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UPDATE: David Griffin says adios a Nueva York

Close, but no cigar, David Griffin reportedly moving on from New York Knicks general manager consideration

It seems that David Griffin will not be taking the New York Knicks general manager position, after all, a source told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

There appear to be at least two sticking points according to those close to the source.

Contract talks between David Griffin and the NY Knicks broke down because Griffin wants to bring in his own people.

Griffin also wants to be president just like Phil Jackson, who the Knicks fired on June 28, 2017.

Griffin, who was general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, believes being a leader on the management team that brought the Cavs its first NBA championship should count for something.

Not directly reporting to Jim Dolan and having to report to Steve Mills, who is rumored to be named New York Knicks President, was not an option.

Did the New York Knicks Select David Griffin?

NY Knicks haven’t made an official announcement, but Wikipedia summary box suggests Cavs former general manager David Griffin is Knicks new general manager

While preparing for the production of the next episode of What’s The 411Sports, I wanted to do more research on the Cleveland Cavaliers former general manager, David Griffin, who recently had a meeting with the New York Knicks. I discovered an entry on the Wikipedia summary box under David Griffin’s name, New York Knicks general manager.

I reached out to the New York Knicks, but I have not received a confirmation as of this writing.

Tom Brady Returns; Colin Kaepernick will be centered in Game 6

Was that a diss from Knicks' Carmelo Anthony to Nets' Jeremy Lin? Carolina Panthers Cam Newton still in concussion protocol

 

Check out video of Episode 79 of What's The 411Sports, where the panel of Keisha Wilson, Mike McDonald, and Sydney Wayman, are talking about:

The return of Tom Brady after serving an NFL four-game suspension for deflated footballs

MLB Playoffs - in particular, the Chicago Cubs; can the Chicago Cubs take it all?

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will come under center in NFL Week 6, and a whole lot more in the video for What's The 411Sports Episode 79.

  • Published in Sports

Former New York Knick Anthony Mason Dies at Age 48

Standout Player Loses Battle with Congestive Heart Failure

Anthony Mason, most known for his time with the New York Knicks and who helped the New York Knicks reach the 1994 NBA Finals, has died today at the age of 48.

Although many people knew Anthony Mason was battling congestive heart failure, the news of his passing, sent shock waves throughout the entire National Basketball Association and through New York Knicks fans in particular.

Standing at 6' 7" with a body that looked like a Mac Truck and to competitors, it probably felt that way, Mason will be remembered most as a fierce competitor and a defender of the "paint." In some ways, Mason was the embodiment of the hip-hop generation with his signature hairstyles, which the establishment didn't understand and are lame by today's standards.

Hailing from the Springfield Gardens neighborhood in Queens, New York, Mason played college basketball at Tennessee State University and was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft. Portland waived him shortly thereafter. Undeterred, Mason played basketball overseas in Turkey and Venezuela. He also played short stints in the CBA, USBL, as well as with the New Jersey Nets and the Denver Nuggets.

It was when Mason came to the New York Knicks in 1991 under Knicks Head coach Pat Riley, did his fortunes seem to change. Knicks fans knew Mason as the guy who came to work every day and gave the game everything he had. Mason led the league in minutes played in 1995-'96 (3,457), also setting a Knicks record with the number. He also led the league in minutes played per game in 1996-97 (43.1).

In 1994, along with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks, and Charles Smith, Mason helped the New York Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1973. However, the team lost the NBA championship to the Houston Rockets in seven games. Mason won the NBA's Sixth Man Award in 1994-95 as a member of the Knicks. In teaming up with Pat Riley and the Miami HEAT in 2000, Mason made his first and only appearance in the NBA All-Star game in 2001.

In a 2014 interview with the Moose and Maggie Show, Mason compared his 1994 New York Knicks team with the 2013-14 team, "We imposed our will," Mason said. "We were going to make it hard on you. We were going to be up in your face the whole game and we wanted you to know that. People dreaded coming into the Garden and that's the thing you want to get back to."

It should be noted that Anthony Mason also played with the Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks following his tenure with the New York Knicks.

Following Anthony Mason's passing, the Mason Family issued this statement:

"We would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt thoughts and strong prayers. Anthony felt each and every one. He fought like a warrior to the very end. Please keep your prayers and thoughts with us through this very hard time – it is a great loss for us. We ask for our privacy during this time."

Representing the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, President, New York Knicks; and Steve Mills, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the New York Knicks; each issued a statement regarding the death of Anthony Mason:

Phil Jackson:

"As a competitor, there was none fiercer than Anthony Mason. Standing on the opposite end of the playing field, coaching in those great Chicago/New York battles, No. 14 in the Orange and Blue always stood out. On behalf of the entire Knickerbocker community, our condolences go out to his family. Rest in peace, Mase."

