Knicks Guard Iman Shumpert Talks Rookie Season Hopes, NBA Idols, and Much More.

The transition from college to the NBA can be a whirlwind for any young player. There can be quite the culture shock. Though such a switch can be difficult in any normal scenario, the NBA lockout surely doesn’t make it any easier. Aside from being thrown off by a delayed schedule, incoming rookies cannot even be in contact with their new coaching staffs to better prepare themselves with what to expect during the upcoming season.

Nevertheless, none of that has discouraged Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert. He has been hitting the gyms even harder, making sure he is doing everything in his power to be ready to contribute to his new team when the season starts. It’s certain his strong motivation will make him a fan-favorite in New York, if his defense hasn’t already.

Shumpert, who mentioned he would be taking part in Amar’e Stoudemire’s organized team workouts, whenever they should begin, spoke with me after a full day of his own workouts.

Ever wonder what an NBA player likes to do in his spare time? Read on to hear all about how Iman plans on enjoying the Big Apple, as well as his rookie season goals, NBA idols, summertime training, and more. You may even realize the newest member of the New York Knicks has a common off the court hobby.

Q: I know that you’ve been doing a lot of training this summer. What are some things that you’ve been working on?

A: I’m just trying to stay in shape. Sometimes you have nagging injuries that you want to make sure don’t come back. I’ve been putting up a lot of shots too. I’m trying to get my jump shot tighter.

Q: The Knicks’ defense has been criticized over the years. Obviously, you were drafted largely in part due to your own defensive tendencies. How are you going to look to help the team and how do you feel you’ll fit in?

A: I just want to bring that intensity. Hopefully I can be effective and people start to chime in and play defense like I do. I like to bring a new type of energy to the floor. Who knows? Maybe my teammates and I will mesh and blend together to make the Knicks more of a defensive minded team.

Q: I see. A lot of times, a player is able to bring a new type of energy to the floor by providing a much-needed boost for his team off the bench. Does your style of play make you an ideal sixth man for this Knicks squad?

A: Whatever I can do to help, I’ll do it. I’m not really looking into that yet. I’m just working to get better and better. Whenever I’m on the court, I know I’ll be playing defense and bringing that energy to the floor for sure.

Q: Who are some of the players you’ve looked up to as you’ve watched the NBA growing up? Seeing as how you’re part of a younger generation, I know some of your idols may actually still be playing in the league. Will you be nervous to take the court against any of them?

A: Hmm…Jason Kidd. Definitely guys like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James too. I used to watch a lot of Penny Hardaway. I usually like a lot of the big guards. I definitely look at players like Derrick Rose and Dwayne Wade as guys I look up to. I won’t be nervous to play against them though, no. Not at all.

Q: I know you haven’t gotten too much of an opportunity to explore the Big Apple just yet, but what are some things you’re looking forward to doing while living in New York?

A: Well actually, I’m looking forward to doing a lot of sightseeing. I like to look around and explore different things. I was already able to go down and see the World Trade Center site. Stuff like that is just powerful. I still would like to see a few museums too. I guess I’m just ready for the fans and for basketball to start. I really want to play ball.

Q: You know, as you mention the fans, I know you must be looking forward to performing for them. You’ve been pretty active on your Twitter account lately. Have you gotten a chance to interact with the fans online? What have they been saying to you?

A: The Knicks fans have definitely all been supportive, but they also give a lot of tough love. That’s something I’m used to, being from Chicago and all. Most people just tell me they hope I’m ready to keep working hard. The fans say, “New York’s a tough city, but if you work hard, we’re going to love you!”

Overall, the feedback from the fans has been great. If they’re more appreciative of a dedicated worker, that definitely works for me because I’m more of a gym-rat anyway.

Q: Speaking of being a gym-rat, let’s talk about your training again for a minute. I know you’ve been working out with NBA guard Jarret Jack a bit. What has he been in your ear about the most?

A: Jarret has been telling me to play with more pace. He knows that the league is all about pace and being able to change up your speed, especially at the guard position. That’s the main thing, I guess. I need to be able to change speeds on the court while keeping control of the game at the same time.

Q: Being able to keep up the pace is certainly something that will help you in Mike D’Antoni’s system. Obviously any extensive opportunity for you to speak with him and the Knicks coaching staff has been delayed due to the lockout. What advice did the staff give you upon being drafted?

A: Well they told me that after watching me, I need to clean up my defense a little bit. They wanted to make sure I’m ready to work hard and to build up a more consistent form in my jump shot. That’s definitely something I’ve been working a lot on and hopefully I’ll have that ready by the time the lockout is over.

Q: Aside from working out, what else have you been doing in terms of a higher level of competition this summer? I know you played in Dwight Howard’s charity game in Atlanta a little while back.

