Keeping an Eye on the Knuggets: Game 2

     Majority of Knicks fans are keeping a close eye on the Denver vs OKC series, personally I would like to see the ex-Knicks play well but I'm not surprised that there struggling. While most were quick to appoint them the "Sleeper" team in the west I knew all along that was mostly fools gold. True the winning streak was not to be overlooked, but it was not telling the real story of this team. Most of there opponents were caught totally off-guard with there open-style any can score attitude. The playoffs are all bout exposing weakness and exploiting them, clearly there is they have no "Goto Guy" in clutch possessions. The series will go back to Denver in Game 3, and hopefully the welcome home will have them running and gunning like the final 20 games of the regular season.

Knuggets Stats:

Danilo Gallinari: 7 PTS,  3-8 from the field

Wilson Chandler: 4 PTS , 0-6 from the field 4-4 from the free throw

Raymond Felton: 16 PTS, 5-11

Melo Drama Coming To An End?

The Carmelo Anthony trade saga is nearly over.

Indications are that a trade is imminent with the New York Knicks, with only minor details to be worked out before an agreement is reached, a league source said.
Anthony was not at the Nuggets' practice tonight, as they resumed workouts following the All-Star break.
Names that have been mentioned in a possible Anthony trade include the Nuggets' Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter.
Billups left the Nuggets practice facility Monday night after declining to speak to the media.

The Knicks, it has been rumored, could give up Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry.

Read more: HERE
 

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Nuggets Want Too Much For Melo

via NYPost.com

The Post has learned the Nuggets made a whopping demand one week ago that is more exorbitant than recent reports. According to a league source debriefed on Carmelo Anthony negotiations, Denver asked for Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and a first-round pick (obtained via Anthony Randolph) for Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups.
Yes, it looks like the Nuggets demanded everything but James Dolan's Radio City Music Hall.

"They want everything," the league source said of Denver. "The Knicks didn't even have to sit down and talk about that offer. It's not even logistically possible. They'd have two miserable stars with nothing around them."

Read more: HERE

Knicks Turned Down Melo Deal

According to Donnie Walsh Denver asking for too much:

The Nuggets offered Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the Knicks for Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Eddy Curry and at least one first-round pick.

Denver's interest in Felton isn't that surprising. He played under George Karl's long-time friend, Larry Brown, at Charlotte for two seasons and is eight years younger than Billups. However, Billups' $14 million salary for the 2011-12 season is a team option. If the team doesn't exercise that option, Billups receives a buyout worth approximately $4 million.

Would you take this trade if you were the KnicksGM?

Read more: HERE

Knicks Weekend Wrap-Up 2/13

So what did we learn about the Knicks this weekend?

• The Lakers are still a better team than the Knicks.
• Mike D'Antoni wants fans to stop chanting "We Want Melo"
• Raymond Felton confirmed that the team is affected by the Melo Rumors.
•  Mozgov is a starter again(for now).
• Amare rocks Nike Air Max with a suit and gets away with it.
• If the Knicks can make 16 threes they can win a game against a subpar team without Amare.
• And Shawne Williams turns 25, Happy B-Day!

Check Highlights from the games after the Jump

FELTON ALL STAR FLAME-OUT?

After the 113,97,loss to the Mavericks,Raymond Felton made a weak closing argument in his final chance to audition for a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.Felton finished with 11 points on 4 of 14 shooting and dished out nine assists without turning the ball over. Felton’s inconsistent play in the last month may ultimately cost him a spot on the team. He entered play Wednesday night averaging 17.2 points per game. He’s struggled since Jan. 1, scoring 17 or fewer points in ten of the Knicks 16 games. He’s made fewer than 40% of his shots in 11 of those 16 games.

Here are some numbers behind the inconsistent play

PRO:He's scoring 17.2 ppg, second to only Derrick Rose's 24.4.

CON:He is turning the ball over an average of 3.32 times per game, the fourth-highest total in the East.

PRO:His 1.85 steals are second to Boston's Rajon Rondo (2.39).

CON:His assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.67, tied for sixth among point guards in the conference.

PRO:He ranks third in the conference in assists per game (8.9) behind Rondo and John Wall.

CON:His 3-point field goal percentage is a paltry 33.2 percent, the third lowest among the 16 point guards in the conference who qualify. His 4.9 3-pointers attempted are tied for the second-highest total in the conference, behind combo guard Gilbert Arenas.

PRO:Felton is pulling down 3.7 rebounds per game, the third-highest total.

CON:His scoring average has dropped a full point in the past 14 games and shooting percentage has dropped nearly .27% in the same stretch.

PRO:He's the leader with 20 double-doubles and 38.7 minutes per game.

Felton posted six straight games with at least 10 assists in mid- to late December, the third-longest streak in Knicks history.

He also tied a franchise record with 14 assists and no turnovers in a Jan. 11 win over Portland.

