New York Knicks Blog – Page 40 – NBA Blog

Former Knicks J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert now key NBA Finals players

Former Knicks J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert now key NBA Finals players

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on a pair of former Knicks who are now key members of the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers:

LeBron James and Stephen Curry — league MVPs, past and present — obviously will dominate much of the discussion when the NBA Finals finally commence between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night at Oracle Arena.

But the local flavor is undeniable, as well, as former Knicks J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert are riding shotgun alongside James in search of a championship barely five months after Phil Jackson dumped them for almost no return in January.

“It’s a dream come true, to be in the Finals and be in this situation,” Smith said before Cleveland’s practice on Wednesday. “Going from the worst team to the best team, or one of the best teams, it’s unbelievable. It’s hard to put into words.

“But we talk about it often. We just hope we make the best of the situation…You have to take advantage of it.” …

Shumpert, who figures to draw the primary assignment of guarding Curry with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving nursing multiple injuries, added that he feels “blessed” for the opportunity to play “on the big stage” of the Finals.

Draft lottery disappointment for Knicks

Draft lottery disappointment for Knicks

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the Knicks, who after Tuesday’s Draft Lottery only came away with the No. 4 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft:

Phil Jackson did not hit the jackpot, and he did not even land the all-important consolation prize.

The pain and embarrassment of the worst season in franchise history did not result in the Knicks winning the lottery for the second time in 30 years on Tuesday night – or even finishing in the top-2 – as the Ping-Pong balls determined they will select fourth overall in the NBA draft on June 25.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, which had a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery as the NBA’s worst record, were awarded the top pick and the right to choose between the consensus top two prizes of the draft class – 19-year-old big men Karl-Anthony Towns of Kentucky and Jahlil Okafor of Duke.

Queens gym being named after Anthony Mason

Queens gym being named in honor of Anthony Mason

The late Anthony Mason was an awesome NBA player, and is dearly missed. Here’s the New York Daily News reporting:

Springfield Gardens Education Complex in Queens will honor the memory of its most-decorated basketball player on Thursday when it names its gymnasium for former Knick Anthony Mason in an afternoon ceremony.

Mason, one of the signature players on Pat Reilly’s mid-1990’s Knicks teams, died at age 48 on Feb. 28, less than a month after suffering a heart attack.

“It’s a wonderful way of honoring my pops,” said Anthony Mason Jr., the former St. John’s star. “He really cared about his school.”

Isiah Thomas now president and part-owner of NY Liberty

Isiah Thomas now president and part-owner of NY Liberty

The New York Liberty and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas today announced that Mr. Thomas has been named team president, with responsibility for basketball and business operations. Mr. Thomas has also taken an ownership interest in the team.

It’s very surprising that Thomas is once again working for the Garden. According to the New York Post, “during a disastrous stint as Knicks president and coach, Thomas was implicated in a sexual harassment involving former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders, who received an $11.6 million settlement from the Garden in 2007 for a hostile work environment.”

“In the fall, Isiah and I began discussions about a possible role for him with the Liberty. Since that time, Isiah has been advising the team, and we are very pleased with the results. He has overseen the strengthening of our coaching staff, with the return of three-time WNBA Champion head coach Bill Laimbeer and the hiring of Herb Williams as assistant coach, as well as our recent free agent signings, draft strategy, trade for Epiphanny Prince and the return of Liberty legend, Teresa Weatherspoon,” said Mr. James Dolan, executive chairman, The Madison Square Garden Company. “Now, we’ve agreed that it is time for him to take a lead role with the team as president, and through his ownership interest. He’s an excellent judge of talent, and I’m confident that he will put all of his energy and experience into making the Liberty a perennially competitive and successful team.”

Mr. Thomas said: “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the New York Liberty and help the franchise reclaim its position as one of the elite teams in the WNBA. Following a conversation with Jim about his thoughts on the franchise, I expressed my interest and enthusiasm for taking responsibility for both the basketball and business operations, as well as for taking an ownership interest in the team. To me, basketball is basketball. These women are outstanding athletes who want to compete for a championship in New York. I look forward to this challenge – not just to win a title, but also to help broaden the team’s fanbase.”