A: I’ve just been doing a lot of work down here in Florida at IMG Academy. I’ve tried to get in as many pickup games here as I can. I played a lot of ball with the guys who were training in Atlanta when I was there last month too. I’ve been working out with a lot of guys who went to Georgia Tech. We just like to get as many of us together as we can. Hawks forward Josh Smith has been playing some pickup ball with us too. We definitely try to get as many pros in the gym as possible.

Q: You’re going to have quite the experienced pro in Chauncey Billups as a teammate in New York. How do you feel about having a veteran like him as a mentor as you transition into the NBA?

A: Anything Chauncey has to share is obviously going to help point me in the right direction. He’s got such a great basketball background. I look forward to learning as much as I can from him. He’s actually one of the guards that I’ve looked up to over the years. To be able to play alongside him, or however else it works out on the court is going to be great. I’m really excited for the opportunity to work with him.

Q: Before I let you go, I wanted to find out if you were going to start blogging again as a New York Knick. You maintained a pretty active blog while playing at Georgia Tech.

A: I haven’t done it in a while, but maybe I’ll get back into it actually. Lately, I’ve been so into my training that I haven’t paid it much mind. I was thinking I would start it back up again, post more videos and add more updates and stuff. I’d like to be able to interact with the people during the lockout, so the blog is something I’ll be looking into again.

Q: In the meantime, to help Knicks fans get to know you a little, tell me your favorite music artist and favorite movie of all time.

A: Favorite music artist is definitely a toss up between Jay-Z and Kanye West, but I would probably go with Kanye there. Favorite movie of all time is tough. It might be "Paid in Full". Actually, I’m going to say "Harlem Nights" on that one.

Knicks Hiring Mike Woodson Now Imminent?

via New York Daily News

The Knicks are moving closer to hiring former Hawks head coach Mike Woodson as an assistant coach, which will fuel speculation that Woodson may one day succeed Mike D'Antoni as the team's head coach.

Although Woodson's last Atlanta team was criticized for its failure to make defensive adjustments when getting bombed by Orlando in the 2010 playoffs, the former first-round pick of the Knicks will join D'Antoni's staff as a defensive coach.

D'Antoni has been looking for his mandated defensive coordinator for quite a while, and it seems as though he has finally found him by default.

After losing out on other options such as Lawrence Frank, D'Antoni and the Knicks seems to be prepared to bring Woodson into the fold.

Woodson is certainly an established coach, having led the Hawks into the playoffs multiple times, but his credibility as a defensive specialist can be questioned.

As mentioned by Knicks Journal previously, the NYDN also notes that Woodson's experience as a head coach could ultimately catapult him into the hot seat as head coach of the Knicks should the team fail to thrive under D'Antoni this season.

Will there be a power struggle? Will owner James Dolan prefer giving Woodson a chance rather than extending D'Antoni at the end of the season?

That may all be speculation for now, but as a former Knick himself, Woodson's prior success as a coach and connections to Knicks brass may put him in good standing moving forward.

In any event, in this moment, adding Woodson to the coaching staff is a huge victory for the Knicks, no matter what comes next.

More Carmelo Anthony on the Small Screen

Fresh off his debut in his wife's new reality TV show, "LaLa's Full Court Life," it's been announced that Knicks star Carmelo Anthony will be appearing alongside fellow NBA All-Star Chris Bosh in an upcoming upside in NBC's "Law & Order: SVU."

See below for more details, via The Sporting News:

The Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and Heat's Chris Bosh will appear as themselves on the Sept. 28 episode of NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," the network announced. The NBA stars will appear in the opening scene and the show's climax.

The episode, titled "Personal Fouls,” features Dan Lauria as a youth basketball coach under suspicion of being a sexual predator. Lauria starred in “The Wonder Years” and also played Vince Lombardi on Broadway.

Mehcad Brooks will play Prince Miller, a fictional basketball star who was once one of the coach's prodigies. Rapper/actor Heavy D plays Supreme, Miller's cousin and business manager.

Knicks Star Carmelo Anthony is Now a Television Star

NBA superstar Kevin Durant is said to be gearing up to embrace a starring role in a major motion picture for Warner Bros. However, he's not the only top talent from the NBA going in front of the camera.

Knicks star Carmelo Anthony will be appearing on the silver screen starting tonight on VH1 at 9pm EST as part of his wife, entertainment personality La La's new reality show, fittingly called "La La's Full Court Life."

The new show, which comes following the production of a series featuring the couple's wedding celebration last summer, documented their travels through Denver, New York, and Los Angeles over the past year as they focused on their respective careers in the spotlight.

While La La, clearly comfortable in front of the camera, is the show's main star and subject, there will also be a tremendous focus on the busy NBA season her husband had, including all of the trade rumors, speculation, and heat Anthony was forced to endure prior to his arrival to the Knicks.

Get More: La La's Full Court Life, TV Shows, Full Episode Video, Reality TV Shows

Watch the preview clip above for a better look at what's ahead on the show.

