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Carmelo Anthony To Meet With Phil Jackson

January 17th, 2017 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

After hinting on Sunday that a meeting with the Knicks’ brass might be useful, Carmelo Anthony will get that meeting this week, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. Sources tell Shelburne that Knicks president Phil Jackson intends to meet with Anthony within the next few days to discuss the forward’s feelings toward the organization.

This week’s drama in New York stemmed from a column by Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a longtime Jackson confidant, was extremely critical of Anthony, writing that the forward’s legs are “going, going, almost gone,” and adding that the nine-time All-Star has “outlived his usefulness” in New York. While Rosen clarified that those were his views alone, and didn’t come from Jackson, the close relationship between the two created some uncertainty for Anthony, necessitating a meeting.

Anthony has indicated that he hasn’t thought at all about waiving his no-trade clause to go to another team, telling reporters on Monday that he wants to remain with the Knicks. So, unless Jackson has other ideas, the two sides will likely make an effort to mend fences during this week’s meeting.

Here are a few more notes out of New York:

Although Jackson will speak to Anthony in the wake of Rosen’s column, head coach Jeff Hornacek said on Monday that he doesn’t feel the need to talk to his forward about it, per Al Iannazzone of Newsday (Twitter link).
Speaking of Hornacek, he made some interesting changes to the Knicks’ starting lineup on Monday, including plugging Ron Baker in at shooting guard in place of Courtney Lee. Lee, who signed a lucrative four-year deal with the Knicks in the offseason, posted pictures from the movie Dumb and Dumber on his Instagram account shortly after being benched, as Fred Kerber of The New York Post details. Lee quickly deleted those posts and explained in a subsequent message that he didn’t intend to criticize the coaches, the rotation, or the lineup change.
While Lee backed off his apparent criticism, Brandon Jennings didn’t hold back after Monday’s game, per Marc Berman of The New York Post. Asked about the lineup change, Jennings said that players “don’t know what’s going to happen” with the rotation when they show up for a given game. “Every day is something new,” Jennings said. “There’s kind of no consistency. It’s tough.”

Knicks Notes: Jennings, Baker, Anthony

January 8th, 2017 at 2:16pm CST by Will Joseph

Brandon Jennings, whom the Knicks signed to a one-year deal in July, ripped himself and the team for New York’s poor play this season and especially as of late, Marc Berman of The New York Post relays. Jennings is the floor-leader for the Knicks’ second unit, and after a hot start, the veteran has fizzled out, which coincides with the way the team has played; they’ve gone from 14-10 to a season-worst three games under .500, as Berman points out.

“Honestly, I don’t think we’ve played well at all this year,” Jennings said. “I don’t know if you’re watching it. We’re winning games because of our talent. Basketball-wise, I don’t think we’re playing basketball like we should.”

Here is more on the Knicks:

Carmelo Anthony‘s right shoulder is bothering him, but the Knicks star plans to play through it and has not missed a game since December 13th, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. Anthony said he will tolerate the pain, and added he has not missed any practices, per Iannazzone.
Ron Baker’s contract becomes fully guaranteed for the season on Tuesday, and Jeff Hornacek said the Knicks plan on keeping the undrafted rookie guard on the roster, Iannazzone passes along in the same story.
It is clear the Knicks have relied too much on their individual talent and have yet to jell together as a team, as evidenced by the team’s latest losses, Berman writes in a separate piece.

Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Luwawu-Cabarrot, Jennings

January 6th, 2017 at 10:29am CST by ChrisCrouse

The Raptors own the second best record in the Eastern Conference, but executives around the league are skeptical that they can truly compete for a title, according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. One executive told Ding that Toronto is “one-and-a-half” players away from being title contenders.

Skepticism surrounds the team’s title chances, but there’s no denying the franchise’s stranglehold on the division, as the Raptors are in great position to take home the Atlantic for the third consecutive year. Here’s more from the division:

The Sixers waived Hollis Thompson on Wednesday, which left Nerlens Noel as the last player left on the roster from when The Process began, Jessica Camerato of Comcast Sportsnet writes. With Thompson off the team, first-round pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will see more playing time. “Having Timmy now here and trying to play him more, you’re going to see an athleticism on the wings, you’re going to see a fearless mindset attacking the rim,” coach Brett Brown said. “He is an elite athlete if he is anything, and he’s different than all of our other wings. He really, really is different. I think his catch-shot game is coming around. I feel like [president of basketball operations] Bryan Colangelo did a really good job of selecting him.”
Brandon Jennings said the Knicks need more accountability, adding that the team needs to get comfortable with each other, as Ian Begley of ESPN.com relays. “Guys are still together. I just wish we would hold guys, we would hold each other a little more accountable for what we do on the court,” Jennings said. “I definitely like confrontation. I definitely like being coached and being told when I’m doing something wrong. So those are things that I really think we need to start doing within each other and the team because that’s what good teams do.”

