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Celtics 131, Knicks 104: “Hey, Delon’s first minutes!”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/9/24362111/celtics-131-knicks-104-hey-delons-first-minutes
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The best-laid plans of mice & men often go awry
Near the midpoint of the third quarter last night, his team down six, Mikal Bridges was guarding Jaylen Brown when the Celtic turned the ball over. Josh Hart fired it ahead to Jalen Brunson at midcourt, with Jayson Tatum to his left, Derrick White closing on his right and the high-flying Brown a few feet back, in perfect chasedown-block position. Using the defenders’ aggression against them, the brilliant Brunson pushed his dribble about halfway down the lane, drawing and ultimately collapsing the coverage, turning to find Bridges wide-open trailing the break. The ironman drilled an open trey to make it a three-point game. At that moment I had a vision of a stirring Knicks comeback, a win that’d tie them with the C’s in the loss column and be their best of the season. Beyond that, I imagined writing a recap I’ve had in mind for nearly 10 years.
Then the Celtics win on a 19-3 run en route to a rout. If you’re here for an autopsy, the simplest explanation for cause of death is the Knicks only attempting five more 3s (24) than the Celtics made (19). Three Bostonians made four or more beyond the arc; no Knick had more than three. New York’s starting five attempted 16 longballs. Tatum alone took 14. If you’re throwing 30 jabs a round and your opponent’s throwing 30 uppercuts, you meeting the mat is a question of when, not if.
The recap I hoped to write started with someone I can’t remember anymore — could’ve been Arron Afflalo. Maybe Courtney Lee, maybe Frank Ntilikina. What I do remember was watching a game where the Knicks were behind big early but started making a comeback. The points were piling up to where the pinwheel ceiling sounded like it could come crashing down, so raucous were the home crowd. And then, just when the comeback was about to crest, and the Knicks got out on the break, and were one more make from MSG climaxing in full, uproarious rapture . . . the ball found Ntilikina in the corner. Or Lee. Or Afflalo. Whatever. Whoever it found missed.
And I thought, “That’s a sign. You’ll know the Knicks are back — not Amar’e-quote back, but fully, actually, 1990s or 1970s back — the day that pass finds the right guy in that spot.”
Then, like Linus in the pumpkin patch, I waited, eyes peeled and razor-sharp, for a sign my faith had been rewarded. Could Marcus Morris be the prince who was promised? What about Reggie Bullock? Alec Burks didn’t scream “Messiah,” but if the holy grail were the cup of a carpenter it’d only make sense for New York’s savior to give a similarly humble vibe. Evan Fournier raised some eyebrows his first year here, what with setting a Knick record for 3s in a season and in particular those fading-away corner jobs where he’d drift both away from the basket and behind it. Alas, none of them were “Him.”
I imagine recaps are like rosters: you can have a vision, but unless the right content comes along to fill it the form remains just another dream. The dream of the Knicks surpassing the Celtics is a long-standing one. The bad news isn’t really news at all: as of right now, today, they’re not close. Boston had the edge in size, shooting, continuity and defense, and if you try any “But OG Anunoby was out!” they’ll see you and raise you two absent starters in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Richdingus.
Somehow, despite the Knicks replacing OG in the starting five with the bigger Precious Achiuwa, every switch and rotation seemed to end up in a size mismatch favoring the visitors: Josh Hart guarded by Luke Kornet; Brown shooting one fadeaway after another over Brunson and Deuce McBride; Karl-Anthony Towns facing Tacko Fall triplet triple-teams. That last bit’s made up. But that’s basically what it felt like watching: like the Knicks thought they were playing the Celtics but instead all the C’s big brothers showed up instead.
Last night didn’t change any my hopes for the Knicks. I think they have the right starting five to win a championship. I don’t think they have the bench to, nor do I expect a team to build both a title-worthy starting lineup and reserve unit all in one offseason. I think with continuity they can be a 60-win team — consider, if you will, how little of that Brunson’s actually had since becoming a Knick. He had about a year and a half straight with RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. In the last 13-ish months, RJ was traded for OG, who missed most of his first half-year with New York. Randle missed the last 3+ months, which is about how long KAT and Bridges have been Knicks. And yet the offense is elite and the defense — most nights — is coming along.
Brunson to Bridges was the right play midway through the third, and feels like a glimpse of greater glories to come. Last night it was but one twinkling light amidst the dark. Quoth Jaybugkit: “Hey, Delon’s first minutes!” I don’t imagine Delon Wright makes a big impact this year for this team, but while he’s no Mikal or Brunson or Towns he’s also not Afflalo. He’s not Ntilikina. He’s not being asked to be what he isn’t. The Knicks close the first “half” with a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday, visiting the 4th-seeded before hosting the Hawks. So if there’s still hate in your heart you didn’t properly exorcise last night, two good chances to take care of business this week.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/9/24362111/celtics-131-knicks-104-hey-delons-first-minutes
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Knicks Bulletin: ‘There’s no sugarcoating it. There’s no moral wins’
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...heres-no-sugarcoating-it-theres-no-moral-wins
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
New York realized a tough reality on Saturday.
Dreams, shattered.
The New York Knicks hosted the Boston Celtics on Saturday, and all they could do was cut a mammoth deficit down to three-points before absolutely cratering for the second time against Boston. Final score: 131-104.
Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few defeated Knicks had to say after yesterday’s forgettable affair.
Tom Thibodeau
On the Celtics' strengths:
“They’re a tough matchup. They’re the defending champion. They’re strong on both sides of the ball. They can spread you out. They can attack you off the dribble. They share the ball.
“You have to be very disciplined. You have to be able to make a second and third effort and be tied together, and sometimes they have the ability to make tough shots, and you’ve got to do it time and time again.
“Obviously, the Celtics have a rich history. The battles have been tough over the years. We know what it means to a lot of people.”
On the rebounding issues against Boston:
“The rebounding was problematic to start, it was problematic throughout. I thought sometimes there were some good initial sequences, then they hurt us with the second shot.”
On what’s next after the nth loss against a contender:
“You learn from every game. The disappointment of a loss, but make sure we learn from it. Obviously we have to take a hard look and get better.”
On Ariel Hukporti’s improvement in filling the paint on a backup role:
“He’s done a good job. He’s young. He’s learning. So he’s getting better. The way Precious has played has been a big plus for us. We also have OG who can slide over to the five. So we think we have good depth there.”
On former Knicks coach Hubie Brown:
“Great coach. Teacher. Great analyst on TV. Just a great human being.
“Incredible career. He’s been a great ambassador for the game. He’s a special person.”
Jalen Brunson
On the Knicks’ loss to Boston:
“Today as a whole was unacceptable. We’re not where we want to be.”
On the Knicks’ silent trade deadline and the possible Mitch-KAT pairing:
“They have the potential to be very good. I just want Mitch to come back fully healthy and ready to go. That’s my main focus—just making sure he’s 100 percent.”
On the team’s confidence in its current roster:
“On trade deadline day, whoever wears New York across their chest is who we’re going with and who we’re trusting. Regardless of what happens, this is the team we’re going with, and I have the utmost respect and confidence in them. We’re ready to go.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On the Knicks needing to improve after the loss to Boston:
“We’ve got a lot of work to do. Simple as that. There’s no sugarcoating it. There’s no moral wins.
“If we’ve got aspirations, which I know we do, then we’ve got to find ways to win games like tonight.
“That’s a team (Boston) that’s in the race. Great teams, championship teams, they test your discipline. And we’ve got to work on keeping our discipline for all 48 [minutes].”
On Ariel Hukporti’s growth:
“The rook has been fantastic. He’s coming in every day with the right mindset. He’s hungry to be the best version of himself and is super coachable. It allows him to be on a fast track to success.
“He’s done himself just nothing but wonders by being who he is and being the player he is and just wanting to be a superstar in his role.”
Josh Hart
On the loss to Boston:
“We didn’t come out great, we were stagnant. We didn’t execute.”
Shams Charania (Woj Lite)
On Mitchell Robinson’s status:
“He is expected to start 5-on-5 play here very soon.
“I’m told he and the Knicks have a goal of (a return) before March 1 for, potentially, his season debut.”
On OG Anunoby’s injury:
“I’m told specifically it’s a toe issue—more of an irritating injury, not something structurally wrong or serious.
“Targeting a return at some point after the All-Star break.”
Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics Head Coach)
On the Celtics’ defense against the Knicks:
“You tally up all the ways that they’re able to score and you take a few of those away. We didn’t do a great job at (keeping Brunson from going to) the free-throw line. We got to do a better job defending without fouling, but we were able to just take away a lot of the stuff that they get through some of the details and the positioning and the details were on point and it took some of that stuff away.”
On Boston’s lineup adjustments with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday out:
“It’s more about just having different ways that you could play and so the season presents opportunities for that and we need to be able to be flexible to win the matchup at that particular time. And I thought tonight that just won the matchup for us.
“New York’s one of the most physical teams in the league and they do a great job on both ends of the glass and so we were able to counteract that a little bit with our physicality. So credit to the guys though for playing as hard as they did, especially defensively, they were really well-connected.
“I thought Al Horford—I don’t know if he took two, three shots—but his defensive positioning and physicality was tremendous.”
On Jayson Tatum’s 40-point performance:
“He was ready to play, and that was special. So I just thought he did a great job just kind of taking what the defense gave him, whether it was for him, whether it was for his teammates.
“His ability to just play versus different coverages throughout the game, get the shot that he wanted, and play with his sense of poise... that was a special performance.”
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics Player)
On the Celtics’ performance against the Knicks:
“I think from the start to the finish, even when they went on a run, we did a really good job of responding. We weren’t flustered or anything like that.
“On both ends of the floor, when we needed a stop, we did (it), when we (needed) a rebound, when we needed to hit some shots, when we needed to make the right reads, we did all those things.”
On Luke Kornet’s performance starting in place of KP:
“Big Luke played his ass off today. He kind of really set the tone to start.”
On finding inspiration playing in front of Denzel Washington:
“I saw Denzel Washington sitting courtside, so I was excited about that.”
Derrick White (Boston Celtics Player)
On dealing with wannabe contenders:
“We’ve had a target on our back the whole year, and we understood that going into the season.
“I think every game [against us] is probably a measuring stick. It’s just on us to have the right mindset.”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...heres-no-sugarcoating-it-theres-no-moral-wins
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Knicks Bulletin: ‘They got an edge about them. They know basketball’
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...y-got-an-edge-about-them-they-know-basketball
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
No hoops Monday as New York gears up for another back-to-back.
No practice for the Knicks on Super Bowl Sunday means tough exercise on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s first leg of the upcoming back-to-back slate.
New York flies to Indianapolis to face the Pacers first before welcoming the Atlanta Hawks in the final Knicks games before the All-Star break.
Here’s the latest from Coach Thibs and a few Knicks for those without a Super Bowl hangover.
Tom Thibodeau
On inserting Miles McBride in the second half against the Celtics:
“That was part of the reason why we put Deuce in the second half just to get the shooting, because of the help that was coming from the back side, just to try and open it up for [Karl-Anthony Towns] a little bit more.”
On having rebounding issues and struggling defensively against Boston:
“It’s a compilation on both sides of the ball. The rebounding was problematic to start. It was problematic throughout.
“And then the [defensive] shell, keeping the ball in front [of the defender]. Sometimes there were some good initial sequences.
“They hurt us with the second shot. They hurt us with some threes.”
On learning from losses:
“Yeah, well, you learn from every game. The disappointment of a loss, but make sure that we learn from it. Obviously, we have to take a hard look and get better.”
On T.J. Warren’s play in the G League:
“I have a lot of respect for what he’s doing. He’s had a terrific year, and he’s been great down there. For our young guys to watch somebody like that, who loves the game, great teammate and obviously he’s been terrific on the floor; I have a lot of respect for what he’s doing.”
Jalen Brunson
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ struggles against Boston:
“They did certain things, but I think at the same time, it’s on us, too. We’re not gonna win individually, and we need him. And I think as teammates, including myself, know we just need to put him in a better position to be successful.”
On the loss to Boston:
“The measuring stick failing as a whole was just unacceptable. Just not playing our style of basketball.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On how the Celtics limited his production:
“I’m gonna watch the tape to find out. I got a good idea, though.”
On playing through injury on Saturday:
“Yeah, I wanted to play. I wanted to. Great game and I wanted to go out there and compete.
“No (I’m not at 100%), but I know I can do anything in my mind if I put the work in, so I just wanted to play.”
On the new All-Star tournament-like format:
“It’s something new so I hope the fans enjoy it. It’s going to be cool to be part of something that’s for the first time happening at All-Star [weekend]. I’m excited to be a part of it. … Just show up with a jersey on and play.”
Josh Hart
On playing on Saturday despite having knee soreness:
“If I’m out there, I’m good enough to play.”
On the Knicks’ struggles against Boston:
“We didn’t come out great. We were stagnant. They had Kornet and Horford clogging up the paint. We just didn’t execute.”
