NEW YORK, March 17, 2012 – The New York Knickerbockers announced today that Jim Todd and Darrell Walker have joined Head Coach Mike Woodson’s staff as assistant coaches.

Todd is reunited with Woodson, after serving as an assistant coach in Atlanta from 2008-10, and then most recently, served as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings this season (2011-12). In 2010-11, he coached in China and was an assistant coach for the Canadian men’s national basketball team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship Games in Turkey. Previously, he was an assistant coach in Milwaukee, alongside Mike Woodson, under Head Coach Chris Ford from 1996-98. He also served as an assistant coach for Milwaukee (2002-04; 2007-08), Toronto (2004-07) and the L.A. Clippers (1998-2000), for whom he finished the 1999-2000 season as the interim head coach.

          Walker brings more than a decade of coaching experience to the Knicks, having served as both an NBA assistant coach and an NBA head coach. He was most recently an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons (2007-08 through 2009-10), following roles as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Hornets (2004-08) and the Toronto Raptors (1995-96). He was promoted to head coach of Toronto in 1996-97, compiling a record of 41-90 over parts of two seasons. He also served as the interim head coach of the Washington Wizards in 1999-00, posting a 15-23 record.

          Walker was originally selected by New York in the first round (12th pick overall) of the 1983 NBA Draft, posting 10.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds over 23.8 minutes in 245 games (101 starts) over three seasons. In 720 career NBA games, he averaged 8.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds over 25.8 minutes over 10 seasons with New York, Den

KNICKS & MIKE D’ANTONI MUTUALLY AGREE TO PART

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AP-  NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 – New York Knickerbockers Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations and Interim General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that it has been mutually decided that Mike D’Antoni will no longer be the head coach of the Knicks. Mike Woodson has been named interim head coach.

“After speaking with Mike this morning, we mutually agreed that it would be best for the organization if he did not continue in his role as coach of the Knicks,” said Jim Dolan, executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company. “Mike is a class act and true professional and we have appreciated his honesty, commitment and years of service to the organization.”

          Over the past four seasons, D’Antoni, who had been hired on May 13, 2008, compiled a 121-167 (.420) record at the helm, including leading the team to the NBA Playoffs last season.

          “We thank Mike for the hard work he and his staff had put towards making New York a destination for great players in our league as we went through our rebuilding process,” Grunwald said. “But now is the time to look forward to the remaining 24 games of the season. We have a lot of faith in Mike Woodson, who will focus all of his efforts to get this team back into the playoffs and make our final push.”

Click to watch postgame interview 

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Music by Mike Johnson 

(Big C) It’s a new season but things have not turned out the way Amar’e Stoudemire had planned. The face of the Knicks and the guy who turned the Knicks around does not look like the same player from last season. Stoudemire is not scoring at will and he does not have the same fire in his eyes like last season. Fans and critics are wondering what’s going on or trying to figure out what happened to Amar’e. It may be 27 games into the season for Amar’e but there is reason for concern. Amar’e has gone from a 25 point (50%) game player to a guy that is now averaging 18 points a game shooting 44%.

Here are some factors that I feel are the reasons to Amar’e Stoudemire drop in production:

1. Rust - With the Knicks having a long lockout and a short training camp I think it is taking Amar’e longer to get his game back. Especially since he has been in and out of the lineup and never really built chemistry with his teammates. Amar’e’s shot and timing are off. Not to mention Amar’e has missed games due to injuries and the loss of his brother.

2. Weight Gain - Coming into this season Amar’e Stoudemire was said to be working on his dribble and his game. However, Amar’e has gained weight. Last season Amar’e Stoudemire weighed 240 pounds and this season he weighs 260 pounds. In a sport like basketball being faster than your opponent can give you an edge. 20 more pounds can also be the difference between dunking over another player or getting blocked when you attempt to go up strong. 20 pounds could be the difference between blowing by your man or your man staying with you for a stop. Weight gain can stop a player’s offensive game in the halfcourt or on the break. Extra weight would only help Amar’e if he had a post up game but that’s just not his style of game play.

3. Playing the Power Forward Again- Last season Amar’e was asked to play center where he dominated as an offensive force. This season Stoudemire moved back to the power forward position when Chandler arrived. We all know Stoudemire is a natural power forward, he’s played the power forward position his entire career except last season. However, moving back to the power forward position is one of the main reasons why Amar’e looks like he has lost a step. Last season Amar’e was dunking and taking his man off the dribble with centers guarding him. This season he is re-adjusting to playing the power forward position. Even though centers in the NBA are stronger and block more shots they are also slower than your typical NBA power forward. So last season Amar’e had no problem getting by his man for the easy basket. Now when Amar’e tries to take his man off the dribble, the forward guarding him is staying with him. Power forwards are simply better at keeping up with Amar’e than most centers. They are also athletic enough to say with Amar’e when he jumps.