It's Amar'e Stoudemire's Turn to Tour China

Just a few weeks ago, Knicks star Carmelo Anthony traveled to China to promote Jordan Brand with his buddy, Hornets' guard Chris Paul. The two spent time interacting with the fans that make China such a crucial market for the NBA.

Earlier last week, Anthony's New York Knicks' teammate, Amar'e Stoudemire, set off on his own journey to China, this one sponsored by Nike. Whereas Anthony had a chance to relax a bit, dancing and hanging around with pandas, STAT has yet to experience that side of China, instead sticking to what he knows best so far: the game of basketball.

Following a long 15 hour flight, Stoudemire joined NBA stars such as Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, and Kyrie Irving for the opening ceremonies of the NIKE Festival of Sports. The Knicks big men, who occasionally displayed his long range shooting skills this season, has already won a three-point contest as well.

With Yao Ming recently retiring, it will be interesting to see if the recent visits to China by STAT and Melo will not only bring the league more international fame, but perhaps the players as well. With Ming's playing days over, the fans are sure to look elsewhere for a star player to root for. In past years, (coincidentally two former Knicks) Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady have rose to fame in China, but that was certainly due to their time as teammates to Yao.

More to come as the captain reports from his trip. As part of his new partnership with Big Lead Sports, Stoudemire will be sharing more as well as creating content for the likes of HoopsWorld, Hoopshype, etc.

Knicks' Roger Mason Jr. to Play Overseas?

It's certainly a lot easier for current NBA free agents (as opposed to those players under contract) to explore various opportunities overseas as the lockout continues.

According to Alan Hahn, that's exactly what Roger Mason Jr., who spent last season donning orange and blue, is considering.

Mason Jr. got off to a slow start last season, struggling to get into a groove on the court after receiving limited and/or sporadic minutes. It wasn't until the Carmelo Anthony trade that he began to move into the rotation. Even so, he has continued to express that he is interested in returning to New York for a redeeming second season.

Though with the lockout likely delaying that chance, Mason Jr. is in talks to join Hapoel Jerusalem, a team he previously played for in 2005-06.

He went on to tell Hahn, "I can get myself ready for the season in a training camp, in a structured situation, and put money in my pocket."

Some may consider Mason Jr., a Vice President of the Players Union, thinking about playing overseas to be concerning. As a VP, he obviously knows the ins and outs of negotiations, so should he venturing to play elsewhere be considered aborting ship? Should other players take note?

Not exactly. It seems as though Mason Jr. is just being realistic. The lockout is obviously here, and it doesn't appear to be ending in the near future, so the league is likely to have a delayed training camp and perhaps miss a few games, to say the least. Mason Jr. expressed his rational, posing a question to Hahn, "Do I want to just stay out here in L.A. and play pickup? Or do I want to go into a structured situation in a beautiful country?"

Mason Jr. is sure to have an NBA out for when the lockout comes to a close, so as a free agent, this seems like the best move he could make at this point if he wants to play.

Speaking of playing pickup ball in Los Angeles, he tweeted earlier this week that he was enjoying playing with many members of the Clippers.

I for one would like to see Mason Jr. back in a Knicks uniform whenever next season begins. His slow start caused him to get a bad rap early on. He's a solid three point shooter, and if he is given a chance to play some consistent minutes, he should be able to make an impact off the bench. Aside from that, he's a great locker room guy, so he definitely has definitely has value both on and off the court.

Knicks' Ronny Turiaf Breaks Hand Playing For France

MVP247

Meanwhile, France centre Ronny Turiaf is set to miss EuroBasket with a broken hand after undergoing scans in London on Wednesday. The New York Knicks player picked up the injury during Tuesday’s win over Britain and FFB officials have confirmed to MVP that Turiaf will consider withdrawing from the squad if further tests in Paris show lasting damage.

“The hypothetical withdrawal of Ronny Turiaf, a player who is as important on the court as he is off it, could be a real blow to France,” France head coach Vincent Collet said. ”I can only imagine how disappointed and frustrated Ronny would be to miss the EuroBasket.

“If he has to withdraw, we will see how to fill the void. For the time being I do not want to bring myself to think he is not a part of the team.”

Knicks center Ronny Turiaf, one of the French National Team's most devoted and proud countrymen, will miss Eurobasket after breaking his hand during a victory on Tuesday.

Turiaf has been forced to sit out international play in past years due to more nagging injuries. After being healthy and ready to roll this summer, he had hoped to make an impact.

Unfortunately, that likely won't be able to happen, as Turiaf plans to bow out of competition completely, should further tests show lasting damage.

It really is a shame for Turiaf, but the injury shouldn't affect his participation on the Knicks, especially with the lockout occurring and training camp likely delayed. The injury and Turiaf's presence on the National Team are of course not a result of the lockout, as Eurobasket and the opportunity to represent one's nation comes once a year ever summer. However, the unfortunate injury just goes to show what the NBA and its teams/players are susceptible to as time goes on and more players ponder venturing overseas.