On the Knicks’ second-half collapse after getting as close as three points behind:
“We did a good job getting the game close. We were down three at one point. And then they were running a stack action, and we couldn’t stop it.”
On the team failing to stop Jayson Tatum:
“He made some tough shots, but in the first half, we made it extremely tough on him. And then in the second half, we couldn’t get stops, and he hit some tough shots at the end of the shot clock.
“He’s an All-Star for a reason. He’s gonna knock down shots.”
Jayson Tatum tells @tvabby he tried to put on a show for Denzel Washington
"I saw Denzel Washington sitting courtside, so I was excited about that."
Full Interview: https://t.co/MT2gQEaQth
️by @PrizePicks & @GameTime pic.twitter.com/aSLijJdOhU
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 9, 2025Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics Player)
On playing at Madison Square Garden:
“I saw Denzel Washington sitting courtside, so I was excited about that. Tried to [put on a show].
“Besides Boston, it’s probably the best place to play. They got all the celebrities, but they also have that edge. They got an edge about them. They know basketball, they’re passionate, they’re chanting and cheering the whole time. So, it is a special place to play.”
On whether playing at MSG gives visiting players an advantage:
“I don’t know, you gotta ask the Knicks players that.”
Brian Scalabrine (Former NBA Player)
On the Knicks’ struggles against elite teams:
“If you’re the Knicks, it all comes crashing down. Like, now you are reminded once again that you are just not at the same level and you have a long way to go.”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...y-got-an-edge-about-them-they-know-basketball
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The mental aspect of watching someone win somewhere else
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...aspect-of-watching-someone-win-somewhere-else
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
What are we supposed to feel?
Last night sucked.
The Knicks don’t play today, and with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, there isn’t much to talk about during off days. Yesterday, the sports world stopped (as it always does) to watch the Super Bowl. It was quite an unenjoyable one for yours truly, but we’ll get to that later.
I’ll start off with a basketball example. How did you feel when Kristaps Porzingis posed with the Larry O’Brien trophy last June?
Porzingis’ exit from the Knicks was as ugly as any Knick in a generation.
As we know, Porzingis demanded a trade in a late January meeting with management that led to a swift trade to the Dallas Mavericks. A simple trade demand is one thing, but the little details are why he was so hated afterward.
In May 2019, former general manager Steve Mills revealed that Porzingis told them to trade him before the deadline, or he was going back to Europe. There was the whole Janis Porzingis thing. The way all of it played out was that a frustrated star wanted significantly more say in matters, and when the team pushed back, he took drastic measures to get out.
To say that Knicks fans didn’t like Porzingis after he left was an understatement:
I was there on that fateful night in November 2019. It was a toxic environment I haven’t seen replicated since, with a small exception to a 30% full Yankee Stadium being hostile to the Astros in 2021 after the sign-stealing scandal went public. If it was full, it would’ve taken the cake.
A capacity crowd booed Porzingis all night, only relenting when Marcus Morris played hero at the end in Maxi Kleber’s face:
The vibe on the stairway down was immaculate. I still have the video in my phone of fans chanting “F*** KP.”
Porzingis wasn’t spared next time he came to the Garden, as he was still booed during the 2020-21 season in a sparse crowd due to COVID-19 restrictions. Fans still never let him get away from them, with boos lasting into 2023:
When Porzingis didn’t work in Dallas and was wasting away with a bad Wizards team, it felt like victory. We might not be hanging banners, but he wasn’t winning either. It felt like we won.
Until, he was saved by Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics. Porzingis would be a perfect fit to a death star Celtics team that won their 18th championship in June. A former New York star won a championship on a bitter rival. Have I heard this before?
Now, there is a flip side to these. Although there will forever be examples of players who leave on bad terms, we must also acknowledge the times we feel good for our guys who find success somewhere else.
In basketball, what about J.R. Smith?
J.R. was beloved in New York when he was here. The electric sixth man was not only a great Knick on the court, but he was a tremendous vibes guy for that Knickstape squad.
When he and Iman Shumpert (who also fits here) were traded to Cleveland in 2015, it was necessary but stung our hearts. Regardless of whether you liked LeBron or not, everyone felt happy for J.R. and Shump when they hoisted the Larry O’Brien in 2016. When players don’t leave with animosity (or left for a rival), you seem to root more for their success.
Another football example, for me, would be Odell Beckham Jr. Aside from should-be-Hall-of-Famer Eli Manning, OBJ was a key part of my formative years as a Giants fan. He was the most exciting player I had ever watched play for my team. As a Giant, OBJ had several terrific seasons, but played only one, cold playoff game where he and the team wilted in Lambeau in January 2017.
Odell was traded in March 2019, leaving a great but empty legacy behind in New York. It wasn’t his choice to leave and he’s always been complimentary of the team since, even floating a return multiple times. His knees began to fail him, leading to a sharp decline, but OBJ got his ring in 2021 on the Los Angeles Rams, catching a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Seeing an emotional OBJ after the game was the happiest I had ever felt for a former player winning a ring. Since the Giants last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in February 2012, some of my best memories watching the Giants had come watching him play. It never worked here, but I was happy for him because he deserved it.
Remember when I said OBJ was the most exciting player I ever watched play for a team of mine? That changed when a kid from Whitehall Township, PA donned the blue and white in Happy Valley.
In case you glossed over the short author bio at the start of this article, I go to Penn State. My decision to eventually attend the university did not come out of nowhere, it was the team I had rooted for my entire life. I have multiple family members as alumni. When Saquon Barkley played for the Nittany Lions, a younger me couldn’t fathom that an athlete could be that explosive.
So, imagine the joy that was felt that when Barkley, after concluding his incredible collegiate career with Penn State, was drafted second overall to my favorite team:
Eventually, you realize that, yeah, drafting a running back in a good QB draft isn’t a good idea when your franchise quarterback was barely hanging on. Dave Gettleman, for ya!
His rookie year was unbelievable. The reliance the offense had on him (91 catches for a rookie RB is outrageous) was like no other. He quickly rose into stardom and after that season, a terrible decision was made. My family got a dog in January 2019 and couldn’t decide on a name. My unknowing self floated the name “Barkley”. All told, pretty solid dog name. I just should’ve known better.
When he was here, only Aaron Judge matched him in being a representative star of the city. He was cheered at sports games, plastered throughout Times Square, and took the mantle from OBJ as the star of the Giants. A younger me thought he was ours forever, or at least long enough that it wouldn’t matter.
Unfortunately, he left. He left for the one place that gave me nightmares.
The contract negotiations are twisted by many after the infamous offseason Hard Knocks. Barkley was reportedly offered $13 million AAV with incentives for $14 million in 2023 by the Giants, albeit with less guaranteed. He was offered as much as $23 million guaranteed. He then responded to that with the worst season of his career. Entering his age 27 season, I still can’t blame Giants management for not matching (if they even got a chance to) a $13.5 million a year deal with $26 million guaranteed. What happened to your $16 million AAV ask, Saquon? Hell, even his trainer said we offered a better deal.
Regardless, the horror of the past season played out. I grew up in South Jersey, surrounded by Eagles fans. 2018 sucked. I go to the place where he’s the most iconic alumni. I was rooting against the Eagles no matter what, but the guy who left for a division rival got his own smidgen of hate.
Unfortunately, the Eagles dominated last night, even with Barkley’s worst game of the season. Opening my Twitter timeline to see a guy that I named by dog after lifting the Lombardi Trophy with a rival’s shirt on stung.
It didn’t quite feel like Kristaps. The sting of what he did to us had faded. We hated him at that point because he was a Celtic. In a way, that’s how last night was supposed to feel.
The wound was just too fresh.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...aspect-of-watching-someone-win-somewhere-else
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The State of the East, Post-Deadline
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/11/24363455/the-state-of-the-east-post-deadline
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Checking in on the rest of the conference.
Trade deadline season is always one of the most fun times of the year to be an NBA fan. Case in point: the last ten days.
THE NBA TRADE DEADLINE HAS NOT DISAPPOINTED
Craziest trade deadline everpic.twitter.com/RSgpAi3wXt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 6, 2025
From Luka teaming up with LeBron in Los Angeles, to Jimmy Butler forcing his way next to Steph in Golden State, to DeAaron Fox throwing lobs to Wemby, this deadline provided one of the most dramatic weeks in recent NBA memory. In total, eight All Stars were traded, and 63(!!!) total players found new homes, most in NBA history.
Knicks fans, however, watched the deadline come and go without much skin in the game.
Jericho Sims was shipped to Milwaukee in exchange for veteran Delon Wright, who may or may not be sticking with the team.
Otherwise? Nothing.
With so many moves happening around the league, it’s understandable if you missed a couple of transactions. With that said, let’s check in on how things are shaping up around the Eastern Conference from the bottom up.
See you next year
The Wizards, Hornets, Raptors, and Nets are all officially looking towards next year. The play-in tournament feels far fetched.
Khris Middleton joined the Wizards, and Brandon Ingram joined Toronto, but otherwise, not much noteworthy here. Some interesting moves, but certainly nothing that will change New York’s postseason hopes.
The play-in hopefuls
I’m going to chunk a bunch of teams into this section. Bare with me.
The Bulls finally embraced their youth movement, shipping Zach Lavine out west for a haul. Matas Buzelis ROTY push loading.
The Magic stood pat for the second year in a row, and after a strong start to the year, now sit three games under .500.
Atlanta made a surprising move we’ll talk about later, but their bench unit looks dramatically different now, headlined by Caris LeVert and Terrance Mann.
Pat Riley and the Miami Heat finally broke up with Jimmy Butler, sending him to the Warriors for Andrew Wiggins amongst other assets.
Dennis Schroder bounced around four teams this season, but finally landed in Detroit, who is finally on the right side of .500 thanks to Cade Cunningham’s all-star level of play. When’s the last time they were buyers at the deadline?
Finally, let’s throw the Sixers in here as well. Sure, they have Embiid, Maxey and Paul George, but right now they’re sitting at 20-32. They acquired former Knick Quentin Grimes as well as Jared Butler, signifying a youth movement and probably indicating they have their sights set on the future rather than the present.
The contenders
Alright, alright. This is what we’re here for. Let’s take a good look at what’s going on here.
Milwaukee Bucks
Beyond acquiring former Knick Jericho Sims, the Bucks moved on from Khris Middleton. In his place now is Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma won a ring with the Lakers in 2019-20, but has not played much meaningful basketball since, appearing in only six playoff games since.
This season, Kuzma is good for about 15 points and 6 rebounds per game. Solid numbers, but his efficiency is poor, and his style of play tends to require the ball in his hands. I’d love to be impressed, but not the spookiest of moves from the Milwaukee front office.
One more acquisition worth mentioning? Kevin Porter Jr., fresh off the plane from Los Angeles. KPJ is still only 24, and averaging 9.2 points per game this season in less than 20 minutes per game. He could provide a real spark to the Milwaukee bench unit.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have gone more under the radar than last year, but quietly are in control of the four seed in the East.
Also quiet was their trade deadline activity. Besides parting ways with James Wiseman, the roster remained intact. Indiana likes what they have. They’re rolling with their guys.
Boston Celtics.
Aha. The real contenders.
We all saw Boston’s thrashing of our beloved Knicks on Saturday night. Jayson Tatum has a special place in his heart for New York. Lucky us.
Bench staple Jaden Springer got shipped to Houston. Torrey Craig was added from the buyout market.
Sure.
That’s it out of Boston. It’s the same team as last year.
Be scared.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are tops in the East with a 43-10 record. And yet they still refuse to be satisfied. They’re all in.
Caris LeVert and Georges Niang hurt to lose, but man. DeAndre Hunter is a stud. This is the kind of win-now move that decides championships.
Hunter is averaging 18.8 points per game, shooting 46% from the floor and 40% from three. It gives the Cavs’ bench unit a bonafide wing scorer, a direct upgrade from Caris LeVert in the same role.
If you haven’t paid attention to Hunter’s play this year, start.
Straight buckets.
Cleveland’s playoff rotation now looks like this:
Garland/Mitchell/Strus/Mobley/Allen
Jerome/Merrill/Okoro/Hunter
This is scary. I’m scared. You should be scared.
In conclusion
Despite the array of moves at the deadline, not too many headlining deals shook up the state of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks still comfortably feel like the number three team in the East, a step behind Boston and Cleveland but out ahead of teams like Indiana and Milwaukee.
There’s a lot of ball left this season. And with the All-Star break approaching, we know who our guys are.
This is who New York is running with. This is who New York is up against.
Let’s win a ring.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/11/24363455/the-state-of-the-east-post-deadline
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Knicks 128, Pacers 115: “Yes KAT!”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/11/24364000/knicks-128-pacers-115-yes-kat
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
With Towns and Hart combining for 70 points and two double-doubles, New York holds off Pascal Siakam and the Pacers.
