Knicks wore funeral black to Game 5 for Celtics
Kenyon Martin encouraged his New York Knicks teammates to wear black to Madison Square Garden to symbolize their plans to end the Boston Celtics season with a funeral, but they were the ones who got buried.
N.C. State’s to honor Jim Valvano with special uniforms
Stand Up 2 Cancer
N.C. State will wear special uniforms honoring Jim Valvano at next week’s Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. The red jerseys feature Valvano’s famous rallying cry “don’t ever give up” on the back.
You know all about that famous speech at the 1993 ESPYs, delivered eight weeks before Valvano died from cancer. His inspirational words live on today with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, which has awarded more than $90 million to 100 cancer facilities nationwide.
Amare Stoudamire Cuts Hand After Punching Fire Extinguisher Case
Can't Put Out The Heat
Amare Stoudemire suffered a laceration to his left hand Monday night after breaking the glass on a fire extinguisher case near the New York Knicks locker room with a punch.
Multiple media outlets reported that a frustrated Stoudemire smashed the case after the Knicks 104-94 loss to the Miami Heat.
TNT’s David Aldridge reported Stoudemire needed stitches to close the wound. Stoudemire did not receive X-rays or an MRI exam at Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena.
Stoudemire’s hand was bandaged and his left arm was in a sling as he walked to the Knicks team bus.
As the Knicks were traveling back to New York early Tuesday, Stoudemire issued a public apology via his Twitter account.
“I am so mad at myself right now, I want to apologize to the fans and my team, not proud of my actions, headed home for a new start,” he wrote.
Stoudemire did not indicate whether he would miss games because of the injury. Game 3 in the Knicks-Heat series is Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Miami leads the best-of-7 two games to none.
Knicks center Tyson Chandler told reporters that he believed Stoudemire’s injury will sideline him.
“He’s probably going to be out. I don’t know how bad it is. Amare is a huge piece to this team,” Chandler said.
Mark Sanchez & Santonio Holmes Booed At New York Knicks Game
Booooooooooooooo
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes were booed loudly at Madison Square Garden during Wednesday night’s New York Knicks-Los Angeles Clippers game.
Sanchez and Holmes were seated next to each other in the front row and were shown on the Garden JumboTron as boos filled the air. The duo seemed not to be bothered by the reaction.
Sanchez and Holmes relationship was under the microscope at the end of last season, with reports that Holmes disrespected the quarterback by not showing up for team meetings that Sanchez had called. Sanchez had vowed to work on the relationship this offseason and Holmes has seemed willing to work with the signal caller, who is entering his fourth season.
Sanchez is under an even bigger microscope this season with the addition of quarterback Tim Tebow. The Jets plan to use Tebow in a variety of ways to get the third-year player on the field.
Tebow was booed and cheered at a Yankees game he attended April 15 at Yankee Stadium.
New York Knicks Hire Larry Johnson
Favorite College Basketball Player All-Time
The New York Knicks have added Larry Johnson to a long list of former players among the front office staff. Johnson was hired as a business and basketball operations representative.
Allan Houston, John Starks, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Cal Ramsey are others who work for the Madison Square Garden Company.
Johnson will focus on player development and community relations in his new role with the team. Johnson was a four-time captain in his five years in New York and averaged 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. He is most remembered for his four-point play against the Pacers in a 92-91 win against the Indiana Pacers in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals.
Massive Brawl Breaks One Second Into Hockey Game
Talk about a rivalry, the Hudson River Rivalry added a new chapter on Monday night. Tensions were so high before the faceoff of the nationally televised New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils game, that even the coaches were yelling at each other. Then, literally one second into game, three fights broke out simultaneously.
New York’s Stu Bickel, Mike Rupp and Brandon Prust duked it out against New Jersey’s Ryan Carter, Eric Boulton and Cam Janssen, respectively, as the fans at Madison Square Garden rose to their feet.
New York Knicks Knicks Announcer Disciplined For Questionable Jeremy Lin Phrase
Ball So Hard
Spero Dedes, the New York Knicks radio announcer, has been disciplined by Madison Square Garden for using the phrase “chink in the armor” in reference to Jeremy Lin. Dedes used the expression after the Knicks lost to the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night. MSG did not say what the discipline entails.
“No one at ESPN-1050 (the Knicks radio home) has been told Spero will be missing any games,” a source told the New York Daily News. “If he does, it will be surprising.”
