exactly a year since McGrady’s microfracture right-knee surgery derailed his career.

“Last couple of years, I’ve been injured,” McGrady said. “I recognize that. You got one of the best players in the league that’s going to be a free agent, Bosh, Dwayne, Stoudemire. Those guys are on top right now. I will do what I have to do for two months and I can get my name back in there.”

Tracy McGrady would take pay cut to play with stars in New York

The AP reports:

“I’ve made a lot of money over my career and I could retire right now and I could be fine financially. My kids can be fine when they get older. Money is not an issue for me,” McGrady said.

“So if these guys were to bring in a LeBron, a D-Wade, along with a Chris Bosh or a (Amare) Stoudemire, I’d be a damn fool to not want to stay here. So I’m just telling you right now that I will definitely embrace the opportunity to be here. Money is not an issue.”

McGrady said the Knicks were his preference once Houston decided to try to trade him, adding he would have sought a buyout if he were sent elsewhere. He finally got his wish Thursday in a three-team deal that included Sacramento, saying he was disappointed this season by a lack of communication from Rockets management.

“I didn’t know. I really didn’t know,” McGrady said. “And that’s just the unfortunate situation, that I just like for management to be upfront and honest with me. That’s all I ask, honesty. And if we can’t sit and have a conversation eye to eye and be honest with me, then all the respect and trust goes out the window.”

Knicks waive Brian Cardinal

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that the team has waived forward Brian Cardinal.

Just a day ago, the team traded Darko Milicic for Cardinal. It was mainly a financial-related transaction.

The 6-8, 240-pound Cardinal has an NBA career average of 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds on 41.2% shooting in 15.7 minutes per game. His best seasons came with the Warriors in 2003-04 (9.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and with the Grizzlies in 2004-05 (9.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg).

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner says: Knicks fans will miss Brian Cardinal and his contributions, but the pain and loss they’re feeling will ease with time. The Cardinal era was a great one for the Knicks, but even legends must someday say farewell and move on. (Note to new basketball fans: I’m kidding. Cardinal just arrived a day ago and now he’s already gone.)

New Jersey Nets will temporarily move to Prudential Center in Newark

The New Jersey Nets have needed a new home, whether in Newark or Brooklyn or your backyard, and good news that’s been expected for a while is finally materializing: The team will, temporarily at least, play in what InsideHoops.com considers a terrific basketball arena in Newark, New Jersey.

The Newark Star-Ledger reports:

The Nets are making a fast break to Newark.

After months of speculation over whether the struggling NBA team would leave Izod Center in the Meadowlands for a two-year stay at the new Prudential Center in Newark, a deal was struck today to allow the Nets to break their lease for $4 million and move to Newark, according to officials involved in the negotiations.

The early termination fees could be offset in part by advertising, suite revenue and other credits.

The agreement came after the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority voted in secret to approve the deal at a special meeting this morning. A formal announcement is expected later today by Gov. Chris Christie.

The plan will have the Nets and Devils playing together in the state’s largest city. The move is temporary, with the Nets still planning to move to a new arena in Brooklyn by the start of the 2012 basketball season.

We consider this fantastic news, for the Nets and all basketball fans around the area. Both New Yorkers and New Jersey residents will find it easier to get to the arena. InsideHoops.com attended a Nets preseason game in the Prudential Center, and we loved the building. It’s clean, a great basketball arena, and very easy to get to by public transportation.

UPDATE: NETS CONFIRM TEAM WILL MOVE TO NEWARK

Brett Yormark, the Nets President and CEO, released the following statement regarding the Nets’ upcoming interim relocation to Newark’s Prudential Center, which will begin with the upcoming 2010-11 NBA season. This precedes the team’s permanent move to Brooklyn, planned for 2012.

“Our planned interim relocation to the Prudential Center in Newark represents one of the many positive steps to take place for Nets Basketball during the next few months. This temporary move not only gives our fans a state-of-the-art arena with the first-class amenities common in most NBA buildings, but also provides our players with a great atmosphere in which to play.