At the Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight, the New York Knicks (35-18), missing OG Anunoby, started slow tonight against the Indiana Pacers (29-23) but closed the first quarter strong to take a 27-26 lead. Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the half with 24 points, and despite Jalen Brunson’s shooting struggles, New York secured a 68-60 halftime lead. Despite Brunson sitting on the bench with five fouls in the third, the Knicks built a lead behind Towns’ dominance and Josh Hart’s genius. A strong fourth-quarter push sealed it: 128-115.
Quoth SwissCheez: “Yes KAT!” Despite playing hurt, Karl logged an impressive line of 40 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three steals while shooting 14-of-23 from the field and 9-of-9 from the charity stripe. You could call him the star of the game—or you could give that honor to Josh Hart, who scored a season-high 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
That dynamic duo carried the team tonight, with some nice support from Precious Achiuwa (12 rebounds, nine points and bench guys Miles “Deuce” McBride (15 points, 4-of-4 from deep), Cameron Payne (nine points, five assists), and Landry Shamet (11 points, four assists). For the Hoosiers, Pascal Siakam scored 24 points, Tyrese Haliburton logged 16 points and eight assists.
The Knicks logged 37 assists tonight, with only seven coming from Brunson. Primo ball movement!
First Half
New York’s OG Anunoby was unable to play tonight due to his lingering foot or toe problem. Achiuwa started in his place at power forward. Here in Binghamton, I powered through some gas pains and general lethargy . . . some of us are excited about the upcoming All-Star break.
In an auspicious start, the Knicks began with a 5-0 run. The joy was temporary. The Pacers rallied to go ahead 16-13 by midway through the quarter. Their lead soon reached 24-17 with the ‘Bockers shooting a woeful 36% from the field and 20% from deep.
Both Towns and Hart have dealt with knee soreness recently, and the Knicks’ starting five seemed slow compared to their Pacers counterparts. Late in the quarter, a line-up of Brunson, McBride, Mikal Bridges, Achiuwa, and Ariel Hukporti recovered their pep. Scoring eight unanswered points to close the quarter put them up, 27-26.
In the second quarter, Tom Thibodeau received a rare technical foul. He was incensed about a foul called on Towns. Karl didn’t need the help: he leveled up in Q2, smoking poor Thomas Bryant, who had started in place of Myles Turner, and feasting in the paint on his way to 24 first-half points.
McBride had his best shooting game in a while, drilling all three first-half three-point attempts. Meanwhile, having a different sort of night, Brunson endured a 0-for-6 drought before converting his second bucket, and Mikal Bridges managed just two first-half points. For the Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin, playing from the bench tonight, combined with fellow forward Siakam to score 31 first-half points.
The lead teeter-tottered, with 14 changes in the half. In the second quarter, New York fell behind by five, but rebounded with a 10-2 run, due to a defense effort that kept the Pacers from scoring for over three minutes. By intermission, our heroes were ahead, 68-60. They had shot much better in the second quarter, entering halftime shooting 54% from the field and 50% from deep; outrebounded the Hoosiers 26-19; and won the points in the paint, 32-28. So far, so good.
Second Half
Brunson’s woes continued. He picked up his fifth foul with eight minutes left in the third quarter, regulating him to the bench. His teammates, though, pushed their lead to 12 before letting go of the rope. The Pacers went on a run, thanks in part to Andrew Nembhard playing stingy defense and Bryant being more active on the glass, to cut their deficit to four.
Despite suffering another finger injury, KAT kept cooking. He crossed the 30 mark with over two minutes remaining in the quarter. Here, a triple for your pleasure:
Brunson continued to sit and hydrate on the pine while his Roommates podmate Josh Hart chased a new season-high (previously 26).
New York started the fourth quarter ahead 98-88. First team to 100 wins, right? That held true tonight. After Landry Shamet and Cameron Payne scored consecutive buckets, the Knicks had their largest lead yet, up 15 with seven minutes to go. Brunson didn’t return to the battle until the five-and-a-half mark, and would finish with eight points and seven assists in his 23 minutes. When the Pacers waved a white flag, sending in Jahlil Okafor and the subs, Thibs relented and let Matt Ryan and Tyler Kolek take the floor for a few minutes. When the curtain fell, New York had won 128-115.
Always feels grand to beat the Pacers.
Up Next
The Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow at Madison Square Garden. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
Box Score
from rangeSource: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/11/24364000/knicks-128-pacers-115-yes-kat
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Game Preview: Knicks vs Hawks, February 12, 2025
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/12/24364296/game-preview-knicks-vs-hawks-february-12-2025
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
With just one more game to go before the All-Star break, the New York Knicks have the opportunity to improve to 36-18, which would be three more than the amount they had heading into the break just a year ago. To do so, though, they’ll have to come away with a win against a 26-28 Atlanta Hawks team coming off a five-game stretch that includes nice wins against the Pistons, Bucks, and the Magic.
The Knicks, despite the occasional outcry among the fanbase, have had a nice stretch as well, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. They’ve had some really impressive wins against the Kings, Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Rockets, three of whom are top five in the Western Conference, and their only losses have been to the Lakers, who are fourth in the West, and the Celtics, who are second in the east.
Tonight will mark the fourth of five meetings between these two teams, but the previous three games have been relatively close so far. In games one and two, the Jalen Brunson struggled against defensive standout, Dyson Daniels, shooting a combined 13-33 from the field in those contests. But the last time these two teams met, Brunson seemed to have figured some things out, exploding for 34 points on 12-18 shooting.
Tonight’s game will offer a different look from both teams, though. The Knicks will continue to be without OG Anunoby, who appeared in all three prior contests. Meanwhile, the Hawks will be without Jalen Johnson, who is set to miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, and they’ll also be without De’Andre Hunter, who was recently traded to the Cavaliers at the trade deadline. This bodes well for the Knicks, as both players have had some really big games against them.
Prediction
The Hawks are 2-1 against the Knicks this season and have beaten multiple playoff teams in the past couple of weeks, so the Hawks, given how they match up with the Knicks, could make this an interesting one. That being said, the Hawks are dealing with some injuries. Besides the aforementioned Johnson, who is a key player for them, Larry Nance Jr. is out, Vit Krejci is out, and Trae Young, who is just 7-15 against the Knicks all-time, is listed as probable. Even if Young plays, with Johnson and Hunter out, the Knicks should have enough to defeat the Hawks, even if they are missing a key player in Anunoby themselves.
It may be a bit difficult given the lack of spacing the Knicks’ starting lineup currently has, but I expect Brunson, who is coming off of maybe the worst game of his season, and Mikal Bridges, who had an equally bad game, to bounce back, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and the bench trio of Deuce McBride, Cam Payne, and Landry Shamet to build off of last night’s performance.
Knicks win 115-110.
Game Details
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV Broadcast: MSG Network
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/12/24364296/game-preview-knicks-vs-hawks-february-12-2025
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Knicks Bulletin: ‘You can learn from losses and wins. I’d rather learn from a win’
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...om-losses-and-wins-id-rather-learn-from-a-win
New York goes on vacation having won 10 of their last 13 games before the break!
The Knicks put a positive end to the first “half” of their season, beating Atlanta 149-148 in overtime and giving New York its ninth win in the last 11 games entering the All-Star break.
Trae Young had an extraordinary performance ending in a loss, as is his wont. F.T.Y.
Here’s what we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and a few other Knickerbockers.
Tom Thibodeau
On the Knicks’ overtime win against the Hawks:
“I think it’s huge. Obviously, we didn’t play as well as we would like, but I love the resolve to have the things that happened at the end of the game to go into overtime and just find a way to win, and that’s what this team has done all year.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ improved passing:
“He’s probably a little better now because I think he has a much better understanding of the game and he understands when double teams are coming, where the holes are. So I think experience has really helped him.
“He’s always had amazing touch. He’s got guard-like skills. The way he shoots, the way he can put it on the floor. But he didn’t see the whole floor [before] the way he sees the whole floor now. When guys cut they know, if they cut and they’re open, he’ll hit them.”
On winning games one way or another:
“In the end, we got it done. I think you can learn from losses and learn from wins. I’d rather learn from a win.”
On Mikal Bridges’ defensive effort against Trae Young:
“His resolve, determination, the will, the want to, he does it game after game.
“Trae is a load to deal with because you can get the first [screen] right and then the second one is coming, then there’s a third one and then to have the resolve to keep fighting and keep doing it over and over again. That’s a lot of screens you’re fighting through.
“You can’t say enough about what he sacrifices every game for the team and what it means to winning.”
On the Knicks’ mindset heading into the break:
“The whole challenge was not to go on the All-Star break before the All-Star break.”
Jalen Brunson
On the Knicks’ win before the All-Star break:
“It’s great to go into the break with a win no matter how we got it or what happened. I’m just happy we fought through, regardless of what we did positive or negative.”
On hitting the game-winner against the Hawks:
“There’s no set time of whose turn it is or what—I mean, we don’t really play like that. I just think that we were reading, we’re playing and reacting, and just whatever it takes to win.”
On what led to the Knicks’ overtime win:
“Stops, a couple of timely baskets. I’m glad we found a way to win.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ passing ability and no-look dime against the Pacers:
“I laugh. I laugh. I just hope it works. That’s confidence.”
On the Knicks’ record at the break:
“We haven’t really accomplished anything. We have a long way to go to continue to where we want to go. But it’s all about taking one day at a time. Right now to rest and recharge and come back ready to go.”
On the Knicks’ outlook for the second half of the season:
“Down the stretch... it’s gonna be fun.”
On when he got to handle his first game-winning situation:
“My sophomore year of high school, we played in a game where I didn’t shoot a shot confidently to win a game.
“My dad proceeded to send me clips of NBA players shooting with confidence, make or miss, at the end of games. I played in the Proviso West (Illinois) Holiday Tournament, my sophomore year of high school. We played Hinsdale Central and I made a game-winner. That was like a week later. That’s the first of game-winner type things.
“So, yes, I remember.”
On receiving online threats from sports gamblers:
“I’ve never felt genuinely threatened, but there has been some really disrespectful s— said. It’s a lot of people who don’t have profile pictures. There is part of me that has thought about airing them out, but s— always comes back around.
“It’s gotten to the point where it’s somewhat comical to me now, but, at first, I was like … What the f—?”
Mikal Bridges
On blocking Trae Young’s floater in the final seconds:
“Just everybody helping each other trying to win the game. He’s made it difficult for everybody.”
On receiving hate messages from gamblers:
“That’s what I get upset about. When I lose someone a bet, (I get hate messages). I don’t get anything when I win them a bet. Where’s my money at?”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On the emotional swings of the Knicks’ OT win against the Hawks:
“You feel like you’re doing a lot, then you feel like you gave the game up for your team, then you fight back to get it again. It just shows a lot of resilience and grit by our team to be in that position and to find ourselves still coming out with a win.
“We found a way and it’s something our team has done all year.”
On nearly losing to the Hawks following his inbounds giveaway:
“I would’ve needed a therapist if that would’ve [been a loss]. I ain’t gonna lie to you. It would’ve been a tough break to go into.
“But I’m just happy after all that happened, we found ourselves on the right side of the game and finding ourselves with a win. It makes going into the break more worth it.”
On his passing and trusting his teammates:
“I think for any player who has been in the league a while the game starts slowing down. From a rookie to now, the game keeps slowing down and you’ve seen a lot of defensive coverages and you see a lot of coaches and how they like to operate and you just try to find different ways you could exploit the defense and coverage.
“So the game is slowing down, and it’s all a credit to my teammates. It’s only possible if my teammates are cutting and making themselves available for a pass.
“I think it’s just a trust. It’s the trust they have in me to get them the ball when they cut and that’s been garnered in the building since Day 1. So a lot of these guys I’ve played against them … so they see how I like to get teammates the basketball and we’re just trying to amplify that skill of mine.”
On his back-to-back 40-plus-point outings heading into the All-Star break:
“I’m just happy that those kind of nights result in wins. That’s the most important part for the city. We got ourselves going into the break with momentum.
“But worst time to have something working right now.”
Precious Achiuwa
On the physicality of the Knicks’ win over Atlanta:
“It was a grimy game.”
On dealing with his enlarged role while OG remains out:
“I’m just playing my game. I’m in rhythm right now, so just playing in the rhythm of my game.”
Josh Hart
On receiving threats from sports gamblers:
“I get everything. People say, ‘I hope you die.’ They wish injury. Racial stuff.”
On trolling a gambler in college:
“It was in Providence, and someone told me I messed (some bet up), so I sent them $1 on Venmo. Then I started getting a bunch of Venmo requests, and I was like, ‘All right.’”
Tyler Kolek
On hateful messages received in college:
“I’ve been told, ‘Go kill yourself.’ I’ve gotten worse than that, but that’s a common one.”
Miles McBride
On fans commenting harshly on his performances:
“I think the first-bucket bet might be the one I notice all the time. I see guys high-fiving in the stands and it’s just a regular layup. I think it’s funny.”