Atlantic Notes: Green, Rozier, Lin, Jennings

December 26th, 2016 at 9:49pm CST by Arthur Hill

Gerald Green had his best game of the season for the Celtics in Sunday’s win over the Knicks, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Green hasn’t seen many opportunities since signing with Boston over the summer for his second tour of duty with the franchise. He has played in just 14 games and is averaging 9.9 minutes per night. But he had eight points Sunday, scoring five in the second quarter as the Celtics pulled away. “It’s tough at times,” Green said. “You just have to stay motivated. I give a lot of praise to the coaches and the players keeping me ready, keeping me engaged at all times.”

Green’s opportunity came at the expense of Terry Rozier, who was held out of a game for the first time this season. Coach Brad Stevens refused to say whether Rozier’s benching would last beyond one game, but the second-year guard has been struggling lately, shooting just 27% from the field in his last five contests.

There’s more news from the Atlantic Division:

Nets point guard Jeremy Lin left tonight’s game in the third quarter with a strained left hamstring, according to The Associated Press. He recently returned after missing 17 games with a hamstring problem.
Knicks guard Brandon Jennings apparently agrees with the criticism that the team relies too much on one-on-one offense, relays Marc Berman of The New York Post. Jennings liked a tweet suggesting that after New York managed just 11 assists Sunday. He refused to talk to reporters after registering just two assists following a 12-assist outing in his last game. Carmelo Anthony has defended the Knicks’ offensive philosophy, and Courtney Lee says Sunday’s game doesn’t prove there’s a problem. “There’s a couple of things it could be,’’ Lee said. “Guys not making shots. Could be matchup they like, guards going off pick-and-rolls and getting to a certain spot to knock down a shot. The ball will continue to move. We’ll get assists.”
Defensive problems are keeping the Knicks from rising very far above .500, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday. At 16-14, New York is the only team in the league with a winning record that allows more points per game (107.9) than it scores (105.6).

Knicks Notes: Noah, Porzingis, Hornacek, Rose

December 1st, 2016 at 9:19pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Joakim Noah could quickly go down as another Knicks free agent bust if he doesn’t pick up his play soon, Mike Coppinger of USA Today writes. Noah was brought in to be the defensive anchor but the Knicks are tied for seventh-most points allowed per game (106.5), Coppinger notes. Noah, who was signed to a four-year, $72MM contract, has seen limited minutes during crunch time, Coppinger adds. “I want to play better, obviously,” Noah told Coppinger and other reporters. “I know personally I have to play better for this team to get to where we want to get to.”

In other developments regarding the Knicks:

The debate over whether the Knicks are now Kristaps Porzingis‘ team or still Carmelo Anthony‘s team is meaningless to Porzingis, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com. “That’s not something I’m worried about,” Porzingis told Begley and other media members. “I read social media and Twitter and all that. But a lot of that is just in and out. And I don’t really pay attention to it. It doesn’t really matter.”
The Porzingis-Anthony controversy is a moot point because the Knicks are really Jeff Hornacek’s team right now, Harvey Araton of the New York Times argues. Owner James Dolan was forced to eat most of previous coach Derek Fisher’s $25MM contract and logically, team president Phil Jackson won’t be allowed another coaching change, giving Hornacek plenty of leverage, Araton opines. Hornacek should feel free to run his preferred offensive scheme, pick the rotation he wants and enforce his rules, Araton adds.
Derrick Rose turned aside questions about being benched in favor of defensive-minded Justin Holiday during crunch time against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports. Rose is eligible to sign a three-year, $75MM extension as of December 22, and wants to be a closer, Berman adds. Hornacek left in backup point Brandon Jennings, who is also playing for a new contract, and that could prove to be a tough dilemma for Hornacek if Jennings is playing well. “That’s something you’ll have to ask [Hornacek],’’ Rose said to Berman of the late-game benching. “I’m just doing whatever Coach asks me to do, go in whenever he tells me.”

