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 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

Mozgov Not in Starting Role Just Yet

So a forty minutes 23 point, 14 rebound game does not earn you a starting spot in the next game huh. After yesterday's practice Coach D'Antoni was non-committal about Timofey's future playing minutes. "He'll play some," D'Antoni said. "We'll just see how the rotation goes. I don't know yet. But somehow he's got to be able to play."

The Knicks play host to the Mavericks tonight, who are currently 3rd in the West and riding a five game winning streak.  Coach knows the team will have to have a near perfect game to beat a team with the Mavs pedigree. Most likely Turiaf will get the start and Coach will work Mozzy in there depending on match-ups and foul situations. "We'll figure it out," D'Antoni said about where the 7-1 center fits in his rotation. "It might be game-to-game. It might be match-ups. As we go forward, we'll see how guys play together and we'll make an assessment."

Knicks fans cant expect another career type of night from Mozzy but good quality minutes from a legit 7 footer is always a plus. Hopefully this is the case because the Mavs also have some legit 7 footers themselves, Dirk, Chandler, and Haywood. Should be hard fought game on both ends, but watch for the hidden story that is line-up changes, most importantly the ones that contain Mozgov.

Quotes via NYDailyNews.com

Time for some Mozgov?

Time for some Mozgov?


With STAT's right knee sore and Shawne Williams serving his One Game suspension the Knicks will need some front court help tonight versus the Pistons. D'Antoni has recently said that Timofey is still a part of this team's immediate future, well I guess tonight is as immediate as it gets. 


Knicks fans witnessed much of Mozgov's abilities early in the pre-season and some in the beginning of the season. Eventually D'Antoni pulled Mozzy from the rotation after the Knicks 3 and 8 start to give the team a offensive lift with moving STAT to the center roll. Since the move the Knicks did improve and were able to develop some unknown talent in Williams. But it's no secret that the Knicks are limited in the BIGS department and the eventual departure of Randolph these leaves the team with limited options. With this in mind The Mozgov Project may need to go back in effect tonight, with quality minutes from this guy in the second half of the season it can go a long way for this teams growth.


Lets see if the Coach listens to this GM...

Knicks Injury Updates

In the midst of Williams vs Williams middleweight bout(Knicks vs Hawks) Marvin rolled onto Amare's right knee, twisting it awkwardly. The knee didn't keep him out of the game completely but it did raise some cause for concern during yesterdays practice.

Via NYPost.com

Coach D'Antoni addressed Amare's knee and status for tonight's game to the media:

"He said he felt he's better than he thought it would be," D'Antoni said. "He rattled it when he got hit. I would say he's probable."

"I'm optimistic," D'Antoni said. "I asked him if he can go [tonight], he said 'Yeah, I think so.' "

Read more: HERE

Mozgov Monster Dunk

Check out this Dunk from Mozgov: Knicks vs Raptors 12/5 Game after the Jump

via nyknicks.com

Landry Fields, Roger Mason Jr., Timofey Mozgov, Andy Rautins, Ronny Turiaf and Patrick Ewing Jr. were on hand to cheer on the New York Rangers as they fell 3-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at MSG.

"I am so excited for this game to start," said Fields during the pre-game ceremony. "This is my first hockey game so I am excited to see what it is all about. And this atmosphere, it gets me so pumped for our opener. The fans here in New York, they love all their sports teams that are here in the city. So you really can't ask for anything better."

Fellow rookie Rautins echoed those sentiments.

"You look at the fans that were here well before the game started. It's lively in here, and its incredible," he said. "You can tell that New York has the best fan base in the country and I think we are going to get the same thing on our opening night."

Things to look for as Knicks come home

via ESPNNewYork.com

Two years of destruction and demolition are behind them, and the centerpieces in the rebuilding of the New York Knicks will be unveiled for the home crowd Wednesday night for the first time.

And what coach Mike D'Antoni made clear Tuesday on the eve of that opener was this: That main centerpiece, Amare Stoudemire, will not be forced to play out of position at center when the ball goes up at Madison Square Garden for the first time this fall.

Instead, rookie Russian center Timofey Mozgov will be manning the middle for the restructured Knicks in the home preseason opener against the Boston Celtics after D'Antoni gave every indication Tuesday that Mozgov has earned a semi-permanent spot in the starting lineup.