Cam Payne
On gamblers’ reactions to his performance:
“Everyone is mad at your boy if he doesn’t play well or doesn’t make shots. They be on me about their little parlays. It’s funny that people are out there looking for that instead of just watching the game. It’s just funny to me. We don’t ask you to bet your money.”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...om-losses-and-wins-id-rather-learn-from-a-win
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Knicks’ All-Star break report card
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/13/24365042/knicks-all-star-break-report-card
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
A few great seasons, a lot of solid ones, and one really bad one
Fresh off the heels of a thrilling, and nearly disastrous, win against the Hawks, the Knicks head into the All-Star break with a record of 36-18. Despite dropping a few games they should’ve won and being 0-5 against the Thunder, Cavaliers, and Celtics, that’s still a damn good record. Specifics aside, if you told fans before the season that the Knicks would have two wins for every loss at this point, most would have probably taken that. But what about the individual players? How have they fared when compared to expectations?
Jalen Brunson: A-
The fact that Brunson can average 26.1 PPG, and 7.5 APG, and be named an All-Star starter and still get just an A- speaks volumes about just how much fans expect from him. And despite having a very good first half of the season, Brunson himself would likely be the first one to tell you that he could be better. Whether it’s the few uncharacteristically bad games he’s had, the improving but still not perfect balancing on when to score and when to defer, or the worst free-throw shooting season he’s had since 2021, Brunson still has room to improve. But as a whole, he’s still had an incredible season, hence the grade.
He’s improved as a playmaker and, as a team defender and has become one of the best, if not the best, clutch players in the league this season. This team goes as he goes, and as evident by the team’s record, Brunson has gone more often than not.
Karl-Anthony Towns: A
Towns came into a very difficult situation. Many fans had fallen in love with last season’s team, and the Towns trade meant losing two pivotal players from said team. As for Towns goes, he seemed pretty emotional about leaving the only team he had ever played for throughout his NBA career. But through 54 games, Towns has been everything we could have asked for and so, so much more.
His defense is still painful to watch, he commits unnecessary fouls pretty much every game, and he has passes and turnovers that make you want to pull your hair out. But he’s been considered a top-five MVP candidate for much of the season and joined Brunson as the first pair of Knicks teammates to be named All-Star starters in 50 years. His shooting and spacing have taken the Knicks’ offense to another level, his rebounding has been crucial, and his ability to be both a good passer and willing connector has made him indispensable.
OG Anunoby: B
Anunoby has had a very interesting season, to say the least. He started the season looking like a potential All-Star, averaging 19.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.5 SPG over his first 17 games, which was highlighted by a career-high 40-point game against the Nuggets. In the following 15 games, though, he managed to average just 13.2 PPG, while shooting just 41.5% from the field and 26.7% from three. And even more concerning was the fact that his defense seemed to take a bit of an uncharacteristic hit as well.
But just as fans started to panic, Anunoby turned it around again as he averaged 16.5 PPG, while shooting 49.5% from the field and 39.4% from three in the next 17 games. He’s still a very good player who, outside of that tough 15-game stretch, has had a nice season. But he’s recently found himself on the injury report again with a foot injury, and given he’s the second-highest-paid player on the team, the Knicks likely need a bit more from him a bit more consistently.
Josh Hart: A-
Hart, like some other Knicks, has his share of frustration-inducing moments. He still passes up wide-open threes at times, gets caught up in arguing with refs too often, and is prone to throwing ridiculous passes that lead to transition opportunities for opponents. But Hart has been incredible this season.
He’s been one of the most consistent players on this team this year and is having the best season of his career, averaging 14.7PPG, 9.6RPG, and 5.7APG while shooting a career-high 55.6% from the field. Hart isn’t the best player on this team, but he’s among the most important, and relative to expectations, he may be having the best season on the team.
Mikal Bridges: B
Bridges’ season has been similar to Anunoby’s but even more extreme. At his worst, which happened to come right at the beginning of the season, Bridges looked lost. In the 19 games before December, Bridges averaged 15.5 PPG, while shooting just 30.6% from three and was defending at a surprisingly subpar level as well. Then December came around, and Bridges looked like a totally different player. In the 32 games between December 1 and February 4, Bridges averaged 19.8PPG while shooting 51.6% from the field and 39.1% from three. He’s second on the team in plus/minus, leads the league in minutes, and the defense, outside of a few games recently, has looked better as well.
Some of this grading is due to recency bias, as he is averaging just 9.3 PPG over his last three games, but his incredibly slow start makes it hard to give him a higher grade, even if his good stretch was very good. We’ve now seen a big enough sample size to believe that Bridges can, and should, continue to be a good player for the Knicks, but with how much the Knicks gave up to get him, you wish he would just do a tiny bit more of everything.
Deuce McBride: B
McBride’s offensive numbers have not taken the leap that fans expected. In fact, they’ve regressed quite a bit. His field goal percentage is down from 45.2% to 41.7%, his three-point percentage is down from 41% to 37.6%, and his lack of improvement as a finisher around the rim and as a ball handler has left a lot to be desired. But somehow, many of the metrics still show that McBride has been a winning player who brings a tremendous amount of value when he is out there.
He’s still an incredible defender, especially at the point of attack, and even in his down year, he remains a good enough shooter to help space the floor. McBride may not have become the Sixth Man of the Year candidate that fans had hoped he would evolve into, but he’s nonetheless been a good player, whose name appears in a lot of the Knicks’ best statistical lineups and is second on the team in net rating. Add on the fact that he’s on one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league, and it’s hard to be too down on McBride, regardless of the down shooting numbers.
Cam Payne: B+
Payne is what he is. He’s a streaky, shoot-first ball of energy who isn’t a great defender but gives it his all and is pesky enough to earn playing time. On most nights, he’s nothing more and nothing less. But in that specific role, he’s been very good. When the Knicks signed Payne, most fans were against the signing as they thought it would cut into McBride’s minutes. But the pair have played together quite a bit, and truth be told, the Knicks have benefitted greatly from the signing. Dare I say, they might’ve needed him more than any fan or even they knew.
Through his first 48 games, Payne has averaged 7.4 PPG, and 2.6 APG, which seems rather mediocre. But he’s had 16 double-digit scoring games, and on multiple occasions, he’s completely changed the trajectory and momentum of the game with his energy. And while numbers aren’t everything, it’s also important to note that Payne leads the team in net rating.
Precious Achiuwa: B-
Achiuwa started the season with a hamstring, which was a bummer, given how good he looked during the preseason. And even when he did come back, the big man looked a bit slow and hesitant. But over his last 10 games, five of which he has started, Achiuwa is averaging 11.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.5 BPG. Unfortunately, much of the conversation surrounding Achiuwa has unfairly been around why he shouldn’t be starting—something he cannot control. Now, a lot of that argument are fair, as his added size doesn’t statistically improve their rebounding much, while his inclusion in the starting lineup clogs up the paint and gives the Knicks much less spacing.
But for the most part, Achiuwa has done everything in his control to be a solid defender, rebounder, and finisher, which is exactly what he was brought in to be. Unfortunately for Achiuwa, he just remains an awkward fit against most teams, and with Mitchell Robinson returning, there is a chance he becomes less important for this team.
Landry Shamet: C
Shamet’s counting stats (3.3 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.6 APG), look bad, and the eye test is no better. He is an undersized guard who tries on defense but isn’t always big or athletic enough to be a consistent wing-stopper, and offensively, his shot has looked completely off for the overwhelming majority of the 22 games he’s played. He has had a few nice games as of late, averaging 7 PPG over his last three games, but as a whole, he’s been pretty disappointing, and whenever he comes in, it feels like minutes the team has to survive—something you’d rather not have to think about in a rotation player for a team looking to contend. Fans likely didn’t expect much from Shamet coming into the season, but whatever those expectations were, he’s managed to underperform them.
Everybody else (Ariel Hukporti, Tyler Kolek, Jacob Toppin, Pacome Dadiet, Matt Ryan): Incomplete
Hukporti and Kolek have both played over 145 minutes each, but as a whole, the non-top nine in the rotation have been more or less irrelevant this season. That obviously comes as no surprise, as Tom Thibodeau has historically been very hesitant to play his young players. Both of the aforementioned rookies have shown some really nice things, with Hukporti showcasing a high level of activity on the defensive end, while Kolek, in the limited minutes he’s gotten, has displayed the ability to be a good passer and reader of defenses. But with how few minutes they’ve had and how little impact, good or bad, they’ve had on the season as a whole, it’s hard to give any of these guys a real and fair grade.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/13/24365042/knicks-all-star-break-report-card
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Knicks Bulletin: ‘This imposter ain’t the Tom Thibodeau I know and love’
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...poster-aint-the-tom-thibodeau-i-know-and-love
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
It’s Valentine’s Day! Go outside, let’s celebrate!
We are in for a tough week, as there's no Knicks basketball scheduled until next Thursday when New York will host Chicago for their return to the hardwood.
That’s because of the mighty All-Star Weekend taking place from today through Sunday night, so enjoy the event and the little break as much as you can.
Here’s the latest from Coach Thibs and a few other Knicks.
Tom Thibodeau
On how Precious Achiuwa has helped with OG Anunoby out:
“Just the versatility—I think, obviously, being short-handed and his ability to play the 4 and the 5. That’s a big plus.
“The offensive rebounding, the athleticism and the ability to switch [positions], particularly when you have Josh [Hart], OG and Mikal [Bridges] out there, as well.”
Josh Hart
On a hypothetical Jalen Brunson trade request:
“Alright, cool, if that’s what makes you happy… myself—I’m gonna be mad. I ain’t gonna cry, I’m not crying, but for me... I signed a contract extension, I didn’t really do free agency, I wanna be here, JB’s here, but (if) then you just hit me with ‘I’m out’... I’m like ‘Do what makes you happy bro’.
“I’m gonna be sick. I came here for you.”
On the parallels between that fantasy scenario and what happened in Sacramento with De’Aaron Fox’s trade:
“We don’t know what conversations they had behind the scenes or whatever, (but) if I was in that situation I’d be kind of hurt.
“I think Malik (Monk) took a pay cut (to play with Fox in Sacramento) too, he probably could have got more in free agency.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On the Knicks’ improving defense:
“I think offensively we’re doing great. Defensively we have things to work on—consistency, discipline. But I think those are all things y’all as the media can see from Game 1 to now, where we’re a much better version of ourselves.
“I’ve always talked about with y’all since Day 1, about what the one percent—finding ourselves getting one percent better every night. And I think this team has grown.
“I hope that [Wednesday’s win is] a great example of games that would have been much more difficult for us early in the season and games I feel would have been very tough to win.
“We find ourselves on the right side, and it talks about the growth of this team. It talks about the continuity that we have with each other, the belief that we have that regardless of how it’s going, that we’ll find ourselves with a win.”
On how the Knicks are entering the All-Star break:
“We can take some of that stuff, and the things that we need to improve upon, take a hard look. This is a good chance.
“I want our players to get away and reenergize and refocus and then come back ready to head down the stretch. But there’s been a lot of fight, a lot of determination.
“We had to overcome a lot. We still haven’t had Mitch. Precious [Achiuwa] missed a good chunk, and Landry [Shamet] missed a good chunk.”
Jalen Brunson
On the Knicks’ first half of the season:
“We’ve done good thus far, but we have a long way to go.
“I’m excited to get down the stretch, man. It’s going to be fun.”
On reaching the Knicks’ expectations:
“We haven’t really accomplished anything. We have a long way to go to get to where we want to go. It’s all about just taking one day at a time. Right now, it’s just to rest and recharge and come back ready to go.”
Precious Achiuwa
On the Knicks’ chemistry:
“It’s a group of guys that prioritize winning whatever happens, and we’ll continue to fight.
“I think we’re a well-put-together team. We’ve been able to accomplish a lot so far this season, and we just gotta continue to play at the same pace we are right now and continue to trust each other and play hard, and I think we’ll be just fine.”
On his current form making up for OG’s absence:
“I’m just playing my game and trusting my game. I’m in a good rhythm right now. It’s just being ready for whatever is asked of me and being able to perform at whatever levels are needed for us to win games.
“However much I can be out there, I just want to win basketball games. I think that’s the most important thing, is winning games, whatever it takes, and that goes for every guy in this locker room. Whoever is out there, they try to do whatever we can to help the team win.”
Carmelo Anthony (Former NBA Player)
On his complicated relationship with the Knicks:
“I went through it. I went through, kind of against New York in a sense. Like, me playing against my own fans at times.
“Most people are like ‘Why do you love it? Why are you connected to it?’ How the hell I can’t be!? I went through hell, I went through the fire, I done took every responsibility, accountability that you could possibly take as an athlete here in New York.”
On how he handled criticism:
“I think the fact that I went through what I went through in New York and it was only one-sided when I was going through it... I never spoke on it, I’ve never said anything, I stood tall on everything. I just backed out of it and I think once I left it was a different type of appreciation because it’s like, damn, we’re still going through this.”
On the misunderstanding of George Karl leading to his departure from Denver:
“He’d been around the block for a long time and was trying to send me a message in a way. If he would’ve delivered the message differently, I probably would’ve received it differently.