Despite the injury, Turiaf was still able to have fun while his time on the court lasted, playing exuberantly and breaking it down on the court like only he can. See his fancy moves below. (Thanks to Seth of P&T for the clip.)

Timofey Mozgov Does Best Blake Griffin Impression

As notorious as Blake Griffin has become for his freakish athleticism and high-flying dunks, that's how well known former Knicks big man Timfoey Mozgov has become for being on the other end of one of Griffin's overpowering slams.

After showing signs of potential with New York, Mozgov failed to really make his mark after joining the Nuggets following the Carmelo Anthony trade. Though he is still under contract with Denver, the NBA lockout has prompted him to sign with Khimki Moscow Region of the Russian PBL, his former team.

In the meantime, Mozgov has been spending his summer representing Russia during Eurobasket. Having been dunked on so severely himself, Mozgov seems to have channeled his inner Blake Griffin during the rim rattler in the clip above. Gotta give him props for that one. He sure seemed to get the play-by-play man excited.

The Knicks have yet to find a big man suitable enough to proclaim "center of the future" since Mozgov's departure.

However, on a side note, 2011 second round draft choice Josh Harrellson (or "Jorts"), the man the Knicks hope heralds just as much, if not more, potential, is a local hero due to some recent noble actions in Kentucky. Make sure you click away and take a look!

Steve Nash to Knicks Fans: Don't Lose Faith in Amar'e Stoudemire

Sometimes during the NBA offseason, players prefer to enjoy some sun and fun while taking a break from the grind and gearing up for the next season.

However, with the lockout throwing a wrench into players' plans, we are all left to ponder what will happen next.

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash is no exception to the rule, and he called in to my friends at the Fanalysts Sportsrap (featuring The Gambler and Phife Dawg) to talk about his plans during the NBA lockout, his former teammate and current Knicks captain Amar'e Stoudemire, and more.

Nash went on to say that though the prospects of playing overseas interest him very much, his commitment to his family will likely keep him closer to home. This certainly reiterates the interest the NBA's best players have in playing internationally. There's no doubt that top talents would love the opportunity, should there not be an NBA season, but the uncertainty of when the NBA will pick up again (and having to pick up and leave the international squad in the middle of its season) makes such a move difficult for most players.

Gambler also got the Soho resident to share his thoughts on the New York Knicks and the progress of his former teammate Amar'e Stoudemire. Though he did reaffirm what most Knicks fans already understand--that STAT needs a bruising big men next to him at center to take some of the heat down low--Nash also said that the pressure on Stoudemire to be more of a defensive force should not be as pressing.

It isn't exactly in Stoudemire's nature to be a defensive-minded player, and given that he's successful at so many other things on the court, the criticism of his defense should not be as severe. Nash went on to say those concerned with his defense should look at his ongoing progress and maturity through the years as proof that he will continue to improve as an overall basketball player.

He certainly makes it sound as though he believes Knicks fans should continue to believe in STAT, as he can deliver great things in New York.

For more of Nash's great exclusive interview with Fanalysts Sportsrap, listen/watch the clip above. He goes on to talk about his time with the Suns, living in New York City, the best guards ever to play the game, and more. If all that isn't enough of an incentive to listen, I also appear on the show to talk about (what else) the lockout and Knicks basketball, following Steve's appearance!

David Stern Isn't Concerned About NBA Lockout Carrying On

via Boston Globe

“I expect that we’ll make a deal because the alternative is very destructive,” he said. “It’s destructive of $2 billion worth of player salaries and it’s destructive most important to our fans of the game. And if it spirals badly everyone gets hurt. But in some ways I worry because the players have more to lose, especially those in the later stages of their career. So we’re going to do everything we can when the rhetoric slows down to get this thing back on track.”

The above quote is from David Stern, expressing his latest thoughts on the NBA Lockout. Though after earlier negotiations the NBA commissioner was discouraged by the first stages of talks between the players and owners, he appears cautiously optimistic.

Everybody clearly has more to less than to gain if the NBA lockout continues well into the season, and based on his comments, it certainly appears as though Stern seems to understand that. The fans, as well as the players, are craving basketball already, as evidenced in the tremendous turnouts at various Pro-Am competitions in the likes of New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.

The one thing I've reiterated all along, that Stern also goes on to point out, is that we're in the month of August right now and the NBA would at this time be in the middle of its regular offseason (as opposed to a "lockout") at this point either way. Sure, it'd be a lot better to come to some sort of an agreement sooner than later, but the pressure still won't be as pounding until we grow closer to the scheduled start of the regular season. The two sides definitely have time to get things rolling.

Hopefully everyone can take a cue from Stern's optimism and use it as momentum heading into more serious negotiations.

Are Any Knicks Likely to Play Overseas During NBA Lockout?

As the NBA lockout continues and players and fans alike ponder what will ultimately come of the season, teams have begun to see their players, at the very least, negotiate (if not already sign) with various overseas teams as they seek out places to play.

