Knicks Like Shannon Brown

CBSSports.com's Ken Berger reports:

"The Knicks have extended an offer to Shannon Brown and are waiting to hear whether the Lakers' free-agent guard will take it or wait for L.A. to make room to re-sign him by trading Sasha Vujacic, two people with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com Thursday.

Brown, 24, played all 82 games for the champion Lakers last season and is weighing whether to join Ray Felton in the Knicks' revamped backcourt or give the Lakers time to clear the room needed to re-sign him. The Lakers, as usual, are well into the luxury tax. So moving Vujacic's $5.4 million salary for next season would ease the tax hit associated with keeping Brown.

Brown's electrifying transition game would be a huge asset in coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo system, and Brown would have a good chance of winning a starting job after starting only seven games for the Lakers last season."

While Newsday's Alan Hahn reports there has been no formal offer made, the Knicks certainly have interest in Brown.

Although Brown has won two rings with the Lakers, he may be too highly regarded in Knicks' circles. Known as a solid three-point shooter, Brown only shot 33% from down town last season.

Both the Lakers and Knicks can offer Brown something the other cannot. While the Lakers offer Brown a chance to play for a championship contender, signing with the Knicks would provide Brown with the opportunity to better showcase his skills in Coach D'Antoni's system.

However, although Berger notes that Brown would have a "good" chance at winning the starting (two-guard) job with the Knicks, others may doubt that. The team will already have Wilson Chandler, Kelenna Azubuike, and (to a lesser extent)
Bill Walker competing for the job.

Signing and starting Brown would all but prove the Knicks have lost faith in Chandler. He has been a consistent contributor in the Knicks lineup for two seasons, and yet his name has still popped up in an abundance of trade rumors this summer.

While Chandler has proven to offer consistency, there is uncertainty regarding a guy like Brown, or Rudy Fernandez, whom the Knicks are also reportedly interested in. It is unknown whether either of those players are capable of increasing(and/or improving) their production potentially playing 30 minutes per game as opposed to the 20 minutes both have become accustomed to.

The 2009-10 season was also the first of Brown's four year career in which he played more than 48 games, although he did in fact play in all 82.

More to come on Brown as it develops.

In other news, Amityville, New York native Mike James, who sat down with the Knicks Journal for an interview in May, has expressed interest in joining the Utah Jazz.

Knicks Faces in Funny Places

While the off-season may be busy for NBA executives, the summer is also the time of year when NBA players (just like everyone else) love to kick back and relax, enjoy the beautiful weather, and simply have a good time.

Knicks Journal will be following the team in photos and/or videos as the summer concludes and the season begins to give fans a look at what goes on off the court as well as on it.

Here's a small taste of how members of the Knicks have been spending their summers.


Mike D'Antoni may not have been able to lure members of the USA "Redeem Team" to New York this summer, but he and other members of the Knicks family still celebrated the signing of Amare Stoudemire with a member of the hood's dream team, Fat Joe!




Look, it's Captain Amare! After seeing the likes of LeBron and Bosh sign elsewhere, perhaps Amare (far right) is ready to recruit Gilligan to help the Knicks find success!



Although David Lee signed with the Warriors, he will always be a part of the Knicks family. Although, now that he's gone, Snooki will have to find new friends to hang out with on the "Jersey Shore".

Five Ways the Knicks’ Bill Walker Can Become a Household Name in the NBA

The dog days of summer (and the NBA offseason) have arrived. The Knicks, who were ready to rebuild the team, have finally formed the bulk of their roster.

With any major player movement all but over, it is time for the Knicks to look ahead to the future, focusing on the good pieces the team has in place.

One of those pieces, Bill Walker, arrived in New York much earlier than just this summer. A midseason acquisition from the Boston Celtics, Walker possesses an abundance of potential that has yet to be unleashed.

Although Walker could end up buried on the Knicks bench behind all their wingmen, he could also experience a breakout season if given the opportunity. A rare bright spot in a rather dismal season, Walker averaged nearly 12 points on 52% from the field after joining the Knicks.

In hopes that he will build on his success, here are five steps Bill Walker can take to have a breakthrough season, and, eventually, become a household name in the NBA.



Be Productive at Summer League

In actuality, Walker has already completed this first recommended step to success.

As a member of the Knicks summer squad just a few weeks ago, Walker remained consistent, averaging 12.2 points and 3 rebounds per game in 5 contests.