“Additionally, before we make our permanent move to Brooklyn, this interim relocation to Newark enables us to continue our goal to further regionalize the team, not only in Essex and Union Counties, but also in New York City due to the direct mass transit access available between Manhattan and the Prudential Center. We are confident that the NBA family will see this as a positive move, as we do. We look forward to being part of the community in Newark and will continue our extensive community outreach in the area.

“I would like to sincerely thank Governor Christie for his support and leadership in making our interim relocation to the Prudential Center a reality. I would also like to express my appreciation to Mayor Booker and Jeff Vanderbeek for their steadfast efforts throughout this process.”

Knicks trade Darko Milicic to Timberwolves for Brian Cardinal

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that the team has acquired forward Brian Cardinal from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for center Darko Milicic and cash considerations.

Cardinal, 6-8, 240 pounds, has career averages of 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 354 games over 10 NBA seasons with Detroit, Washington, Golden State, Memphis and Minnesota. Originally drafted by Detroit in the second round (44th overall) in the 2000 NBA Draft out of Purdue, Cardinal is averaging 1.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 9.0 minutes in 27 games this season with Minnesota.

Milicic, 7-0, 275-pounds, was acquired by New York from Memphis in exchange for swingman Quentin Richardson on Jun. 25, 2009 and averaged 2.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 8.9 minutes in eight games as a Knick. Drafted by Detroit with the second overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft, Milicic has career averages of 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 345 career games over seven NBA seasons with Detroit, Orlando, Memphis and New York.
InsideHoops.com adds:

A trade of this magnitude changes not just the face of the NBA and sports in general, but of humanity and the future of our existence on this planet.

Nate Robinson trade soon

For the last day or two, a hot NBA rumors story has been that the New York Knicks may trade Nate Robinson to the Boston Celtics. Possibly for guard Eddie House.

Early Wednesday afternoon, a source told InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that a trade is “to be expected” — and “quite likely.” It was not word that a deal was officially done. This is not a confirmation of an agreement. But it sure sounds close to happening.

This comes about 45 minutes after Robinson, posting on Twitter, quoted some lyrics to the Eminem song “When I’m gone.” The actual lyrics are: ‘When I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn, rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice.’

Both Robinson and House are scorers, though Robinson is the wilder, younger and more explosive of the two.

UPDATE: Knicks trade Nate Robinson to Celtics.

Channing Frye a rare big-man three-point shooter

It’s 2010 NBA All-Star weekend, and Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye, who emerged as a terrific outside shooter this season, is in the NBA Three-Point Shootout.

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports (via blog):

Will Channing Frye be more 2008 Steve Nash or 2005 Quentin Richardson?

Nash finished last in his most recent try at the Three-Point Shootout two years ago. Richardson won the thing as a Sun in 2005.

Four-time participant and 1997 Shootout victor Steve Kerr, the Suns’ GM, likes Frye’s chances and figures he is a better candidate than teammate Jared Dudley, whose 46.9 percent 3-point shooting ranks third in the NBA and ahead of Frye’s 43.3 percent.

“He shoots it so easily,” Kerr said. “I always felt big strong guys might have a bit of an advantage, like Dirk. They just shoot it so easily. Channing’s got such a quick release and he doesn’t have to use a lot of legs. In theory, he could do pretty well.

Whether he wins the event or loses, it’ll be fun seeing the 6-11, 245-pound Frye go at it.

Danilo Gallinari has sore right forearm

New York Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari suffered a sore right forearm Tuesday night as the team hosted the Sacramento Kings.

NBA All-Star weekend is February 12-14 in Dallas, Texas, and Gallinari is one of the NBA three-point shootout participants. The event takes place Saturday night.

After the game, there was good news. Speaking to InsideHoops.com and other reporters, Gallinari said he will be fine in a few days and made it clear there is no chance whatsoever that he’d miss the Shootout.