Steve Mills:

"For five seasons, Anthony Mason proudly donned a Knicks uniform like no other of his era. His New York City roots, his passion for the City game, his desire to win and his tenacity for defense made him a fan-favorite across the five boroughs, and beyond for every Knickerbocker. All of us here at the New York Knicks will remember Mase and cherish his legacy."

The Knicks held a moment of silence for Mason before Saturday night's game against the Toronto Raptors and aired a video tribute during the game.

Pat Riley, President, Miami HEAT issued the following statement.

"News like this is not only sad, but it's tragic. Anthony Mason was a very young man with a great family and friends. To lose him so quickly during his journey, especially to those of us that knew him, hurts. We had a great season in Miami experiencing Anthony as an All-Star with the HEAT, and I also had the privilege of coaching him for four years in New York, where he helped take us to the brink of a championship. There was so many great moments that we shared that I will never forget. Our prayers and sympathies are with his family. May God bless his soul."

Acknowledgements and condolences are coming in from around the NBA. Rest in peace, Anthony Mason, you will be missed.

Brooklyn Nets Beat Lowly New York Knicks as Expected

Jarrett Jack's Stealth Three-Pointer Helps Net Win 92-88

In the initial year of the brand new Barclays Center of downtown Brooklyn, NY, when the New York Knicks visited the Brooklyn Nets, it meant something.

It was 2012, and the Nets opened their brand new home-arena, completing the transition from the Izod Center in East Rutherford New Jersey to the pressured and prestigious grounds of the city.

Both teams were competitive and every Nets-Knicks game gave fans an excuse to choose their side, creating exciting environments, whether it was Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center.

It's 2015 and times have changed.

The Knicks are no longer the Atlantic Division champs and tonight the Nets reminded them how far they have fallen.

As ice covers our sidewalks creating dangerous walking conditions, New York had no trouble packing into Barclays tonight to witness the Nets defeat the Knicks, 92-88.

This win, increased the Nets winning streak to three, improving to (21-28) on the season as the Knicks, who showed fight, fell to (10-40).

30 games under .500, I know.

At least that's not the Nets who are in the midst of turning their season around, heading in the right direction for a change, after a horrendous month of January.

In the first month of the New Year, the Nets lost 12 of their scheduled 15 games, which included losing streaks of seven and four.

February, the month of love, is proving to be much kinder to the Nets as they have won the first three games of the month, including thrilling wins over NBA powerhouses in the Los Angeles Clippers (102-100) and the Toronto Raptors (109-93).

"The last three games have been great," said Deron Williams, according to ESPNNY.com.

"Three wins in a row. Tonight it was another where things didn't go right for us, but down the stretch we found ways to win."

If Williams is referring to "things didn't go right for us" as far as this game is concerned, then he must be questioning why his teammates only beat one of the worst teams in the league by four points.

Right now, the Nets are in the playoff race, occupying the 8th and final spot and in order to solidify their status as a playoff team or attempt to move up in the standings, the Nets have to be better than just four points against lottery teams,

All in all, they won this game, despite losing their grip on early leads and making the significant plays late in the final quarter to pull off an expected victory.

In the first half, the Nets enjoyed comfortable leads of 10 and 17 behind the strong play of Brook Lopez, who scored 14 of his team-high 22 points in the first half.

As for the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, with help from Lou Amundson, Jason Smith and Lance Thomas, would score nine of his team high 21 points in the last 4 min of the second quarter, battling back from a deficit of 17, entering the halftime period down by eight, 45-53.

I mentioned before that the Nets made the significant plays in the final period to achieve the victory and here they are:

With 1:38 remaining, and the Nets up by a slim 1-point lead, 87-86, Lopez, as he feasted all night from the painted area, connected on a 9-foot floater assisted by Jarrett Jack, to give the Nets a little breathing room, up three-87 to 84.

And here's the dagger.

Jack, courtesy of horrible Knicks defense and an assist by Joe Johnson, stood at the arc of the three-point line, all by his lonesome and connected from deep, giving the Nets the final say, up by four, 90-86, with 13 seconds remaining until the end of regulation.

Anthony couldn't dig the Knicks out of this hole, nor could the triangle offense.

The Nets did what they were supposed to do and that is the only praise that counts.

"This is big for us to close out the first half, especially before All-Star break, going into it on a positive note knowing that we start out from the West Coast right after the break," Joe Johnson said post-game, via ESPNNY.com

Every win is big, especially when you take care of your business at home as the superior to your opponent.