After averaging similar numbers in the regular season, perhaps the Knicks hoped Walker would breakout more so against the seemingly weaker competition.

That being said, his high shooting percentages make him a very efficient player.

Should his consistency continue, Walker could have an easy time completing the next step.



Break Into the Rotation

This should obviously be Walker’s number one priority leading up to the season.
Although one would think after the strong showing he had last season that Walker would be guaranteed a spot in the rotation, he is most certainly not. The Knicks already have Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and newcomer Kelenna Azubuike filling up Coach Mike D’Antoni’s lineup.

Furthermore, as well as Walker performed in summer league, rookie Landry Fields still happened to outplay him.

However, there are still a couple of things going Walker’s way. Chandler and Azubuike are both coming off season-ending injuries. Gallinari experienced back problems throughout his rookie campaign, and the team has been cautious with him ever since.

If the Knicks have learned anything from D’Antoni’s rotation habits, it’s that no one’s spot is guaranteed. Whether a rookie or veteran, not playing well means a player will potentially lose his spot.

That should play well into Walker’s favor, as his consistency and unleashed potential could land him in the lineup.

Providing the Knicks with a 10-12 point spurt off the bench night in and night out could eventually lead to his becoming the team’s sixth or seventh man.



Speak Up

Aside from their play on the court, players can become well known for what they say off the court. Of course, not all of what a player says leads to bad publicity.

Some of the most vocal players in the league (Ron Artest, Shaquille O’Neal) tend to be some of the most popular. Speaking up and showing his lighter side may increase Walker’s popularity.

These days, creating a Twitter account only seems to help one’s cause. C.J. Watson, (many fans may still be saying “who?!”), who recently left the Warriors to sign with the Bulls, has over 300,000 followers (or in this case, fans, perhaps) because he makes an effort to interact with fans on a daily basis.

Fans may not know it yet, but Bill Walker is quite the animated character. For example; the entire world knows what kind of criticism LeBron James is getting for the way he joined the Miami Heat. Michael Jordan, himself (whom James has received comparisons to throughout his career) mentioned that he would rather beat the competition, as opposed to joining them, like LeBron did.

Where am I going with this, you ask? In 2008, then Kansas State guard Walker exclaimed that LeBron was un-Jordan-like for passing the ball to his teammates during big playoff moments rather than taking the shot himself.

To view Walker’s quite comical explanation, in addition to other jars and jabs, click here.



Participate in the Dunk Contest

While an all-star selection may be more of an honor, and the Skills Competition and Three Point Shootout may require more sound fundamentals, there is no contest more exciting during All-Star Weekend than the Slam Dunk Contest.

Frankly, the Knicks wingman isn’t called Bill “Sky” Walker for nothing.
Walker, whose athleticism has drawn comparisons to a young Vince Carter, has been a high-flying dunker for years.

While he has dunked on the likes of Theo Ratliff and even LeBron James during games before, there is no greater platform than the Slam Dunk Contest for him to strut his stuff.

The contest normally rewards upcoming role players for their promising play, so Walker’s selection in such a contest is directly related to whether or not he breaks through in the Knicks’ rotation.

One thing’s for certain; the contest never fails to catapult participants’ careers and/or popularity, as the likes of Fred Jones, Chris Anderson, and Nate Robinson have all extremely benefited from participating in the past.



Be Clutch in the Playoffs

This final step is contingent on whether or not his team actually makes the playoffs. However, with Amare Stoudemire and company on board, things look promising for Walker and the Knicks (at least in regard to an actual playoff appearance).

Whether or not Walker fully breaks through as a normal rotation guy during the season, he can always be called upon during the playoffs. Whether it be due to injuries, player fatigue, or just a desperate playoff attempt to change strategy, Walker could see some minutes.

What he does with those minutes (how many or few they be) could prove crucial to Walker’s career.

Among the many over the years that have gone from unknown to unsung hero during the playoffs is Tayshaun Prince.

During his rookie season in 2002-03, Prince was not part of the Pistons rotation, having played in just 42 regular seasons games. However, with his team down 3-1 to the Magic in the first round of the playoffs, a change was needed and Prince was inserted into the lineup. He ended up leading his team to a series win, setting an NBA record for the only player to score more total points in the playoffs than regular season.

Prince was named a full-time starter the following season, and has been a borderline all-star ever since.

Who knows, perhaps Bill Walker could be next.

