New York Knicks

Good afternoon! Knicks offseason coverage will begin in earnest this week, but I will be in transit most of today and unable to post much (this may be the case for a few intermittent days over the next couple weeks). Here, then, is a thread for those of us watching Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Grizzlies and Spurs, which tips at 3:30 on ABC. Grizzly Bear Blues and Pounding the Rock are two excellent blogs for you to check out if you'd like to read more about the series. It's always a little depressing when Knicks threads give way to these open playoff threads, but at least we're relatively late in the Spring this time around. And there's something to be said for enjoying games as a community when we're not all freaking out. It's relaxing! But yeah, use this thread for the game and for whatever else you'd like to discuss. Have a pleasant Sunday.

Boys II Men - the troubadours and poet laureates of my generation. A-B-C, B-B-D... It's time to hold a funeral for the 2012-13 New York Knicks - fortunately, we know they already have black suits handy. I believe it is customary to say some kind words about the deceased. Oh, don't worry - there will be plenty of blame-laying and poop throwing, but we can save that, at least until tomorrow. For now, let us celebrate everything that was good about the '12-'13 Knicks. We were fortunate that we got a chance to actually witness the good Knicks one last time. Sure, they didn't stick around for the whole game; if they had, we'd be talking about Game 7 right now. There was an extended period, however, when they came out of their hidey-hole and displayed their glorious plumage for all to see. In case you missed the appearance, it came between that final depressing fourth quarter and the complete miscarriage of basketball that was the second quarter. Game 6 followed a familiar pattern: the Knicks messed all over themselves in a poop storm of lax defense, general whining, J.R. Smith, and questionable lineup decisions (often involving J.R. Smith). The third quarter wasn't much better at the start, with the notable exception of Carmelo Anthony, who steadfastly refused to let the game out of hand. Sure, he was isolating, but at that point it felt less out of selfishness and more out of necessity - his teammates were not delivering. Also, he was shooting 60% at that point, against that defense with little help from his teammates. Let's just forget the fourth quarter for a moment - that was the Melo we needed, coming through when we needed it. At the five minute mark of the third quarter Melo had outscored his teammates, 31-29, and the Pacers had a ten-point lead. Then Shump happened. Per NBA.com... 4:52 70 - 63 +7 Shumpert 27' 3PT Jump Shot (8 PTS) (Felton 4 AST) 4:27 MISS Hibbert 14' Jump Shot 4:26 Anthony REBOUND (Off:2 Def:4) 4:22 MISS Felton 1' Layup 4:20 Felton REBOUND (Off:3 Def:0) 4:17 70 - 66 +4 Shumpert 25' 3PT Jump Shot (11 PTS) (Felton 5 AST) 4:01 MISS Hill 26' 3PT Jump Shot 4:00 Anthony REBOUND (Off:2 Def:5) 3:48 70 - 69 +1 Shumpert 26' 3PT Jump Shot (14 PTS) Seriously, New York, was there any player you would have rather watched succeed in that spot? Iman Shumpert is a point of obsession among most of us - can he deliver on his promise as a quality two-way player? Well there he was, delivering, in the biggest moment of the season. As far as I'm concerned, he helped J.R. hit a three later in the quarter, simply by momentarily transferring his Shump-ness. Then, as if resurrecting J.R.'s corpse wasn't proof enough that the kid was divine, Shump hit two more free throws and buried a three to knot the game at 79-79. Melo finished the fun by hitting a driving layup to give the Knicks the lead. Imagine that: the Knicks leading a basketball game in the state of Indiana! Naturally, the Knicks allowed an easy layup at the third-quarter buzzer. They are the Knicks, after all. The fourth quarter saw Melo come crashing down to Earth - both literally, with the ankle, and figuratively, with the turnovers and missed shots. Shump played 6:44, J.R. played the whole 12:00...annnnd now my blood pressure is rising. Okay,we'll discuss all that later. For now, just forget the fourth quarter even happened. I say grab a beer (yes I know it's noon!), pop in the tape of the third and celebrate the Knicks Irish-wake style! Long live Iman Shumpert! Long live healthy Melo! Long live Clyde! We are the New York Knicks!

For a team that was built to win now, the question of what’s next is daunting with the dictatorial reign of James Dolan.