Even though Ray has exceeded all our expectations in New York,many are predicting that four Celtics (Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen) will get an invite to the game (Feb. 20 in Los Angeles).Joe Johnson has also made a strong case to be included as a guard, heating up this month just as Felton has cooled off a bit.Tune into TNT tonight when the reserves are announced,and no matter the outcome Raymond Felton is a star on the biggest stage,brightest lights and for the richest franchise.

WHAT’S NEXT: Even after Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, the Knicks currently sit comfortably in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a three-game lead over seventh-place Philadelphia. But with a home-and-home coming up against the Sixers.KNICKSGM will be making the road trip when the Knicks travel to Philly on Friday night and host the 22-26 Sixers on Sunday afternoon.


SOURCES:ESPNnewyork.com
VIA:ESPN.GO.COM

A Respectable Trade We All Can Live With

By now I know you all have heard a rumor or two involving Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks but here is a trade scenario via bleacherreport.com that I really like for all parties involved.

It's a three team trade involving the Knicks,Bobcats and Nuggets.

Knicks get Carmelo Anthony

Ray Felton is having a career year and to keep it going strong after the All Star break Donnie Walsh should look to get him some help.A play making point guard who can backup Ray who will accept his role assisting the likes of Amar'e,Chandler and Melo.So how about Felton's ex teammate D.J. Augustine


Bobcats get Al Harrington,Aaron Afflalo and Bill Walker.

Al Harrington comes to ball every night,we as NYK fans saw his grind first hand last year and the Bobcats can use what he brings to the court. Afflalo is a player on the come up and would replace what they loose in Augustine.Bill Walker with added playing time will continue to improve,his three point range has improved within the last couple weeks alone.He would make that team really athletic all around with his dunking ability.

Nuggets get Stephen Jackson,Danilo Gallinari,Eddy Curry and Landry Fields

That's a package in my opinion the Nuggets should jump on without any hesitation.It would include a first round draft pick of course or Anthony Randolph.It allows the Nuggets to dump the salary of Al Harrington,gain youth in standout rookie Landry Fields and with Gallo and Action Jackson gives them help today for a playoff run.Not to mention Eddy Curry's contract

It isn't perfect and its allot of speculation but I'm sure this can be used as a framework to something we all can walk away happy about.

READ MORE bleacherreport.com

Knicks Practice emphasize on DEFENSE

Amare Stoudemire & Raymond Felton Reactions To Win Over Raptors 12/8

Raymond Felton Early Season Mix

Video after the Jump

Raymond Felton Is Taking Off

via YahooSports.com

Of course, Raymond Felton(notes) has been in the league since 2005. But has he really?
This is incredibly cruel to fans of the Charlotte Bobcats, because it smacks of the usual nonsense that fandoms outside of major-major-MAJOR markets have to deal with, consistently. That their finest players cannot wait to get out of town, and into a metropolis where parking is something you plan out a decade ahead. That time spent building a franchise or a rebuilding process up from square one is just a stepping stone spent toiling before you move onto another more prominent team that happens to be several squares ahead. That Charlotte doesn't count.
And I'm telling you, as someone who saw the fans fill that stadium 20 years ago, and saw the locals put headbands around statues downtown a decade ago, Charlotte counts.
It was the Bobcats that didn't count. And while Raymond Felton is a professional who should be relied upon to provide spirit and spark 82 games a year, he's also a human who played as if he knew better. And stuck on a middling team with no long-term plan working for coaches who loved to walk it up and call 197 plays per 100 possessions, Ray was stuck.
In New York? He's killing it.

Raymond Felton on Michael Kay ESPN Radio 12/1/10

Raymond Felton Doesnt Want To Be Compared To Steve Nash

via ESPN.com

"Me and Amare are just getting more comfortable with each other, just taking the flow of the offense," Felton said

"No, man, don't compare me to Steve Nash," Felton said. "Steve Nash is a great point guard who did what he did and who's still doing what he's doing. So I don't want to be compared to nobody. I want to be Raymond Felton, not Steve Nash. I'm Raymond Felton, my own person."

"I'm not ever going to compare the two. It's not fair to either one of them; they have different games," coach Mike D'Antoni said of Nash and Felton. "But both of them are terrific leaders and winners. And again, we'll see where we can go. We know what Steve has done, MVP two years -- no one can touch that. But Raymond has his own way to win a game."

"I think he's getting comfortable with what we're doing, we're getting better spacing. With Amare, there's a timing between the two that they kind of have to develop, and you never know if they will or they have," D'Antoni said. "But I think they keep getting better, and with Raymond we can show him on film what he's missing and what's out there, and then he picks it up and puts it in his game."

Read More HERE

Knicks point guard struggles to find Nash-like chemistry with Stoudemire

via nypost.com

Amar'e Stoudemire admitted yesterday the difficult decision it was to leave Phoenix and Steve Nash and come to the Knicks. It could turn into the wrong decision if his new point guard, Raymond Felton, doesn't start getting it.

Even if Felton starts grasping coach Mike D'Antoni's offense, it's doubtful Stoudemire-Felton will compare to Stoudemire-Nash.

"It was a great opportunity for both of us," Stoudemire said of his tenure with Nash. "We worked well with each other. We complemented each other's games. It was a great friendship and relationship. It was a tough decision to leave Phoenix."