“But now looking back at it like, damn, he was saying some s—t to me but it wasn’t the way you should say it to a person in that situation.”
On his relationship with Denver and the Nuggets:
“I don’t honestly have any bull. Like, there’s no bullshit with me when it comes to Denver, to be honest. My only bullshit came with George. That was the only issue I had.
“I never had problems with the front office. We always had a really good relationship. Stan—we had a good relationship. Josh—we had a good relationship. Kiki VanDeWeghe, Mark—you know, Mark Warkentien—God bless his soul. Like, my only thing was with George.”
Stephen A. Smith (TV Personality)
On the Knicks’ lack of defensive identity after allowing 148 points to Atlanta:
“If you’re the New York Knicks listen, you’re pissing me off. I’m really getting disgusted with this organization right now. Where is their identity?
“Where is Tom Thibodeau at? Where is he? This imposter that’s on the sidelines—you understand what I’m saying?
“It ain’t the Tom Thibodeau I know and love.”
On the Knicks’ failed pursuit of Kevin Durant after selling the house for Mikal Bridgas:
“Do I think Phoenix is the right place for [Durant]? Not necessarily so. I’d love to see—I’d give anything for the Knicks to be able to get a Kevin Durant, especially if you got Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, but I don’t think the likelihood of that happening is plausible.
“I don’t know if they could have [made a move] because they gave up five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges. I love Bridges, I love him in a New York Knicks uniform, but was he worth that much?
“I look at it this way, if the New York Knicks had given him up for three picks and kept two of them, they might have been able to get Kevin Durant to New York. You got to look at it from that standpoint.”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...poster-aint-the-tom-thibodeau-i-know-and-love
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P&T Interview with Steve Francis, Pt. 1: Reflections on the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...t-1-reflections-on-the-2000-slam-dunk-contest
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the greatest NBA Slam Dunk competition.
It’s almost unfathomable that arguably the greatest dunk contest in NBA history is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend. A full quarter-century! The year was 2000. The dawn of the bling era. The ball had just dropped on the new millennium. The first iPhone was still seven years away, and the number one song was “Breathe” by Faith Hill. Meanwhile, Gladiator ruled the box office. And in the midst of it all, the greatest basketball player, and arguably the greatest dunker, in NBA history had been retired for 18 months.
The NBA’s annual Dunk Contest, once the crown jewel of All-Star Weekend, peaked during the late ‘80s, fueled by three unforgettable showdowns between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. By the time the ‘90s rolled around, the event lost its luster, with both player creativity and fan excitement dimming year by year. Sure, the ’90s dunk contests had legendary moments and iconic dunks—Isaiah Rider introduced the world to the Eastbay Funk Dunk in 1994 and Cedric Ceballos wowed everyone blindfolded—but its appeal just wasn’t the same.
After Kobe Bryant replicated Rider’s between-the-legs dunk in 1997 and failed to score a 50, the NBA shelved the Dunk Contest altogether in 1998. In its place came 2-Ball, a new skills competition pairing an NBA player with a WNBA player. While the 2-Ball concept had potential, especially with the WNBA still in its infancy, it would never generate the same buzz as the Slam Dunk Contest. Unsurprisingly, fans’ interest in All-Star Weekend continued to slip.
Then, like the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea, a new wave of talent blessed the NBA with athleticism never seen before.
A lockout shortened the 1998-99 season and, consequently, there was no All-Star Weekend. With future Hall of Famers either retired or heading there, a new generation of stars was ascending. Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson were becoming the faces of the league. The 1999 NBA Draft introduced several future franchise players, but none more electrifying than “The Franchise” himself, Steve Francis.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25864378/74061609.jpg "1999 NBA Draft")
Elite athleticism has always defined pro sports, with some athletes dominating through size and others with raw talent, speed, or ball-handling skills.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, the league was full of exceptional talents, but few had it all. MJ and Dr. J could fly but weren’t the best shooters or handlers. Magic revolutionized passing but played closer to the floor, while Larry Bird controlled the game with his shot and strategy. The one thing all these legends had in common? None stood under 6’6”.
So how did Steve Francis break that mold and defy gravity? “Growing up in the DC area we had a lot of fences, we had some hills. I did a lot of hills.” Francis reflected, “I ran cross country . . . I also played a lot of football too. I played a lot of different sports and I think, as I grew into my height between 18, 19, 20, I started growing, I guess that’s when my athletic abilities started to catch up with my feet and my hands.”
As Stephon Marbury and Allen Iverson set the tone in the late ‘90s for high-flying point guards who could do it all, Steve Francis took it to another level in 1999. The rookie out of Maryland redefined “athleticism”. “At the beginning of the season, I was just trying to dunk everything I could get my rookie year. That’s all that I was just trying to do was just dunk and cross people up.”
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25868360/926330376.jpg "Orlando Magic v Houston Rockets")
Listed at 6’3”, he possessed similar traits to every one of the aforementioned legends. He credits his crossover, as lethal as Iverson’s, to studying the footwork of 7’0” center Hakeem Olajuwon. He threw no-look passes like Magic, and when it came to elevating, he soared like MJ, Dominique, and Dr. J combined. “Jordan’s lean dunk . . . because of how it looked in slow motion . . . just to see that, was something I always wanted to do.” Francis remembers, “I used to like the way Clyde Drexler used to glide.”
The way Francis soared, though, was unlike anyone else in the history of the NBA. Sure, Spud Webb stunned us with his gravity-defying dunk contest win in ‘86, but in-game, those leaping abilities were a rare sight. Iverson and Marbury had hops, but they came back down to Earth almost as fast as they went up. Not Steve. He hung in the air like he had all the time in the world, a trait reminiscent of legends like Jordan and Dr. J. The main difference? He was doing everything they did up in the air, the high-flying dunks and acrobatic finishes over defenders who towered six to twelve inches above him, all without the ability to palm a basketball.
With players like Francis, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady dunking in games like no one had ever seen before, the NBA recognized the surge in talent and brought the Slam Dunk Contest back in 2000 as its marquee event. Two-and-a-half decades later, fans still consider that edition the greatest Dunk Contest of all time.
With his electrifying in-game dunks dominating SportsCenter’s Top 10 highlights and a lucrative Reebok shoe deal packed with incentives tied to in-game dunks and the Slam Dunk Contest, Francis was destined to make a massive splash in the 2000 contest in Oakland, California.
“When I got the call, everybody in Houston, all of my teammates were happy. They were all trying to give me some input on what dunks I should do, and I would try some after practice, but I was like, I got this! I wasn’t really practicing to win like the other guy.”
Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25869764/74061691.jpg "Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics")
Some might call it fate, others destiny, but the moment Francis arrived in Oakland for All-Star Weekend, he could feel something special about to unfold. “We stayed at the St. Francis Hotel.” Francis remembered, “Being a rookie, (participating) in the legendary dunk contest, where everybody was at—when I saw the name, it said ‘Francis.’ I already felt lucky seeing the name Francis.”
With a star-studded dunk contest lineup featuring Francis, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Larry Hughes, Jerry Stackhouse, and Ricky Davis, the stage was set for an epic showdown. Under the bright lights, with Hollywood’s biggest stars, music icons, and the entire NBA watching, Francis knew he had to deliver something special, he just didn’t exactly know what that would be.
“I pretty much improvised. That first dunk, I just looked around and just threw the ball up because I was just happy after seeing so many people. I was like, you know what man, let me just throw this ball up and see what happens.”
For his first dunk attempt. Francis launched the ball in the air from half-court setting himself up to catch the ball of the bounce. Then, like a rocket, (no pun intended) he exploded off the floor, snatching the ball out of the air with one hand and hammering down a vicious tomahawk slam.
“I pretty much improvised. That first dunk, I just looked around and just threw the ball up because I was just happy after seeing so many people. I was like, you know what man, let me just throw this ball up and see what happens.”
The new jump meter that TNT put in place that year showed Francis’s leap reach forty inches. Upon instant replay, fans at home were able to see what only Steve knew right away. Due to his inability to palm the ball, Francis briefly lost possession of the ball mid-flight, causing him to instinctively adjust in the air as the ball rolled down his wrist.
The judges, however, weren’t privy to the same replays, leaving Francis short-changed and frustrated with a score of 45.
During his first post-dunk interview with sideline reporter Cheryl Miller, Francis expressed his frustration. “I could’ve caught it further, but the ball slipped out my hand.”
Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25868597/57637734.jpg "2000 Slam Dunk Competition")
Although the ball comes loose on Francis’s first dunk attempt, Francis was still able to adjust on the fly to complete the jam.
With Francis’ first dunk in the books, Vince Carter stepped up for his turn. Everyone knew he was the favorite before the weekend even began. The contest was loaded with talent, but this was Vince’s stage to turn the wide-open competition into the Vince Carter Show. “Coming into that dunk contest with all those groupies being the judges, I already knew what was going to happen.” Francis explained, “Just like in college basketball if Dick Vitale says your name, you know a lot of people are going to look at you. So, in this dunk contest, they were already saying the name before we started.
As Vince completed his first dunk, a never-seen-before reverse 360 windmill, the Oakland Coliseum crowd erupted in shock. “I was like, what the f*** was that?!” Francis remembered, “Every dunk he did, I still couldn’t believe. The degree of difficulty of him changing hands in the air, him putting his hand inside the basket, those are all 50 dunks.”
The bar was set high for Francis’ second dunk attempt, but the Takoma Park-bred point guard never shied away from adversity. As he made his way toward the scorer’s table along the left sideline, he stopped next to former Rockets guard and dunk contest judge Kenny Smith. With a confident grin, he told him, “Watch this, I’m bringing it back to the H.”
With Kenny’s undivided attention and the entire arena locked in, Francis launched another deep lob, this time from about 40 feet out. As he took flight and prepared to catch it off the bounce, he somehow soared past the ball, forcing yet another mid-air adjustment. But this time, there was no slip of the ball. Francis reached so far behind, that he snatched the ball near the bottom of his right hip and managed to bring it back up with one hand for a ferocious double-pump tomahawk slam.
“That one was actually gonna be a backwards dunk, but I couldn’t turn enough. Once the ball filled up my hand a little bit, and I felt it, I could try to manipulate it to get back into my power hand, so once it got back up, I was just like, let me just cock it back a little bit more and then I just heard the crowd.”
The crowd erupted just as loud as they had for Vince’s opening dunk. As far as Kenny and the other judges? They gave it the same respect, throwing up straight 10s for a perfect 50. became legendary, immortalized on posters, magazine covers, t-shirts, and every all-time dunk contest highlight reel you can think of.
Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25868645/57637724.jpg "2000 Slam Dunk Competition")
Unlike his first two dunk attempts, for his third and final dunk attempt of the first round, Francis and Rockets teammate Cuttino Mobley had planned a dunk to complete as a pair that no one had ever attempted before. It was one of the only dunks they actually rehearsed. But just before Steve’s turn, Grant Hill and Jerry Stackhouse foiled their plan. “Me and Cuttino were talking about (the bend down, and jump over) in the back, and we saw Jerry Stackhouse and Grant Hill, and we were just wondering why the heck they kept looking at us? And then just kept laughing at us while saying things like, Steve you’re gonna win.”
Francis had no clue what Stackhouse and Hill were plotting. When the time came for the contestants’ third dunk attempts, Francis could only sit back, watch, and eventually laugh at the two Piston veterans who tried and ultimately failed miserably to run off with his dunk.
But now without a gameplan, Francis had to improvise the rest of the way. “After that, there was nothing else.” Francis recalled, “After I saw them fail at the dunk Cuttino and I wanted to do, everything else was improvised after that.”
Although Francis missed his third attempt, his impressive performance advanced him to the Finals against Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
You know how the rest unfolded. Vince Carter’s near-perfect performance of the night brought him the trophy. Francis, even with a second-place finish, put the world on notice that there was a new star in H-Town who could F.L.Y.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our spotlight on Steve Francis, where he talks about teaming up with Yao Ming in Houston and the two trades that brought him to Orlando and New York.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...t-1-reflections-on-the-2000-slam-dunk-contest
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- Feb 2, 2025
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A history of Knicks on All-Star Saturday Night
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/15/24366319/a-history-of-knicks-on-all-star-saturday-night
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Once again, a Knick will be participating on All-Star Saturday Night. How successful is the orange and blue?
There used to be a time where there was minimal Knicks representation on All-Star weekend. Up until the recent revival in 2021, the Knicks were basically absent from all of All-Star weekend after Carmelo Anthony departed, with only occasional youngsters playing on Friday and the gimmicky dunk contest.
However, since 2021, the Knicks have reversed course. On Sunday, a Knick will participate in the All-Star game for the fourth time in five years, and two will participate for the first time in over a decade.
