Mike Woodson says the criticism on Carmelo Anthony’s game is unwarranted, from Iannazzone of Newsday: “Mike Woodson continues to defend Carmelo Anthony against his critics who say he shoots too much. Woodson said it takes a special player to deal with the scrutiny that comes with playing in New York and Anthony has dealt with it better than most. “I’ve said that for many, many years, dating back to when I played, there were a lot of guys who came here and couldn’t cut it,” Woodson said before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday night. “Melo has been solid. I don’t care how you cut it. He’s been an All-Star, and this team has gotten better because of Melo, and it will continue to get better as we go along.”… “He shouldn’t get criticized,” Woodson said. “Melo’s had a hell of a season. He’s struggling a little bit. But we’re right in the thick of things. We’re still in the hunt. That’s all you can ask for.”
Mark Jackson explained playing Stephen Curry all the way through Game 1, while Curry thinks Gregg Popovich can only come up with so many plans, from Mike Finger of Express-News: “Jackson explained that Curry is able to “steal minutes” because he’s not chasing Tony Parker at the other end of the floor. Instead, Jackson said, “Steph’s on a knock-down shooter in the corner, so it’s not as demanding on the body.” But one of those knock-down shooters doesn’t buy that theory. Like Curry, Danny Green is 25 and athletic. Green played 44 minutes Monday (essentially a full quarter less than Curry), and he said his legs were screaming in overtime. Still, Curry insists he’s fine. When asked about why he cooled off after erupting for 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the third quarter, he said it was only natural that shots would eventually stop falling. “Do I need to score 22 every quarter?” Curry said, smiling. “I’ll try my best.” The Spurs will put forth similar effort in trying to stop him. They’ll defend him with Parker, Green and Kawhi Leonard, who Curry praised by calling him “Ron Artest-y … in a very good way.” But Curry said he’ll be ready for whatever plan Gregg Popovich devises. “Pop is a clever, crafty coach,” Curry said. “He’ll make an adjustment. But there’s only so much you can do.”
Bernard King said it was not him using his twitter account to criticize Carmelo Anthony, from Neil Best of Newsday: “I made a mistake,” he said. “It was a big mistake. Everyone knows in this city and around this country how much respect I have for Melo, and what I think of him not only as a player but as a person. I am disappointed this happened. “Obviously, these are not things I’ve said. I’ve always maintained that Melo should have been the MVP this year, and his skills are far more complete than mine when I played for the Knicks.” One tweet on King’s account read, “Carmelo’s shoulder is hurting that bad — work the paint — drive and dish — become a facilitator — it’s a TEAM game.” Another said, “I was always taught — Take High Percentage shots — don’t force it — don’t be a one man show — don’t over dribble — ball movement.” King said he learned of the tweets at about 5 p.m. Monday and immediately closed his Twitter account. The tweets echoed what many journalists and fans have said in critiquing Anthony, but King said they do not reflect his views. “I thought it was a shot at Melo and a shot at the team and anyone who knows me in the basketball world knows I would never criticize any player in the NBA or any team in the NBA,” he said.”
Ricky Rubio may be unhappy with the Timberwolves decision to let go of David Kahn, from NBA insider Ric Bucher: “The Timberwolves’ relationship with Kevin Love will undoubtedly improve with the ouster of David Kahn, but how will it impact Ricky Rubio? Sources say the Rubio family is disappointed in the decision, largely because Kahn is the one who stuck his neck out and drafted Rubio knowing he couldn’t come over right away and did a lot of the legwork to expedite the start of Rubio’s NBA career. Maybe it blows over — Rubio wouldn’t be the first player who disagreed with a decision yet eventually put it behind him — but it bears watching.”
- Dennis Rodman is apparently trying to use his friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to have him release a prisoner named Kenneth Bae, from Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report: “According to CNN.com, Bae is a Korean-American who was arrested in North Korea back in November. He has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor due to “hostile acts” against North Korea. Those acts reportedly included entering North Korea under a false identity. However, as noted in the CNN report, U.S. officials don’t exactly know all the details, as North Korean authorities “provided no details of the allegations.”Rodman’s seemingly good deed didn’t come unprovoked, however, as an article by Thanh Tan of The Seattle Times called for Rodman to use his friendship with Kim Jong Un as a vehicle to get Bae freed. According to Rodman on Twitter, he obliged once he read Tan’s article.
- J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert could be seen partying after Game 2 with Rihanna, from Beyond the Buzzer. Smith’s eyes look pretty shot in this picture:
Bulls finished 5th in the East, not 8th as it says at beginning of article.
The 8th-place finish was a reference to where Thibs finished in the COY votes, Jerry. Thanks for reading.