Outward Bound? Five New York Knicks That Could Be Traded For Chris Paul

It has been nearly two weeks since Chris Paul stood up in front of guests at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding and suggested that he and Melo team up with Amare Stoudemire on the Knicks to form their own “big three” to take on the newly formed Miami Heat tandem.

Paul is now making his quest to form such a super-group official, demanding a trade elsewhere from the New Orleans Hornets, with the Knicks at the top of his wish list.

While it is imperative for the Knicks to acquire Paul ASAP, the possibility of signing Anthony outright next summer would depend on what kind of assets (and/or contracts) the team takes on or gives up in a potential trade for CP3.

A team normally has to give up talent in order to receive talent back. Unfortunately, the rebuilding Knicks have a quite limited supply. The few players the team actually has under contract, in addition to the number of newly signed players, may complicate such a trade.

Nevertheless, here are five Knicks that could be shipped out to New Orleans in a trade for Chris Paul.



Danilo Gallinari

While the “Italian Stallion” is the Knicks’ best young player and prized possession, he also just happens to be the Knicks’ greatest asset.

Still full of potential, Gallinari had a breakout sophomore season in which he became one of the league’s leading three point shooters.

While he may not have “star” written all over him, Knicks’ brass believes he can develop into the perfect “number two” type player. He could absolutely become a 20 point scorer in due time.

The Knicks hold Gallinari in incredibly high regard, but if the Hornets simply demand him in return, the team may just have to bite the bullet if it means bringing in such a talent as Paul.



Eddy Curry

What’s Eddy Curry’s biggest strength? His expiring contract. The last year of Curry’s contract will heap just over $11 million this season.

Once a prominent young talent, just like Gallinari, Curry was known as “Baby Shaq”. Since then, he has been burdened by injuries and personal issues.

Limited to just 10 games over the last two seasons, the Knicks have moved on without Curry. While the team remains optimistic he will compete at a high level for minutes, Ronny Turiaf and Russian recruit Timofey Mozgov both appear to have him beat already.

Curry may be most valuable as a trading chip because of his contract, especially if the Hornets demand the Knicks take on Emeka Okafor and his elongated contract in order to acquire Paul.



Wilson Chandler

Chandler is another highly regarded young talent on the Knicks. His offensive production has stayed consistent (or stagnant, depending on the way you look at it) at around 15 points per game over his two seasons in the starting lineup.

He has, however, improved his jump shot. Chandler steps it up on defense for the Knicks as well, often guarding the opponent’s best player.

Unfortunately for Chandler, these improvements could soon become moot, as he seems to have quickly become expendable.

In wake of the additions of Bill Walker, Anthony Randolph, and Kelenna Azubuike, Chandler would be the most likely to go to New Orleans in a trade.

The Knicks would certainly rather part with him than Gallinari if given a choice.



Bill Walker


Considered an afterthought in a rather simple Eddie House for Nate Robinson trading deadline swap between the Celtics and Knicks, Walker made an impression on the Knicks coaching staff immediately. He forced his way into the rotation, averaging nearly 12 points in 27 games for the Knicks.

Since then, the former D-League scoring fiend has continued to make a name for himself. He has lost 25 pounds and just completed a successful stint as a member of the Knicks summer league team.

Walker could easily be a 15-point scorer if given a starting role and the minutes to go with it. The fact that the Knicks already have Chandler and Gallinari in place makes Walker appealing trading bait for other teams looking for young talent.



Toney Douglas

Douglas went being known as “raw talent” to becoming the Knicks’ starting point guard to close out the season.

The thought process was that if the Knicks landed LeBron James (and another marquee free agent), that LeBron would do most of the ball handling and the Knicks could save some money on a point guard by letting Douglas start.

Instead, “The Decision” happened, and the Knicks more or less capped off their summer spending by signing point guard Raymond Felton.

Even after starring in summer league play, Douglas is a backup once again. His young age and the fact that Raymond Felton cannot be traded until Dec. 15 makes Douglas a prime candidate to be sent to New Orleans if the Knicks want to make a trade for CP3 happen now.

Douglas would fit nicely in New Orleans, teaming up with Darren Collison as a point-guard replacement duo.

Chris Paul's Desire To Play for the New York Knicks Should Be Celebrated

When LeBron James ultimately announced he would be joining the Miami Heat, he left many basketball fans confused.

Of course, joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami clearly gives Mr. James the best chance of winning a championship on paper. Fans understand that.

