by Michael Naclerio

Amidst the whirlwind that is the Knicks front office right now, the CBA negotiation and an offseason that requires a number of holes to be filled we contemplate the upcoming draft. Although Donnie Walsh will not be signing back on as Knicks President of Basketball Operations, he will remain with the team as a consultant through the next season and will still contribute to selecting the Knicks upcoming 17th pick in the NBA draft this Thursday. Although Donnie’s involvement may slightly ease the minds of the Knicks fans (as long as the player the Knicks choose does not rhyme with Hordan Jill), many are still hungover about why Donnie was let go in the first place. (more…)

Via Bloomberg:

Team                     Championship
                             Odds
====================================
Los Angeles Lakers           5-2
Miami Heat                   3-1
Chicago Bulls                4-1
San Antonio Spurs            5-1
Boston Celtics               7-1
Oklahoma City Thunder       12-1
Orlando Magic               15-1
Dallas Mavericks            18-1
New York Knicks             40-1
Denver Nuggets              50-1
Portland Trail Blazers      60-1
Atlanta Hawks              100-1
New Orleans Hornets        100-1
Philadelphia 76ers         150-1
Memphis Grizzlies          150-1
Indiana Pacers             200-1
====================================

Via CBS New York:

“I think we are probably, most certainly the most dangerous first-round team in the NBA,” (Billups) said. “When I say that it’s because we are new, and we are dangerous. We’ve got a lot of weapons. We can move the scoreboard. I think our defense is a lot better; We’re going to be a tough out”…

Carmelo Anthony knows how brutal Knicks-Celtics can be. He was on the receiving end of Boston’s rough-and-tumble brand of play, bleeding from a cut above the eye last month after a collision with Rajon Rondo.

“It’s going to be a very intense, high-energy series,” Anthony said. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be crazy. We just have to keep our composure. It’s going to be a very physical series. That’s the way they play.”

Via The Sports Network:

“The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will renew their rivalry tonight in the regular season finale at TD Garden before squaring off again in the opening round of the NBA playoffs…

“It’s kind of funny we have to play them in the last game and then come right back and play them again,” Knicks reserve guard Toney Douglas said about playing Boston on Wednesday. “I’m pretty sure we have to approach that game like we approach every game”…

Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire missed his third straight game because of a sprained left ankle suffered in a win at Philadelphia last week. He, along with many other players from both sides, will most likely rest again Wednesday.”

Via NY Post:

“Having moved into the sixth seed, the Knicks are on a five-game winning streak, and Anthony is on a tear — a 3-point shooting tear. Mike D’Antoni’s speedball system is turning Anthony into a 3-point shooting machine.

The numbers are staggering. Anthony already has made two more 3-pointers in 24 games as a Knick than he did in Denver during his 50-game run (44-42).

Anthony, a mid-range monster his whole career, is lighting it up as a Knick with a 3-point shooting percentage of 44 percent, compared to his 33.3 percentage in Denver. His career 3-point percentage is a mediocre 32 percent…

Naysayers of acquiring Anthony railed he would not fit in well as a Knick because he’s not a good 3-point shooter. Anthony said he’s been practicing the shot extra, with encouragement from the coaching staff.”

Two weeks ago the Knicks seemed lost.  Their defense was awful.  There was no fluidity to their offensive game.  They flat out could not seem to win.  And when your team includes Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but you can’t seem to buy a win, the first place people look is the head coach, Mike D’Antoni.  Many began to question not only whether he’d be the coach of the future for the Knicks, but even whether he’d last till next season if the Knicks didn’t turn things around.

Well, the Knicks have turned things around.  They have won 5 games in a row, and re-taken the 6th spot in the eastern conference from the 76ers.  One would think that such a streak would buy D’Antoni some breathing room.  But the rumors of a coaching change have not subsided.  In fact, some have begun to speculate about who his replacement might be.  And already, a big name has come to the forefront: John Calipari. Warning, this rumor was ‘reported’ by Peter Vescey so take that for what it’s worth.

Via New York Magazine:

“The last time the New York Knicks participated in a postseason basketball game was April 25, 2004…

The Knicks’ coach was Lenny Wilkens. Their starting shooting guard was Anfernee Hardway. Their backup point guard was Frank Wililams. Their second leading rebounder was Vin Baker. Landry Fields was 15 years old. It was a long time ago…

And yes, after last night, the drought is over. The Washington Wizards helpfully dispatched the Charlotte Bobcats, and the Knicks finally took care of those pesky Cleveland Cavaliers, 123–106 to clinch the Knicks’ first playoff berth in seven years…

There will be at least two playoff games at Madison Square Garden this month. It is about time. Get excited.”

Via NY Daily News:

“To counter Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire Wednesday night in the Garden, the Nets are going to their bread-and-butter play.

They’re putting up another billboard…

This billboard will be going up in Times Square, featuring the key to the Nets’ future:

Deron Williams…

If the Nets can convince Williams to stay long term and get their team going, and if the Knicks can ever figure out how to make the Anthony-Stoudemire pairing work, then we might start to see the beginning of a rivalry.”

Via Newsday:

“Donnie Walsh chatted before Monday night’s game with agent Andy Miller, who represents Chauncey Billups.  Miller said he has had “preliminary conversations” with the Knicks about Billups’ future with the team beyond this season, but at this point, “nothing specific” has been addressed…

The Knicks are expected to keep Billups for at least the final year of his contract.  He could be a valuable asset as an expiring contract, especially if a team such as the Hornets looks to trade Chris Paul before he opts out for free agency in 2012.”

Despite a comfortable 21 point win over the Memphis Grizzlies last night, it is clear that Knicks’ coach Mike D’Antoni is starting to feel the weight of this city on his shoulders.  He knows that expectations are very high after the Knicks were able to acquire Carmelo Anthony to pair with MVP candidate Amar’e Stoudemire.

And while most Knicks fans would understand not winning an NBA championship this year, they would certainly expect that this team would be a strong playoff team.  Instead, the Knicks are just 7-6 since acquiring Anthony.  While D’Antoni won’t admit he’s feeling the pressure, his comments to Knicks fans indicate he’s clearly hearing the murmurs of frustrated Knicks fans.