Of the 10 players to be announced as starters this year, eight of them were starters last season. Amar’e Stoudemire started at forward for the East last season but was replaced this year by teammate Carmelo Anthony. Anthony, who started for the West last season, was replaced by first timer Blake Griffin this year. The retirement of Yao Ming also opened a starting spot which was filled by Lakers center Andrew Bynum.
“When I’m reading the stuff (about how he might not fit with Lin), it’s more funny than anything because at the end of the day I know what I bring to the game, I know what I bring to this team,” Anthony said on Monday after missing practice due to a strained right groin. “My teammates know that. But to say, ‘How can I fit in?’ It’s easy; give him the ball and space out. I get back to doing what I know how to do best. So we’ll see…
“I know there’s questions about, ‘Can I fit in?’ and stuff like that, but this is like a dream come true to me,” Anthony said. “It takes some pressure off of me. I don’t have to play point guard. I don’t have to try to get Amare (Stoudemire) 20 points, try to get this guy 20 points, me try to go out there and get 25-30 points a night, play defense, rebound do the whole thing.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Saying the right thing is easy. Doing the right thing is difficult, especially for a shot-first superstar like Carmelo Anthony.
Right now, Anthony is talking the talk -announcing he’ll play off Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks’ sensation at point guard.
His track record suggests otherwise, though. Anthony needs the ball, and only co-existed with Chauncey Billups in Denver because Mr. Big Shot wouldn’t hesitate to spot-up and tell him, when necessary, where to go.
Lin, even with the press and Tim Tebow comparisons, is still somewhat unproven. He lacks the pedigree and personality of Billups.
And Anthony, despite his recent shooting woes, remains the Knicks’ franchise face, earning an average wage of $21 million per season through 2014-15.
So it remains to be seen if Anthony will adjust his game at all for Lin. Or, if it will be the other way around.
--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
J.R. Smith officially becomes Jeremy Lin's teammate today, that lucky gun of a son.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Do they need another scorer, especially one with a reputation for clashing with coaches and the organization?
Talent isn’t the issue with J.R. Smith. He’s a dynamic talent, capable of shooting the lights out from beyond the arc, while also aggressively attacking the basket.
Smith, who is confident and self-assured, will want minutes, touches, and shots, though. Superstar Carmelo Anthony, when he returns from injury, will want the same.
Then there’s Amar’e Stoudemire. Anthony’s shot-first mentality has turned the perennial All-Star into a $100 million blue-collar post who only rebounds and blocks shots.
Of course, Smith, Anthony, and Stoudemire have to fit next to NBA sensation Jeremy Lin, who has turned around the Knicks and captivated the basketball world.
Two large personalities, Anthony and Stoudemire, are enough -even in an up-and-down, all-you-can-shoot system like Mike D’Antoni’s.
So, why add Smith?
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
"Man, listen, George needs to keep his mouth shut, first and foremost," Martin said. "Melo don't play there no more. So Karl shouldn't be commenting on Melo. If George was such a great coach, then Melo would want to stay. He wouldn't want to leave. "If the organization was ran right, he wouldn't want to leave, so it ain't Melo. With Melo, not one time when he was there did he bring that in the locker room when all that stuff was going on. Not one day. Everybody made it a bigger deal than it had to be. That's a good kid.
The Knicks fell to the Mavericks, 95-85, last night to go 2-4 since Anthony returned to a new structure created by Jeremy Lin, whose emergence stoked a 7-0 spurt with Anthony missing most of those games with a groin injury. “I think any time you go from the early part of the season and having the ball and distributing and now waiting for it to come to me, it’s quite an adjustment for myself,’’ said Anthony, a minus-18 and 0-for-3 from 3-point range.
Except that the Knicks with Jeremy Lin started to look a lot like they did without him. They were 8-15 when Lin fell into their laps and are 18-22 today and need to win a ballgame, and keep winning ballgames, or maybe people will start wondering if (Mike) D’Antoni is even going to make it to the end of the season that Jeremy Lin was supposed to have saved for him.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Jeremy Lin is not the Messiah. He’s a young point guard trying to find his way in the NBA.
Lin can’t save Mike D’Antoni’s job as coach of the New York Knicks. And he can’t save the Knicks from the dysfunctional Carmelo Anthony.
Remember, the Knicks were decent before selling the farm to acquire Anthony from the Nuggets one year ago.
Owner James Dolan wanted Anthony so GM Donnie Walsh reluctantly traded for the forward -even though he knew the shot-first small forward would clash with Amar’e Stoudemire.
D’Antoni’s run-and-gun style won’t work with Anthony, who must be the focal point of any system he‘s in. So it’s a ‘fait accompli’ that the former coach of the year will lose his job.
Anthony has the backing of ownership. D`Antoni does not. Lin can’t change this.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been fined $25,000 for posting “inappropriate pictures” on his Twitter account, the NBA said Saturday. Smith posted a picture of a scantily-clad woman on his feed on Thursday.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: New team, same J.R. Smith.
On Friday, the talented but controversial shooting guard tweeted a revealing picture of Tahiri, a model who dated rapper Joe Budden.