Knicks Notes: Noah, Rose, Anthony, Jennings

November 27th, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks center Joakim Noah may be nearly recovered from the flu, but his other problems haven’t gone away, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Noah has been under fire for his lackluster performance after signing a four-year, $72MM contract this summer. He played just 12 minutes Saturday night and didn’t take a shot, posting his fourth scoreless game of the season. He was part of the starting unit that fell behind 15-2, and he sat out yet another fourth quarter. “Those are not things I can control,” Noah said of being held out at the end of games. “All I can control is my progress. I need to play better and I will. I just got stay working. I need to play better and I will.”

There’s more this morning out of New York:

Point guard Derrick Rose, who was Noah’s teammate for eight years in Chicago, hasn’t lost faith in him, according to Newsday’s Al Iannazzone. “Of course it hurts when you want to be out there, you want to play,” Rose said. “It’s not up to him, it’s up to Coach. If it was vice versa where it was someone like myself, I would be hurt. At the same time, I want to win the game. He has a great attitude. He’s still in the game, up cheering us, telling us what he sees on the floor.”
The addition of Rose and the development of second-year big man Kristaps Porzingis have taken some of the scoring burden off Carmelo Anthony, Iannazzone writes in a separate story. The 32-year-old forward, who has been the Knicks’ top scorer since he arrived in a 2011 trade, likes having teammates he can count on. “It’s an easy transition for me,” Anthony said. “I always wanted somebody or other guys who can do it for me. Sometimes you want to play the back end and do what you do from that aspect. You don’t always want to be in the driver’s seat.”
For the first time in his NBA career, Brandon Jennings is being asked to concentrate more on passing than scoring, Berman notes in a separate piece. The backup guard, who accepted a one-year, $5MM deal to come to New York, doesn’t mind the transition. “My role has changed here,’’ Jennings said. “I don’t have to score a lot. I can set the table. Not that it means I still can’t score. I have to sacrifice my game for the team. I’m playing with some of the best scorers in the world. I definitely have to change my game and found other things I can bring to the table.”

Atlantic Rumors: Valanciunas, Knicks, Nets, Celtics

November 10th, 2016 at 9:29pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas will not rush back from his knee injury but he calls it a minor issue, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. Valanciunas, who had an MRI last week, has missed the last two games. “We’ve still got the whole season in front of us, it’s not something major, it’s not some big injury, it’s a couple of games, couple of days,” he told Smith. The Raptors are starting rookies Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam at the power positions while Valanciunas mends.

In other developments around the Atlantic Division:

Brandon Jennings doesn’t want his Knicks teammates helping opponents get up if they fall on the court, Ian Begley of ESPN.com writes. Jennings wants his teammates to take a tougher approach, Begley adds. “I wouldn’t want another opponent to help me up,” he told Begley and other writers. “That’s just showing too much respect. In between the lines, you don’t have a New York jersey on, then you don’t mean nothing to me.”
The Nets are scrambling because of injuries to their top point guards, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports. With Jeremy Lin sidelined by a left hamstring strain injury and rookie Isaiah Whitehead recovering from a concussion, the club is using shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick at the point out of desperation, Lewis continues. The Nets waived injured Greivis Vasquez and his one-year, $4.35MM deal this week and called up undrafted rookie Yogi Ferrell from the D-League.
The Celtics, who have been playing without top free agent acquistion Al Horford for the last four games, could make a lineup change, Mike Pedraglia of Greenstreet.weei.com relays. Horford isn’t expected to return for the team’s game against the Knicks Friday. Coach Brad Stevens said could break up the current lineup of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jaylen Brown, Amir Johnson and Tyler Zeller. “We’ll give thought to lineup change,” Stevens told reporters. “We’ll make the right thing for our team. But the bottom line is the guys that are playing are going to play because of our numbers in some part.”

Eastern Notes: Olynyk, Bradley, Stuckey

November 1st, 2016 at 7:34pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Celtics center Kelly Olynyk will be out of action a while longer as he makes his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald relays. “I think we’re going to have to give it a few more weeks, get it as strong as you can and feel like you’re comfortable and ready to play and can take anything that’s thrown at you,” said Olynyk, who underwent the procedure on his shoulder May 16th. “I think that’s probably what it’ll be. It’s when you feel ready to play, man. When you feel strong, feel confident, feel like you’re coming in to help the team.”