The New York Liberty was founded in 1996 as one of eight original members of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in 12 of its 18 seasons, with four trips to the Finals in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002.

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo for rest of season

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo for rest of season

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed guard Ricky Ledo for the remainder of the season.

Ledo, 6-7, 195-pounds, is averaging 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds over 21.1 minutes in eight games with the Knicks and 5.9 points and 2.2 rebounds over 13.9 minutes in 13 games with both Dallas and New York on the season. He signed the first of two consecutive 10-day contracts with the Knicks on Mar. 19.

Knicks MSG TV ratings reportedly down

Knicks MSG TV ratings reportedly down

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the 15-62 Knicks. As you’d expect, TV ratings for the squad are down in dramatic fashion:

The Knicks’ worst season in history has taken a toll on MSG Network, and it bottomed out during Friday night’s telecast in Washington.

According to a source, the Knicks-Wizards matchup mustered a rating of 0.18 — which is believed to be the smallest number for a Knicks live telecast in many years. That rating represents 14,000 viewers for a game in which the Knicks fell behind 30-10 after one quarter…

Though the fans are still packing the Garden, the network’s ratings are down 39 percent, the spokesman said.

D-League: Westchester Knicks fire head coach

D-League: Westchester Knicks fire head coach

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the Westchester Knicks, who are the New York Knicks’ D-League team:

Kevin Whitted is out as head coach of the D-League affiliate Westchester Knicks, and assistant coach Craig Hodges will take over for the final few games of the season.

There was tension between the two coaches throughout the on-court flop of a debut season, and Phil Jackson’s man won out.

The Westchester Knicks, running the triangle offense with little success, have the second-worst record in the D-League at 10-36 with four games remaining.

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo to second 10-day contract

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo to second 10-day contract

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed guard Ricky Ledo to a second consecutive 10-day contract.

Ledo, 6-7, 195-pounds, is averaging 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds over 18.5 minutes in five games with the Knicks, and 3.7 points over 10.4 minutes in 10 games overall with both Dallas and New York.

Knicks team physician Dr. Lisa Callahan named 2014 Physician of the Year

Knicks team physician Dr. Lisa Callahan named 2014 Physician of the Year

New York Knicks Team Physician Dr. Lisa Callahan has been named the 2014 Physician of the Year, as voted by members of the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA).

The NBATA Physician of the Year Award is an annual honor recognizing an NBA team physician for exceptional service to their respective team, NBA, and NBATA.

“Dr. Callahan has always provided guidance and had an extraordinary rapport with the members of the NBATA,” said Gregg Farnam, NBATA Chairman and Athletic Trainer of the Minnesota Timberwolves. “When our team’s players are in need of medical attention, she has always gone above and beyond what she needs to do to care for them. There is a comfort level in knowing that she is willing and able to assist at anytime.”

Dr. Callahan is currently in her 11th season overseeing the medical staffs of both the Knicks and the WNBA’s Liberty, and in the summer of 2014, was promoted to chief medical officer and senior vice president of player care for MSG Sports, adding the NHL’s New York Rangers, the NBA D-League’s Westchester Knicks and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. She was elected secretary/treasurer of the NBA Team Physicians Society in 2013 and is the team physician for the 2014-16 USA Basketball Men’s National Team.

She is the co-founder and medical director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, rated the Northeast’s top orthopedic facility for the last 24 consecutive years (and best in the nation for five straight years) by U.S. News and World Report, and in addition, she is the founding director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at HSS.

The award will be presented to Dr. Callahan pregame tonight at center court of Madison Square Garden by Farnam and Knicks Head Athletic Trainer Roger Hinds.

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo to 10-day contract

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo to 10-day contract

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed guard Ricky Ledo of the NBA Development League’s Texas Legends to a 10-day contract, marking the 50th overall NBA Development League “Call-Up” this season.

Ledo, 6-7, 195-pounds, averaged 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists over 32.8 minutes in 26 games (23 starts) for Texas this season. Over the past two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, he recorded 20 total points over 44 minutes in 16 games. He was originally selected by Milwaukee in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, following his freshman year at Providence College.