New York Knicks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Phil Jackson To Lakers Rumors Persist

November 27th, 2016 at 12:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

There’s still an even-money chance that Phil Jackson could be running the Lakers next season, according to Mark Heisler of The Orange County Register.

The current Knicks president has an opt-out clause in his contract effective July 1st, and Heisler said some insiders from both organizations expect Jackson to wind up in L.A. The writer describes the situation as “fluid” and says the odds of a move are about 50-50, with a lot of things left to determine whether it will happen.

One of those factors is whether Knicks owner Jim Dolan sees enough improvement to want to keep paying Jackson $12MM per year. Coming off three straight seasons of missing the playoffs, New York is off to an 8-8 start after major moves such as the hiring of coach Jeff Hornacek, a trade for Derrick Rose and the free agent signing of Joakim Noah. Also, players have openly complained about the team’s adherence to the triangle offense, with Carmelo Anthony saying, “I’m getting tired of hearing about the triangle.”

Heisler describes Jackson as naturally shy and only comfortable with a few people, which helps to explain the hiring of former Laker Derek Fisher as head coach. Fisher was fired midway through last season and replaced with Kurt Rambis, another former Laker.

Add in the recent controversy over his “posse” comments, and there is reason to believe that Jackson may be looking to escape the turmoil of New York.

In Los Angeles, his fiance, Jeanie Buss, seems poised to assume complete control of the Lakers in the wake of her brother Jim’s comments that he would step down if he couldn’t make the team a contender in two years. The expiration date on that promise is about to arrive, and there is speculation that her first move would be to bring Jackson back to the organization.

Buss tried to hire him before he joined the Knicks, but was turned down by the rest of the management team. She chose not to fight because she knew her late father didn’t want bickering within the organization, but by next summer there may be no one to stand in her way.

Knicks Notes: Noah, Rose, Anthony, Jennings

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

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

There’s more this morning out of New York:

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

Community Shootaround: Joakim Noah

November 26th, 2016 at 7:31pm CST by Arthur Hill

When the Knicks sent Robin Lopez to Chicago as part of the Derrick Rose trade, they were confident they could replace him by signing free agent center Joakim Noah. They got their man when Noah agreed to a four-year, $72MM deal, but they haven’t gotten the production they were expecting.

The 31-year-old is averaging 4.5 points and 8.8 rebounds through 13 games, and the Knicks are concerned about both his offense and defense. He is shooting just 32% from the foul line, which is part of the reason his fourth-quarter minutes have been sharply reduced.

The Knicks played two of their best games this week with Noah sidelined by the flu, and there are whispers that he might be better suited to a bench role. He started just two of the 29 games he played in Chicago last year before his season was cut short by a separated shoulder.

Noah posted three consecutive scoreless games before the illness hit, and the offense appears more fluid with Kyle O’Quinn as the starter or Kristaps Porzingis moving to center in a small-ball lineup. Noah acknowledged this week to Marc Berman of The New York Post that he feels “a step slow” and he has been “up and down” since the season started.

With the amnesty clause not expected to be part of the new CBA, there are fears that Noah could already be a sunk cost for team president Phil Jackson. Noah’s age, injury history and poor performance to start the season are all red flags, and there is a growing belief that the Knicks are a better team without him on the floor.

That leads us to tonight’s question: Was signing Noah a mistake or is it too early to judge? And if you believe it was a mistake, which available center would have been a better option?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.

Knicks Notes: Rose, Noah, Kuzminskas

November 24th, 2016 at 3:39pm CST by Luke Adams

After winning the NBA MVP award in 2011, Derrick Rose appeared in just 49 games over the next three seasons, raising questions about whether “vintage” Rose would even return. Although he has been healthier in recent years, the veteran point guard acknowledges that his so-called “vintage” self is probably a thing of the past.

“That vintage is gone, man,” Rose said on Tuesday, per Ian Begley of ESPN.com. “I told you the question should be: Can I hoop? It shouldn’t be like, ‘He’s playing like his old self.’ Like, if I can hoop, I can hoop. No matter if I did that when I was younger or now, I can play the game of basketball.”

