The Brooklyn Nets are legitimate contenders to dethrone the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference – whether or not LeBron James wants to admit it – as I outlined in my latest column. As for New York, the futures of Carmelo Anthony and Mike Woodson will be impacted heavily if the Knicks fail to reach the playoffs – a likely scenario. With the Nets seemingly entrenched as the fifth seed and the Knicks on the brink of mathematical elimination, I joined WFAN
Scotto: Brooklyn Nets are Legit Contenders After Sweeping LeBron — UPDATED
No team has done what the Nets have done. And going into the playoffs, what they’ve done should not be dismissed. On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets became the first team ever to post a 4-0 season series sweep over LeBron James since he entered the league more than a decade ago. After being crowned by the Nets, James took out his frustration on TNT’s Craig Sager during a postgame interview when asked if Brooklyn was Miami’s biggest challenge in the East. “Get out
Scotto: Knicks’ Season, Futures of Melo, Woodson On the Line — UPDATED
NEW YORK — For Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony, making the playoffs is all that matters. The same can be said for coach Mike Woodson. However, after a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Washington Wizards on Friday night, the Knicks find themselves one game behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final playoff spot — and two games behind in the loss column — with only five remaining games. Anthony’s desire to reach the postseason is understandable. Since entering the NBA as part of the
Scotto: Nets Want Raptors, Not Bulls in Playoffs
The Nets and Bulls are on course for a potential rematch of last year’s first-round playoff series. Is this the ideal scenario for Brooklyn? As they say in the borough, “Fuhgeddaboudit!” It’s been a frigid winter in Brooklyn, and a trip to the “Windy City” could dampen any hopes of the Nets springing ahead to the next round. [Read more…]
Tweet of the Night: Los Angeles Lakers Scorch The New York Knicks, Twitter Reacts
Tuesday night’s showdown between the Knicks and Lakers was a bit one-sided. The New York Knicks, who had been surging towards the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a recent string of eight straight wins, have (seemingly) fallen flat on their faces. If their recent fourth-quarter collapse against the hapless (and Kyrie Irving-less) Cleveland Cavaliers wasn’t bad enough, they travelled to Los Angeles for a shellacking at the hands of the short-handed Lakers. [Read more…]
Scotto: Phil Jackson Rejuvenates Carmelo Anthony, But Will Melo Stay?
Three years ago, New York literally rolled out the red carpet for Carmelo Anthony upon his arrival at Madison Square Garden while blasting “I’m Coming Home” by Diddy. On Tuesday, as Phil Jackson’s career officially came full circle, his introductory press conference soundtrack included “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by Bon Jovi and “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen. Once the offseason begins, the nearly $130 million question is if Anthony and Jackson will return New York to the glory days by
PODCAST: Michael Scotto on Phil Jackson Joining the New York Knicks
The New York Knicks gave Carmelo Anthony 13 reasons to consider re-signing a long-term extension with the team this summer. That’s the combined number of championships Phil Jackson has won as a player and coach. “I’m a chess player, so that was a power move right there,” Anthony said. As the Knicks prepare to officially announce the hiring of Jackson on Tuesday, I joined Yahoo! Sports Radio and host Dylan Gwinn to discuss the impact the move will have on Jackson’s legacy,
Scotto: Isaiah Thomas Dishes on Free Agency; Could Command Full Mid-Level Exception
Isaiah Thomas entered the league as “Mr. Irrelevant” after being selected 60th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. In his third season, he’s now become a candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award (although colleague Kels Dayton seems to disagree). Thomas’ breakout season couldn’t have come at a better time with restricted free agency looming this summer. With that in mind, Thomas and I discussed his development, Sacramento’s new culture and his free agency plans in an