The question remains whether or not there is enough legitimacy to these negotiations for NBA teams to be concerned. How many players will pickup, pack their bags, and venture overseas simply for a place to play?

It really comes down to the level of passion and need for a competitive atmosphere. While NBA players won't get paid during the lockout, the compensation they would receive playing for international squads is nothing compared to what they earn in the NBA.

As Alan Hahn notes, role players, such as the Knicks' own Toney Douglas and Landry Fields, only make closer to (or less than) $1 million per season while still under rookie contracts in the NBA, so the transition into international ball, even if for the duration of a full NBA season, is likely not worth it for them.

Having said that, the league's marquee stars are still certain to be sought out by international teams. The Nets' Deron Williams was of course the first "star" to sign internationally (in Turkey), but the all-star, who was scheduled to make over $16 million next season, will reportedly earn only $5 million with Besiktas.

Williams cited the chance to experience life overseas and the need/obligation to support his family financially as the top reasons for him signing the one year pact with Besiktas. At the same token, two of the Knicks' better players, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, also just so happen to be dedicated family men. However, Anthony obviously was quite persistent in pushing for a trade to the Knicks this past season so that he could in fact be closer to his family in New York. Furthermore, Billups had a hard enough time departing Denver and leaving his own family in order to play for the Knicks.

Aside from the fact that Billups just recently has been cleared to resume basketball activities, it's unlikely he would go much further from his family. Though Anthony recently took a tour of China with the Jordan Brand and said he wouldn't mind playing there, one could believe his family and high profile celebrity status are likely to keep him closer to home too.

The Knicks' other marquee star, Amar'e Stoudemire, has actually admitted to receiving interest from international teams as well, but acquiring insurance for such a contract remains a huge obstacle.

For now, it appears the Knicks need not be worried about seeing any of its players take their talents overseas. Even if the majority of the NBA's top players continue to receive international interest, it's unlikely a large number of them bite the bait given all of the other hurdles they would face through the transition.

Aside from the that, the rest of the league's players will still left without jobs. The threat of players joining teams overseas should not be a huge cause for concern for NBA clubs like the Knicks just yet.

Is Bringing Patrick Ewing Back to the New York Knicks Worth the Risk?

Since 2002, the greatest Knick of all time, once a staple in New York, has bounced around the league as an assistant coach, having stints with the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, and the Orlando Magic.

Since the end of his playing days, Patrick Ewing has seen former teammates like Herb Williams, John Starks, and Allan Houston all re-join the Knicks in post-playing career roles. Following his own departure, the Knicks have struggled mightily without a force such as Ewing in orange and blue.

Finally, with Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony now in town, and the Knicks on the verge of greatness once again, Ewing wants back in.

Number 33 appeared on “The Mike Lupica Show” on ESPN Radio earlier this week and relayed that he would in fact enjoy a return to the New York Knicks, expressing, “I hope that one day I get to come back home because I do live in this area, I still consider this my area, I still consider myself a Knick. Hopefully one day I’ll be brought back here.”

It’s certain that the fans would welcome Ewing back to New York with open arms, and his homecoming may just be one of the biggest celebration’s the city’s basketball atmosphere has seen in years. That being said, is the possibility of tarnishing his reputation worth the risk?

It’s no surprise that Ewing wants to come back to the franchise where he experienced his most success to lend an assist to the next class of Knickerbocker greatness. Still waiting (coming up on ten years now) for a chance as a head coach, he has diligently worked longer as an assistant than most former players normally have to, being instrumental in the development of big men like Yao Ming and Dwight Howard over the years.

The questions that remain, even after all this time, are whether Ewing is simply more than a big man’s coach, and whether or not he could run his own team.

Ewing’s path back to the Knicks’ bench has been blocked, partially due to strained relationships over the years, but also because his friend and former teammate, Williams, already occupies the token former Knick/”big man’s coach” seat on the bench.

With Knicks’ brass pushing down hard on head coach Mike D’Antoni to hire a special defensive coach, an opportunity for all sides may be presenting itself in regard to the Ewing situation.

Since the offseason began, D’Antoni and the Knicks have (even if vaguely) looked at a number of candidates for the position, such as the now Lakers coach Mike Brown, the recently hired Lawrence Frank of the Pistons, and the still unemployed Mike Woodson.

Aside from Woodson and a couple of other less likely candidates, the Knicks are seeing their list of potential hires quickly dwindle. With that said, the chance for Ewing to step into the crucial role and finally return to New York may be prime.

Hiring the “Big Fella,” who certainly a strong defensive presence during his playing days, as the Knicks new “defensive coordinator” would not only fill a very important role on the team’s bench going into next season, but also provide Ewing with the chance to prove he is more than just a big man specialist. In addition to having immediate approval from fans, Ewing is almost also certain not to overpower D’Antoni as a main authority on the Knicks’ bench, like some of the other candidates with head coaching experience just might.

