NBA FanHouse

Luxury Tax: The Knicks Are Doing It Wrong

Tom Ziller — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:43:00 EST

Mark Deeks of the hilarious and insightful ShamSports.com recently took a look at the history of the NBA luxury tax. It's a good survey chock full of numerous gems, but one in particular stuck out to me.

Since the inception of the luxury tax in 2002-03, only two teams have crossed the threshold every season it has been collected: the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks. That the Knicks have had the highest payroll for basically the entire decade is hilarious itself, but just for kicks, let's compare the two team's records in those luxury tax seasons.

Teams pay a luxury tax if their player payroll exceeds a certain level. This money is divvied up among non-tax teams. It is basically a disincentive to teams looking to "buy a championship," a purpose which reads like satire given one of the teams we're talking about here.

The tax was not collected in 2001-02 or 2004-05 because player salaries did not exceed a certain share of league revenue. Dallas has averaged a 57-25 record over the seven seasons in which tax was collected. The Knicks' average record during that span? 31-51.

I might as well keep piling on while I'm at it, Spike Lee already hates me anyway:

* Dallas's worst record in a tax-paying year: 50-32. New York's best record in a tax-paying year: 39-43.

* The Knicks have not only paid the tax every season, but they have paid the most tax every season. Not just total. In every individual season, the Knicks have topped the list in luxury tax owed.

* Over the last four years, only seven of the 26 tax-paying teams have finished the season with a losing record. Four of those were the Knicks. (They are joined by the 2005-06 Magic, 2006-07 Wolves and 2007-08 Heat. The Knicks were the only one of the seven tax-paying teams to finish with a losing record. They finished with 32 wins and 50 losses.)

* Over the last four seasons, the Knicks have paid a total of $125.7 million in luxury tax. They have registered 111 wins over that time. That means that for every win, the Knicks pay $1.13 million in tax. This is in addition to the roughly $380 million in player payroll over that span.

Luxury Tax: The Knicks Are Doing It Wrong originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rules Say Nate Robinson's Shot at Wrong Basket Wouldn't Have Counted

Brett Pollakoff — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Nets

During Sunday's game against the Nets, the Knicks' Nate Robinson fired a shot at the wrong basket, just after the first quarter buzzer had sounded. This infuriated his coach, Mike D'Antoni, because ... well, you never know, right? What if the shot had been released a split second before the buzzer, or the referees saw it that way, and decided to count the basket?

As it turns out, D'Antoni had nothing to worry about. Because according to the NBA rulebook, a player can't intentionally score a basket for the opposing team.

According to Rule 5, Section 1E, a player can't score for the other team if it is an intentional shot. It counts as only a turnover.

"It is a violation for a player to attempt a field goal at an opponent's basket," the rule states. "The opposing team would be awarded the ball."

D'Antoni did not know the rule and it's unclear if it has ever happened in an NBA game, spokesman Tim Frank said.

For what it's worth, D'Antoni said at the time he didn't care that the basket didn't count, and told Robinson not to "mess with the game." And a day later, when told about the rule, he wasn't backing off of that stance. But at least now the coach can take a little comfort in the fact that if one of his players does decide to do something like this in the future, all that will happen is a change of possession.

Rules Say Nate Robinson's Shot at Wrong Basket Wouldn't Have Counted originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dean Meminger Critical After Suspected Crack-Pipe Fire

Tim Povtak — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks

Dean Meminger once played in the shadows of the greatest backcourt in the history of the New York Knicks -- Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe. He almost died in the shadows earlier this week.

Meminger was still in critical condition Tuesday in the burn unit of New York's Jacobi Medical Center after being rescued from a Sunday night fire in a Bronx housing project that investigators suspect was sparked by a crack cocaine pipe, according to the New York Daily News.

Meminger was found unconscious near his bed. Several crack pipes were found inside his room of the small, run-down building. It was not clear whether the pipes belonged to Meminger, 62, but he has spoken publicly many times about his long battle with drug abuse.