Asked if he could develop the same bond with Felton, Stoudemire spoke cautiously. "I don't want to put extra pressure on Raymond," Stoudemire said. "He works extremely hard at his craft. Raymond's special in his own different way. We're looking for him to reach his full potential."


Read more: HERE

Felton adjusting to the team

via NYPost.com

One reason the Knicks brass believes this will be a bigger, better season is the upgrade at point guard with the summer signing of free agent Raymond Felton.

But Felton took a step backwards yesterday in the Knicks' 106-100 loss to Minnesota. He committed five turnovers and scored just four points on 1-of-6 shooting -- a very Chris Duhon-like performance. Felton had three turnovers in the preseason opener in Milan.

"Raymond's just trying to go too fast, driving it too deep, too fast," coach Mike D'Antoni said.

The worst part is Timberwolves point guard Luke Ridnour, the Knicks' top choice in free agency, looked a lot crisper. Ridnour had 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and just one turnover in 31 minutes. Ridnour would not accept the Knicks' two-year offer as team president Donnie Walsh wanted to keep cap flexibility in 2012 to possibly sign Chris Paul. Felton signed a two-year deal.

Felton said he is struggling with all the new faces.

"I have to let things happen itself," Felton said. "It's all about trying to get used to everyone else. That's what I'm doing. I'm getting accustomed to everybody going to a new team."


Read more: HERE

Knicks Media Day Quotebook

via SlamMagazine

Anthony Randolph:

What he can contribute to this team.

“I have a lot of God-given ability that I think that I can bring to the team, as far as my athleticism and things like that. And I work my ass off. I love the game of basketball and I want to be good. And I feel if I have the opportunity and I’m in the right situation that I can be a great player in this league one day.”

Worst part of training camp?

“Worst part of training camp? [Pauses] There is no worst part of training camp. I mean, (I) play basketball for a living. I’m very blessed.”

What’s it like playing for Mike D’Antoni?

“I haven’t played for him yet, but uh…”

Toney Douglas:

When’s the first time he’s seen Eddy Curry this offseason?

“Today. I think he’s working out. Tomorrow we got training camp, I’m pretty sure he know that he gotta be in shape and stuff. He’ll be ready by tomorrow…”

Dealing with the herd of New York media.

“I don’t even read papers, to tell you the truth. I don’t do that. I just go out there and play my game and do what Toney Douglas do. [Laughs] For real. God gave me a gift to play basketball, make a living out of it. I love it. I love the game.”

I asked about his brother, Harry Douglas, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

“He’s doin’ good. They 1-1. They play New Orleans on Sunday. So, I’ll be watching that game.”

Ray Felton:

What do you think the difference between Chris Duhon last year and you this year will be in Mike D’Antoni’s system?

“Hey man, I’m not gonna say there’s no difference between anything man. I’m just gonna come in and play my game. Chris Duhon is Chris Duhon. Raymond Felton is Raymond Felton. So, I’m not gonna say nothing. Chris Duhon is a good friend of mine, so I’m not gonna say anything bad about him.”

Read the rest HERE
Tweet

Training Camp Amare/Felton/Randolph

Summer Q&A: Raymond Felton

via:nyknicks.com

NYKnicks.com: What have you been up to over the summer?

Raymond Felton: Not much really. I’ve just been working out and spending time with friends and family. That’s about it.

NYKnicks.com: Talk a little bit about the process of how you became a Knick.

Felton: You know, it was free agency. It was my first summer, and this is all a business. I feel like I made the right decision to be here and be a Knickerbocker. It’s going to be great for me and great for my career. It’s going to be great for the whole team. I’m going to come in and play hard and try to win games. That’s what it is about.

NYKnicks.com: What did Head Coach Mike D’Antoni tell you he expects out of you this season?

Felton: Basically to push the ball up and down the court and run the team. That’s my job. I don’t think that is a hard job, but we still have to gel as one. We have some great young guys and great talent so we are going to try and make things happen.

NYKnicks.com: How do you foresee your style of play meshing with Amar’e Stoudemire’s?

Felton: Oh man, Amar’e and I have been in the same class since high school, so I’ve got a great personal relationship with him just going through all the camps and AAU tournaments. So I’ve known him a long time now. Plus, that style of basketball, pushing the ball up the court, that is something that I have gotten away from ever since college. I’ve kind of just been a point guard running the team and not really getting out into a system and going and making plays, so it is going to be fun getting back to that style of basketball. Just running and pushing up court and making basketball plays.

NYKnicks.com: Are there any other differences you foresee going from Charlotte to up here?

Felton: Well, it’s not really differences. Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to knock anything about Charlotte. Coach (Larry) Brown and all those guys are great coaches, and Coach Brown has done a lot for me as a player. He’s helped me out tremendously. But I think this system here fits my game tremendously. I’m the type of player that loves to get the ball up and down the court and run, make plays and make things happen. 

Read the entire article: HERE

Anthony Donahue interviews Raymond felton

Ray Felton