While he may not vie for MVP awards again, Rose is happy with where he’s at now, telling Begley that he used to be “reckless” and that he’s picking his spots more carefully now. Rather than looking to “recreate past glory,” the Knicks’ starting point guard wants to make life easier for the team’s top scorers, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

Here’s more out of New York:

After missing a pair of games with a flu-like illness, Joakim Noah appears set to return for Friday’s game against Charlotte. Mike Vorkunov of The New York Times writes that Noah is still finding his way with the Knicks after signing a four-year deal with the team this offseason, while Marc Berman of The New York Post takes a blunter approach, suggesting that it remains “open for debate” whether or not the Knicks even need Noah.
Most Knicks fans probably hadn’t heard of Mindaugas Kuzminskas until the club used its room exception to sign him over the summer, but the Lithuanian rookie has fought his way into New York’s rotation, as Berman details in a piece for the Post.
In another article for the Post, Berman takes a closer look at Porzingis’ continued development as he continues on a path toward stardom.

New York Notes: LeVert, Plumlee, Knicks, Jackson

November 21st, 2016 at 9:08pm CST by Arthur Hill

Nets rookie Caris LeVert participated in his first practice today, writes Cory Wright of NBA.com. LeVert continues to rehab from foot surgery that has kept him off the court since February 13th. Coach Kenny Atkinson plans to bring LeVert along slowly to make sure the foot doesn’t give him any more trouble. LeVert, who has spent his time doing conditioning work and learning the team’s offense, said it felt good to be back on the court. “It’s been a long time since I’ve practiced full go and competed in live drills,” he said, “so it was a great experience for me.”

There’s more news tonight out of New York:

Marshall Plumlee‘s NBA debut was memorable even before Sunday’s game started, relays Al Iannazzone of Newsday. Plumlee was preparing to play for the Knicks‘ D-League affiliate in Westchester when he was notified that Joakim Noah was sick and the NBA club needed him. Plumlee took a train to Grand Central Station, hailed a cab and paid the driver to run a red light, then got stuck in traffic and sprinted the final few blocks to Madison Square Garden. He got there during the first quarter and wound up playing more than five minutes. “It was crazy,” he said. “I feel like I could write a book about it. Just imagine being woken up, saying like, ‘Hey, we need you to guard Dwight Howard.’”
Knicks players insist the team meeting they had Saturday wasn’t a revolt against president Phil Jackson or coach Jeff Hornacek, according to Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Some players have complained that Jackson’s triangle offense is outdated and it results in the team not practicing against pick-and-rolls. However, the meeting was described as a productive exchange of ideas about the team’s slow start. Jackson reportedly attended but did not speak. “It was a positive meeting,” said Courtney Lee, one of 10 new players on the Knicks’ roster. “Just everybody voicing their opinion and trying to get on the same page with the coaches and Phil. Guys left in good spirits, and it carried over into the game.”
Jackson’s “posse” controversy from last week left him appearing out of touch, contends Harvey Araton of The New York Times. Jackson was discussing the many favors the Heat were willing to do for LeBron James, but Araton points out that Jackson has received similar treatment, as did the stars he coached, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Hernangomez Turning Out To Be Solid Addition

November 21st, 2016 at 4:54pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Based on early returns, the Knicks signing of Willy Hernangomez to a four-year, $5.86MM contract may end up being team president Phil Jackson‘s second best move during his tenure (No. 1 is drafting Kristaps Porzingis), Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News writes.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 11/20/16

November 20th, 2016 at 10:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

Listed below are Sunday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA.