Did you notice I called him “Mr. James?” That is simply because LeBron cannot be considered “King James” any longer.

He will now have to defer, in every sense, to Wade, while playing in Miami.

What Mr. James left behind in Cleveland was a chance at being the best player he could be—a chance at being a legend.

What Mr. James forfeited in New York was fame, a larger fortune, and a personal empire.

Those are all the types of things Chris Paul could gain as a member of the New York Knicks, and he knows it.

Paul’s demand for a trade, with the Knicks at the top of his wish list, shows he is not afraid of taking on a challenge.

Playing in a big market like New York is the perfect move for a player of Paul’s caliber, as he would be embraced like no other has been. He would become the best point guard the Knicks have had in decades, dating back to Hall of Fame guard Walt “Clyde” Frazier.

Upon his arrival in New York, Paul would further his climb to superstardom. In the city that never sleeps, and where the lights always shine brightest, Paul would feel empowered.

His chances to win would, of course, come in due time. Many criticized LeBron for taking the “easy way out” by signing with Miami.

Paul, on the other hand, would have to be focused on building a contender with the Knicks. Besides Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks roster only contains bits and pieces of what a real contender should look like. He and the Knicks would have their work cut out for them against the Eastern Conference powerhouses.

Perhaps his presence could be what ties all the loose ends together for the Knicks. Arguably the league’s best point guard, Paul can score, knows exactly how to get his teammates involved, and is an excellent defensive player.

The Knicks are certainly familiar with what an elite point guard can accomplish in Mike D’Antoni’s system, as Steve Nash earned two MVP awards playing for D’Antoni as a member of the Suns.

Paul’s motivations to be a New York Knick obviously have to do with becoming a better basketball player while in D’Antoni’s free-flowing offense.

His motivations for winning in New York, however, could very well stem from a number of things.

Perhaps it would be a chance to prove himself as an elite player in this league, as Paul could eventually lead the Knicks past a star-studded Miami Heat team.

Doing so would grant Paul creditability as a winner.

As sports fans know, winning in New York can ultimately mold you into a savior of the city.

By obtaining the title of savior, Paul will have begun to build himself a legacy, one that only a city like New York can grant him.

LeBron is gone, and the Knicks have to move on.

However, his loss could become Paul’s massive gain.

Quite frankly, Chris Paul’s “desire” to play for the New York Knicks makes more sense than LeBron James’ “decision” not to.

Getting to Know New York Knicks Center Ronny Turiaf

Talk about facing adversity—Ronny Turiaf overcame life threatening heart problems on his way to reaching the NBA Finals with the Lakers in 2008. His inspiring journey to conquer all has led him to become one of the league’s better defensive big men.

Underneath it all, Turiaf is a fantastic human being, always focused on giving back to the community, lending a helping hand to others with heart related issues, raising awareness and making sure they all continue to live life to the fullest.

Now, following an offseason trade, he is poised to be the starting center for the New York Knicks. He took time out of his busy schedule to chat, as it’s obvious to see the support of his fans is extremely important to him.

While he may be tough on the court, deep down inside Turiaf is as lighthearted, kind, and positive as he is determined.

Read on to see what he had to say about living in New York City, his career, and how he thinks his buddy Tony Parker would react to playing for Turiaf’s new team, the Knicks!

Q: What can Knicks fans expect from you this season?

A: Definitely some toughness. I am a guy with a high basketball I.Q. who makes his teammates better. I’m the type of player who steps up to make sure everyone is on the same page defensively.

I also think I can go back to my college days and become a scorer, if that’s what is needed of me in this new system. The only way I know how to play is to play hard. Go hard or go home, you know?

Q: You are good friends with countryman Boris Diaw, who played for Coach D’Antoni on the Suns. Did he give you any advice about playing in Coach’s system?

A: I played against Coach D’Antoni during my first three years in the league, so I am pretty familiar with the kind of offense that he runs. It’s a very fun offense to play in.

Boris told me it is a very free-flowing offense. He flourished under Coach D’Antoni, so hopefully I can do the same. I am looking forward to it.

Q: Before signing with the Warriors, you played in a big market city as a member of the Lakers. Are you excited to play in a big market like that again?

A: To me, basketball is just basketball. I played in a big market like Los Angeles, so I expect the same success here in New York. I am expecting to help my teammates and to become a better player.

I have high expectations. This city needs a winner. This city needs excitement. Hopefully this new version of the New York Knicks can deliver that.