But on Saturday night? Once again, a Knick is inbound, with Jalen Brunson participating in the three-point contest. But how have the Knicks in the event faired in the past? What about the other events? Let’s explore that since the beginning of All-Star Saturday Night over the past 40 years:
Slam Dunk Contest
Gerald Wilkins (1986) - Fourth Place
The first Knick to participate in the dunk contest was rookie Gerald Wilkins in 1986. Wilkins was in the midst of a solid campaign, where he averaged 12.5 PPG in the first of his seven seasons as a Knick. Although his first dunk (a 44) was cut off, we do have his 50 from the first round of the event:
A near-free throw line slam over a chair got a 50. Different times, I guess.
Wilkins would be undone in the second round, failing to convert his final two attempts and finishing fourth. He really kept trying the free throw line dunk that Michael Jordan would perfect the following year.
Gerald Wilkins (1987) - Eliminated First Round
Wilkins was invited again in 1987. The brother of the 1985 winner Dominique struggled to convert his dunks again and got eliminated early.
Kenny Walker (1989) - Winner
Sky Walker would avenge his teammate two years later. After his first two seasons as a starter, Walker had a reduced role for the Knicks in 88-89 as a bench player, but the high flyer made up for it.
Walker advanced easily through the first round before getting through the semifinals with a 49.5 on his second dunk. Facing off against Clyde Drexler, he would hit 360-after-360 to put up an impressive 98.5 in the finals.
Kenny Walker (1990) - Third Place
Walker would run it back in 1990 looking for the repeat. The broadcast referred to knee tendinitis potentially holding him back, which might have been a factor. While his 360s were not scoring as high as the year before, he advanced to the second round on a baseline reverse slam that scored a 48.1.
He posted a 97.4 in the semifinal that should’ve gotten him through, but a highly competitive field that included Dominique Wilkins and Shawn Kemp pushed him out.
John Starks (1992) - Fourth Place
Starks benefitted from a worse field in ‘92, surviving the first round despite a total score under 90.
A nice reverse slam for a 47.0 was the highlight, as he failed to stack up in the semifinal with future teammate Larry Johnson and Cedric Ceballos advancing.
Nate Robinson (2006) - Winner
Fourteen years later, one of the shortest players in basketball emerged onto the scene as a high-flying rookie. It would be his first of many iconic appearances here.
Robinson being the shortest man in the field by a good bit boosted his scores, as they’re immensely more difficult when he does it. He got 49 and 44 in the first round to advance to the final against Andre Iguodala.
After an underwhelming 44 to start the final, this is where he got his first 50. Nate brought out former winner Spud Webb and soared over him clean.
This forced the tiebreaker, where Robinson tried a number of things before settling on a between-the-legs off-the-backboard slam, which won it with a 47.
Nate Robinson (2007) - Runner-Up
Nate went for the repeat in 2007. slamming a tomahawk to start. He then advanced to the final with the help of David Lee, getting there with a 90 against Gerald Green.
Unfortunately for Nate, he missed a dunk in the final that put him behind the 8-ball against a high-flyer in Green.
Nate Robinson (2009, 2010) - Back-to-Back Champion
Gonna combine these two. Nate went back-to-back after a year off, becoming the first and only three-time winner.
His 2009 win was stunning. After Dwight Howard got a perfect 100 in the first round, he seemed like a gimme to knock off Nate, donning the iconic green jersey, who only advanced off poor performances by J.R. Smith and Rudy Fernandez.
Nate would win on fan vote, 52% to 48%, after a double pump dunk and his leap over Dwight.
In 2010, he had a similar comeback against DeMar DeRozan in the final round, winning by a closer 51-49 margin in the final.
Dennis Smith Jr. (2019) - Runner Up
Smith participated as a Maverick the year before, but he took the floor in 2019 wearing orange and blue.
He started with a casual 45 before elevating his game. He brought out rapper J. Cole, donned his high school jersey, and scored a perfect 50 by soaring over a seated J. Cole.
He advanced to face Hamidou Diallo, but Smith was undone by a missed between-the-legs dunk that led to a 35.
Obi Toppin (2021) - Runner Up
Obi was robbed in 2021. In a three-man field, Toppin advanced easily over Cassius Stanley to go head-to-head with Anfernee Simons.
Toppin finished off with an eastbay that ultimately wasn’t terribly impressive, but the controversy comes with Simons attempting to kiss the rim and not even coming close. The whole gimmick was kissing the rim and he failed badly. How did he win?
Obi Toppin (2022) - Winner
Obi got his getback in a miserably weak field the following year. He didn’t score higher than a 47, but missed dunks galore had him defeat Juan-Toscano Anderson, Jalen Green, and Cole Anthony (who wore a Knicks jersey?)
Jericho Sims and Jacob Toppin (2023, 2024) - Eliminated Early
Sims and Obi’s lil bro struggled. Although I have my gripes with Jaylen Brown last year, neither of them came close.
I mean, Jericho, seriously?
Skills Challenge
The second Skills Challenge involved Stephon Marbury in 2004, where he faced Baron Davis, Derek Fisher, and Earl Boykins. He came in last, completing the gauntlet in 36.4 seconds.
A Knick didn’t appear again until 2017, when Kristaps Porzingis participated. On the bigs side of the new bracket system, he beat DeMarcus Cousins and a baby Nikola Jokic to advance to the final.
In the final, Porzingis faced Gordon Hayward in an extremely tight race that ended with a made 3 on the first attempt. The only Knick to ever win the contest.
Porzingis was supposed to run it back in 2018, but his torn ACL a week prior took him out.
Julius Randle participated in 2021, but he was dusted in the first round by Domantas Sabonis.
Three-Point Contest
The first Knick to participate was Trent Tucker in 1986 in a season where he shot 45.1% from 3. He finished in fourth.
Tucker participated again in 1988, coming in last with 11.
The next Knick would come in 1996, when Hubert Davis participated for the first time. He would participate again in 1998 and 2000 after being traded from the Knicks. He failed to advance to the second round with 17.
Facing Davis in 1998 would be newly minted starter Charlie Ward, a 37.7% shooter. Ward would advance to the semifinal with 15, but would only score 11 in the final round and come in fourth.
Allan Houston was next up in 2001. Despite being one of the better shooters in franchise history, Houston wouldn’t come close to advancing with 11. In 2006, Quentin Richardson made it despite only shooting 34% from 3 in his first season as a Knick. He was just two away from advancing through four racks in the first round, but went 0-for-5 in the left corner. Ouch.
In 2010, future trade piece Danilo Gallinari participated after shooting over 40% from 3 during his first two seasons in the league. He was in a three-way tie for fourth, missing out on a spot in the final by two with 15.
Mr. Discount Double Check represented Knickstape in 2013. Steve Novak had 17 in the experimental “team round” but when you face Stephen Curry and your teammate puts up 10... yeah. In the weird rules, Kyrie Irving beat Novak by one to advance and winded up winning the whole thing.
A Knick didn’t participate again until Julius Randle’s surprise entry in 2023. As we know, that didn’t go well. Poor Kyden was in tears.
Last year, the captain got the nod and looked to break a terrible franchise legacy. Brunson notched an impressive 24 (it’s a lot easier to score now), but the competition was fierce. He missed out on a spot in the tiebreaker by just two. Another first-round exit.
So, tomorrow, JB faces an uphill battle. No Knick has ever come close to winning the three-point contest. Only Hubert Davis and Steve Novak have even finished top four. None have ever seen a final round. The oddsmakers have him as an underdog at +800, but the captain has shot 40.4% from 3 as a Knick. I wouldn’t bet against him.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/15/24366319/a-history-of-knicks-on-all-star-saturday-night
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- Feb 2, 2025
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Knicks icon Carmelo Anthony is (almost) a HOFer. Will No. 7 be retired next?
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...y-is-almost-a-hofer-will-no-7-be-retired-next
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Stay Melo!
Carmelo Anthony is a controversial person around these parts. Carmelo Anthony is also closer than ever to call himself a Hall of Famer.
That’s because Melo has been named a finalist for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2025 class, in what is simply a mere formality before he gets his name written for good in gold letters into the book of hoops eternity.
A 10-time All-Star, a former NBA scoring champion, and one of the most dominant offensive players of his era, Anthony is widely considered a lock for enshrinement we all always knew he would eventually get there—was a matter of when, not if.
Now, when it comes to New York Knicks fans, Anthony’s Hall of Fame recognition will obviously bring back discussions about his legacy, whether or not he did enough to be considered a legitimate Knick or if he’s more of a Denver Nugget, and the most heated debate of them all...
Will the Knicks ever raise Melo’s No. 7 to the rafters of MSG?
After forcing—yes, forcing; it was what it was—his way to New York in 2011 instead of waiting a few months to arrive in Manhattan as a free agent, Melo became the face of the franchise for seven seasons, delivering all sorts of highlight-reel performances and restoring excitement to Madison Square Garden, bringing the Knicks back to relative contention for the first time since the mid-to-late 90s.
In his time with the Knicks, Anthony led New York to three consecutive postseasons from 2011 through 2013 averaging 24.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 36.9% from three.
Anthony never failed to make the All-Star game as a member of the Knicks (he was traded to New York right after the 2011 edition he missed), making the ASG six consecutive times while also getting named into two All-NBA Second Teams. Melo won the NBA scoring title in 2013 with a sublime 28.7 points-per-game figure, and he led the league in minutes per game one year later averaging a silly 38.7 under coach Mike Woodson.
That 2012-13 season remains the peak of the Carmelo era in New York, even though he only appeared in 67 regular-season games.
Anthony led the Knicks to 54 wins—their highest total since 1997 and counting—and their only playoff series victory in over two decades. However, that postseason ended in an infamous second-round loss to the Indiana Pacers, preventing what many hoped would be a deep playoff run and marking the beginning of the franchise’s decline into a very deep, long, and dark abysm—what can I tell you—the team just only started recovering from at the start of this decade.
There’s no arguing Anthony’s time with the Knicks was defined by instability, a lack of steadiness, too much regular-season braggadocio, and little postseason production. And still.
Over seven seasons, all the Knicks brass did was hand Melo four different head coaches and more than 70 different teammates, which most definitely didn’t help him just one bit in putting the team over the proverbial hump, no matter how hard the poor dude tried.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25874477/168908191.jpg "Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks - Game Five")
Anthony’s tenure will always remain a point of contention among Knicks fans, but there’s no denying the good he did for the organization considering where the franchise was coming from (one postseason appearance and no series won in the nine years before his arrival) and its sudden turn into a playoffs threat (back-to-back-to-back playoffs to better or worse results).
Some of us see him as one of the sport and franchise’s all-time greats. Others find reasonable arguments that his inability to lift the team beyond the second round of the playoffs will always keep him from true legendary status in the Orange & Blue books.
That’s cool, and that obviously will lead to the never-for-now-ending debate of whether or not the Knicks should/will retire his No. 7 jersey, which is inevitably going to reach a conclusion that will split the fanbase once again at some point in the next few years.
New York has only retired 10 numbers in its long history in what is a mad select club, which doesn’t work in Anthony’s favor. That said, considering the relatively short time Melo spent in New York (412 regular-season games compared to Patrick Ewing’s franchise-leading 1,039, Walt Frazier’s 759, etc... for context), he accomplished a hell of a lot of personal accolades within the franchise as well as lifting the team as a whole.
Melo wrapped up his Knicks stint ranked 10th in field goals made among NYK players, third in three-pointers, ninth in freebies, 10th in offensive rebounds, seventh in defensive boards, and perhaps most importantly, seventh in total points scored.
Anthony is the latest Knick to score 10K+ points with the franchise, something only Ewing, Frazier, Willis Reed, Allan Houston, Carl Braun, and Richie Guerin had done before.
“He’s one of the great players, ever. Really. A tough guard. Can shoot. Good size. Athletic. And carried a franchise in Denver for a long time, went to New York. Always a tough cover, so you had to game-plan for him every night,” Miami Heat president Pat Riley told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “And had a great career.
“I think from the standpoint of what they call small forwards, he wasn’t just that. He can play small forward, sure. He can play power forward. Back then, we were more positional. He could play the 2-guard. Today, he’d be playing 5. That’s just the way the game has grown.
“But he deserves it. I hope he makes it.”
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25874484/82533236.jpg "Olympics Day 16 - Basketball")
Jerry Colangelo, former director of USA Basketball, highlighted Anthony’s international dominance, pointing out that he was Team USA’s all-time Olympic scoring leader until Kevin Durant broke the record last summer.
“The nuances of the international game, the 3-point distance being a little bit less, the pace of the game—he was cut out to be a great international player,” Colangelo said. “With his great skill of scoring, we went to him a lot. He had the ability to shoot anytime he wanted to because most of the time, he’s going to score. He had a few games where, in my mind, he didn’t miss any shots.”
Anthony also led Syracuse to an NCAA championship in 2003 as a true freshman, cementing his status as a college basketball legend. His three Olympic gold medals are only topped by KD’s four and his dominance while with Team USA got him the very apt nickname “Olympics Melo.”
Anthony is one of four former NBA players named as finalists for the 2025 Hall of Fame class, alongside Dwight Howard, Marques Johnson, and Buck Williams. The 2008 U.S. men’s Olympic “Redeem Team” was also named as a finalist.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...y-is-almost-a-hofer-will-no-7-be-retired-next
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P&T Interview with Steve Francis, Pt. 1: Reflecting on the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...pt-1-reflecting-on-the-2000-slam-dunk-contest
Getty/Antonio Losada
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the greatest NBA Slam Dunk competition.
It’s almost unfathomable that arguably the greatest dunk contest in NBA history is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend. A full quarter-century! The year was 2000. The dawn of the bling era. The ball had just dropped on the new millennium. The first iPhone was still seven years away, and the number one song was “Breathe” by Faith Hill. Meanwhile, Gladiator ruled the box office. And in the midst of it all, the greatest basketball player, and arguably the greatest dunker, in NBA history had been retired for 18 months.
The NBA’s annual Dunk Contest, once the crown jewel of All-Star Weekend, peaked during the late ‘80s, fueled by three unforgettable showdowns between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. By the time the ‘90s rolled around, the event lost its luster, with both player creativity and fan excitement dimming year by year. Sure, the ’90s dunk contests had legendary moments and iconic dunks—Isaiah Rider introduced the world to the Eastbay Funk Dunk in 1994 and Cedric Ceballos wowed everyone blindfolded—but its appeal just wasn’t the same.
After Kobe Bryant replicated Rider’s between-the-legs dunk in 1997 and failed to score a 50, the NBA shelved the Dunk Contest altogether in 1998. In its place came 2-Ball, a new skills competition pairing an NBA player with a WNBA player. While the 2-Ball concept had potential, especially with the WNBA still in its infancy, it would never generate the same buzz as the Slam Dunk Contest. Unsurprisingly, fans’ interest in All-Star Weekend continued to slip.
Then, like the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea, a new wave of talent blessed the NBA with athleticism never seen before.
A lockout shortened the 1998-99 season and, consequently, there was no All-Star Weekend. With future Hall of Famers either retired or heading there, a new generation of stars was ascending. Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson were becoming the faces of the league. The 1999 NBA Draft introduced several future franchise players, but none more electrifying than “The Franchise” himself, Steve Francis.
Elite athleticism has always defined pro sports, with some athletes dominating through size and others with raw talent, speed, or ball-handling skills.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, the league was full of exceptional talents, but few had it all. MJ and Dr. J could fly but weren’t the best shooters or handlers. Magic revolutionized passing but played closer to the floor, while Larry Bird controlled the game with his shot and strategy. The one thing all these legends had in common? None stood under 6’6”.
So how did Steve Francis break that mold and defy gravity? “Growing up in the DC area we had a lot of fences, we had some hills. I did a lot of hills.” Francis reflected, “I ran cross country . . . I also played a lot of football too. I played a lot of different sports and I think, as I grew into my height between 18, 19, 20, I started growing, I guess that’s when my athletic abilities started to catch up with my feet and my hands.”
As Stephon Marbury and Allen Iverson set the tone in the late ‘90s for high-flying point guards who could do it all, Steve Francis took it to another level in 1999. The rookie out of Maryland redefined “athleticism”. “At the beginning of the season, I was just trying to dunk everything I could get my rookie year. That’s all that I was just trying to do was just dunk and cross people up.”
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images
Listed at 6’3”, he possessed similar traits to every one of the aforementioned legends. He credits his crossover, as lethal as Iverson’s, to studying the footwork of 7’0” center Hakeem Olajuwon. He threw no-look passes like Magic, and when it came to elevating, he soared like MJ, Dominique, and Dr. J combined. “Jordan’s lean dunk . . . because of how it looked in slow motion . . . just to see that, was something I always wanted to do.” Francis remembers, “I used to like the way Clyde Drexler used to glide.”
The way Francis soared, though, was unlike anyone else in the history of the NBA. Sure, Spud Webb stunned us with his gravity-defying dunk contest win in ‘86, but in-game, those leaping abilities were a rare sight. Iverson and Marbury had hops, but they came back down to Earth almost as fast as they went up. Not Steve. He hung in the air like he had all the time in the world, a trait reminiscent of legends like Jordan and Dr. J. The main difference? He was doing everything they did up in the air, the high-flying dunks and acrobatic finishes over defenders who towered six to twelve inches above him, all without the ability to palm a basketball.
With players like Francis, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady dunking in games like no one had ever seen before, the NBA recognized the surge in talent and brought the Slam Dunk Contest back in 2000 as its marquee event. Two-and-a-half decades later, fans still consider that edition the greatest Dunk Contest of all time.
With his electrifying in-game dunks dominating SportsCenter’s Top 10 highlights and a lucrative Reebok shoe deal packed with incentives tied to in-game dunks and the Slam Dunk Contest, Francis was destined to make a massive splash in the 2000 contest in Oakland, California.
“When I got the call, everybody in Houston, all of my teammates were happy. They were all trying to give me some input on what dunks I should do, and I would try some after practice, but I was like, I got this! I wasn’t really practicing to win like the other guy.”
Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images
Some might call it fate, others destiny, but the moment Francis arrived in Oakland for All-Star Weekend, he could feel something special about to unfold. “We stayed at the St. Francis Hotel.” Francis remembered, “Being a rookie, (participating) in the legendary dunk contest, where everybody was at—when I saw the name, it said ‘Francis.’ I already felt lucky seeing the name Francis.”
With a star-studded dunk contest lineup featuring Francis, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Larry Hughes, Jerry Stackhouse, and Ricky Davis, the stage was set for an epic showdown. Under the bright lights, with Hollywood’s biggest stars, music icons, and the entire NBA watching, Francis knew he had to deliver something special, he just didn’t exactly know what that would be.
“I pretty much improvised. That first dunk, I just looked around and just threw the ball up because I was just happy after seeing so many people. I was like, you know what man, let me just throw this ball up and see what happens.”
For his first dunk attempt. Francis launched the ball in the air from half-court setting himself up to catch the ball of the bounce. Then, like a rocket, (no pun intended) he exploded off the floor, snatching the ball out of the air with one hand and hammering down a vicious tomahawk slam.
“I pretty much improvised. That first dunk, I just looked around and just threw the ball up because I was just happy after seeing so many people. I was like, you know what man, let me just throw this ball up and see what happens.”
The new jump meter that TNT put in place that year showed Francis’s leap reach forty inches. Upon instant replay, fans at home were able to see what only Steve knew right away. Due to his inability to palm the ball, Francis briefly lost possession of the ball mid-flight, causing him to instinctively adjust in the air as the ball rolled down his wrist.
The judges, however, weren’t privy to the same replays, leaving Francis short-changed and frustrated with a score of 45.
During his first post-dunk interview with sideline reporter Cheryl Miller, Francis expressed his frustration. “I could’ve caught it further, but the ball slipped out my hand.”
Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images
Although the ball comes loose on Francis’s first dunk attempt, Francis was still able to adjust on the fly to complete the jam.
With Francis’ first dunk in the books, Vince Carter stepped up for his turn. Everyone knew he was the favorite before the weekend even began. The contest was loaded with talent, but this was Vince’s stage to turn the wide-open competition into the Vince Carter Show. “Coming into that dunk contest with all those groupies being the judges, I already knew what was going to happen.” Francis explained, “Just like in college basketball if Dick Vitale says your name, you know a lot of people are going to look at you. So, in this dunk contest, they were already saying the name before we started.
As Vince completed his first dunk, a never-seen-before reverse 360 windmill, the Oakland Coliseum crowd erupted in shock. “I was like, what the f*** was that?!” Francis remembered, “Every dunk he did, I still couldn’t believe. The degree of difficulty of him changing hands in the air, him putting his hand inside the basket, those are all 50 dunks.”
The bar was set high for Francis’ second dunk attempt, but the Takoma Park-bred point guard never shied away from adversity. As he made his way toward the scorer’s table along the left sideline, he stopped next to former Rockets guard and dunk contest judge Kenny Smith. With a confident grin, he told him, “Watch this, I’m bringing it back to the H.”
With Kenny’s undivided attention and the entire arena locked in, Francis launched another deep lob, this time from about 40 feet out. As he took flight and prepared to catch it off the bounce, he somehow soared past the ball, forcing yet another mid-air adjustment. But this time, there was no slip of the ball. Francis reached so far behind, that he snatched the ball near the bottom of his right hip and managed to bring it back up with one hand for a ferocious double-pump tomahawk slam.
“That one was actually gonna be a backwards dunk, but I couldn’t turn enough. Once the ball filled up my hand a little bit, and I felt it, I could try to manipulate it to get back into my power hand, so once it got back up, I was just like, let me just cock it back a little bit more and then I just heard the crowd.”
The crowd erupted just as loud as they had for Vince’s opening dunk. As far as Kenny and the other judges? They gave it the same respect, throwing up straight 10s for a perfect 50. became legendary, immortalized on posters, magazine covers, t-shirts, and every all-time dunk contest highlight reel you can think of.
Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images
Unlike his first two dunk attempts, for his third and final dunk attempt of the first round, Francis and Rockets teammate Cuttino Mobley had planned a dunk to complete as a pair that no one had ever attempted before. It was one of the only dunks they actually rehearsed. But just before Steve’s turn, Grant Hill and Jerry Stackhouse foiled their plan. “Me and Cuttino were talking about (the bend down, and jump over) in the back, and we saw Jerry Stackhouse and Grant Hill, and we were just wondering why the heck they kept looking at us? And then just kept laughing at us while saying things like, Steve you’re gonna win.”
Francis had no clue what Stackhouse and Hill were plotting. When the time came for the contestants' third dunk attempts, Francis could only sit back, watch, and eventually laugh at the two Piston veterans who tried and ultimately failed miserably to run off with his dunk.
But now without a gameplan, Francis had to improvise the rest of the way. “After that, there was nothing else.” Francis recalled, “After I saw them fail at the dunk Cuttino and I wanted to do, everything else was improvised after that.”
Although Francis missed his third attempt, his impressive performance advanced him to the Finals against Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
You know how the rest unfolded. Vince Carter’s near-perfect performance of the night brought him the trophy. Francis, even with a second-place finish, put the world on notice that there was a new star in H-Town who could F.L.Y.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our spotlight on Steve Francis, where he talks about teaming up with Yao Ming in Houston and the two trades that brought him to Orlando and New York.
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...pt-1-reflecting-on-the-2000-slam-dunk-contest
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Tyler Herro wins 3-point contest, Brunson eliminated in opening round
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...t-contest-brunson-eliminated-in-opening-round
Photo by Tom O’Connor/NBAE via Getty Images
Jalen let him win.
On Saturday, the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson competed in the 2025 NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest but was eliminated in the first round after scoring 18 points, one short of advancing. He tied with reigning champ Damian Lillard as the first to be eliminated. Tyler Herro ultimately won the event, edging out Buddy Hield in a dramatic final round.
The contest featured 27 shots, including two deep “Starry balls” worth three points. Eight players participated, with the top three advancing to the finals. Jalen started strong, hitting four of five from the corner, but struggled on the wings and with his moneyball rack, making just two of five. Afterward, he admitted rushing his final rack, which hurt his rhythm and cost him points.
In the first round, Herro scored 19 points to advance alongside Darius Garland (24) and Hield (31), the latter putting on a dominant performance. In the finals, Herro caught fire, making all five shots from the top of the arc and both Starry balls, finishing with 24 points. Garland struggled, managing just 19. Hield, after missing his first seven shots, made a late push but fell one point short, finishing with 23.
Brunson was a deserving participant and a crucial part of the Knicks’ offense. He is averaging 26.1 points per game, shooting 39.7% from three on 5.8 attempts per game.
Despite the early exit, Jalen is open to returning for the next year’s 3-Point Contest.
Go Knicks!
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...t-contest-brunson-eliminated-in-opening-round
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Knicks Bulletin: ‘Started off hot, I felt great, and then... Oops’
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...in-started-off-hot-i-felt-great-and-then-oops
Photo by Zach Barron/NBAE via Getty Images
Back from Cancún.
And just like that, vacations are over.
And also thank God, the All-Star Weekend and mostly the (worst) All-Star “Game” is finally in the rearview mirror. Sheesh.
Here’s the latest from the couple of Knicks repping the team in California during the weekend.
Jalen Brunson
On his performance in the 3-point contest:
“Started off hot, I felt great. And then... Oops.
You could practice all you want, but once you get out there it’s a tad different.”
On possibly entering the 3-point contest again next season:
“Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll leave that door open.”
On his shooting improvement over the years:
“There’s no secret. I go into every summer thinking, ‘How can I become the most consistent and complete player, the most efficient player I can be?’ Just working on my shot and making sure it’s as comfortable as possible.”
On enjoying his second All-Star Game:
“It’s been good. Last year being the first one and not really knowing what to expect. This time, I think I’m actually kind of enjoying it. So it’s been fun having my family here. That’s the best part about.”
On playing against Karl-Anthony Towns in the All-Star Game:
“We are actually not friends at all, so competing against him is going to be fun.”