Where to begin?
Smith, who is supposedly rebuilding his image and NBA career with the New York Knicks, is again causing problems. This is hardly a surprise.
After bouncing around the NBA, he found a home with the Denver Nuggets. Well, sort of -Smith and Coach George Karl rarely spoke, preferring to communicate through assistant coaches.
Smith signed in China during the lockout, but racked up six-figures in fines that left 'good citizen' Stephon Marbury negotiating with the club on his behalf.
Reports are surfacing that New York superstar Carmelo Anthony, and Smith's teammate in Denver, didn’t approve of the Knicks signing the three-point shooter.
Anthony, who is no stranger to dysfunction and controversy, felt Smith would be too great a distraction.
The Knicks ignored Anthony, signed Smith, and are paying for it.
--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Carmelo Anthony has told a confidant that he prefers a trade from the Knicks before the deadline, according to a source. Anthony reportedly believes Mike D'Antoni and Glen Grunwald do not trust him. He is surprised that his opinion hasn't been sought more on personnel moves. “The organization makes believe his opinions don’t matter,’’ the source said.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Of course, Mike D’Antoni has lost the New York Knicks.
D'Antoni lost the NBA’s flagship franchise the moment owner James Dolan forced him and GM Donnie Walsh to acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets.
D’Antoni didn’t want Anthony. Neither did Walsh. They sacrificed a decent team to land the one-dimensional scorer and appease Dolan, the man who signs their pay cheque.
Anthony, since arriving at Madison Square Gardens, has refused to buy-in to D’Antoni’s system. Instead, he’s trying to make the coach and teammates buy-in to his system of shooting at will.
Not surprisingly, it hasn't worked.
Here’s the problem: D’Antoni can’t hold Anthony accountable for insubordination. The small forward is armed with a three-year, $60 million contract and still has Dolan’s support.
Then there’s D’Antoni’s contract -as in he doesn’t have one beyond this year. Dolan and/or Walsh haven’t extended him, which means he’s a lame-duck.
The players know this, too. So the headstrong Knicks are unlikely to follow D’Antoni’s orders, preferring to ‘get theirs’ and ‘do their’ thing.
Add it up and there’s only one outcome: D’Antoni’s gone.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Mike D'Antoni has resigned as coach of the New York Knicks, sources confirmed for ESPN on Wednesday. D'Antoni's resigned was first reported by Yahoo! Sports.
HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: No surprise here.
For months, there's been an obvious disconnect between Mike D'Antoni's style of play and the Knicks` roster.
Several players have openly defied the former coach of the year. For instance, recent reports have superstar Carmelo Anthony refusing to stand in the correct spot on offense, which compromises spacing for pick-and-rolls.
Today, the media had the Knicks on the verge of mutiny. Anthony supposedly asked for a trade; the player liked but did not respect D'Antoni; Baron Davis, and several others, were upset about playing time.
D'Antoni, who is in the final year of his contract, saw the situation, specifically the unrealistic expectations, as untenable and quit rather than get fired.
Now the Knicks have a handful of game to secure a playoff spot and salvage what they can from the season.
Whatever happens, a summer makeover is inevitable. Such dysfunction can’t continue.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Anthony became a controversial figure after Mike D'Antoni 's departure as reports insinuated he was at odds with his former coach. But Anthony maintained that he was an innocent bystander in the process, and in the past few days, he has tried to revamp his image into a team-first guy who not only welcomes but seeks criticism. "When he got the job, I told him, 'Hold me accountable,' " Anthony said of Woodson. "I don't have a problem with criticism. If I can do something to help better this team, let me know. And he's been doing that."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick: Well, there’s a first time for everything.
Carmelo Anthony saying he wants New York Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson to hold him accountable is interesting because nobody has ever done, or even tried, such a thing.
Think about it: Anthony has received the VIP, red carpet treatment since arriving in the NBA in 2003. And this has resulted in more ‘get out of jail free cards’ than one can count.
After all, Kiki Vandeweghe, Jeff Bzdelik, and Nuggets ownership swept his early indiscretions under the rug, while respected Coach George Karl was undercut when trying to discipline Anthony.
Then there was Mike D’Antoni, a one-time coach of the year and assistant with USA Basketball. The former New York sideline boss only asked Anthony to be ready to play, to share the ball, and to have fun.
When Anthony balked at such lofty expectations, D’Antoni went to his boss, owner James Dolan, to pursue a trade. Dolan refused, encouraged D’Antoni to resign, and empowered Anthony.
Bottom line: nobody has ever held Anthony accountable. Not once.
It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t won anything. And it doesn’t matter that his only playoff success in Denver came because teammate Chauncey Billups was an MVP candidate.
Anthony demands, and gets, superstar treatment.
So it’s hard to see Woodson, an interim coach, truly holding Anthony, a star with the backing of ownership, accountable.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
But that’s not what I’m talking about, I am talking about next season — Lin could leave the Knicks. He could. But he won’t. The Knicks will overpay to keep him. However, Lin will have some options (we like to call that leverage) and those will put more money in his pocket. And every dollar he gets will make it harder for the Knicks to make upgrades this offseason.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Jeremy Lin is finished for the year with a knee injury. Is his career finished with the New York Knicks?