4. No pick and roll: - This season Amar’e Stoudemire has to rely on creating his own shot more than ever. Amar’e Stoudemire is one of the best pick and roll players in the NBA. Oddly enough the Knicks have not used the pick and roll with Amar’e in the lineup. You can expect a dip in Amar’e’s scoring based solely on this point. Not to mention he is not getting the same number of shot attempts.

What’s the solution?

The solution for the Knicks is to run more pick and roll plays involving Amar’e. The pick and roll going with Lin should make Stoudemire’s life easier in the scoring department. The Knicks should also set more screens for Amar’e using Chandler so Amar’e can have more opportunities to cut to the basket or shoot the midrange shot.

Overall, Amar’e is a big part of the Knicks winning. The Knicks now have to find a way

to mix it up with Amar’e and his teammates to get a balance in scoring.

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(Big C) New York- Humble, compassionate, poised, an underdog, skilled, driven, selfless… those are just some character traits you can use to describe Jeremy Lin. The Knicks sensation Jeremy is more than just a good player, he is a movement and the biggest thing in sports right now. From Saturday Night Live to the cover of Sports Illustrated, regardless if a person is a basketball fan or not, everyone is amazed at this man. He went from underdog to mega star in a little more than a week. Most importantly Jeremy Lin has been the light that has gotten the Knicks out of the dark. The Knicks have moved to .500 and have won 8 of the last 9 games. The Knicks are currently in 8^th place and are looking move up the standing with Lin leading the way.

The Knicks were a team that needed point guard help more than anyone. In Mike D’Antoni’s system the point guard position is the most important position. The Knicks’ offense was suffering from lack of organization, ball movement and lack of chemistry. 9 games ago Jeremy Lin entered the game against the Nets and helped the Knicks get a win. The Knicks are now playing great basketball, have chemistry, and camaraderie that have the players believing that the can win every game. The Players now have each other’s back.

Jeremy’s first real test was against one of the league’ best teams the Lakers where Lin scored his career high 38 points. Then the doubters were unsure about Jeremy’s potential to play good against the bigger teams. So on Sunday the Knicks had to face the Dallas Mavs, one the league best defensive teams. Yet the Mavs had no answer on how to stop the Linsanity. Even when the Mavs tried to put Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry on Lin, or tried to trap the result was Jeremy Lin getting to the hole. Lin kept scoring, drawing a foul, or passing to his teammates.

Not only did Lin score 28 points against the Mavs but he also hit a career high with 14 assists. Jeremy Lin also has scored 200 points in the last 8 games which is an NBA record. Besides his offensive game, Jeremy Lin had 5 steals and one steal that led to a crowd pleasing dunk on the break.

Jeremy Lin improves with every game and the Knicks team will continue to get better as Lin makes life for his teammates easier. Here are some of the key players that will benefit the most with Jeremy Lin being on the court:

1. Carmelo Anthony- While many wonder how Carmelo Anthony will fit in with the Knicks and Jeremy Lin they shouldn’t. When Carmelo Anthony had low scoring games it was because Anthony had to focus on doing everything from scoring, running, the point and rebounding. With Lin running the floor Carmelo now has a point guard that will give him the ball where he wants the ball. Most importantly, Anthony no longer has to worry about running the point. Anthony can save his energy for what he does best which is score. Carmelo will also see fewer double teams while Lin is on the court since other teams are focusing on how to stop Lin.

2. Amar’e Stoudemire- Many observers attributed Stoudemire’s slow start to the season to the lockout, the season’s tight schedule, the apparent void in the point guard position, or all of the above. Now fast forward to Lin. Amar’e Stoudemire is one of the best scorers in the league and he excels in the pick and roll offense. Now that Jeremy Lin is running the show scoring for Amar’e will be easier. Not only is Amar’e be able to score with Lin’s pick and roll but he no longer has to work so hard to create his own shot.

3. Tyson Chandler – Before Jeremy Lin started getting playing time the only player that seemed to connect with Tyson Chandler was Carmelo Anthony. Tyson Chandler would move around looking for a pass and never received it. Now with Lin using his court vision and keeping his dribble Chandler is able to receive passes when he cuts and makes eye contact for the oop leading to a dunk or an easy layup. As long as Chandler is open Lin will find him.

4. Landry Fields - Landry Fields is a player that thrives in the open court and when there is ball movement. In the beginning of the season Landry’s game did not look as sharp as it did last year and the reason is lack of ball movement. Ever since Linsanity hit the Knicks, Fields has been driving to the hole and moving well on the break. Most importantly, he and Lin have developed chemistry. Jeremy Lin’s ability to find the open man has players like Fields on the top of their game. Fields’ game rises when there is ball movement. He might be the biggest beneficiary of having Lin in the lineup.

5. Steve Novak - Jeremy Lin driving to the basket forces the defense to focus on Lin. This often leads to an open Novak up at the corner 3 point line or on the elbow for the 3 point shot. Novak is one of the leagues best shooters and now he is getting open looks with Lin on the court to show how deadly his 3 point shot is.

Overall, Jeremy Lin is becoming the point guard the Knicks have been looking for for years.

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