On the Knicks’ season:
“It’s been fun. It’s been a steady process throughout every game. It’s been fun to go through this journey with the guys we have. I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On playing at his own pace:
“I don’t know if I’m such a high flyer as my second or third year, but I’m definitely playing more at my speed this year than I did at other years.”
On his improvement as he keeps gaining experience through the years:
“I just got a better feel. Experience teaches a lot.”
On his performance and the Knicks’ success:
“Of course, you always want better. So never satisfied.
But I’m just happy that I was able to implement myself into the team and that it resulted in winning. You guys were telling me the stats of having the best record going into the All-Star break since [the franchise’s last championship season in 1973]. Hopefully, history coincides with that and brings a ring with it.”
On the Knicks’ struggles against top-tier teams such as Boston:
“When I look back at those games, they were ugly as hell. And when I look towards the future, I pray they’re not as ugly.”
On the Knicks’ defensive potential:
“It’s a level I’ve seen and done before in Minnesota, so I think we have the pieces and talent to do it.”
On his father attending every game:
“He definitely has made it a commitment. I’m just blessed to have a father who loves his son that much.
I know a lot of people, especially people in my friend groups and stuff, they didn’t have that luxury. So to have a father who is committed to his son, loves his son enough to make these trips and cheer me on in all my endeavors, I don’t take that lightly. Because I have friends and associates that really wish they had that opportunity that I’m very fortunate every day to have.”
On deferring leadership to Jalen Brunson:
“I didn’t come over to be a distraction or disrupt the flow or be on an ego trip or anything. It’s about the team. And I came to amplify them and amplify Cap’.
You can’t win a championship by yourself. You need everybody. And I’m just happy we have a team full of guys who are willing to sacrifice and look at the big picture and do what it takes to bring the city wins every single night, and hopefully, it results in a chip.”
On Jalen Brunson’s leadership:
“The guy who makes it all happen is Cap. Huge honor for both of us to be part of one of the best organizations in the world and represent as starters. Means a lot to us.”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...in-started-off-hot-i-felt-great-and-then-oops
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Five goals for the rest of the season for the Knicks
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...als-for-the-rest-of-the-season-for-the-knicks
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
The final sprint begins Thursday. What’s needed before the real games begin?
The all-star break is almost over.
On Thursday, the Knicks take the floor to begin the second half of the season (even though the season is 2⁄3rds through) against the Chicago Bulls. At 36-18, the Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference and a whole 5.5 games clear of the Indiana Pacers. That said, they’re still a very imperfect bunch. For the final 28 games, there are a number of things they need to do to set themselves up for a deep playoff run. While some obvious goals can be like improving their perimeter defense, some goals are more tangible and don’t require a change in philosophy/scheme to accomplish. Here are five goals for the remainder of the season:
Get/Stay Healthy
Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25878125/2194597146.jpg "New York Knicks v Brooklyn Nets")
When the Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in an...interesting first-half finale, they were without OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and rookies Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet. To make matters worse, sixth man Deuce McBride missed the second half with a rib injury.
Now, I’m not going to be the boy who cried wolf. The Knicks are one of the healthiest teams in basketball. In my imperfect study last week, I determined the Knicks were the only team to have less than twenty games missed by starters. Keeping the starters healthy is paramount, and the coaching staff should look to be proactive in situations to keep their minutes from spiraling out of control. Anunoby and Towns, especially.
But the bench hasn’t been nearly as healthy. McBride, not counting the injury versus Atlanta, has missed ten games. Payne has missed six games. Shamet was cut for a preseason shoulder injury. Achiuwa missed the first 21 games. Not even counting Mitchell Robinson’s season-long absence and Shamet’s missed time after being cut, the bench has missed 37 games combined. An injured bench puts more stress on the starters, so making sure they have a full arsenal of depth is crucial for any nagging issues.
Get A *REAL* Signature Win
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25878131/2198463183.jpg "Boston Celtics v New York Knicks")
There are three teams with a winning percentage of over .700: Boston, Cleveland, and OKC. The Knicks are 0-5 against that group of elite teams.
If you asked me what the current signature win of the season is, I’d probably say either the two wins versus Denver (who has been scorching hot since their defeat in MSG) or the blowout victory against Memphis in January. Other than those, the best wins are the blowout wins against Milwaukee, the recent win versus a hot Pacers team, and the grind-out win versus an injured and sliding Rockets team. It just feels hollow when you are tied for the fourth-best record in basketball.
The Knicks can’t get their get-back on the Thunder, as they were slammed twice in January and won’t see them again. However, there are four remaining games against the Cavs and Celtics combined, including two in a row this week. While going 1-3 obviously wouldn’t be ideal, winning a game against one of the league’s elite would go a long way for fan and team confidence. It’s a lot harder to visualize beating someone you’re winless against.
Obviously, it’s easier said than done. We haven’t seen the Cavs since October, and these matchups may be compromised by the health of NY’s best defenders against those prolific offenses. Regardless, it’s time to show you can beat these guys.
Get Mitchell Robinson healthy and ready for the playoffs
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25878132/2150746096.jpg "2024 NBA Playoffs - New York Knicks v Philadelphia 76ers")
The undisputed biggest X factor for the Knicks to make their first run to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000 is Mitchell Robinson.
His timeline for return has been heavily delayed to the point where reporters and fans alike have assumed a setback has happened. Robinson has not yet been cleared for five-on-five despite being cleared for contact two weeks ago, so his return remains unknown despite Shams Charania's report of him being likely to return this month.
Getting Big Mitch healthy is not the only objective. Having him available to play is one thing, but having him ready to step into a 25-30 MPG role if absolutely needed is another. Robinson has not played an NBA game in ten months and is due to be rusty upon return. Thankfully, he should have at least a month to get into game shape and ready to play. It’s crucial for him to be ready for multiple roles, including potentially starting alongside Towns for improved defense. If that lineup works, the ceiling for this team is much higher than we thought.
Fill The Final Roster Spot With A Guy Who Can Contribute in the Playoffs
Photo by Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25878136/2194926185.jpg "Osceola Magic v Westchester Knicks")
On February 28th, the Knicks are allowed to sign a 15th player to their roster. The player must have made less than $12.8 million on their initial salary if bought out. As of today, the options are not bountiful.
Players do get bought out closer to the playoff eligibility deadline on March 1, so the Knicks could have some options to choose from. There are, however, two players who are not on an active roster to watch for. The obvious one is Westchester standout TJ Warren, who has a ton of NBA experience and someone who would still be contributing on a bench somewhere if not for copious injuries. Warren is averaging 25.8 points and 5.8 rebounds on 48/38/83 splits in the G-League regular season and has the size at 6’8” to contribute as a backup wing scorer, even if his defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Warren seems like the most likely. Lonnie Walker IV was mentioned in various circles, but apparently he’s staying in Lithuania for the rest of the season (UPDATE: He signed with the Sixers?). Their choices will come down to who’s even available.
Lock Up Seeding Ahead of the Final Week
Let’s be honest, the Knicks aren’t passing the Celtics barring unforeseen disaster in Beantown.
Despite sitting 2.5 games back, Boston has shown they can reach another gear when needed, and the Knicks will almost certainly lose the tiebreaker. Oh yeah, Boston’s schedule is also really easy down the stretch.
The Knicks sit 5.5 games clear of Indiana despite their hot streak, 6.5 games clear of the Bucks (with tiebreaker), and 7.5 games clear of Detroit. It would take a collapse to fumble their top-3 seed.
That said, the Knicks do have the eighth-hardest remaining schedule compared to 18th and 19th by Detroit and Indiana. If the Knicks get some injuries and slow down, they could be in a dogfight for seeding in April.
There’s no telling how many wins will be needed for the three-seed, but if the Knicks get 51 that’ll probably be more than enough. The hope is that they lock it up with about a week left (entirely reasonable given the current gap) and can spend the final few games managing the starter’s minutes and giving the rookies more run. Who didn’t enjoy the game against Indiana in 2023 when Toppin, Grimes, and Quickley all dropped 30? More of that!
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...als-for-the-rest-of-the-season-for-the-knicks
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Knicks Bulletin: ‘He’ll be back, soon’
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/19/24368369/knicks-bulletin-hell-be-back-soon
Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Only one more day of wait so we beg you to stay strong.
The Knicks keep resting but that won’t go for much longer as the lads will return to action tomorrow, Thursday, hosting the Chicago Bulls at MSG for their first game of the home stretch.
With fewer than 30 games left and the postseason looming, it’s time to get to work, finish the regular season strong, and play for the chip come June.
Here’s the latest from a few Knickerbokers and LeBron James’ No. 1 stan.
Jalen Brunson
On the Knicks’ championship hopes:
“I think we’ve grown over the year, and obviously that’s a goal of ours. But we have a long way to go.
“Obviously, it starts with me and KAT. But the team that we have, everyone is bought in. Everyone wants to win. Everyone has that as their goal. As long as we have that as our focus, it’s definitely a possibility.”
On leadership and his responsibilities as a point guard:
“There’s so many different ways to play the point guard position, but to be able to lead a team, to help your team win is the most important.
“So how can you keep guys together when things aren’t going well? When everything is going well, it’s easy. But when it’s not, how are you able to focus everyone in to get back on track? I think that’s what’s the most important thing, or at least I think it’s the most important.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s potential return:
“I’mma say, I pray he’s back soon, if all goes well.”
On Kenny Smith’s mistake when drafting his All-Star team:
“Kenny [Smith] came in and said, ‘This is the young stars of the league. I didn’t want to draft anyone over 25.’
“And then everyone looked at me. Yeah, I’m 28, and I was like, ‘Ahh.’ But it’s cool to be in a room like that with those guys who have so much potential and a lot of basketball ahead of them, so I’m always excited when you get to do stuff like this.”
Josh Hart
On Mitchell Robinson’s recovery and potential impact on the lineup:
“He’ll be back, soon.
“I think it gives you the ability — like you said, we could — For example, Cleveland has a big frontcourt, you can start Mitch, KAT, OG, ‘Kal, JB and play that.
“Or it’s like, we play Atlanta. You know, Capela. But then they have, they surround them more with smaller guards. So, you can start KAT at the five, put me in the lineup.”
Brian Windhorst (NBA Analyst)
On the Knicks’ chances for a deep postseason run:
“I’m not staying up nights worrying about the Knicks.
“In all honesty, I don’t think that they’re equipped right now to win the 12 game playoff games to win the East. Their team screams to me, great regular season team.”
On Tom Thibodeau’s rotations:
“Thibodeau plays the guys crazy minutes, which will catch up with them, no doubt about it. He knows that. They just don’t have a very deep team.”
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/19/24368369/knicks-bulletin-hell-be-back-soon
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Knicks surprise in Week 17 power rankings
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/19/24367870/knicks-surprise-in-week-17-power-rankings
Photo by Zach Barron/NBAE via Getty Images
If you thought this column was taking an All-Star break you were dead wrong.
The NBA is back once and for all after another historic-but-forgettable All-Star weekend break that saw Mac McClung match Nate Robinson’s three Slam Dunk Contest championships, as well as a horrible mini-tournament smacked in the middle of some sort of weirdly cringe TV show featuring Kevin Hart and some other folks.
Anyway, with a few games being played at the start of last week and not quite factored by all pundits ranking squads across the nation, it made sense for them to drop a slightly updated version of the Power Rankings coming off the ASW.
And hey, your Knicks found a way to move up the ranks after putting up a solid back-to-back winning slate with victories over Indiana and Atlanta last week. Yay!
Here’s a roundup of all the power rankings posted at different outlets through Tuesday’s matchups, capturing the national perception of the Knicks among the basketball elite.
Note: I have included a +/- next to each rank, with a minus sign (-) meaning dropping down and a plus sign (+) meaning climbing up X spots compared to last week’s position on that outlet.
NBA — No. 5 — New York Knicks (-)
John Schuhmann of NBA.com wasn’t overly impressed by New York’s back-to-back wins last week, leaving the Knicks right where he placed them a week ago.
The official power rankings will settle once and for all, with New York facing their next three opponents between Thursday and Sunday thus making all three games count for the next update of Schuhmann’s power rankings.
The only change on Schuhmann’s top 10 involved the Los Angeles Clippers moving up a couple of spots from No. 12 to becoming the tenth-best team across the L.
The Athletic — No. 4 — New York Knicks (+1)
Law Murray of The Athletic started the season hating the Knicks with a fierce passion but that feeling started to settle a while ago and now it’s turned into to pure love.
The pundit moved up the Knicks, slotting them in fourth place and rising their stock a bit coming off this Cancun week.
For this edition of the ranks, Murray decided to highlight a moment from the ASW involving each of the NBA teams. You bet he had to find a way to drop some hate on New York, so that was it. Sheesh.
The Knicks moving up meant the Grizzlies had to drop, and they did so one spot taking the final slot belonging to Tier 1: Top Contenders.
What are your thoughts on the ranks above? Where do you have the Knicks ranked after they split their first six games of the season? Drop your hot takes in the comments section below!
Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/2/19/24367870/knicks-surprise-in-week-17-power-rankings