Meminger, who played his high school basketball in the city, rose to prominence with the Knicks when they picked him with the 16th selection of the 1971 Draft out of Marquette University.

The Knicks won an NBA championship in his second season when he served as a backup to the much-heralded Monroe and Frazier. He was small (6-1, 175 pounds), but played big, often providing a spark off the bench in that championship season.

While Frazier and Monroe had long and illustrious careers in the NBA -- both reached the Basketball Hall of Fame -- Meminger had his playing career cut short as he battled his personal demons. He played three seasons with the Knicks, then two with Atlanta. He returned briefly to the Knicks in 1977, but was waived after 32 games.

After leaving the Knicks, he had struggled with several different jobs before becoming the basketball coach at Manhattanville College for the 2003-04 season.

Fire marshals Tuesday were still investigating whether the drug paraphernalia may have sparked the four-alarm blaze, according to Daily News sources. Meminger was suffering from both burns and smoke inhalation.

"I haven't spoken to investigators,'' his son, Dean Meminger, Jr., told the Daily News. "I'm just concerned about his safety.''

Dean Meminger Critical After Suspected Crack-Pipe Fire originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Pierce Owns Madison Square Garden, Too

Tom Ziller — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:58:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Knicks

We hear quite a bit about how well Kobe Bryant and LeBron James play at Madison Square Garden, the so-called Mecca of basketball. But Sunday's action reminded us that Paul Pierce belongs in that discussion, too.

Pierce scored 33 points in Boston's overtime win against the Knicks Sunday. It was the sixth career 30-point game at MSG for the longtime Celtics, matching Kobe, Dirk Nowitzki and Allen Iverson for the lead among active (or very recently active, in A.I.'s case) players. LeBron has five 30-point games at the Garden.

Of course, Pierce has been around quite a bit longer than LeBron, and as an Eastern Conference player he plays at MSG twice as frequently as Bryant and Nowitzki. But the mark is still impressive. (In case you're wondering, Michael Jordan holds the modern era record for 30-point games at MSG as a visitor, with at least 17. Basketball-Reference only has a game-by-game box score data going back to 1986-87.) Pierce was the fourth visitor to hit 30 at the Garden this season, following James, Andre Iguodala and Chris Paul.

Paul Pierce Owns Madison Square Garden, Too originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free-Agent Salvation for Knicks, Nets? Won't Happen

Tim Povtak — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Nets

It's time for the Knicks and the Nets to end this nonsense and stop teasing their fans. It's time to stop dreaming. All the salary cap room in the world this summer isn't going to save NBA basketball in the New York/New Jersey area.

The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference will remain the worst for the next few years. So get used to it.

LeBron James won't be walking through the door anytime soon. It doesn't matter how storied Madison Square Garden feels, or how many celebrities come to the games, or how wonderful the Nets-to-Brooklyn blueprint looks, or even the intensity of James' crush on rapper Jay-Z.

Free agents-to-be Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki or Joe Johnson aren't coming, either.

Although this purging of players and clearing of cap room along the Hudson River sounded like a good plan when it began in both spots a few years ago, everything since then has been a disaster.

The two teams have spiraled downward so badly that no real star in his right mind would consider playing there now. And even if they would, history says they won't.

It's been more than 13 years since Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando as a free agent to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, dramatically changing the shape of the NBA. And since then, very few true superstar free agents have changed teams.

Not one since O'Neal has made the jump and won an NBA title.

It's not how the game is played now.

NBA rules discourage the movement of superstars, allowing current teams to offer them more as free agents, as much as $30 million in guaranteed money over a maximum allowable contract. It's a good rule, too, allowing the NBA to avoid the constant player movement that has damaged Major League Baseball.

When O'Neal left Orlando, there was no cap on individual salaries like there is now, allowing the Lakers to outbid the smaller-market Magic.

Since O'Neal, the only NBA superstars in their prime to jump teams as free agents have been Grant Hill (Detroit to Orlando, 2000) and Steve Nash (Dallas to Phoenix, 2004). Hill unfortunately was then buried by injury. And Nash left because Dallas wouldn't pay him.