If he is in fact able to solve even some or most (if not all) of his former team’s defensive woes, Ewing’s credibility as a potential man in charge is sure to go up tenfold. Having just been edged out by Frank for the Pistons’ head coaching position, time on the Knicks bench could be a springboard for another head coaching job in the near future for him.

Could one of those next available head coaching positions be with the Knicks? If the team’s brass like what they see from Ewing more than they do from D’Antoni in the two’s first potential season together, perhaps the position Ewing has coveted for quite a while could be more in his reach than ever before.

For now, the objective is finding somebody to take on the burden of helping D’Antoni improve the current team’s defense. Such an obstacle could be a difficult one, and should he fail at the task, Ewing may not end up being remembered too fondly by Knicks fans after all.

Though, with all things considered, now seems like the perfect time for Ewing to rejoin the Knicks. He has an opportunity to help the team improve in some key areas while experiencing success in New York again as well.

The credibility, appreciation, and excitement he would discover with the Knicks are all within Ewing’s grasp. It’s simply on the Knicks to now realize the kind of the opportunity they have to bring one of the city’s most celebrated athletes back home into a nice situation, while potentially fixing up their defense in the process.

Amar'e Stoudemire's Knicks "Players Only" Camp Coming Soon

The offseason workouts that Knicks captain Amar'e Stoudemire has been planning with his teammates are finally coming to fruition.

Though he originally wanted to start things up in August, due to his ailing back and the dragging NBA lockout, Stoudemire will attempt to round up his teammates in September. While he had told Knicks Journal in June that he, Carmelo Anthony, and Landry Fields were going to amp things up in Los Angeles, the Knicks "players only" camp will be taking place at IMG Academy in Florida.

Truly taking on a leadership role, STAT told Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick, "As soon as I get cleared [medically], as soon as my back gets strong, I'm going to call all the guys and structure a training camp," he said. "I'll have them all meet at IMG, put them all in apartments, feed them breakfast and lunch -- they're on their own for dinner.

"My guys are waiting on me. They're texting me all the time, saying, 'When are we going to work out?' But I'm still kind of in neutral right now with the back injury."

The fact that Stoudemire is still complaining about back pain is definitely a cause for concern, but at least the lockout may be good for something, as it provides a bit more time for him to ease back into workouts.

Though the Knicks, who have been often criticized for signing STAT to a $100 million contract, cannot contact their players to keep up on their training regiments, at least they can rest assured that some of their captain's hard earned money is being spent towards improving the team and motivating the players to keep in touch and stay in game shape.

The Mystery of Eddy Curry Goes On

via ESPN TrueHoop

It's unfortunate. I still think Eddy should be a top three big guy in this league. Easily. With his physical advantage, his size and his touch and his athletic ability for being that big ... it's something that we lack in this league right now. Not a lot of big guys out here. He should be at the top of his game. He should be an impact player. I felt bad for him in New York. I felt like he never really got a shot. I don't know what went on there, so I can't take sides, but I definitely felt bad for him. I felt like if he had an opportunity to change things around, to show people that he was valuable ... I hope that opportunity comes around for him.

People have been fixated over Eddy Curry and his failures (and fizzled potential) for years now. In an in-depth interview with ESPN TrueHoop, Mavericks center Tyson Chandler talks about being an NBA champion, the offseason and lockout, and of course, his former Bulls teammate Curry, among other things.

It's interesting to hear Chandler's thinking that Curry never really got a shot as a New York Knick. He certainly had his shot, in my opinion, but the pressure to succeed was surely too intense. Expectations were high for Curry, who was first touted as "Baby Shaq" to then the Knicks' best big man since Patrick Ewing (who celebrates his birthday today--happy birthday, Big Fella!).

Shaq and Ewing are no two easy big men to match up to, and frankly, Curry's style of play wasn't that of either of them. Curry was clearly a softer player, who although could certainly score in bunches, was not going to be the physical nor defensive player the Knicks have still craved down in the paint to this day.

While I understand he was built a certain way that made scouts and fans alike believe he could be something else, it's not unreasonable to assume Curry could've been a 20 point per game scorer with a lot more patience, ease, and less pressure. The problem, for the Knicks, I suppose, is that he wasn't going to be much more than that. While a 20 point scorer is nothing to sneeze at, Curry didn't have all of the tools (motivation being one of them), to be the entire package.

Furthermore, whether he was out of shape or in tip-top shape, I'm not sure Curry was going to excel in Coach Mike D'Antoni's offense either way. Again, comparisons to Shaq were drawn when considering how O'Neal experienced more than moderate success with D'Antoni in Phoenix, but that pairing was simply not given enough time to work itself out. Curry's expiring contract in the Carmelo Anthony trade proved to be an invaluable asset, so perhaps things worked out for the best.

