New York Knicks Blog – Page 62 – NBA Blog

New York City may host two NBA All-Star weekends in a three-year period

The NBA All-Star Game could be coming to New York. Twice. In a three-year period.

Multiple league sources maintain the 2015 All-Star Game will be played at Madison Square Garden on Sunday of All-Star weekend with the Friday and Saturday night events — the skills, shooting and dunk competitions — set for Barclays Center.

The league and the Nets and Knicks still are negotiating on a proposal to have a reversal in either 2017 or 2018; Brooklyn would stage the game while the Knicks and the Garden would serve as host for the Friday and Saturday events. The Nets, sources said, are not completely sold on the host role down the road for myriad reasons.

Reported by Fred Kerber of the New York Post

Knicks work to prevent store from selling offensive knockoff shirt

The Knicks acted quickly after learning that a Midtown store was selling a racially offensive t-shirt with their team logo at the centerpiece.

The shirt had K-N-I spelled out, but C-K-S was replaced by G-G-A. The shirt was selling for $45, or $10 more than the unedited shirt, according to NBC 4 in New York…

“We absolutely do not condone this t-shirt, which violates our trademark rights and now that it has been brought to our attention, the Knicks are working with the NBA to have the store cease and desist from selling them,” the team said in a statement.

Reported by Justin Terranova of the New York Post

Knicks plan to meet for workouts in early September

[Raymond] Felton said the Knicks plan to meet for workouts in early September, about 3-4 weeks before training camp starts.

“We should be back at full force by then,” the point guard said.

It’s fairly common for NBA teams to organize players-only workouts before training camp.

Both the Knicks and Nets did so last season.

The Nets will convene this week in Los Angeles for players-only workouts, a source confirmed to ESPNNewYork’s Mike Mazzeo.

Reported by Ian Begley of ESPN New York

Raymond Felton weight loss: 15 pounds gone

Raymond Felton says he “loves” the changes the Knicks made in the offseason. Felton also made a pretty significant change himself.

With the help of Washington D.C.-based trainer Keith Veney, Felton says he has lost approximately 15 pounds since the end of the 2012-13 season. He played at around 212 pounds last year and is encouraged with his new physique and the added speed it can lead to.

“I was quick before, but if you take off 15 pounds, you can be that much quicker,” Felton said Sunday at a Big Brothers-Big Sisters New York City event at St. John’s.

Felton’s weight was an issue in his lone season in Portland in 2011-12. He entered the season out of shape because he was caught off guard by the lockout. When the lockout ended and the season began in late December, Felton admits that he was not physically prepared.

Reported by Ian Begley of ESPN New York

Reacting to Paul Pierce, Raymond Felton denies that Nets will take over NYC

“Paul Pierce said the Nets are gonna take over the city,” the Knicks point guard said with a smirk Sunday. “It’s hard for you to take over the city when we’ve got ‘New York’ on our chest and you’ve got ‘Brooklyn’ on yours. It’s been this way since long before he started playing.”

Felton fanned a flame initially sparked by Pierce last week when the new Net told Complex magazine that he hates the Knicks “with a passion” and wanted to “start the beef.”

Pierce, a longtime Knicks nemesis with the Boston Celtics, was traded to the Nets in July along with Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry. The blockbuster deal has made Brooklyn the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Division title and, in Pierce’s estimation, the allegiance of New York fans.

“It’s already a rivalry with them, and when you add Pierce and Garnett, that makes it bigger,” said Felton, who helped conduct a basketball clinic for 50 kids Sunday at St. John’s in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Reported by Stephen Haynes of New York Newsday

Knicks give Hamed Haddadi a workout

Free-agent center Hamed Haddadi worked out for the Knicks yesterday at the team’s training facility, according to ESPNNewYork.com.

Haddadi, 28, played parts of five seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to the Suns in January.

The 7-foot-2 Iranian center, who could be considered to fill the role of Tyson Chandler’s primary backup, averaged 4.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while averaging 13.8 minutes in 17 games with the Suns.