Well, not exactly.
According to cap experts, the most an NBA team can offer Lin is $5 million. The Knicks, who have cap issues, can keep the Taiwanese table-setter but only by tendering him their full Mid Level Exception.
Of course, Lin probably isn’t a $5 million per annum player. At least his play on-court isn’t worth $5 million bucks.
It's very different off-court -as Lin sells memorabilia and, because of his background and Cinderella story, puts MSG’s favourite team in the global spotlight.
This is too much for any club to pass up. The Knicks have to sign Lin; however, giving him the full Mid Level Exception would make it virtually impossible to ink, say, Steve Nash.
Nash is also a free agent this July. He has a home in New York. And the future member of the Hall of Fame would be able to keep both Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire happy with regular touches.
So keeping Lin could prove costly.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Is it only a matter of time before the Knicks bring Isiah back into the fold? Then again, does it really matter? After all, Thomas has served as an unofficial consultant to Dolan for three years after he was fired in 2008. Dolan himself admitted as much when his attempt to hire Thomas fell through in 2010.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Believe it or not, he could return.
Isiah Thomas was recently fired by Florida International University, which opens the door for him returning to the New York Knicks.
Thomas, of course, had a bizarre reign as an executive and then coach of Knicks. He was eventually fired by super executive Donnie Walsh, but has always stayed in contact with owner James Dolan.
It’s a new day in New York. Walsh is no more. The coach he hired, Mike D’Antoni, resigned. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire are the stars, not Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury.
Thomas has a good relationship with Anthony and Stoudemire, so the door is open a crack. And nothing is impossible with the Knicks and Dolan.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
And he let everyone know it by celebrating his last 3-pointer of the game — an overtime game-winner he rattled in from 25 feet out to beat the NBA”s winningest team — by spinning around and screaming, “This is my house!” “Yeah, I did say that,” (Carmelo) Anthony admitted with a laugh. “It was just that they were talking some trash out there, in the moment.” If this is a preview of what a first-round playoff showdown between the Knicks and Bulls and Anthony versus Rose, is going to be like, then bring it on.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: New York is finally starting to accept and love Carmelo Anthony.
For a year or so, Knick fans were questioning the acquisition of Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. After all, the trade was the doing of owner James Dolan, while former lead executive Donnie Walsh was opposed to breaking up a promising squad for the All-Star forward.
Initially, the results were mixed. Very mixed.
Anthony couldn’t click with fellow star Amar’e Stoudemire and coach Mike D‘Antoni. His shot selection was questionable. And the Knicks were losing more than they were winning.
Enter Mike Woodson.
The former Atlanta Hawks sideline boss started the year as an assistant but replaced D’Antoni after the former Phoenix Suns coach resigned in March.
Woodson immediately empowered Anthony, telling him he’d get more touches on offense and, in turn, would be held accountable. The results have been overwhelmingly positive -as the Knicks are winning more and Anthony has greater balance to his game.
Not surprisingly, the fans have responded to him.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard told team owner Rich DeVos that he won't play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore, WKMG in Orlando reported on Thursday. Howard was angered that Van Gundy publicly divulged that the superstar center asked management to have him fired, WKMG said, citing sources.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Dwight Howard is an All-World talent, but the Orlando Magic must wonder if he’s worth the trouble?
Consider Howard's past year: he requested a trade several times; he then told the world he wanted to stay with Orlando; he somewhat reluctantly opted-in for 2013; and has asked ownership several times to fire Coach Stan Van Gundy and/or GM Otis Smith.
Howard is arguably the league’s top defensive player and center; however, his personal situation has hijacked the season. His every move, word, and comment has dominated the news.
It’s created a massive distraction. Think Carmelo Anthony with the Denver Nuggets in 2011 and LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010. Except there’s no end in sight to Howard’s ‘Indecision’ because he opted-in for 2013, which means the saga will continue.
Unless the Magic take action. For instance, the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum for Howard. Smith should see if that deal is still available because Bynum is amost Howard's equal and has room to improve.
Most importantly, such a move would bring closure. The current situation with Howard can’t continue.
--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Knicks sign 3 key off-season players to ensure they can compete.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This will help, but don't plan on going to the Eastern Conference Finals NYC.
Lala and Carmelo celebrate 2 year anniversary. No, his mistress Asia Monroe wasn't invited.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: When your wife threatens to cut your personal assistant if she touches you, you been cheating.
Carmelo Anthony blames former Knick Lin for his being dubbed selfish.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: If the shoe fits. Pass the ball.
Argentina's Campazzo cheap shots Carmelo Anthony and we got the video.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Careful what you ask for Argentina. Melo might just drop 37 points on you to shut you up.
The incident happened at the end of the 3rd quarter with the U.S. leading Argentina 102-76. The game was likely out of reach, although Argentina had come back from a 20 point deficit on the U.S. in an earlier game just weaks before to only lose by 4.