Q: Are you looking forward to living in New York City? I know you’ve already been spending time with Thierry Henry [Turiaf’s good friend and countryman who recently signed with the New York Red Bulls MLS team].

A: I’m actually a big Yankees fan, so I am looking forward to going out to some games. I am planning on taking over the Red Bulls fan club. I am looking forward to showing my boy some support, and hopefully he can come out to my games too.

I’m ready to embrace the whole New York City lifestyle. I have already visited some of the nice restaurants. Being in Times Square and sitting outside at the tables reminds me a lot of Paris. I’m looking forward to being here for a long time.

Q: You’re very well known as a player who is involved with the community. Talk about how you give back with your foundation, the “Heart to Heart Foundation”?

A: This is something that I am very proud of. I have always loved giving back to the community, and my foundation really took off with help from the Golden State Warriors’ community and great staff. I must thank them for all they have done.

As you know, in 2005, I overcame an enlarged aortic root, and underwent open heart surgery. That definitely gave me the strength to start raising awareness for heart related issues. In Golden State, I donated multiple defibrillators to local high schools. My friend’s brother actually passed out and almost lost his life due to lack of a defibrillator. Hopefully the community here in New York can embrace the fact that I’m trying to give back. I hope they see how passionate about this I am.

Q: You just spent part of your summer in South Africa with Boris. What were you guys doing there?

A: Boris and I decided to take a month-long vacation. It was something I needed after an NBA season that was hard on me mentally, physically, and emotionally. I took time off—went on a Safari for two weeks. After that, we traveled to Northern Africa. We worked with the local youth basketball clubs.

Seeing the type of conditions that these kids are practicing under proved to be a real awakening for me. You should have seen the faces of all the kids as I gave out shirts, shoes, basketballs, etc. It was very rewarding to see the happiness on everybody’s faces that I visited.

Q: You’ve been fortunate enough to play on the French National Team with guys like Boris and Tony Parker. What has having such an opportunity meant to you?

A: It’s always been a pleasure for me to play on the national team. We have a lot of things going our way. Hopefully, Noah will join us soon. I think we have an opportunity to be very good.

Q: You’ve obviously known Tony, whom the Knicks are rumored to be interested in, for a long time and have gotten to know him well. Do you think he would enjoy playing for the Knicks?

A: Tony would definitely embrace playing in a big market like New York. He would have a lot of fun in this offense, but that’s the potential future. Right now, he’s a member of the San Antonio Spurs and I know he is 100% committed to winning another championship there.

Q: Speaking of player movement, it’s obviously been a busy offseason for you and the rest of the NBA this summer. Do you have any thoughts?

A: It’s been an interesting summer. Obviously, there has been a lot of movement. It’s going to be an exciting season for basketball fans.

For more on Ronny Turiaf's Heart to Heart foundation, visit his website.

Why Chris Paul's Proposed Big Three With Knicks Could Beat Miami Heat

LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to form the NBA’s most talented and star-studded trio by joining Dwayne Wade on the Miami Heat.

The formation came as a huge blow to the gut of the Knicks, who over two years ago began clearing cap space in hopes of forming a similar winning combination of its own this summer.

Nevertheless, there’s always next year (or even 2012, perhaps).  (There may even be a chance of something happening sooner.)

As Knicks fans still mourned being spurned by LeBron and company, Hornets star Chris Paul attempted to lift up their spirits.

While in New York City attending Carmelo Anthony’s wedding reception, Paul toasted the groom and his new wife, actress LaLa Vazquez, while stating that he hopes to form his own “dream-team” with Anthony and the already present Amare Stoudemire on the Knicks.

Wedding guest and Knicks super fan Spike Lee almost fainted from across the room.

The notion that the three could team up (Anthony becomes a free agent in 2011 and Paul in 2012) is intriguing to say the least.

While that combination may not be quite as name-worthy as the one the Heat recently formed, it could certainly end up being the better fit for the Knicks.

There have been concerns about LeBron, Wade, and Bosh all coexisting in one city with one ball. In the case of Paul, Anthony, and Stoudemire, chemistry would not be a problem.

If the Knicks were miraculously able to pull off such acquisitions, the team would be able to beat the Miami Heat.

While Wade and LeBron are both able to handle the ball, neither is a true point guard. Chris Paul, on the other hand, is the best point guard in the league because he is the best at getting his teammates involved. Of course, he is also an efficient scorer and lockdown defender.