Nevertheless, that still doesn't solve the mystery of Eddy Curry--what he could have or was supposed to be, and what will come of him in the future. The Miami Heat have reportedly worked Curry out a couple of times in the last few months, and would apparently be interested in giving him a shot if he were able to get himself back into game shape once again.

In any event, make sure you check out Chandler's full interview with ESPN TrueHoop. It's a great read for any basketball fan craving a fix during the lockout.

NBA Star Kevin Durant Balls at Nike Pro City League in NYC

A night after he lit up Rucker Park in New York City for 66 points, two-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant continued his summer ball tour by taking the court at Baruch College for the Nike Pro City league.

Durant took the hardwood with a number of NBA players, forming what could surely be considered a street ball All-Atar team. Donning black and yellow for "The Franchise," joining Durant were Pacers starting center Roy Hibbert and other NBA talents such as the Nets' Sundiata Gaines, former Knick Andre Barrett and St. John's forward Justin Burrell.

Knicks Journal was on hand to take in the excitement.

Durant was clearly the most celebrated star of the evening. However, Bulls guard John Lucas III, who was on the opposing side as Durant scored 66 on Monday, found himself as Durant's opponent once again on Tuesday. He clearly came out with a vengeance.

While Durant and company came out firing from the start, Lucas and "Big Apple Basketball," which also featured Paris Horne of St. John's, fought their way back as The Franchise clearly seemed too relaxed down the stretch, as some sloppy play allow Lucas to go on a scoring rampage. Big Apple Basketball roared back and actually took the lead in the final seconds. The crowd was going wild as a fringe NBA guard led the charge versus an NBA MVP candidate, proving that anything is possible in New York City basketball.

Even during the surprising and colossal collapse, Durant kept his cool and took the ball for his team through regulation's final possession. With the capacity crowd on its feet, Durant sank a three pointer in the corner to send the game into overtime.

Though Lucas powered all the way through a 60-point performance, the momentum was clearly in favor of The Franchise, as Durant and his team brought home a 146-143 victory.

Clearly a scoring explosion for all, Lucas' tremendous performance this time had the edge on Durant's 41 points. Aside from those two, Barrett (who donned orange and blue briefly in 2004 and has bounced around the NBA/D-League ever since) impressed with his skills as a floor general, creating a great one-two punch with "The Durantula" by providing him with pin-point passes over and over again, connecting on an array of dunks and even displaying a sweet stroke of his own. Barrett poured in 30 points, and even at 29 years of age, he proved he still deserves a chance to break back into the NBA.

Also impressing once again was Burrell. The St. John's forward excited fans with his freakish athleticism during the Malone Mulhall Benefit Game earlier last weekend, and he certainly did not disappoint the Nike Pro City crowd either. He finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds of his own.

Bulls guard Ronnie Brewer, St. John's own Malik Boothe and DJ Clue were all on hand to take in the exciting contest.

Also in the building was Smush Parker, who played in a earlier Pro City matchup. He was notably the Lakers' starting point guard next to Kobe Bryant from 2005-2007. Parker still displayed a decent shot and good hands on defense, and he was an effective orchestrator with the ball for his team. He has bounced around since last playing in the NBA in 2008.

The Nike Pro City games are free of charge to fans, who clearly get the treat of some serious NBA talents dropping by. For players like Durant, the opportunity to experience New York City basketball, display his talents, as well as hear and feel the excitement of the crowds may give him and other players the incentive to keep coming back to leagues like this. Not only to give the fans their basketball fix, but to suffice his own during the NBA lockout.

Knicks Fans To Be Welcomed Into "Clyde's" Kitchen

With renovations at Madison Square Garden taking place, Knicks fans will have to find a new place to eat prior to games, as the "Play by Play" restaurant is now shut down.

Fortunately for them, everyone's favorite Knicks legend may just have a solution to their pregame woes.

Knicks legend and current MSG commentator Walt "Clyde" Frazier announced that he will be opening an upscale sports bar to be located on West 37th St and 10th Ave in New York City, fittingly being named, "Clyde's."

Clyde's new creation will be a partnership with Ark Restaurants, the powerhouse behind various eateries, including ones in Bryant Park and the Financial District of NYC. They have a target opening date of December 1st, which very well could be before the NBA lockout.

Nevertheless, fans should be excited for this new development. Frazier has always been the "King of Cool," and opening an "upscale" sports bar seems as slick as ever for the legendary guard.

His popularity with the city of New York has continued to steadily grow over the years, as "Clyde" has become known not only for his smooth and flashy play as a Knickerbocker, but for his illuminating vocabulary on MSG and style as a bit of a fashion icon in the 1970's.

As the new venue is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Garden, fans are sure to be flocking there fast for some great food and to celebrate Frazier himself. I just can't help but wonder what the dress code will be like!

Mike Woodson To Be Knicks Defensive Assistant Coach?

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

That could certainly be the case for former Hawks head coach Mike Woodson and the New York Knicks.