That won't happen with any of the players the Knicks and Nets are targeting. All of them will be getting maximum allowable money from their current teams, so outbidding the current team won't be possible.

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Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Shaquille O'Neal is pulled in a Radio Flyer wagon by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Kristopher, as Shaq shopped for toys at Toys R Us in Mayfield, Oh., on Sunday Nov. 22, 2009. Shaq donated $1,000 to the Marine Toys For Tots foundation. (AP Photo/The Plaindealer, Lynn Ischay) ** MANDATORY CREDIT **

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Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, top, of Spain, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder center Serge Ibaka defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeff Green defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Another issue is that all of the targeted stars already are on good or at least decent teams with promise, something the Knicks and the Nets can't promise. With O'Neal in Cleveland, James already is knocking on the door of the Finals. It's insane to think he would leave to start a rebuilding project in New York or New Jersey.

Johnson and the Hawks are surging. Nowitzki and Dallas still are contending. Bosh and the Raptors already have a nice young nucleus in place. Even Miami looks encouraging now to Wade.

All of which is not good news for the Knicks and the Nets, who really are beginning to look like the former Chicago Bulls, which had plenty of salary cap space after Michael Jordan retired, but no real star willing to take it for years.

What's likely to happen now is that the Knicks and the Nets will overpay for some second-tier free agent like Michael Redd or Carlos Boozer, players who will help but not significantly change a team.

For the Knicks and the Nets, it's time to draft well, trade smart and hope for a slow but steady improvement. The dream of an instant turnaround next summer is merely a fantasy.

Free-Agent Salvation for Knicks, Nets? Won't Happen originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nate Robinson Shoots at Wrong Basket, Mike D'Antoni Is Not Amused

Brett Pollakoff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Nets, NBA Videos

Just after the first quarter buzzer sounded at the Meadowlands, Nate Robinson of the Knicks turned and fired a three-pointer at the basket of the New Jersey Nets. The shot went in, and, being as the period had already ended, the basket was waved off by the official.

No harm done, right? Uh, wrong. Mike D'Antoni was furious at Robinson for even trying such a stunt, especially with it coming so closely after the buzzer.

(UPDATE: Apparently, D'Antoni holds a grudge: he kept Robinson on the bench for the rest of the game.)

Knicks! Nets! NBA action at its finest. Video of the shot and the exchange, after the jump.

Knicks 98, Nets 91: Recap | Box Score | Full NBA Scoreboard

[via Jose3030]

Nate Robinson Shoots at Wrong Basket, Mike D'Antoni Is Not Amused originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knicks Reportedly Pass on Allen Iverson

Matt Watson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, Heat, Knicks, NBA Rumors

A four-time scoring champ leading Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense? It looked like a match made in heaven on paper, but the Knicks have apparently decided the intangibles surrounding Allen Iverson -- including ugly exits with two teams in the span of seven months -- outweighed the potential gains.

According to Howard Beck of the New York Times, the Knicks went back and forth on the issue, with a team source suggesting Thursday afternoon there was a 90 percent chance the team would offer a contract. Ultimately, however, the team's brain trust decided that "Iverson posed too great a risk" -- a damning indictment if there ever was one, considering the 2-7 Knicks are currently on pace for a 15-win season.

If not with the Knicks, where will Iverson land? Not the Heat, according to Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald, who reports that the team has denied reports out of New York suggesting they were in pursuit of A.I.

What about the Bobcats? Despite Larry Brown's affection for his former player, that doesn't seem likely either, especially after Charlotte filled their need for a scoring playmaker with the recent acquisition of Stephen Jackson. Brown has admitted to placing calls around the league on behalf of Iverson but nevertheless sounds reluctant to bring him aboard his own team given the focus on developing his young backcourt.

"Here's what happened -- when he thought about coming with me, he said, 'Coach, I don't care if I start, you just give me an opportunity to start,' " Brown said in a recent radio interview. "And I said that's fair. I hope I do that with all my players. But I told him that if he came with me, I have two guards sitting there and they would be unhappy, and I didn't think that was fair."

So what's next? Barring the unexpected, Iverson will likely be forced to spend at least the next several weeks waiting in limbo, either waiting for injuries to create a starting opportunity or a contender to make a compelling enough offer for Iverson to swallow his pride and come off the bench.

Knicks Reportedly Pass on Allen Iverson originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Knicks to Pursue Iverson

Tom Ziller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Rumors

Just a few days after the Grizzlies announced they'd cut loose disgruntled legend Allen Iverson, Howard Beck of the New York Times reports the Knicks do plan to pursue the guard. Beck has sources who indicate coach Mike D'Antoni is sold on the addition of the legendarily difficult scorer, and the Knicks plan to offer A.I. at least a minimum contract worth $1.3 million.

The Knicks have been dreadful this season, and it's getting worse all the time. (The Knicks visit currently winless New Jersey on Saturday in what could be the return of Devin Harris and Courtney Lee. Giving an 0-13 [pending tonight's Nets-Bucks result] New Jersey team its first win? Rock. Bottom.) Iverson is still useful as a scorer, and despite the N.Y. talking points about developing the kids, the Knicks as an organization have little to lose by letting The Answer run loose for a few months. Win, win, win. (That third one is for Spike Lee.)

Report: Knicks to Pursue Iverson originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iverson Wants to Play Again, With Knicks as Possibility

Tom Ziller — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:20:00 EST

Filed under: Grizzlies, Knicks, NBA Rumors

Yahoo!'s Marc Spears caught up with the personal manager of one Allen Iverson, the surefire Hall-of-Fame guard who earlier Monday agreed to part ways with the Grizzlies after three dramatic regular season appearances. The implication of Monday's event implies that Iverson is done in the NBA -- he didn't exactly have many suitors in the offseason, after all, which required a bit role on the bad Grizzlies in the first place.

You should be unsurprised to learn, however, that Iverson doesn't see it that way. A.I.'s manager told Spears that the guard intends to play again in the NBA ... hopefully this season. How's that gonna happen? Take it away, New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh!

Walsh told Frank Isola of the New York Daily News his struggling club would consider adding Iverson.

"We'll look into it," Walsh told the Daily News. "Right now, I'd say probably not but we'll see."

The Knicks could hardly lose anything by adding Iverson. The team has only three or four youngsters who legitimately need playing time. Danilo Gallinari can play small forward in Mike D'Antoni's system, and while you'd like to see guard Toney Douglas get as many minutes as possible, the Knicks are truly dreadful, and minutes on a 15-win team is more scarring damage than learning experience. If Iverson can help (and he played well enough in his three appearances to make that an honest assessment rather than pie-in-the-sky nostalgia), the Knicks would do well to fit him in.

But of course, Iverson must be willing to compromise, too. And that doesn't sound entirely likely, with Iverson's manager telling Spears that The Answer would come off the bench ... for a championship-contending team. If A.I. really wants to latch on with a team this season, he needs to drop the conditions and be just a touch humbled by his fall from grace. I mean, if Stephon Marbury can get a late-season call (as he did with the Celtics last season), Iverson can. It's just a matter of posturing for public relations' sake.

Iverson Wants to Play Again, With Knicks as Possibility originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Jackson's Health Has Improved

Matt Watson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Coaches

The topic of Phil Jackson's health has lingered in the background for years -- he had both hips replaced in 2006, and he still sits perched above the bench in a custom-made throne to help alleviate pain in his hips, knees and back. As far back as 2007 he's dropped hints that he might be close to calling it a career, and as recent as this summer he hinted that he might skip occasional road trips this season.

But this year? Thanks to a new orthopedic "unloader" brace, he has no complaints. "I feel really good," he said Thursday, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. "I have a device that really takes away a lot of the discomfort that I've had. That's a real big relief for me as far as just having to deal with some issues when I stand or walk. I'm much better that way."