Timofey Mozgov could be the Knicks' starting center when the regular season tips off.

In other words, the job is Mozgov's to lose.

"He's playing well, and he picks things up extremely fast. I know there's going to be rough spots ahead, but I just like his attitude and his effort, and then we'll see what happens," D'Antoni said. "He might have more rough spots than what I hoped, but we'll work through it. He does a lot of good things, and we'll see over the next six, seven, eight games how it goes with him, and then we'll see what happens."

Mozgov's debut could come against none other than Shaquille O'Neal if circumstances permit, but O'Neal's availability for Wednesday night game at MSG was in question after Boston coach Doc Rivers said O'Neal would be held out of Tuesday night's exhibition game against Philadelphia because of a hamstring issue.

Read More HERE

Mozgov will be center of attention, will start against Celtics

via NYDailyNews.com

Timofey Mozgov is expected to start Wednesday against the Boston Celtics at MSG, a move that could be permanent depending on how the rookie center performs for the remainder of the preseason.

Hopefully, Doc Rivers will start Shaquille O'Neal that night because it will give everyone - Mozgov, Mike D'Antoni, Knick fans - a chance to see Mozgov compete against a solid, albeit aging, NBA center.

The challenge for Russian is staying out of foul trouble, which will not be easy against O'Neal. Mozgov is a skilled big man but he is also a human foul machine. Against Minnesota last week, he fouled out in 15 minutes.

With Ronny Turiaf seen as nothing more than a back-up and Eddy Curry not in the D'Antoni's plans, the Knicks would love to see Mozgov emerge as a player capable of giving them 25 to 30 minutes a night.

If not, the Knicks other option may be to start Amar'e Stoudemire at center a la David Lee. The Knicks would have a huge advantage on offense but would be extremely vulnerable on the defensive end.


Read more: HERE

Mike D'Antoni excited about Timofey Mozgov

via NYDailynews.com

The starting center job is Ronny Turiaf's to lose, and that may just happen once the Knicks return to the United States.

"I'm definitely starting him this game," Mike D'Antoni said of Turiaf, who will be playing in front of family and friends here tomorrow against the Timberwolves. "Yes, I will do that."

D'Antoni made it clear that the competition for minutes at the center position is definitely open and that impressive rookie Timofey Mozgov continues to play his way into the team's plans for this season. D'Antoni was effusive in his praise for the 7-foot Russian, telling reporters Monday, "I'm trying to curb my enthusiasm."

Mozgov and third-year forward Anthony Randolph represent the future for the Knicks. Both give the club more versatility and scoring at center. Turiaf has experience, is a solid low post defender and therefore was given the start in Sunday's preseason win over Armani Jeans Milano in Milan almost by default.

But he's not a viewed as somebody who will play more than 20 to 25 minutes a night. In fact, if Turiaf is the starter on opening night it may be just because D'Antoni believes Mozgov and Randolph would be under less pressure in a reserve role.

D'Antoni added he may have "a revolving door" at center depending on the match-ups. But Turiaf, Mozgov and Randolph have seven more preseason games to earn the full-time starting job.

"It's open," D'Antoni said. "It might be open all year. I might change it up depending on who we play, how people develop and how our team develops. I don't know at the end of the day how our team will develop. We could have a revolving door a little bit. I can see it just being different week to week, month to month."


Read more: HERE

Knicks Plan To Waive Curry After Deadline

via NYPost.com

"I'm trying to hold down, curb my enthusiasm," D'Antoni said of Mozgov. "I think he can play. I don't see anything bad."

D'Antoni never mentioned Eddy Curry, expected to be waived after February's trading deadline when his expiring contract no longer is a trading pawn.

Curry strained his hamstring on the camp's second day and is out at least four to six weeks. The Knicks declined to bring him to Milan and Paris.


Read more:HERE

Knicks are still looking for the next Patrick Ewing

via DIMEMAGAZINE

By Austin Burton
A couple of things that stood out to me while watching “Real Training Camp” with the New York Knicks: (1) Amar’e Stoudemire was often playing center with the first unit, and (2) Originally projected starter Ronny Turiaf looked like he had no business being a starter.
Amar’e has experience playing center under coach Mike D’Antoni, but with his diverse offensive game and the matchup problems he creates, he’s better at power forward. Rookie Timofey Mozgov is still learning the NBA game, and Eddy Curry … well, yeah.
Which has opened the door for Anthony Randolph as the next in line to get a look at center. As the Knicks prepare for Sunday’s exhibition game with Milano (Italy), the 21-year-old Randolph has reportedly been getting some run at center with the first unit.