And while all three new Heat acquisitions have been considered “the man” on their former respective teams, Anthony and Stoudemire have a better and more comfortable understanding of what it means to play in a team-like atmosphere. They both have proven throughout their careers that they are able to coexist with other scorers.

Furthermore, all three proposed Knick acquisitions are hungry to win. The commitment to ultimately win a championship will take priority over how much attention each individual will get.

Having said that, Stoudemire is of course receiving recognition as the biggest acquisition the Knicks have made in years. When and if Melo and CP3 arrive in New York, the Knicks will be “Stoudemire’s team.”

Although both would concede to Stoudemire, the attention they would receive coming to the Big Apple would still do wonders for each one’s career.

New York is one of the biggest markets in the world, much bigger than Denver or New Orleans. Both Melo and CP3’s careers (and popularity) would benefit from donning orange and blue, as each (especially Melo) has trailed in popularity to the league’s more popular players, particularly the ones that signed with the Heat.

Stoudemire’s popularity has risen tenfold over the last week, proving the new trio of the Heat’s loss could be the gain of Melo and CP3.

The alleged trio for the Knicks could come sooner than later. Paul, whose Hornets have not made steady improvements over the summer, could be requesting a trade shortly.

Anthony has been strongly holding off from signing a contract extension with the Nuggets.

As the Knicks obviously have no flexibility (nor the assets) to acquire both via trade, it would be smart to acquire Paul ASAP, and making a contract offer to Anthony next summer, as opposed to waiting until 2012 for Paul.

Acquiring Paul would obviously prove to Anthony that the Knicks are committed to forming a winning trio of their own.

If it’s praise, stardom, and championship hope that Anthony desires, he would have the best chance of obtaining all by taking on the challenge that LeBron James declined to take on in New York.

NBA Free Agency: Knicks Come Out Winners in David Lee to Warriors Deal

LeBron James stiffed the Knicks with his decision to sign with the Miami Heat.

The Knicks, however, wasted no time before listening to their new leader, Amare Stoudemire, who at Thursday’s press conference said, “it’s onto the next one.”

Of course, Stoudemire was referring to his transition from the Suns to the Knicks, but the same logic still applies.

The Knicks acted quickly to make a move following LeBron’s disappointing announcement, completing a sign & trade deal with the Warriors on David Lee.

Headed to the Big Apple are Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Ronny Turiaf.

While this is not the star-studded move fans were salivating over, it’s undoubtedly a move in the right direction.

New York and Golden State have similar offensive systems, so all four players should fit seamlessly in at their new locations.

Randolph, a lengthy forward and skilled perimeter shooter, is a nice complement to Stoudemire down low. His fast footwork and excellent ball-handling skills make him a candidate to convert baskets on fast breaks on a nightly basis.

Someone Donnie Walsh has previously inquired about over the last couple seasons, Randolph has been compared to a taller Rudy Gay, whom the Knicks were also reportedly after this summer, before Gay resigned with the Grizzlies.

While he has not yet been able to fully unleash his rebuilding talents, perhaps the opportunity to play for the Knicks will help Randolph further hone his skills.

Azubuike is one of the league’s most underrated players. Undrafted out of Kentucky, he found his niche with the fast-paced Warriors. A sure-shot three-point shooter, he is also known for his defensive skills, which will certainly be an asset to the Knicks.

Azubuike is a very hard working player, having worked his way up from the D-League to becoming a consistent rotation (and often starter) player for the Warriors.

If the Knicks are still worried about defense down low, Turiaf should help ease some of the concern. A menacing shot blocker, Turiaf could see some starts with the Knicks as he certainly fills a massive void.

All three players add different components to this Knicks squad. Walsh made the most of an unfortunate situation (losing Lee) to bolster the presently short-handed roster with three talented players.

Much should be said for David Lee, though. The heart and soul of the Knicks for the last five seasons, Lee worked hard and was the team’s first all-star since 2001 this past season. He maximized the most of his talents in Mike D’Antoni’s system on his way to becoming one of the league’s best big men.

While he will be missed by Knicks fans, Lee quickly became expendable as soon as the Knicks signed Stoudemire.

Walsh and the Knicks showed their appreciation for Lee’s efforts, however, agreeing to sign and trade Lee to the Warriors in order for him to tag on a sixth year to his contract.

He ended up agreeing to a very-well deserved $80 million contract over six years with Golden State.