In other Boston injury news, guard Avery Bradley was forced to sit out practice today with a sore right shoulder and is scheduled to be examined by the team doctor, Marc D’Amico of NBA.com relays. Coach Brad Stevens downplayed Bradley’s shoulder woes, but there is some cause for concern given that he has been experiencing consistent pain in his shooting shoulder — a shoulder that has been surgically repaired in the past, D’Amico notes.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Sixers coach Brett Brown says the team is considered starting Ersan Ilyasova at power forward instead of Dario Saric, who was “thrown into the starting lineup” due to injuries, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer relays (via Twitter). Ilyasova was acquired from the Thunder earlier today.
The Pacers will be without guard Rodney Stuckey for awhile, with coach Nate McMillan announcing the player will be out of action for several weeks with an injured hamstring. The silver lining of this cloud is that an MRI showed there was no tear, which would have kept Stuckey in street clothes for a far longer duration.
Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net runs down some free agents to keep an eye on in case the Cavaliers decide they need more depth at point guard behind Kyrie Irving.
Brandon Jennings, who is now a member of the Knicks after signing with them this summer, said he knew his time with the Pistons was limited as soon as Detroit acquired Reggie Jackson, Marc Berman of The New York Post relays. “I knew it was over once they got Reggie Jackson,’’ Jennings said. “Just the fact my Achilles injury — nobody knew what to expect from me, how long it would take to come back. Achilles injuries are career-ending injuries. I already knew what time it was.’’ The Pistons traded Jennings to the Magic prior to last season’s trade deadline in the Tobias Harris deal.

Atlantic Notes: Pierce, Rose, Jennings, Sixers

October 12th, 2016 at 6:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Paul Pierce confirmed last month that 2016/17 will be his final NBA season, writing in a piece for The Players’ Tribune that he intends to retire next year. Pierce’s story for The Players’ Tribune didn’t mention how exactly he plans to go out, but in in a conversation today on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Pierce announced that he’ll retire as a member of the Celtics (Twitter link via Justine Termine of SiriusXM).

That decision comes as no real surprise — Pierce has played for a few different teams in recent years, but spent 15 seasons in Boston, winning a championship with the Celtics and making 10 All-Star appearances as a member of the franchise. He figures to join the team one last time during the 2017 offseason when he signs a one-day ceremonial contract to announce his retirement.

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

According to various reporters, including Nancy Dillon of The New York Daily News (Twitter link), the judge in Derrick Rose‘s civil trial denied motions from the defense to dismiss the case or rule it a mistrial. The trial will continue this week, and Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said today that Rose won’t rejoin the club until it wraps up, per Marc Berman of The New York Post (Twitter link).
Carmelo Anthony feels like the Knicks got a “steal” in free agency by landing Brandon Jennings, who still believes he should have been drafted by the franchise seven years ago. Berman has the quotes and the details in a piece for the Post.
Derek Bodner of PhillyMag.com examines the battle for the Sixers‘ final roster spot, noting that injuries to Nik Stauskas and Brandon Paul have muddied the waters in that competition. Philadelphia technically only has 11 players on fully guaranteed contracts, but Bodner views T.J. McConnell, Jerami Grant, and Elton Brand as near-locks.

Central Notes: I. Smith, Pistons, Bulls, Zeisloft

October 12th, 2016 at 1:31pm CST by Luke Adams

Ish Smith was one of the top three point guard targets identified by the Pistons when free agency got underway this summer, according to Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press, who writes that the club was also eyeing D.J. Augustin and Ramon Sessions. Detroit may have had some interest in Brandon Jennings as well, but there are signals that interest wasn’t reciprocated, per Ellis. In any case, it was Smith who ended up becoming a Piston, and now the team will be leaning on him heavily to start the season. With Reggie Jackson sidelined for six to eight weeks, Smith will move into the starting lineup at the point, and as Ellis details, he’s confident he’ll be able to step up for the club.

Here’s more from around the Central:

James Hawkins of The Detroit News passes along a few Pistons notes, including the latest on Ray McCallum and Lorenzo Brown battling for the backup point guard role
The Bulls had already been without guard Denzel Valentine due to an injury, and have now learned that Tony Snell will be out at least a week, per K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). As Nick Friedell of ESPN.com tweeted earlier, Snell sprained his ankle in Monday’s practice and was expected to be out for “a little while.” The injuries don’t appear serious enough to affect Chicago’s regular-season roster decisions, though that’s just my speculation.
After his final year at Indiana, Nick Zeisloft participated in just one pre-draft workout and didn’t get a Summer League invite. However, Zeisloft still managed to land a training camp deal with the Pacers. Jim Ayello of The Indianapolis Star examines how that agreement came about, and what’s next for the sharpshooter, who figures to head to Fort Wayne to join the Pacers’ D-League affiliate.