Jackson has also been helped by a comfy early schedule -- the Lakers have gone on the road for only two of their first eight games, not to mention four of their first 21. The downside, of course, is that things will even out the rest of the way, including a mammoth eight-game road trip from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1.

Jackson missed a one-game road trip last April due to swelling in his legs, but he doesn't expect that will be an issue this year. "As far as the edema that I was kind of suffering from flying, obviously, we haven't been out on the road very much, but that's well-controlled," he said.

Will the new brace add a couple of years onto his coaching career? Lakers fans (and, ahem, Byron Scott) will have to wait and see, but it certainly can't hurt. One thing is for sure: with his name already atop the record books after winning NBA title No. 10 last June, the pressure to win another title in order to go out on top no longer applies -- nothing he does from this point on will diminish the fact that he's the greatest playoff coach of all-time.

In fact, the only significant coaching record he doesn't own is Lenny Wilkins' all-time record of 1,334 regular season wins. Jackson, tied with Larry Brown for sixth all-time with 1,048, is probably a good five years away from reaching Wilkins, though by the time he approaches that milestone Don Nelson (1,311) may have already extended it.

Phil Jackson's Health Has Improved originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA HouseCast: LeBron Goes to NYC, Iverson Goes Home

Brett Pollakoff — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Knicks, Nets, Rockets

Welcome to the NBA FanHouse podcast, where our writers get together a few times a week to talk about everything going on in the world of hoops. Want to participate? Leave a comment, or follow us on Twitter @NBAFanHouse.

In this episode, Matt Moore joins me to talk about what went down over the weekend, which included LeBron James' trip to New York on Friday, and Allen Iverson taking a personal leave from the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

We discuss LeBron's options in 2010, and wonder whether we've seen the last of A.I. in Memphis. All that, plus a discussion of the Houston Rockets, who have been a pleasant surprise so far this season.

Download MP3

NBA HouseCast: LeBron Goes to NYC, Iverson Goes Home originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Donnie Walsh Denies Looking Ahead

Matt Watson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks

With the Cavaliers in town to play the Knicks, speculation about LeBron James leaving Cleveland for the Big Apple has been shifted into overdrive. But Donnie Walsh wants you to know that he cares about the Knicks' present just as much as the future.

"No matter what you say, there's a feeling that you're just looking to next summer, and that hasn't been true at all," he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I know where it's coming from, but there's very little you can do about it. I'm talking to you now and saying I'm not even thinking about that right now. I don't care if I say that to 100 people, they'll say, 'He's waiting for next year.' "

Instead of telling that to 100 people, perhaps he could merely reinforce that message to the 14 in the Knicks' locker room -- because according to some close to the team, even the players are starting to think that this season doesn't matter.

From Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:

According to one player, there is a sense among many Knicks that this season doesn't mean anything to the organization since management has made it clear that it will look to add an impact player next summer. In order to do that, most of the players with expiring contracts will not be re-signed. Harrington, David Lee, Nate Robinson, Darko Milicic and Hughes are in the last year of their respective deals

[...] A few players have said that they have been so soured by their experience in New York that if James were to solicit their advice about playing for the Knicks, they would not give him a favorable scouting report.

If Walsh is so adamant that he's not ignoring the present, then why did he leave Lee and Robinson, two up-and-coming players critical to the small amount of success the Knicks have had in recent years, dangling in the wind this summer? Both players hoped to secure long-term deals, but Walsh opted for short, one-year deals that wouldn't eat up any precious salary cap space next summer.

With Ramon Sessions available this past summer for a song, why pass on the chance to finally give Mike D'Antoni a legitimate starting point guard? Same reason; any long-term deal, even bargains that could improve the team in the short and long term, were simply not an option.

No matter what Walsh wants people to believe, he has put all of his eggs in next year's basket. That's as clear as day, but what's confusing is why Walsh wants people to believe otherwise. Since Walsh took over, fans have largely given the Knicks a free pass, ignoring today's atrocious play in belief that things will magically get better in 2010. Walsh should enjoy it while it lasts, and perhaps ask Omar Minaya what life is like when New York fans actually hold a front office accountable.

Donnie Walsh Denies Looking Ahead originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knicks Have a Stalker: Stephon Marbury

Tom Ziller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:12:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Fans

ESPN's Chris Sheridan reports on the world's first non-uStream Stephon Marbury sighting of the NBA season. It came at Madison Square Garden, where Knicks security had to ask a paid-in-full Starbury to go to his seat. Marbury had purchased a ticket in row A (that's the second row) for Saturday night's Knicks home opener against the Sixers. The only problem was that Marbury instead tried to sit in row AA (the Spike Lee zone).

Sheridan reports that Marbury spent part of the first quarter standing and recording live video of the action (as pictured). Eventually, a Madison Square Garden security guard asked Marbury to move to his actual seat. Instead of doing so, Sheridan reports that the former self-professed World's Greatest Point Guard left the arena. Front row or bust! Hilariously, according to the New York Daily News's Mitch Lawrence, a Knicks usher mistakenly sat Marbury in the front row in the first place. Whoops.

Knicks Have a Stalker: Stephon Marbury originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Most Likely to Drop 50 at Madison Square Garden: LeBron James

Nate Jones — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Knicks

With the start of the 2009-10 season looming, NBA FanHouse walks through the Valley of the Most Likely; we shall fear no topic.

Madison Square Garden is the crown jewel of NBA arenas. It's the oldest building in the league, and has hosted a ton of special moments throughout its history. Many of those moments likely helped shaped the hoop dreams of many of the league's current stars.

Of course, no one had a greater influence on making MSG a special place to play than Michael Jordan (sorry, Knicks fans). Since Jordan, every NBA player has wanted to come to the Garden and put on a show.

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are probably the biggest stars in the NBA today (at least according to Vitaminwater and Nike). As you know, both Kobe and LeBron have been influenced tremendously by Jordan. Accordingly, they have both tried to replicate Jordan's classic performances at the Garden.

Think about it this way: only three Knicks opponents have dropped 50 at the Garden. Those three? MJ, LeBron and Kobe (sorry Rip, your 50 in three overtimes just doesn't cut it).

Jordan did it twice, the most memorable being his "Double Nickel" game in 1995. LeBron has also dropped 50 twice at MSG, nearly missing 50 point triple doubles in both '08 and '09. And of course, Kobe etched his name into Madison Square Garden history when he set the Garden scoring record with 61 points at MSG last season.

So who will cross the 50-point plateau at MSG this season? Last season we were pretty on point with our Kobe Bryant prediction. Although Kobe loves to put on a show at the Garden, I'm going to roll with LeBron this season.

The reasons are pretty simple. LeBron is the premier player in the league right now and the Knicks have no one that can contain him. There's also that whole thing about teasing Knicks fans over the possibility of him sporting the orange and blue in 2010. Just like Kobe and MJ, LeBron understands the moment. He has already scored 50 at the Garden two seasons in a row. He'll likely continue to entice Knicks fans with the lure signing him in the July 2010 by putting together another 50-point show stopper.

Runners-up:

Gilbert Arenas: Gil hung 50 on the Mike D'Antoni coached Phoenix Suns a few years back. After missing almost two full seasons with a knee injury, torturing D'Antoni and his Knicks with a 50 spot would be the perfect "I'm back" statement for Mr. Arenas.

Kobe Bryant: See last season

Dwyane Wade: Trust me, after finishing third in the MVP vote behind Kobe and LeBron last season, Wade will be looking to show that he is the best player in the league.

Kevin Durant: Everyone is predicting that this will be a break out year for KD (you know, because averaging 25 points per game on 48% from the field and 42% from three wasn't a break out). Joining the 50-point club at the Garden would surely help the mainstream become more aware of Mr. Durant.