Breaking Down LeBron James' Decision to Sign with the Miami Heat

LeBron James announced his decision to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and sign with the Miami Heat Thursday night

The decision may not come as a huge surprise to many, as news of what has come to be known as “The Decision” leaked throughout the day.

However, teaming up with two of the NBA’s best players may not be the best thing for him.

Is being labeled “the dream team” enough to suggest that a guaranteed championship for the Heat next season is simply that; just a dream?

Now that James is finished breaking the hearts of fans all over Cleveland, it is time to break down his decision to sign elsewhere.

Many components of LeBron’s decision to sign with the Miami Heat make sense. After spending seven seasons in small-market (but hometown) Cleveland, he joins a beautiful city and popular market in Miami.

On paper, the Heat theoretically provide him with the best chance to add such a significantly needed piece to his resume that has eluded him for quite some time now: a championship.

Placing LeBron on a team with Wade, who already knows what it takes to win a championship, and Bosh, who is now hungry to win as ever, gives the Heat the most firepower in the league. The three superstars clearly give the team the best chances of winning a championship on paper.

Although the team will now have to fill out the team by signing multiple players to minimum contracts, it all comes down to finding the right guys that fit.

The Celtics built a winning model just seasons ago when they teamed up Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen with Paul Pierce, surrounding them with smart, clutch veterans such as P.J. Brown and Eddie House.

If the Heat can convince a group of their own smart and experienced veterans that they will all have the best chances of winning in Miami, a championship may be in reach this season.

However, having the best chance to win on paper can only take a team so far.

Although all three are primed to compete, chemistry will be an obstacle this season.

As each member of “the dream team” is accustomed to being the one with the ball in their hands at the end of the game, how will two of them cope with being pushed to the side as the third member has his time in the spotlight?

Bosh may be the easiest to concede, as being “the man” in Toronto has not exactly translated into winning. Enlisting in helping and removing certain pressures may come as a very smart move for him.

The real tug of war will come between Wade and LeBron.

While each one is recognized as being a gifted passer, how eager will either of them really be to pass up the opportunity to a win a ballgame?

Furthermore, LeBron James is widely known as being the best player to grace the NBA hardwood floor since Michael Jordon.

As the spotlight comes off him as an individual, and as he begins to relinquish shot opportunities, his prophecy as the “second-coming” may elude him very quickly.

Unlike Bosh, James has relished the opportunities he has gotten to be so widely recognized, and certainly has the talent and intensity to deserve such attention.

Playing on a team such as the Knicks or Bulls, or even remaining with the Cavs, would have given him the opportunity to remain as the center of attention (or even better yet, known as a “savior”) for years to come.

How he handles playing second-fiddle on “Wade’s team” and how that affects the team’s chemistry remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, all things considered (including the considerable pay cut LeBron and his two new star-studded teammates will have to take), the opportunity to team up with such talents as Wade and Bosh is obviously too much for LeBron to pass up.

On paper, the Heat do give him the best chances of winning championships for years to come.

Unfortunately, that type of estimate is simply all he can base his decision on at this time.

While LeBron may not be known as “King James” in Miami, he is still going to be recognized as a key component to winning championships.

If he and his new teammates cannot convert all the potential into production, rest assured all three will be facing the harshest critics of their careers.

Amare Stoudemire Will Sign With the New York Knicks

After a weekend of persuasive courtship by the Knicks, Amare Stoudemire announced Monday that he will sign with the team on July 8th, the date when free agents are officially able to sign new contracts.

The new acquisition (although a steep one, reportedly at $99.7 million over five years) is the Knicks’ most notable one in years. Stoudemire also provides the team with massive creditability as it continues to attract some of the league’s best players via free agency.

LeBron James, clearly the best of the available players, has revealed that he will announce his decision as to where he will play next season during a primetime, one-hour special on Thursday night (July 8th) at 9:00 p.m. EST to be aired on ESPN.

The long-awaited decision certainly has Knicks fans all around the world incredibly anxious, as does the assumed signing of Stoudemire and every roster move over the last two-plus years leading up to this very moment. The concept of reeling in a star of King James’ stature and sheer talent in order to finally deliver another championship has been the ultimate goal.

In the meantime, fans can take pleasure in watching Amare Stoudemire’s initial appearance donning orange and blue (on his hat, anyway) as he met with the New York media for the first time Monday night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNMOhV0RhU

Amare Stoudemire Is Exactly the Type of Character the Knicks Need

Aside from winning ballgames, the New York City market demands more from its athletes.