With the projected starting lineup including Ray Felton at point guard, Wilson Chandler at the two, Danilo Gallinari at small forward and Amar’e at the four, New York needs a center who can primarily rebound on both ends, block shots and defend the paint. A little offensive game would be nice, too, otherwise just somebody who will stay out of the way of the other scorers.
Randolph has the height for the position at 6-11, and he has good shot-blocking instincts and timing, but he’s still skinny. Listed at 225 pounds (lighter than Paul Pierce), he looks like he should be a big small forward rather than playing under the rim. D’Antoni is no stranger to unconventional lineups, however, so don’t be surprised if Randolph is lining up across from the likes of Dwight Howard, Al Horford and Andrew Bogut this season.
Who do you think should play center for the Knicks?

Article HERE

So Mozgov must be good, he already has a imposter

So myself and a whole lot of other fools (including NY Beat writers have been following the STAN version of Timothey Mozgov twitter...

@ Timo_Mozgov

Trying 2 get Knicks 2 give out shots of Stolichnaya evry times I skore!! Stolichnaya!!!!!!!!! about 15 hours ago via web


This dudes tweets are really funny...I doubt the real guy is actually this clever....

Mozgov turning heads at Knicks camp

They were the moves of 7-foot-1 rookie Russian center Timofey Mozgov, who coach Mike D'Antoni has singled out as the biggest surprise of training camp.

More From ESPNNewYork.com

Everything you need to know about the Knicks as they prepare for the 2010 season can be found here: Knicks Blog

"Just because we didn't know anything about Timofey, he's showing that what we saw on tape, and what we saw when we worked him out, was good," D'Antoni said. "He's an athlete, and he's getting better every day. His instincts on defense are real good, his offensive instincts are good, he knows how to set people up, and he keeps getting better with his shot, getting more confidence."Of the 16 players in training camp, only five were with the Knicks at the conclusion of last season. And one of those five, Eddy Curry, has spent the past several days watching practice sitting on a table in the corner of the gym after reporting to camp out of shape and straining his right hamstring in one of the first scrimmages.
Curry did not accompany the Knicks as they left Wednesday afternoon for Milan, Italy, where they will play Armani Jeans Milano on Sunday in their first preseason game before traveling to Paris for an exhibition against the Minnesota Timberwolves next Wednesday.

Training Camp Gallo/ Ronny T/ Landry/ Mozgov

Mozgov Let's His Play Do the Talking

via nyknicks.com

For the first couple months of the season, Mozgov - who arrived in New York less than a week ago and speaks little English - will have to learn by example. But Head Coach Mike D’Antoni doesn’t expect his transition from international ball to the NBA to have many setbacks due to the language difference.

“His English will be great in two months… he’ll pick it up like that,” D’Antoni said. “I’ve been around different European guys and they pick it up real quick. I don’t even think it’s an issue now, but in about two months it will be perfect.”

Just two days into his first NBA season, Mozgov already looks completely comfortable.

“I’m sure in a group setting he’s probably missing some things,” D’Antoni said. “But when we’re eye to eye, he doesn’t miss anything. The one thing about him that I do know is once he’s got it, he’s got it. And it doesn’t take him long to understand it. He’s a very smart basketball player, and really that surprised me. It makes it a lot easier because if he’s like that we will make it a lot better to teach him.”

entire article HERE

Timofey Mozgov may start at center?

via: nydailynews.com

Coach D'Antoni said

"We have to see how he adapts to the NBA game, but at 7-1, 270 pounds, he's maybe our most athletic guy, that runs, that's a great guy, that has great hands and knows how to play," D'Antoni said. "I'm happy with him and excited about the possibility. We have a lot of guys we should be excited about the possibilities."


Read the entire article HERE

Mozgov vs. USA

We finally get to see Mozgov against some real NBA players...Live stream link up soon...gametime 11 am eastern

Russia vs New Zealand Highlights

Mozgov moves without the ball well...FYI USA vs Russia Thursday 9/9