Amar'e Stoudemire: "Yo coach D ... Get me out of Phoenix and I'll do this for you nightly!"

Carmelo Anthony: Along with Kobe, Carmelo is the most complete offensive threat in the league. Yet he still doesn't get the level of respect shown to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. 'Melo has quietly gotten better year after year, but still craves to be recognized as a superstar. Dropping 50 at MSG is one way to get back on the mainstream radar. And since 'Melo played for Syracuse in the Big East, he's already quite familiar with the importance of the Garden.

Most Likely to Drop 50 at Madison Square Garden: LeBron James originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Stern Doesn't Want LeBron in NY

Matt Watson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Knicks, NBA Videos

Forgive me for the sensational headline -- I must admit to twisting the NBA commissioner's words just a tiny bit. But in an interview with reelsportsfan.com, David Stern revealed he's just like the millions of fans in Ohio who hope to see LeBron James re-sign with the Cavaliers.

"He hasn't won anything yet, but he may be the best player to descend to this planet," Stern said of James, later adding, "Michael [Jordan] might dispute that, but he's got a lot of canvas yet upon which to paint. And I have no doubt the picture is going to be beautiful."

When asked if Stern had any idea where James may finish his career, he replied, "None whatsoever -- although I hope it's in Cleveland." Keep reading for the video.

via New York Post

David Stern Doesn't Want LeBron in NY originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: Super 7 Comprise Game's Greatest Winners

Chris Tomasson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Celtics, Jazz, Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Tuesday, there are seven days remaining.

OK, so Quinn Buckner doesn't excite too many. Other than that, this is one of the best basketball lists you'll ever find.

There are just seven men who have won an NBA title, an NCAA crown and an Olympic gold medal. Other than Buckner, they are Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Jerry Lucas, K.C. Jones and Clyde Lovellette.

Other than Buckner, all are Hall of Famers. Jordan, Johnson and Russell are on just about everybody's list when it comes to an all-time NBA starting lineup.

Now, Denver forward Carmelo Anthony and Utah forward Carlos Boozer have a chance to join this super seven. Both have NCAA titles and Olympic golds, and need an NBA championship ring.

"That is history in itself just to get all three,'' Anthony said. "That would just put the nail in the coffin (on Anthony's career if he could join the list).''

Anthony was on Syracuse's 2003 NCAA championship team and on gold-winning Team USA last year in Beijing. Boozer was Anthony's Olympic teammate, and played for Duke's 2001 titlists.

"I would love to (join the list),'' Boozer said. "That's our goal (to win an NBA title). You just think about so many of the good players who already have won at every level, although Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James) and (Kevin) Garnett never went to college.''

No, they didn't. So even though Bryant and Garnett both have NBA rings and Olympic golds, they're never going to get a college crown unless the NCAA suddenly changes its rules.

At least rules bar players now from entering the NBA directly out of high school. So superstars, if they ever want to join this elite list, might want to do like Anthony, who led the Orangemen to the title as a freshman.

"I've done my research,'' said Anthony, who knew about the magnificent seven when asked. "I hope I can put myself in that category.''

Lovellette was the first to join the list, having won with Kansas in 1952, the Olympics in 1952 and claiming NBA crowns with Minneapolis in 1954 and with Boston in 1963 and 1964.

Before the 1950s were done, Russell and Jones joined him. They were teammates on San Francisco's 1955 and 1956 NCAA winners and on the 1956 Olympic team, and both won numerous titles with the Celtics. Russell claimed 11, starting in 1957, and Jones won eight, beginning in 1959.

Lucas got his trifecta started by winning with the Ohio State in 1960 and in the 1960 Olympics. He then has a 13-year wait before finally claiming his only NBA crown with New York in 1973.

Buckner was on Indiana's 1976 titlists and on the 1976 Olympic team. He won an NBA crown with Boston in 1984 while averaging a meager 3.3 points in 11.7 minutes during the playoffs.