Haddadi was waived by Phoenix on July 29, but most recently played in the Philippines, where he was named MVP of the FIBA Asia Championship.

Reported by Howie Kussoy of the New York Post

Coach Woodson says full Knicks starting lineup will be determined in camp

Woodson said he anticipates a competitive training camp as starting guarantees now only go to Carmelo Anthony, Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler, who is “back normal [and] ready to go” after suffering from a bulging disk in his neck.

“I know Melo will be in the starting lineup — he and Tyson and Raymond,” Woodson said. “But I don’t know who is going to start. We’ll figure that out in camp. Camp should be pretty competitive.”

Woodson was asked specifically about the starting status of Iman Shumpert.

“You’ve got to go in there and you’ve got to earn a spot is kind of how I look at it,” Woodson said.

One offseason move is currently cause for concern. Former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani, one of the high-profile veterans — along with Metta World Peace — acquired by the Knicks, is battling pneumonia that could prevent him from playing for Italy’s national team.

Reported by Fred Kerber of the New York Post

Amare Stoudemire to be a judge in Miss America pageant

Former ‘N Sync singer Lance Bass and New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire highlight the list of judges for next month’s Miss America pageant in Atlantic City.

Joining them will be Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell; comedian and performer Mario Cantone; and Barbara Corcoran, an investor from ABC’s entrepreneurial competition show ”Shark Tank.” Also on the panel are Carla Hall, co-host of ABC’s food-and-talk show ”The Chew,” and Deidre Downs Gunn, an obstetrician and gynecologist who was the last Miss America to be crowned in Atlantic City.

Reported by the Associated Press

Michelle Obama will release a music album that will include Iman Shumpert

Michelle Obama will release a hip-hop-inspired album. Although she probably won’t rhyme or sing on any songs, it will be the first time that a first lady has delved into hip-hop for a greater cause.

The album will promote Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign in an effort to fight childhood obesity. Obama enlisted DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Ashanti, Monifah and other artists to create songs on the 19-track album.

The project, sponsored by Partnership For A Healthier America and Hip Hop Public Health, will seek to raise awareness through entertainment.

Track no. 11: “Pass the Rock” f/ Iman Shumpert and Artie Green

Reported by Amir Shaw of RollingStone.com

The 19-track album with song titles like “U R What You Eat” and “Veggie Luv” is being released by the Partnership for a Healthier America, an independent group found in conjunction with Let’s Move.

Ten music videos released with the album are set to be distributed to schools in New York City before being circulated to other major cities.

Reported by Hadas Gold of Politico.com

David Lee reflects back on the Knicks

Like others, Lee wonders what would have happened had the Knicks valued him as a budding star, had they valued the young members of the 2008-09 cast instead of dismantling a club that got off to the Knicks’ first winning start in ages with a 6-3 start. The club was 6-5 when the axe dropped on Nov. 21 and Crawford, Randolph and Tim Thomas were shipped.

For all their myriad maneuverings since 2008, the Knicks have captured one playoff series. As they enter 2013-14 with a revised 14-man roster, it could be the final season before starting all over again — if Carmelo Anthony bolts. The Knicks are considered in many circles no better than the fifth-best team in the East, which could mean another first-round exit.

“It is interesting to look back, to see if we went another way in the win column if they kept guys together,” Lee said. “I look back at my career here and there’s nothing but positive memories. It was a little bit out of my control, the winning and losing. The first couple of years, I was a backup guy, then when I was captain of the team the last couple of years, we started breaking down the team.

“I don’t want to say I was underappreciated,” Lee added. “The Knicks took a chance, and part of getting Amar’e was to use it as bridge to get a guy like LeBron and Carmelo. They got that done. Amare’s a heckuva player. It’s unfortunate what’s happened with some of his injuries. Hopefully he gets healthy because I know how much he loves the game and loves being in New York.”

Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post