Four players in double-figures for the Nets in Lopez, Jack (20 points), Johnson (13 points), and Garnett (12 points) is big.

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Brooklyn Nets center, Brook Lopez; shooting guard Joe Johnson; and forward, Kevin Garnett

Lopez, albeit coming off the bench receiving starting minutes (33 min tonight) and Williams seeing some action, returning from ailments this season and contributing to the Nets cause is also big.

In the Nets three wins this month, Lopez and Williams have provided stability from two of the most important positions on the court, with Lopez and Williams, both reaching double-figures in wins against the Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors and tonight against the Knicks (Lopez: 24 points vs. LAC, 22 vs. Knicks, Williams: 15 points vs LAC, 11 Raptors).

It might not be what Nets management expected from this team, with how they envisioned Williams and Lopez as the primary pillars of success, but this format is working (Williams and Lopez-role players) and head coach Lionel Hollins would be foolish to remove Jack and Mason Plumlee from the starting lineup as they have earned their current roles.

The Nets will look to improve their streak against the Washington Wizards tonight, and hopefully, if the opportunity presents itself, against the Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets over their next five games (including All-Star Weekend).

A three game-winning streak could prevent Nets management from blowing up Brooklyn basketball, looking forward to the future in rebuilding.

In February, it appears the Nets are not interested in that plan.

For the moment, the playoffs are actually a possibility.

The New York Knicks Should Pursue Jahlil Okafor

If you're a New York Knicks fan, I know how you feel.

If you bleed orange and blue, trust me, I understand what you are going through and the current weather does not make life any more pleasant.

On the bright side, at least we can feel some sense of encouragement from what Phil Jackson, the president of basketball operations has orchestrated over the past few weeks.

It's called not standing still.

Jackson, action Jackson is active and has traded the contracts of Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers, freeing up cap space for this summer when the Knicks will have an excess of $30 million and more to spend on an impressive 2015 free-agent class (Rajon Rondo, Tobias Harris, Marc Gasol, Paul Millsap, Goran Dragic, Kawhi Leonard and more all expected to be available).

According to Yahoo Sports, the Knicks could waive injury-prone Andrea Bargnani and are shopping Jose Calderon.

Like I said, action Jackson.

What's also encouraging is the fact that the Knicks are 5-35.

It's the worst record in the league but possessing said record favors the Knicks when it's lottery time.

The Knicks will be major players with the hopes of obtaining the No.1 pick and in this year's draft it's a must.

The Case for Jahlil Okafor

It's a must because there's a clear cut, obvious, without-a-doubt No.1 pick this year and he's currently a freshman at the University of Duke, a true definition of a phenom.

Two words: Jahlil Okafor.

The Blue Devils will take the court tonight at 9:00 pm against the Miami Hurricanes on ESPN2 & ESPN3, which brings the opportunity of watching #15.

Okafor, averaging a near double-double in 19-9, is a 6'11 center starting for the Blue Devils.

He's a former McDonald's All-American and a Jordan Brand All-American.

Okafor's production and influence on the (14-1) Blue Devils has made him a candidate for player of the year honors and his game explains why.

Okafor is a true back-to-the-basket big-man, a style which symbolized the root of the big-man and is now extinct.

It's hard to find these days and even Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies takes 15-footers from time-to-time.

But that's why Okafor is worthy of being selected No.1 overall this June.

He had all the post-moves with his back-to-the-basket at the tender age of 19 years-old.

Drop-steps, quick turn-around's to his off-shoulder, hook-shots a face-up game, 15-footer and spins, Okafor can do it all and does most, if not, the majority of his damage in the post-area.

It's the maturity of Okafor's game that makes him a can't miss prospect and being 6'11 with 270 pounds on his frame with the development of his all-around skills as a player and physical stature yet to come is what makes Okafor a can't-miss.

Just watch the video below of what he did to Wofford.

That's all you need to see.

The kid is an instant double-double and he's exactly what the Knicks need.

He can be the inside presence the Knicks have sorely lacked since Patrick Ewing.

Okafor has the potential to be a star at the next level and could be someone Carmelo Anthony can take under his wing, groom and mentor as he progresses towards the later stages in his NBA career.

The Knicks need to hope that the odds are in their favor as far as the lottery is concerned.

Okafor is worth praying for.

 

Knicks Deal Shumpert and Smith to Cavaliers in Three-team Trade

Before the tip-off of this 2014-15 NBA season, Phil Jackson, the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks believed that he assembled a team good enough to qualify for a playoff spot.

That hasn't been the case.