Carmelo Anthony was squaring up to take a transition 3-pointer when Argentina's smallest player Facundo Campazzo, their feisty reserve point guard, decided to punch Anthony in the groin. Anthony immediately fell the to floor in pain. Note, the shot went it. Just goes to show you punching Melo in the family jewels won't throw off his shot. You'd have better luck simply talking trash about his inability to win a ring or play selfishly. (Just an idea)
The incident immediately resulted in a possible serious situation and team U.S.A. players came over to defend their attacked teammate and Argentine players ran over to make sure someone didn't decide to make tiny little Campazzo into a hood ornament on their Bentley.
Mike Krzyzweski former-Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni both saw the cheap shot and erupted off the bench screaming at both the referee and the player, but the international refs somehow missed it. This is actually completely believable because these refs have managed to miss a lot of fouls. They appear to be watching more games than reffing them.
"He got hit in the groin," said coach K. ""That's why he buckled over. He wasn't celebrating the shot."
"We saw it all," said Anthony's Knick teammate, Tyson Chandler. "It was a cheap shot. He hit him in an area where you don't want to get hit. We all represent our countries. This is the Olympics. You never want to go like that."
After the game Campazzo insisted he didn't intentionally hit Anthony in the groin. Yeah, good luck selling that one. Oh, he made himself look even more innocent by then insisting Chris Paul had hit him earlier in the game. So then I guess you did intentionally hit Anthony. He can't have it both ways. He can't say, he didn't intentionally hit Anthony AND Chris Paul hit him earlier so it's justified.
Anyway, it was silly because the game meant nothing to either team's standing. Team U.S.A. were already a lock to finish their grouping in first place and team Argentina was locked to finish 3rd. These two teams could meat again and if they do, it should be a chippy affair.
For more info, gossip, and updates on punches to the groin follow @HoopsVibe.
Photo Credit: WENN
Top 10 List of Celebrities Vanessa Bryant Won't Date
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: She's a picky picky lady.
WAG of the week: Lala makes one Knick a very very happy man.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Oh, LaLa. Melo is one lucky guy.
Will Vanessa Bryant be on "Basketball Wives?"
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call : That show needs more drama like Charles Barkley needs more confidence.
Stephon Marbuy blasts Melo & Amar'e as a horrible combo destined to lose.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Who is Marbury to comment on being a team player?
The following is a list of the NBA's top five highest salaried teams. (And thanks to Hoopsworld.com for providing the data).
Hoopsvibe's quick call: This list proves that the best team isn't always the one that spends the most money.
1.) The Los Angeles Lakers - $102,256,438
Point and case. The Lakers may have the largest payroll in the league but their current record is the worst on this list. The organization kept busy this offseason and when they acquired both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, it was looking like the purple and gold were the team to beat. And indeed, they have been the team to beat. Yes, it's still early in the season, but having won only three games with their expensive lineup is pretty embarrassing. Let's hope the recent hiring of Mike D'Antoni turns things around.
2.) The Miami Heat - $87,595,822
It shouldn't come as much of a shock that the Heat are number 2 on this list. They pretty much cleared out their books a few years ago to make sure there was enough cap space for Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to be on the roster. And as it turns out, that was a good idea. Micky Arison, Pat Riley and company made a good decision in doing so seeing that the Heat are the defending NBA Champions and are currently sitting at the top of their division.
3.) The New York Knicks - $82,010,527
The Knicks could quite possibly be the surprise of the season so far. J.R. Smith is posting career numbers, averaging 18.2 points per game. Raymond Felton is averaging 14 points and 6.2 assists while Carmelo Anthony's 26.8 ppg leads the league in scoring. As a result, they're 5-0; all the while Amare Staudemire has been on the bench with knee injury. Who knows if they'll keep it up, but it will certainly be interesting to see how they play with Amare back in the lineup.
4.) The Brookyln Nets - $83,511,726
The NBA's newest team are 4-2 to start the season. They have a new stadium in the Barclays Center and with Deron Williams, Brooks Lopez, Kris Humphries and Joe Johnson on their payroll, they certainly have a few expenses. But if they continue to win games, those expenses most likely won't be much of an issue.
5.) The Memphis Grizzlies - $77,098,154
I was pretty surprised when Memphis came in at #5 on this list. I would have thought Boston, or San Antonio, or even Oklahoma City would have been ahead of the Grizz. Then again, they do have Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol on their roster. Those three guys alone take up about $47 million of the payroll. And for good reason; they combine for over 51 points per game.
If you're still reading the title of this article thinking it's a misprint and you must be crazy, you're not.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: It's not a rumor. Jack Taylor of Grinnell College scored 138 points in a game last night.
It all went down in Grinnell, Iowa, during a Division III regular season matchup between Grinnell College and Faith Baptist Bible. The final score of the game was Grinnell College 179, Faith Baptist Bible 104, and Taylor's 138 points crushed the 58-year old record of points by a single player in a college game.
The previous record was set by Bevo Francis, who scored 113 points against Hillsdale in 1954. (Note: Francis had 116 in a game against a junior college but that's technically not the same level.) The only other player to score in the triple digits in college basketball history is Frank Selvy, who scored 100 in 1954, the same year Francis had his 113 point game.