In fact, the athletes have a tendency to become more like celebrities, and how well they are perceived by the media is entirely up to them.

The above notion, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why Amare Stoudemire is a great fit for the Knicks.

By recruiting the league’s top free agents, the Knicks are obviously trying to improve their team. There is absolutely no denying that Stoudemire is a strong player who could improve the Knicks. All parties involved understand that.

What Stoudemire is proving during this free agent period, however, is that he is precisely the type of persona that simply belongs in New York City.

Stoudemire, someone who never shies away from the media, has made sure his tour of New York is being well-documented, starting from the very second his plane touched the city's ground.

Through his Twitter account (you can follow him @amareisreal ), Stoudemire has kept all whom are interested informed of his arrival and first day in town, going as far as noting what food he’s enjoying at which restaurants, and the fact that he went to see Broadway’s Rock of Ages.

Jim Baumbach, a reporter for Newsday, further noted that Stoudemire would be spending his Fourth of July watching the game at Yankee Stadium.

After Stoudemire is done enjoying himself, it will be back to business on Monday as he hears the Knicks’ official recruiting pitch. Rest assured that he will be continuing his tweets from there as well, as he was vocal about attending a meeting with his former team, the Phoenix Suns, last week.

In the meantime, he has already been optimistically recruiting players for the Knicks on his own. Of course, the arrival of these players is contingent on whether or not he chooses to ultimately sign with the Knicks.

Stoudemire told The New York Post, "I've talked to Carmelo Anthony to come out here, I've talked to Tony Parker. Both those guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here, so I'm going to see if we can work it out."

Of course, while Stoudemire is a free agent, Anthony and Parker are both still under contract with their current respective teams. The idea of Anthony donning orange and blue may have to wait until next season, should he opt not to sign an extension with the Nuggets.

Parker, on the other hand, could come to the Knicks sooner than that. There have been recent rumblings about the possibility of Parker joining the Knicks in exchange for David Lee via sing & trade.

The Knicks would be enticed to make the Parker deal happen quicker, in the event that Stoudemire signs, as he has played with a point guard of Steve Nash’s caliber his entire career.

It is unknown, however, if Lee would be open to signing with San Antonio, and the Knicks likely do not have other assets necessary to complete such a deal.

While fans await Stoudemire’s decision, they can stay posted regarding how much fun he has at today’s Yankee game. Hopefully watching a team with such a successful history and winning culture gives him an idea of how rewarding becoming a star in New York City can really be.

New York Knicks' Free Agency Tour Makes Its Way To Lebron James

As the clock struck 12:01am early Wednesday, the Knicks were already off and running to conquer its summer free agency quest.

On the very same day that free agents are finally able to negotiate, the Knicks’ recruitment team, consisting of Donnie Walsh, Mike D’Antoni, Allan Houston, and James Dolan have already made stops to talk with certain free agents.

Although Dolan did not reportedly travel to Los Angeles early Wednesday, the rest of the group met with Joe Johnson.

Johnson has maximum contracts offers from both the Knicks and Hawks. Although Johnson has beamed when asked about reuniting with Mike D’Antoni, his visit with the Knicks could already be a waste.

The Hawks, as Johnson’s last team, can add a sixth year to its contract offer, while the Knicks cannot.

Johnson appears close to accepting the Hawks’ offer, as he would leave nearly $25 million on the table if he were to sign with the Knicks instead of the Hawks.

However, there is no time for the Knicks to look back. The tour continued on its rapid pace Thursday afternoon as Dolan joined the group at LeBron James’ home in Ohio.

After Thursday, the free agency tour ultimately becomes the search for James’ perfect running mate, as the Knicks have scheduled meetings in Chicago with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, and Amare Stoudemire shortly after that.

James has told confidants he hopes to have made a decision by Monday. This gives the Knicks only the next few days to lure in a second free agent in order to sweeten the deal.

Dirk Nowitzki will also be in New York Friday night to have dinner with Mavericks teammate Jason Kidd. While it’s unknown whether or not he plans to meet with Knicks' brass, they would have to fly back in from Chicago late Friday to make that happen.

After all the planning, due diligence, and anticipation, make no mistake Walsh (who is making trips in a wheelchair following his neck surgery two weeks ago) would certainly, nevertheless, lead his brigade back to New York if Dirk comes calling.

The team also met with swing man Mike Miller in L.A. on Thursday.