The 5-32 Knicks, fresh off of securing yet another loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, 105-83 (12 straight), are on pace to challenge the (2012) 7-59, Charlotte Bobcats for the worst record in NBA history.

The climate around the Knicks has become so putrid that change was evident and Jackson initiated operation codename: Blow It Up.

Yesterday evening, the Knicks joined the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal which expressed the Knicks state of mind, fixated on the future.

The Knicks dealt Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cavs.

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Point Guard/Shooting Guard Iman Shumpert and Shooting Guard J.R. Smith traded by the New York Knicks to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo Credit: NBA

The Cavs sent Dion Waiters to the Thunder while dealing Alex Kirk and Lou Amundson to the Knicks.

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Dion Waiters on his way to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-way deal involving the Cavs, Knicks, and Thunder. Photo Credit: NBA

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Cleveland Cavaliers send Alex Kirk and Lou Amundson to New York Knicks in three-way deal also involving the Oklahoma City Thunder. Photo Credit: NBA

The Thunder shipped Lance Thomas to the Knicks and a protected future first-round pick to the Cavs, who sent their 2019 second-round pick to the Knicks.

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Former Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Lance Thomas is on his way to the New York Knicks in a deal which included the Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo Credit: NBA

I will miss what Shumpert brought to this Knicks team on the defensive end of the floor, as well as, his potential as an all-around player.

It needed to go.

All of the players the Knicks received in this trade have non-guaranteed contracts.

It is the season of giving and it seems like the Orange and Blue New York team is the only team that is not participating in the festivities.

With this trade, the Knicks shed the contracts of Smith and Shumpert off the books and waived C Samuel Dalembert, moves which will save the team an excess of $20-million in salary and luxury taxes according to ESPN.com.

It also gives the Knicks $30-million in cap space to offer to free-agents in the upcoming off-season period.

In this trade, the Knicks recognized that this season is a forgone conclusion while the other two trade partners in this deal have the opportunity to reap the benefits of their acquisitions immediately.

The Cavs bolstered their perimeter defense in gaining Iman Shumpert and added a streaky but proven scorer in Smith, who is now in a better environment.

Dion Waiters can help the Thunder offensively despite the logjam at the shooting guard position (Reggie Jackson, Anthony Morrow, Jeremy Lamb even Russell Westbrook).

Although Shumpert is out with a shoulder injury, Smith can come in and provide another scoring option for the inconsistent Cavs who are currently missing Lebron James due to knee and back injuries.

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Former New York Knicks point guard/shooting guard Iman Shumpert. Photo Credit: NBA

When Shumpert returns, Kyrie Irving should benefit, as Waiters and his 10.5 points per game and need to have the ball in his hands to make plays for himself and others occasionally, will no longer be an issue.

Shumpert does not need the ball to be effective and adds defense to a team sorely lacking that element after losing big-man Anderson Varejao for the season due to a torn-Achilles.

For Smith, a winning environment is what he needs.

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Former New York Knicks forward and Sixth Man of the Year, J.R. Smith. Photo Credit: NBA

The last time Smith was in a situation where winning was a priority, he won the sixth-man of the year award, just saying.

For OKC, I understand the acquisition of bringing in a guy like Waiters to a team whose focal points in Westbrook and Kevin Durant have missed significant time on the court this season but then again I don't.

How will Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks manage his guard situation?

Waiters needs the ball to be effective and so does Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lamb and Anthony Morrow.

He cannot play these guards and keep everyone happy which means someone may be the odd man out in OKC.

Another reason why this move is questionable is because the Thunder failed to sure up their most important need in a low-post threat.

It's the reason why they targeted Bulls C Pau Gasol this past off-season.

Serge Ibaka is a nice player but prefers to do most of his damage from outside opposed to under the basket.

Kendrick Perkins, enough said.

It seems like this trade was a win for every team involved except the Knicks for various reasons.

Hopefully this move is one of many moves the Knicks will make when they will actually be required to do so from the public at large.

The 2015 free-agency period can't come any quicker can it?

Phil Jackson Asks Knicks’ Fans to be Patient

After falling to 5-26 following their 102-91 loss to the Washington Wizards on Christmas Day, New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony shared his thoughts on the current state of the players comparing it to one of the fans that lives and dies by the orange and blue.

"I feel what the fans are feeling," Anthony said, according to ESPNNY.com. "The Fans are dying, we're dying....As much as I feel for the fans, I feel for us going through it too."

He's not lying.

On ESPN FirstTake with Cari Champion, Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, last week Chris Rock stopped by as their guest and when asked about the state of the Knicks, Rock said that the Knicks were "Eddie Curry Bad."