The Grizzlies sent rookie guard Wade Baldwin to the Iowa Energy, the team announced in an email. He has appeared in nine games for Memphis, averaging 3.1 points.
The Knicks recalled center Marshall Plumlee from Westchester, the team tweeted.
The Hornets recalled guard Aaron Harrison and forward Christian Wood from Greensboro, the team announced on its website. They were the first players ever to be assigned to the new D-League franchise.
The Spurs recalled guards Bryn Forbes and Dejounte Murray from their Austin affiliate, according to the team’s website. Both players were sent down Saturday to participate in a game against Erie.
The Wizards will recall guard Danuel House from the Sixers‘ affiliate in Delaware in time for Monday’s game, according to J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.

Knicks Hold Meeting; Noah Admits Disappointment

November 20th, 2016 at 6:06pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Knicks had a team meeting Saturday with coaches and president Phil Jackson to discuss some early-season issues, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Carmelo Anthony called the meeting productive, and said Jackson didn’t speak. “Nah, he actually just listened this time,” Anthony said, “which is good.”
Joakim Noah understands that his first month in a Knicks uniform has been disappointing, relays Ian Begley of ESPN.com. The free agent center, who came to New York on a four-year, $72MM deal, has seen his playing time decrease lately as coach Jeff Hornacek relies more on a small-ball lineup. “There’s still things I feel like I need to do a lot better,” Noah said. “I’m not happy with where I am right now. I feel like I can definitely play better, but I’m not going to get frustrated with the process. I’m giving everything I’ve got and looking forward to being better with this team, but not being frustrated with the process.”

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 11/19/16

November 19th, 2016 at 6:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Listed below are Saturday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA. This post will be updated throughout the day if and when other teams announce moves.

6:47pm:

The Suns have recalled Derrick Jones Jr. from the Northern Arizona Suns, the team’s D-League affiliate, according to their Twitter feed.
The Clippers have assigned Diamond Stone to the D-League and he will play for the Santa Cruz Warriors, Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com tweets.
The Bucks have assigned Rashad Vaughn to the D-League and he will play for the Westchester Knicks, Chris Reichert of The Step Back reports (Twitter link).

1:11pm

The Spurs have assigned Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes to the D-League, according to the team. While the headline of San Antonio’s press release indicates Murray has been recalled from the Austin Spurs, the rookie had already been with the NBA club, and the release itself says he and Forbes are being sent to Austin, where they’ll be available for tonight’s game against the Erie Bayhawks. It’s already the fifth assignment of the season for Murray, and the third for Forbes.

Knicks Notes: Lineup, Carmelo, Porzingis

November 19th, 2016 at 11:52am CST by Luke Adams

Like team president Phil Jackson, Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is reluctant to lean too heavily on a small-ball lineup, despite indications that his team plays best with Kristaps Porzingis at center and Carmelo Anthony at power forward, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.

“It’s always a game of chicken,” Hornacek said. “I thought earlier in the season we went small and it didn’t pay off. We ended up losing the game. It’s one of those feels if it works, you ride it. If not then you need to get out of it quicker.”

Of course, even if the Knicks’ small-ball lineup plays well, Hornacek will have to choose his words carefully when he discusses it. That five-man unit leaves Joakim Noah on the bench, and Noah is only a dozen games into the four-year, $72MM contract he received from Jackson and the Knicks this summer. That deal will only look worse if the Knicks play their best ball without Noah on the floor.

Here’s more from out of New York:

The Knicks have a handful of veterans on their roster who have battled injuries over the course of their careers, but if the team wants to be a contender this season, it must decide whether to prioritize protecting those players or going all-out, argues Steve Popper of the USA Today Network. “We definitely need to be more desperate,” said veteran guard Brandon Jennings.
Anthony remains the face of the franchise for the Knicks, but that may not last much longer, as Popper writes in a separate piece examining the continued development of Porzingis. Still, Anthony hopes that teams continue to focus their defensive attention on him to give the second-year big man a chance to thrive. “Teams, regardless of what’s happening out there, they will always load up and double-team and take me out of the game. And he benefits from that,” Anthony said. “So I want to keep doing that and what he has to do.”
For even more Knicks news, notes, and rumors, be sure to check our team page for the club.