Congrats to the Pacers. They were better on both ends. You just have to tip your cap. This series was mostly about what they did right, even if the Knicks didn’t do everything they needed to win. Good luck to the Pacers in the ECF. It’s hard to bet against the Heat though. Indiana will [...]

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports During J.R. Smith’s exit interview next week, the New York Knicks brass should tell him two words, “Good” and “Bye” or “Kick” and “Rocks.” This may sound unfair, but this much is true. Smith’s disappearance is one of the main reasons New York was eliminated Saturday night. The Knicks’ second leading scorer vanished when his team needed him the most. His questionable shot selection, lackadaisical defense and alleged nightlife activities hindered his team just as much as the Indiana Pacers’ interior presence all series. This is on top of nearly jeopardizing the Knicks’ season weeks before when he threw an elbow at Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry in the opening round of the playoffs. He was suspended for Game 4, and the Celtics won the next two games before the Knicks closed them out in Game 6. Smith’s playoff numbers accentuates his descent. Before being suspended, he averaged 16 points on 43 percent shooting. After the suspension, his scoring average dipped to 13.5 points per game on 29 percent shooting. Unfortunately, Saturday night’s game offered more anecdotal evidence of Smith’s ineffectiveness, like in the second quarter, when he was beaten to a rebound because he jogged to the ball while Pacers reserve Sam Young sprinted. Knicks players and staff had to look longingly at Lance Stephenson, the Pacers guard who was the antithesis of Smith, Saturday night. The gritty-Brooklyn-born, baller was tough, tenacious and intrepid. He gutted the Knicks’s interior defense all night, particularly in transition. He drove to the rim at will. And when Knicks Center Tyson Chandler knocked him to the ground in the second half, Stephenson got back up. He keyed his team’s 11-2 run late in the game that ended New York’s season. The Pacers’ guard finished with 25 points, a playoff career high. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony did all he could to keep his team in the game. He finished with 39 points, but he needed Smith to be his Robin. Iman Shumpert, a less talented scorer than Smith, filled that role admirably. Smith’s Game 6 performance made him an object of derision on Twitter, by Knicks fans and everyone else who tuned into the game. His lackluster play was enough for New York City radio personality “Charlamagne Tha God” to pose this question regarding Smith, who is infamous for his nightlife exploits, “You think NY clubs going to make J.R. Smith wait on line now at clubs or nah?” It also makes you wonder whether a claim made by pop star Rihanna was true, that Smith was struggling in the Pacers series because he was hungover from partying. In the beginning of the basketball season, published reports painted Smith as a transformed man, that he was more dedicated to basketball than the New York nightlife. If we are to believe Rihanna, it seems like the latter ultimately took precedence over the former – especially during the playoffs. Smith will be a free agent this offseason, meaning he could sign with any NBA team that gives him the best offer. He has stated that he wants to be a Knick for the remainder of his career. While Smith has given the Knicks two quality years, his actions over the last two weeks will ultimately determine whether he stays or goes. Again, the latter should win over the former. Tacuma R. Roeback is a New York Knicks writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TacumaRoe, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+

[New York Daily News] J.R. off target, but hopes he can ‘retire a Knick’ (Sun, 19 May 2013 06:17:15 GMT) A season in which he was praised for maturing into the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year ended with Smith most likely heading toward free agency on the heels of an unsightly shooting slump that [...]

INDIANAPOLIS — Carmelo Anthony was finally having his bust-out game, carrying 35 points into the fourth quarter. Melo went bust in the final period, though, and the Knicks season went right along with him. The Pacers are headed to South Beach with a 106-99 Game 6 victory in Game 6 last...

HERO Brooklyn’s own Lance Stephenson was tremendous last night, racking up 25 points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers shooting guard and Lincoln High grad poured in nine points in the fourth quarter as the Pacers staved off the Knicks. ZERO Raymond Felton had a terrific postseason, but shot 0-for-7...

INDIANAPOLIS — The room was as quiet as you would want it to be. You weren’t suffering alone last night when the shots stopped falling and the season started sputtering and the game veered irretrievably south. Wherever you watched the Knicks tumble into the abyss — living room, man cave, saloon...

INDIANAPOLIS — After being benched for the second half for the second straight playoff game, Amar’e Stoudemire is confused with his role with the Knicks going forward.His injury-wracked season never included a single start and ended with coach Mike Woodson not trusting the $100 million man after the first...