By the end of the night, Taylor had shot the ball 108 times (what?!), 71 of which were threes. He finished the game 52-for-108 from the field, scoring 77% of his team's total points, which as you can see by the graphic above, is a higher percentage than both Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant scored in their career-high scoring games.
"There was a point during the second half where I hit a number of threes in a row -- maybe seven or eight -- I felt like anything I threw up was going in," Taylor said. "I've been in the zone before but I've never taken so many shots."
Let's hope he's never taken that many shots before. I didn't think it was even possible to shoot that many times in a game. And I'm not the only one. Knicks superstar, Carmelo Anthony, had this to say when he heard about Taylor's ridiculous game:
"I never heard of nothing like that. That's like a video game. How can you shoot 100 times, though?"
I guess you can shoot 108 times when the most shots another member of your team took was 6.
Taylor played 36 minutes of the game. When you do the math, the 108 shots he took was equal to one shot every 20 seconds.
The funny things is, David Larson, a player on the losing team, scored 70 in the game! He shot an incredible 34-44 from the field and no one even knows his name today.
But everyone now knows Jack Taylor, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Kobe reportedly found out about Taylor's scoring spree last night and made some pretty funny commentary to ESPNLosAngeles.com Lakers correspondent, Dave Mcmenamin.
"That's amazing," Bryant said. "He must have been wearing the Mambas, man. Only Mambas have no conscious [sic] to shoot the ball like that. If you score 138 points, you kind of have a license to tell people to f--- off."
Even NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant tweeted, "Jack Taylor you deserve a shot of Jack Daniels after that performance lol...wow."
In that case, congratulations from Hoopsvibe on getting your license, Jack Taylor. Now listen to KD and go enjoy yourself a shot of Jack Daniels.
The NBA season really doesn't begin until Christmas Day.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: But what you may not know is that the tradition of the NBA on Christmas started all the way back in 1947.
The current format of five games on Christmas Day started in 2008- prior to then, the most ever played was three on Christmas Day. Tomorrow when the Knicks play the Lakers, it will be the 48th time the Knicks play on Christmas which is the most of any NBA franchise. The game will be the 39th all-time for the Lakers (second most). When the Celtics visit Brooklyn to play the Nets, it will be their 29th appearance on Chrsitmas, third most all-time.
The Knicks have played in nine more games than any other franchise and have also won the most Christmas Day games, by a margin of 22 to 20 over the Lakers.
Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant has made as significant impact to Christmas Day games as any player in history. Tomorrow will be his record extending 15th Christmas game. Dolph Schayes, Shaq and Earl "The Pearl" Monroe all played in a total of 13.
"The Big O" Oscar Robertson is the all-time leading Christmas Day scorer with a total of 377 points. Kobe, who is in second with 349, could eclipse this record tomorrow. The highest all time individual performance? Bernard King's 60 point perfromance in 1984.
Like King's 60 point game, there have been some other memorable performances on Christmas Day.
In 1992, Michael Jordan scored 42 points against a Patrick Ewing led Knicks squad en route to a 89-77 victory. 40 years ago, Tiny Archibald set a Chrstmas Day record with 18 assists. That same year he would be teh first player to ever lead the NBA in scoring and assists in the same season. 25 years ago Dominique Wilkins had 45 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a 106-100 Hawks victory over the 76ers.
As the popularity of the NBA has grown, so has the interest worldwide. Tomorrow's games will be broadcast in 215 countries in 47 languages and will feature 23 playes from 16 countries.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Hopefully Santa doesn't fill your stockings with coal, homeboy! In the spirt of that, here's a classic Chrstmas joint from Run-DMC that I'm sure we will hear during the games tomorrow:
3 Point Play covers the best buzzer beater of the year, a ref blocking Kris Humphris, and Melo's wife tastign like your favorite cereal.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The real question is does Melo's wife really taste like Honey Nut Cheerios like Garnett claims?
The latest episode of 3 Point Play dives deep into the world of NBA trash talk. Does any of it make sense? Does Melo's wife really taste like Honey Nut Cheerios. And is that a good thing or a bad. We also cover the best buzzer beater of the year and why NBA refs want to block Kris Humphries.
To follow more 3 Point Play, rumors, and gossip follow @MikeBrouillet.
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The fans have spoken. Here are the East and West starting lineups for the 2013 NBA All-Star game.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: Most of these ballers deserved it, but a few are questionable.
For as great as these players were at scoring, they never led the league in per game average at any time in their career.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: The players on this list are surprising.
5. David Thompson
One of the games early high flyers, Thompson could really fill it up. In his lone ABA season he averaged 26.0 ppg (third best) before moving to the NBA and averaging 25.9 in 1976-77 (fourth most) and 27.1 in 1977-78 (second most).
4. Carmelo Anthony
With a 2012-13 average of 28.7, Anthony is currently second in the league in scoring behind Kevin Durant by a mere .4 points per game. Anthony has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league since he was drafted nine years ago. Melo's his career average is 24.9 and he has finished second in scoring once with 28.9 in 2006-07 and third in 2009-10.
3. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk and his gaudy 22.7 career average has never been higher in a single season than it was in 2005-06 when he scored 26.6 a game, but that was only seventh best in the league. He has finished in fourth a couple of times, but other than that, he has never finished higher that sixth in any single season, which is also where he ranks amongst current players in terms of highest ppg.
2. Karl Malone
If he wanted to lead the league in scoring, Malone picked the wrong time to be a productive scorer. The Mailman finished second an amazing five times, third three times, fourth twice and fifth three times. All of those were over a span of 13 consecutive years. His career average of 25.0 is 12th best in NBA history.
1. Elgin Baylor
Even though Baylor is fourth all-time in per game scoring average (27.3) he never lead the league in scoring. He finished second in scoring two separate times (both behind Wilt Chamberlain) with impressive averages of 34.8 in 1960-61 and 34.0 in 1962-63. He also finished third twice and fourth four separate times. For as prolific as Baylor was in all aspects of the game (13.5 rpg, 4.3 apg), his scoring production is incredible.
Carmelo Anthony falls victim to the injury bug. Question is, how bad is it?
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Doubtful if New York has the firepower to win without their MVP candidate.
La La finally sets the record straight on Kevin Garnett claiming she tastes like Honey Nut Cheerios.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Her side of the story has been a long time coming, but do you believe it?
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Gotta love that it's Friday!
Hoopsvibe's quick call: What a better way to kick off the weekend than with three top NBA stories in Hoopsvibe's Workweek Wrap-Up?!
In the most recent data gathered, Lebron James topped the list of the NBA's most popular jerseys.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: Here is the list of the top 5 most popular NBA jerseys.
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On Friday, Forbes Magazine released it's report on the Top 10 Most Overpaid NBA Players.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: Aren't most NBA ballers overpaid? I mean they get paid millions of dollars to do something most people would do for free.
Anyway, thanks to Tom Van Riper, a business of sports writer at Forbes Magazine, we now have Forbes' list of the Top 10 Most Overpaid NBA players.
But before we get into the list, this passage from the Forbes article will help you understand how they measure players as overpaid.
"Advanced metrics show that in the NBA, scoring is overvalued. Stats compiled by David Berri, economist and author of Stumbling on Wine, rates players' contribution to wins not only by scoring but shooting percentage, assists, rebounds and turnovers, all measured against opportunities to accumulate those stats (a faster paced game with more shots equals more rebound opportunities, etc.)"
Essentially, the main thing overpaid ballers have in common, according to Forbes, is that all they do is score (because they shoot so much) but lack in the other areas that help their respective teams win games.
So without further adeu, here are the most overpaid NBA ballers...
1.) Carmelo Anthony, Knicks
Despite Melo's 28.1 points per game, his MVP-caliber season, and the Knicks second best Eastern Conference record of 48-26, Anthony is at the top of the list of Forbes' most overpaid. Forbes asserts that while Carmelo is a scoring machine, he takes more shots than anyone else and that means fewer shots for his teammates. He also rebounds less, assists less, and shoots more than Kevin Durant, for example. And he gets paid $19.4 million a year to do so; so the Knicks better win a championship this season.
2.) Ben Gordon, Bobcats
Gordon is a sick baller, no question, but the Bobcats are absolutely horrible. So horrible, in fact, that they have the worst record in the NBA, at 18-57. And Gordon is only averaging a modest 11.7 points per game. His 2 assists and 1.8 rebounds don't help his team much either, yet he's making $12.4 million this year.
3.) Joe Johnson, Nets
The Nets traded for Johnson as a guy to build a team around, and are actually having a pretty good year. Johnson's 16.3 ppg, however, is his lowest scoring average since 2004 and he's only adding a little over 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He makes $19.75 million this year.
4.) Hedo Turkoglu, Magic
It's been a tough few years for Turkoglu, who's only played 11 games this season due to injury. But in those 11 games, he only averaged 2.9 points, 2.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. That's what Orlando is getting this season for the $11.8 million they're spending.
5.) Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Forbes notes that while Dirk is definitely a Hall-of-Famer and was injured earlier this season, his numbers are down. And he's 35 years old. His yearly salary is $20.9 million but Forbes figures he's worth about $13mill at 17.2 points per game. I guess when you're a billionaire owner like Mark Cuban, what's a few million extra right?
6.) Corey Maggette, Pistons
Maggette has always been a guy who can score, but he's also always been a guy who gets hurt. Forbes notes that Maggette hasn't played one full 82 game season in his 14 year career. (That's crazy and something I never knew.) He's set to make $10.9 million this year, although he's only played in 18 games and averaged just over five points, one assist, and one rebound. Oh, and the Pistons are 25-51 and not making the playoffs. On a positive note, the dude is jacked.
7.) Rudy Gay, Raptors
Gay was traded from Memphis to Toronto mid season this year, and is averaging 19.4 points per game for the Raptors which is up from the 17.2 he averaged with the Grizzlies. The only problem is all he really does is score. Granted he doesn't have much of a supporting cast around him, and I'll give him that, but the reality is Memphis is 23-9 since trading him away and the Raptors have no shot at making the playoffs. Gay will make $16.5 million this season.