David Aldridge is reporting that Woodson will be in New York at some point this week to interview for the designated "defensive coordinator" assistant coaching position that the Knicks have required Mike D'Antoni to fill going into the final season of his contract.

As it turns out, though the Knicks were angling high for former Nets head coach and the most recent defensive guru/assistant coach on the Celtics bench, Lawrence Frank, he was hired by the Pistons to be their next head coach last week.

Woodson, as fate would have it, was reportedly the runner up for the Pistons position after having been a Pistons assistant himself under Larry Brown in past years.

The Knicks do not necessarily have a defensive coach occupying a seat on their bench at all, so any decent coach would be a tremendous upgrade. That being said, to get a coach of Woodson's caliber (someone who led the Hawks into the playoffs multiple times), with such experience under his belt, the Knicks would be incredibly lucky as they put themselves in a good place in terms of defense.

Furthermore, should D'Antoni ultimately fail to meet expectations next season, whenever it may start, perhaps Woodson would be considered a cheap, viable replacement, considering his experience and strong references.

NBA Finals Commentator Mike Breen Talks About What's Next for New York Knicks

This past weekend, a number of local basketball athletes, including Spurs' forward (and Long Island native) Danny Green, and a trio of St. John's Red Storm players, Justin Burrell, Paris Horne, and Malik Boothe, participated in the Malone Mulhall Benefit Game. The exhibition, which took place at St. John's Carnesecca Arena, was organized to honor Jamie Malone, Paige Malone, and Michael Mulhall, all of whom died in a fatal car crash while on their way to work at Camp ANCHOR, a camp for kids with special needs. The money raised goes towards the Jamie and Paige Malone Foundation, as well as a scholarship established in Michael Mulhall's name.

All of the players who came out for the great cause certainly gave it their all. The participants were separated into two teams, led by coaches ESPN/ABC commentator and MSG's lead play by play man Mike Breen, as well as Nets Radio commentator Tim Capstraw.

Though Breen's team, led by Green, took an early lead with with a barrage of three-pointers by both Green and former Providence guard Jeff Xavier (who earlier won the Benefit's three point contest), the ESP shared by Red Storm teammates Burrell and Boothe, who connected on a number of electrifying alley-oops, was simply too much down the stretch as Capstraw's team came out victorious.

Though the players all had different basketball backgrounds, ranging from experience in the NBA, the D-League, overseas, and college ball, it's clear their talent level was high, as demonstrated by the freakish athleticism by Burrell and the sharpshooting Xavier.

Nevertheless, perhaps no one had greater celebrity than Breen, who recently called the NBA Finals for ABC. I caught up with the longtime Knicks play by play man following the game. Wonder what "Coach Breen" was telling his team on the sidelines? Read on to find out what the voice of the NBA had to say about the Knicks' progress, what's next for the team, his experiences as a commentator, and more.

Q: Despite the loss, I have to say, you seemed to keep your team enthusiastic and motivated throughout the whole game, and were talking to them quite a bit the bench. What did "Coach Breen" tell his team today? Furthermore, how did you get involved in today's great cause?

A: Well, first and foremost, I wanted them to have some fun. But then no one was playing defense! We had to tell them not to be so friendly out there. Those were the keys--just to play some defense and have some fun. It was a good competitive game. Today was obviously about these guys just being able to go out and give the fans a bit of a show.

My daughter actually went to Sacred Heart Academy. The Sacred Heart community is pretty amazing in terms of coming together during difficult times, so that's how things came together and I was able to get involved.

Q: Let's talk about the Knicks. What kinds of things did you see that you liked from the team this past season?

A: You just know that there's hope again for the fans. Not only does the team now have star players, but also have a chance to beat just about anybody on any given night. Obviously when you put two guys like Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire together on a team, you have a chance to be really good. The Knicks took a really important first step by expecting to win every night. The expectation is there, so now it's about that next step.

Q: In your eyes, what does that next step have to be?

A: That next step is forming some cohesiveness. The team was thrown together, and even though they did pretty well in the limited time they had, anybody who watches the NBA knows that it takes time to form the necessary cohesiveness and chemistry a team needs to be successful. That's what the Knicks need to do next.

Q: Obviously being a commentator for as many games as you are, you have a chance to see some of the better teams in the league play. What makes certain teams so much better, and what are the Knicks lacking to become one of those teams?

A: The number one thing is that the Knicks have to become a better defensive team. They obviously have the offensive stars in place. Now they need to be able to dedicate and commit themselves to playing defense every night, not just on the nights that they play one of the league's elite teams. They need to go out and be consistent on defense, that way, the team can rely upon that when the offense isn't clicking.

Q: Before you go, tell me your favorite thing about being a part of MSG and ESPN/ABC broadcasts.

A: Well I was a crazy basketball fan growing up as a kid. Certainly a lifelong Knicks fan. Just being able to sit and watch the best basketball players in the world up close night in and night out is a thrill for me.