Here are some of the highlights of a Sport Express’ interview translated by Alexander Chernykh of Rush’n Hoops:

- What was the first thing that you thought about after speaking to Walsh?

- It was not a thing but a person. About my girlfriend, of course. It was a real shock for Alla. She became friends with a lot of girls here and already felt almost at home. And, New York is New York. Nobody would want to change such a splendid city for some Denver – like this, all of a sudden. It’s much easier for me. Basketball is my job. I’ve played and practiced with one team, now with another. It’s no problem. But I feel uneasy before Alla. (more…)

Via Denver Post:

Via NY Post:

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….

The Knicks management was flabbergasted, according to the league source.

This is officially a joke.  First, we must question Marc Berman’s “league source.”  Next, we must hit the IGNORE button on all of this Melo chatter.

For the month of February, the Knicks are not showing any signs of securing the 6th spot in the NBA playoffs.  Over the course of the last two weeks, we’ve seen them go 2 – 6, with losses that only occurred because of lackadaisical play by all.

It’s great to be vocal via the media, but there is far too much PR hype in play and not enough quality play on the court.  At 27-26, the Knicks now are faced with the daunting task of trying to win at least 40 -43 games to solidify a playoff berth.  If not for the fact that two potential playoff teams will have sub-500 records, the Knicks are not showing anyone that they are for real. (more…)

Timofey awoke.

Amar’e: starting All-Star.

Extend Donnie Walsh!

Check out Timofey Mozgov’s most recent blog post we took the liberty of translating for you from Russian to English for you:

Double-double!

Hello, friends!

I here you like about our home victory over Miami, “to tell. Even the title of the post is already invented – “Sunstroke”. And here – in you: we had a game with Detroit … did not happen! But, of course, I do not regret it)))

After the game I gave to journalists from Russia is very much an interview – the phone is almost silent. Even managed to bite hard))) It is difficult not to be repeated here. But I’ll try. Emotions are a bit settled. I’ll try to remember the facts on which the post-match in the heat could simply forget.

By the way, in between calls to the press, got to talk with her parents, brother and get smsku from Kirilenko. Andrew greeted with a good game. A Khimki fans have written nice words “contact”. Thanks to all my friends! Frankly, it is nice to feel your support. SPA-SI-BO !!!))) (more…)

Before I begin, I want to say that performance by Mosgov was enjoyable for many reasons. What is unfortunate is that it took Turiaf in foul trouble and the team virtually being shorthanded for him to see significant playing time.  He responded brilliantly and in doing so hopefully woke up D’Amphoni and his sorry coaching staff. I heard an analyst say “that this move made the coaching staff look like geniuses,” when in fact it made all D’Amphoni’s arguments about trusting his bench mute.  These are rookies, who will make mistakes. That’s what learning/coaching (teaching) is about…addressing those mistakes in practice, in the huddle during timeouts, or during the game.

In a week when the Knicks came away with a 3 – 1 record, including a strong win vs the Heat. The team still needs to address those glaring weaknesses that exposed them in the Atlanta game.  Failure to box out the opposition, sloppy ball handling, passing and decision-making. Failure to properly utilize the bench, lack of strategic timeouts when the opposing teams were making runs or the Knicks were in a shooting slump.

Charles Barkley reiterated what I’ve been speaking to since the day the Knicks brought D’Amphoni into the fold, his system as it is cannot win a championship without significant emphasis being placed on defense, rebounding, shot selection, etc.

What is also at issue but brushed aside when D’Amphoni is probed for a reaction, is what is wrong with his bench that he will not stretch it to both utilize fresh bodies and insure those same bodies get game time experience that could be invaluable in the post season, when more is better than less.  Again, in order for the Knicks to make a significant dent in the post season and not be one-and-done, then the bench not only will play a crucial role but a significant one.

While I like what I saw Sunday night, there is still tweaking that needs to be done. You build on the strengths; you identify the weaknesses; you adapt and you succeed. So get it together D’Amphoni! The clock is ticking, the season moves on. Learn to adapt your style and encourage your players to play to their abilities, not the level of their competition, because it’s been shown that that doesn’t always equate to a “W” when the final buzzer sounds……

So Timofey Mozgov has a blog on sports.ru, but it’s in Russian.  Thankfully sports.ru writer Alexander Chernykh (@chernykh on Twitter)  has translated Mozgov’s most recent blog post here on Rush’n Hoops.  Timofey Mozgov offers his innermost thoughts regarding his lack of playing time and D’Antoni’s short rotation, his own job security, Amar’e's record-setting play of late, and LeBron James.  He also goes on to say the loss to the Celtics “happened with scandal.”  A must read…

Via NY Daily News:

Never know what to believe when Frank Isola is reporting, as he uses half this article to discuss Eddy Curry, without mentioning Ronny Turiaf or Anthony Randolph as potential opening day starters at C.

Via SportsIllustrated.com: