NEW YORK — Before signing with the New York Knicks back in July 2010, Amar’e Stoudemire did his homework. Some 48 hours before his first meeting with James Dolan and the Knicks’ brass, he’d spoken with both Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker. According to him, both were ready to team up with him to begin the renaissance. Although the Spurs were ultimately able to retain Parker, Anthony eventually made his way to the Mecca. Now, almost two years later, if the Knicks dynamic
Hamilton: Knicks Fans Shouldn’t Expect Playoffs
NEW YORK – With his team reeling, his star player allegedly failing to buy into his system, and an 18-24 record, Mike D’Antoni stepped down as coach of the New York Knicks this past Wednesday. That day, after Mike Woodson was named interim head coach, the Knicks obliterated the Portland Trailblazers, 121-79. And last night, Woodson’s Knicks opened up a home-and-home with the Indiana Pacers by defeating them in Madison Square Garden, 115-100. This past week, the Knicks were able to snap
Hamilton: No surprise that D’Antoni is out
NEW YORK — Just a few short hours after Carmelo Anthony publicly denied having requested a trade, news broke Wednesday afternoon that Mike D’Antoni has resigned as the head coach of the New York Knicks. After being denied a contract extension by Knicks owner James Dolan last offseason, this news should not come as a surprise. D’Antoni was hired in May 2008 by then team president and general manager Donnie Walsh. He came to New York with the hopes of luring LeBron
Hamilton: Nate McMillan should replace Mike D’Antoni as Knicks coach
NEW YORK – Back in May 2008, Mike D’Antoni bolted the Phoenix Suns for the skyscrapers of the Big Apple. Although he spent five seasons coaching in the desert, he’s never felt the heat like this. Not even in Miami. Sadly, the sun seems to be setting on Mike D’Antoni’s tenure in New York, and Nate McMillan might make some sense as a potential replacement. (Assuming, of course, that Phil Jackson is not interested – a topic addressed on this site
Hamilton: Vindication for James Dolan
NEW YORK – Since the Knicks’ 120-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, many in the pro basketball world have been talking about the emergence of the supporting cast. The Knicks are 10-3 in their last 13 games and are 18-18 overall. What everyone has said—and rightfully so—is that the play of Jeremy Lin and the second unit has propelled the club through what should have been a very rough stretch. What nobody has said—until now and until me—is that
Hamilton: Knicks need chemistry to contend
NEW YORK – After Thursday night’s 102-88 loss to the Miami Heat, the New York Knicks have reached the All-Star break with a 17-18 record. They’re clinging to the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed and hardly resemble a playoff team, much less a championship contender. Good wins. Bad losses. Injuries, disappointments, and pleasant surprises. It’s been a long two months for the New York City Slickers. But for their sake, I hope they’ve been eating their Wheaties and taking their multivitamins, because the next two
Hamilton: In a break from Linsanity, a Tyson Chandler column
NEW YORK – The buzzer sounded and it was over. The Knicks had just defeated the Sacramento Kings, 100-85. For the Gotham Gang, it was their seventh win in a row. Although their leader played less than 30 minutes and took only six shots, his impact on the game was undeniable. Behind his efforts, the Knicks put away a team they had to beat in a game they had to win. After fueling gritty and improbable comebacks in Minnesota and Toronto,
Hamilton: Knicks Are Now Officially All Lin
NEW YORK – Back in 2008, while many of his classmates were lining up internships at investment banks, researching graduate schools, or worrying about successfully fulfilling Harvard’s renowned Moral Reasoning course requirement, Jeremy Lin was preparing to make NBA history. On weekdays during the spring semester of his junior year, Lin recalls his early morning workouts with then assistant coach Kenny Blakeney. At 7 am, while most of his classmates were rolling over in bed, Lin had already had a light breakfast