8.) Stephen Jackson, Spurs
Jackson is an interesting one on the Forbes list because the Spurs are one of the best teams in the league and he plays a solid role on their squad. But I think Forbes is challenging whether or not the role he plays is worth the $10.1 million he makes a year when he's averaging just 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. I see their point.
9.) Chris Kaman, Mavericks
In the 2009-10 season, Kaman was a beast for the Clippers averaging 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Forbes cites that his play has since dropped off, and they're right. They 7-foot big man is only pulling down 5.5 rebounds per game for the Mavs this season, while averaging 10.8 points and making $8 million.
10.) Arron Afflalo, Magic
Afflalo is known as a scorer and is averaging 16.5 ppg for the Magic this season. Forbes is all good with that; but they're not cool with the fact that he's making $7.8 million this year and only contributing 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. It seems they think he should be doing more than scoring for that kind of money.
So there's the list, Hoopsvibers! And a special thanks to Forbes and Tom Van Riper for a very thorough and interesting report!
What do the Hoopsvibers think? Should anyone else be on this list?? Leave your comments below!
If you thought Kevin Durant was cool before, you're probably going to think he's even cooler now.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: The Durantula announced he was conceding the NBA scoring title to Carmelo Anthony via his Instagram account.
Did the Celtics give the Knicks even more motivation to eliminate them by taunting Anthony about his wife LaLa ... Again?
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Have we learned nothing from watching Spike Lee motivate Reggie Miller to win after win?
The deal is done — Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari has agreed to a four-year contract extension. The 23-year-old small forward will make close to $42 million in that four year span, a league source told The Denver Post.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Gee, think the Denver Nuggets are glad they pulled the trigger on the Carmelo Anthony trade?
There’s no more shot happy small forward. There are no more off-court ‘Melo dramas. And their future is known.
Today, the Nuggets inked Danilo Gallinari to a four-year pact for a very reasonable $42.5 million, and continued building a team with balance and depth.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Any questions ya'll have about my report on D-Howard/Amar'e/Chandler...please listen in to the show NOW! I will NOT keep repeating myself.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s no surprise the Orlando Magic tested the trade waters with the New York Knicks, proposing a Dwight Howard for Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire swap.
The Knicks, who believed they’d contend, have struggled early on. Superstars Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire aren’t clicking. Coach Mike D’Antoni is on the hot seat. And the Madison Square Gardens masses are restless.
Translation: the Knicks are vulnerable, especially without a wise, veteran executive in the front office to preach patience and/or give D’Antoni a vote of confidence.
Would the Knicks be better with Howard instead of Chandler and Stoudemire?
Well, perhaps. Problem is, they’d still have Carmelo Anthony firing away from the outside and refusing to facilitate for teammates.
Until Anthony’s game becomes more balanced, it won’t matter who the Knicks have at center or power forward.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Your 2011 NBA All-Star Game starters, as voted by the fans and announced by the NBA are below. The game will be played in Los Angeles on February 20.
Carmelo very reflective tonight. Wondered aloud if he's shooting too much, or should pass more and whether he's to blame for losses.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He has yet to make those around him better.
For all his offensive gifts, Carmelo Anthony lacks the one skill that truly defines greatness: he does not raise the play of teammates.
In fact, he never has.
Anthony struggled to find his game on-and-off court after a banner rookie year with the Denver Nuggets. Then he failed to mesh with Allen Iverson. Only with leader and Finals MVP Chauncey Billups did ‘Anthony’s Nuggets’ compete.
Last year was a write-off. Anthony made no secret of his desire for a trade to the big-market New York Knicks. Both teams were in a holding pattern for months, dealing with 24-7 trade rumors.
When those rumors became reality, the results surprised. The Nuggets, with balance and team-first play, impressed, while the superstar-laden Knicks disappointed.
And Anthony must take the blame. He’s in his much-desired glamour market, and has yet to deliver results.
He shoots too much. He won’t include others. Worst of all, his presence has turned Amar’e Stoudemire, a $100 million free agent signing in 2010, into a blue-collar post.
Something must give. Nine years into his career, the question is whether Anthony can change and embrace the bigger picture?
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
The Knicks just need to look at the other bench tonight to see what their offense is supposed to look like. Nash, who ran D’Antoni’s system to perfection, was averaging an NBA-high 10.1 assists before last night’s 118-97 loss to the Bulls, even though he will turn 38 next month. That’s why The Post has reported the Knicks plan to target Nash (along with Jameer Nelson and Raymond Felton) with this summer’s $5 million mid-level exception.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Nothing new here.
The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, and will try to sign the sure-fire Hall of Famer this summer when he becomes a free agent.
After all, the Knicks are coached by Mike D'Antoni, Nash's old coach and mentor. And they need a reliable table-setter to deliver the ball to scorers Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. And Nash lives in New York during the summer, so the transition would be easy.
In fact, the only surprise is the Knicks waiting until summer. Why not pursue Nash now and enhance their chances of playoff run?
Well, the Suns and their two-time MVP are playing chess. Both sides know a parting of the ways is inevitable, but neither wants to make the first move.