But there was nothing cheap about Johnson and Jordan claiming the triple crown. Johnson won with Michigan State in 1979, took home five rings with the Los Angeles Lakers between 1980-88 and got Olympic gold in 1992.

Jordan claimed his NCAA crown with North Carolina in 1982, mined gold in 1984 and 1992 and won six titles with the Chicago Bulls between 1991-98. That's nine combined NCAA, NBA and Olympic wins, but still puts him third on the list behind the 14 Russell got and the 11 gathered by Jones.

Anthony and Boozer aren't being greedy. They're just looking for a third win, one courtesy of the NBA.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

Tip-Off Timer: Super 7 Comprise Game's Greatest Winners originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can the NBA Fine Maccabi's Coach?

Tom Ziller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:38:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Euroleague, NBA Referees, NBA Videos

I don't believe David Stern has jurisdiction over the entire basketball world; it just seems like that's the case occasionally. It'd be silly to think, however, that Stern won't have words with leaders of Euroleague and the Israeli Basketball Association after Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon held up his team's exhibition game against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden for nearly 10 minutes by refusing to leave the court when an NBA replacement referee ejected him.

As Gershon made his point, drawing NBA security officials over to plead for his cooperation, the crowd (and Knicks) waited. Eventually, a prominent Israeli rabbi (!) convinced Gershon to leave the court so the game could resume. The New York Post suggests Knicks prez Donnie Walsh left the Garden infuriated at the behavior. I can't imagine Stern -- who bristles at any criticism of any refs the league employs -- felt differently.

But Maccabi in particular remains a huge draw as the first team of Israel. The Kings are in the planning stages to hold an exhibition in Tel Aviv next fall, with rookie Omri Casspi -- who in a few weeks will become the first Israeli to play in the NBA -- as the connection. Stern will likely do little more than politely ask future visiting teams to respect NBA officials, whether they are replacements or not.

Can the NBA Fine Maccabi's Coach? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Al Harrington Guarantees Knicks Will Make Playoffs This Season

Ariel Helwani — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Videos, FanHouse Exclusive

The New York Knicks haven't made the playoffs since the 2003-04 season, and few expect them to break that streak this spring. However, second-year Knicks forward Al Harrington appears confident enough to predict that the orange and blue will finally return to the postseason this year. Yes, you read that correctly.

FanHouse spoke to Harrington at the NBA Live 10 launch event on Tuesday about why this Knicks team will be surprise many of their doubters. The video interview is below.

Al Harrington Guarantees Knicks Will Make Playoffs This Season originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Danilo Gallinari: Our Time Is Now

Ariel Helwani — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Videos, Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

It's safe to say that Danilo Gallinari would like to put his rookie year behind him. The Italian forward played only 28 games for the New York Knicks because of health issues and is looking forward to proving to everyone that the organization made the right choice when they drafted him sixth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.

FanHouse spoke to Gallinari at the NBA Live 10 launch event on Tuesday about his health status and dealing with playing under the bright lights of the Big Apple. The video interview is below.

FanHouse's Knicks Preview | Player to Watch: Gallinari
More FanHouse Video: David Lee

Danilo Gallinari: Our Time Is Now originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knicks on Eddy Curry: 'Not Ready'

Tom Ziller — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Injuries

Man, Eddy Curry spends his entire summer working the Stairmaster and eating like a vegan caveman and he still can't get fit enough for his Knickerbocker bosses. Curry tweaked his calf within the first days of training camp, and that (plus ongoing fitness issues) had Knicks prez Donnie Walsh telling reporters things like "When he can get out here and do it without pulling something, we'll bring him back."

Walsh is rarely this direct; you'd never see the Knicks discuss Danilo Gallinari's back injury (which plagued the 2008-09 season) in this fashion. But Curry's reported lack of effort in the gym prior to this summer hasn't earned the big fellow the right of indignation, I suppose.

In the foreseeable absence of Curry, the Knicks will roll with various levels of David Lee, Darko Milicic and rookie Jordan Hill at center.

Knicks on Eddy Curry: 'Not Ready' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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