If you know the Knicks, then you KNOW what Eddie Curry bad is.

The Knicks are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, with their last win coming in Boston almost two weeks ago. Tonight they will travel to the west to take on the "okay", 12-17 Sacramento Kings at 10 pm tonight.

It will probably be a loss but what's new.

As far as the losses are concerned, first-year Head Coach Derek Fisher remains as cool as ice-cream on the sidelines, keeping his emotions in check without showing any signs of melting throughout this season.

"No I have plenty of (emotion)," Fisher said, according to ESPN.

"It's just there are appropriate times to do it....Emotions during the game are already high enough. Oftentimes that's when you see confrontations between players and coaches.

"There are ways to be confrontational and let guys know how you feel without being angry and out of control. But as time goes on, the longer I'm here, the more you'll see."

There it is, Fisher expressing himself the only way Fisher can.

Fisher won't say he's suffering but it's obvious he is, especially for a first-year Head Coach whose playing career revolved around winning championships and having a win-at-all-cost type of mentality.

And if this hurts Fisher, you can only imagine how the newly appointed President of Basketball Operations in Phil Jackson feels.

Jackson is a two-time NBA Champion as a player and an 11-time NBA Champion as a Head Coach.

His Wins, have Wins.

So in his first experience as a general manager, without the opportunity to pace along the sidelines and teach and draw up strategies for the players to digest and implement, Jackson is out of his natural element.

Knicks fans did not expect the 2014-15 Jackson-Knicks to win a championship in its first year, but Jackson hauling in an excess of $12-million over the next 5-years should, at least translate to the 8th seed this year right?

It all goes back to Jackson's first summer as a GM and the transactions he executed.

He fired then Head Coach Mike Woodson and his coaching staff and replaced them with Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis.

Phil Jackson signed Jason Smith.

He also traded center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for guards Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin and Wayne Ellington, center Samuel Dalembert and two second-round draft picks.

Jackson extended Anthony to a 5-year deal worth over $120-million, re-signed Cole Aldrich, drafted Cleanthony Early, exercised the third-year option on point guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and acquired forwards Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw from the Sacramento Kings for guard Wayne Ellington and forward Jeremy Tyler.

It was a busy off-season, including many moves which have yet to pay dividends.

Chandler has rejuvenated the Mavericks providing the authority in the middle that is so absent from the Knicks right now as Dalembert's efforts scream "Release".

Ellington could've been a viable option from the perimeter but the log-jam at the shooting-guard position with Hardaway Jr., Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith forced Jackson to part ways with the shooter.

Calderon suffered an injury early in the season, forcing Fisher to start Larkin, which spelled trouble for the Knicks as early as the first month.

Anthony is Anthony and everyone else has struggled to grasp the concept of the new "Triangle" offense.

To be honest, Jackson didn't sign many winners and that can have an effect on a franchise hoping to change its dreadful past into an optimistic future.

Aaron Brooks, backing up Derrick Rose for the Chicago Bulls could have helped.

Rumors circled around Pau Gasol wanting to team-up with Jackson once again, but he, like Brooks elected to go to a winner in the Bulls.

Shaun Livingston, Kris Humphries (actually playing well for Washington), Rasaul Butler (Shooting 51.2% from three), and Al-Farouq Aminu (a good defender) were all available, and Jackson failed to sign these players who are all playing essential roles for their teams, who all sport winning records (Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks respectively).

Jackson made moves with the future in mind and the immediate future of this season is an absolute travesty.

I hate to mention Andrea Bargnani and his allergic reaction to playing basketball.

What saves Jackson is the fact that it is only year-one.

Rome wasn't built in one day.

Even pancakes take time to make.

The Knicks need time.

If you want some good news: the Knicks are on pace to secure a top-5 pick in a draft that boasts potential stars in center Jahlil Okafor (Duke), guard Emmanuel Mudiay (China) and forward Karl Towns (Kentucky).

The Knicks will also have enough money coming off the cap next off-season, to sign a max player when unrestricted free-agents in Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson, Goran Dragic, and Paul Millsap, among others, will all be available.

But the 2015 NBA Draft and the 2015 NBA Off-Season seem like years away and New Yorkers are hurting as we speak.

Until then there's not much we can do except "Hold On......." like Drake said.

And cut Jackson some slack because it's his first year.

At 10:33, Phil Jackson tweeted to #Knicksnation: "Merry Christmas to all and Peace on earth. Please be assured your hopes and wishes are getting through to Santa. He will bring a better 2015 than 14. The effort and skill of our team will grow as the players learn how to play with and for each other."

Let's hope so.

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