Sun fans would never forgive owner Robert Sarver for dealing Nash. And they'd never see Nash in the same light if he requested a trade.
This, however, won't stop the Knicks from pursuing Nash. Not now, and not six months from now if he gets to free agency.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
This is the truth right now; the 2003 NBA Draft class is shaping up to be the most overrated draft class of all time. It’s been 8 years going until the 9th year for the group yet only one superstar won a ring (Dwyane Wade), the other rode the coat tails of the big three to get one (Kendrick Perkins), and the last one got a ring for doing nothing (Darko). These guys had a lot of hype leading up to the draft especially LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. 4 years into their careers and people were claiming that they had the potential to be the best class ever surpassing the God-like 1984 class and 1996 class.
Memphis and New Jersey have been engaged in trade talks centered on guard O.J. Mayo, but a deal appears unlikely, league sources tell Y!
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Desperate times, desperate measures.
The New Jersey Nets are considering acquiring OJ Mayo from the Memphis Grizzlies to appease franchise face Deron Williams.
Williams has said again-and-again he'll opt-out of his contract at season's end because he wants to sign with a contender. The Nets are 2-9. Do the math.
This, however, is bigger than a rebuilding franchise losing their superstar. Soon the Nets will swap the swampy marshes of Jersey for a shiny, new stadium in Brooklyn.
The cost of their new digs: one billion dollars.
The Nets, who lost Carmelo Anthony last winter to the cross-river Knicks, need Williams to establish a presence in New York.
Unfortunately, Williams has been complaining about the club's poor record, so management is panicking and feel compelled to make a move -even if its for perennial rumor mill fodder like Mayo.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Sources reveal to SLAMonline that Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony recruited Josh Howard during the offseason to play in The Big Apple. Anthony called Howard multiple times, according to sources, to convince the former Wizards forward to join the Knicks’ frontcourt as Anthony’s backup.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He wants Kenyon Martin. And he wanted Josh Howard.
Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks’ franchise player and star forward, hasn’t exactly been subtle with his opinion on personnel moves.
There were reports Anthony wants the Knicks to sign Martin, his former frontcourt partner and friend with the Denver Nuggets.
Martin, of course, can’t join an NBA team until March because he signed with a Chinese club during the lockout, so the former first overall pick must wait until the red tape clears.
Now reports are surfacing that Anthony wanted the Knicks to land Josh Howard, the versatile, do-everything swing who eventually ended up with the Utah Jazz.
Anthony’s input is great and he means well, but there’s a limit. NBA superstars will always have and give their opinion, however, the danger is when it seems like the inmates are running the asylum.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
What’s funny about this draft is how people remember it. Sure, everyone knows that LeBron went number one overall, and then Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Chris Kaman were all drafted in succession. But the only thing anyone remembers is how Darko Milicic went number two overall.
“I thought it would have been good for the Lakers and good for the whole NBA,” Anthony said. “As a guy who loves to compete, I would have liked to see him out West with the Lakers. For me — I’ve been battling the Lakers for the last seven years when I was in the Western Conference — I liked that.” But Anthony won’t see Paul Thursday night when the Knicks take on the Lakers at Staples Center.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Everybody has an opinion -especially the superstar of the rival New York Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony, like most of the general public, believes Chris Paul should be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and not the cross-town Clippers.
Most feel Commissioner David Stern stopped the purple-and-gold, the league’s greatest market, from acquiring Paul because the NBA, who owns the Hornets, had just spent four months locking out the players because of the power of 'have' franchises.
After all, how would it look if the Lakers got Paul on the same day the league ratified a new, more equal CBA?
Not good.
So Stern took action. And Anthony is talking.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
The season is almost over. It is time to look back and reflect on the positives and negatives. The hype before tip-off was through the roof. There was a lot of anticipation on new rivalries and storylines to be played out. Will the South Beach trio work out? How will Blake Griffin play? Is Steve Nash’s window closed? Are the Lakers still the team to beat? Kevin Durant got the MVP? The Chicago Bulls are 4th seeders, right?
The Knicks have one roster spot still open entering tomorrow’s season opener, and Carmelo Anthony hopes it eventually goes to his former Nuggets teammate Kenyon Martin, according to an NBA source.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kenyon Martin will help, but only if the New York Knicks are serious about becoming more of a defensive team.
Martin, who is currently trying to untangle himself from a complicated contract with a Chinese club, is a blue-collar four-man.
His rebounding, defense, and athleticism would help the Knicks transition from Seven Seconds Or Less to a more traditional get-stops squad.
Of course, with a frontline of Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and Amar’e Stoudemire, Martin would get limited minutes off the bench. And there’s no telling if Martin, a confident and brash individual, would accept that.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Carmelo Anthony's fiancee, MTV's LaLa Vazquez, gave birth to a baby boy, the first couple's first child, at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. Kiyan Anthony weighs five pounds and 9 1/2 ounces, and he's 18 1/2 inches long.
Yes, I know the season is about 5 games in by the time you read this. What a great way to look at things. You can still work trades early. Get moving especially if you’re in a pay league.