“We took appropriate disciplinary action dealing with this matter, but will keep the details internal to the organization,” MSG said in its statement.
Dedes is at least the third media person to use the phrase while covering Lin, but his punishment is apparently not nearly as severe as his two predecessors.
ESPN editor Anthony Federico was fired for using the headline, “Chink in the Armor,” after Friday’s night’s Hornets-Knicks game, and ESPNews anchor Max Bretos was suspended for a month for saying the phrase while interviewing Knicks TV analyst Walt Frazier about Lin last week. Both Federico and Bretos have since apologized.
Dedes did as well, saying in MSG’s statement, “I am deeply sorry that my unfortunate choice of words offended anyone, it was completely inadvertent. I have apologized to Jeremy (Lin) and I apologize to the Asian community if others were offended. I will be much more sensitive to my choice of words moving forward.”
ESPN Fires Employee For Racist Lin Headline
What About You MSG Network
The cable television sports network ESPN says it fired an employee responsible for an offensive headline referring to New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin.
The headline “Chink in the Armor” was used Friday on ESPN’s mobile website after Lin had nine turnovers in New York’s loss to New Orleans Hornets.
In a statement Sunday, ESPN apologizes for that headline and also says it is also aware of two other “offensive and inappropriate” comments on ESPN outlets.
An ESPNEWS anchor who used the phrase has been suspended for 30 days. And ESPN says a similar reference was made Friday on ESPN Radio New York, but the commentator is not an ESPN employee.
Lin is the NBA’s first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. He has captivated fans by leading the Knicks to seven straight wins before Friday’s loss.
WTF: Madison Square Garden Network
Cray
After Jeremy Lin led the New York Knicks to a 100-85 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the Madison Square Garden network displayed a graphic featuring the point guard. Lin’s face was posted above a broken fortune cookie with the words “The Knicks Good Fortune” on a sheet of paper.
Mike Tyson Curses On TV At New York Knicks Game
During halftime of the New York Knicks game against Sacramento Kings, boxing great Mike Tyson gave an interview for the ages to Jill Martin in MSG’s “Live From Celebrity Row” segment where the former heavyweight champ drop a curse word and said “that ear thing” was his one wish he could do over in the one-life do over question.
Kris Humphries Top NBA’s Most Disliked Player
Shoe Fits DBag
Kris Humphries was booed when he entered Wednesday night’s preseason game at Madison Square Garden, a disdain for the New Jersey Nets power forward that goes beyond New York Knicks fans.
In a poll for Forbes Humphries was found to be the most disliked player in the NBA, surpassing the Miami Heat’s LeBron James for the dubious distinction.Humphries’ failed marriage to Kim Kardashian is the obvious reason why 50 percent of respondents said they disliked him.
The San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker and Dallas Mavericks Lamar Odom, also known for their marriages to famous women, rank fourth and tenth, respectively. Parker is now divorced from actress Eva Longoria after reportedly cheating on her with the wife of ex-Spurs teammate Brent Barry.
Here’s the top ten, with each player’s percent disliked in parentheses.
- 1) Kris Humphries (50%)
- 2) LeBron James (48%)
- 3) Kobe Bryant (45%)
- 4) Tony Parker (37%)
- 5) Metta World Peace (36%)
- 6) Chris Bosh (34%)
- 7) Carmelo Anthony (27%)
-
Paul Pierce (25%) - 9) Dwyane Wade (23%)
- 10) Lamar Odom (21%)
Tyson Chandler Says Spike Lee Sold Him On Becoming A New York Knick
Empire State Of Mind
Spike Lee was influential in Tyson Chandler’s decision to sign with the New York Knicks as a free agent this offseason, The New York Post reports.
Lee, a constant courtside presence during Knicks games at Madison Square Garden, has “become tight with the Knicks front office and attends periodic practices,” and he pitched the team to Chandler when the Dallas Mavericks visited New York last February, according to The Post.
“Last year he was trying to convince me to come here in free agency as if he was the general manager or owner,” Chandler said, per The Post. “We were talking before the game. I said, ‘Look, Spike, right now I’m a Maverick and chasing a dream, trying to go for a title. Free agency is the furthest thing from my mind.’ He definitely was planting that seed.”
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Mike Krzyzewski
Mike Krzyzewski
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Duke mens basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski on becoming Division I’s winningest coach when the Blue Devils beat Michigan State 74-69. The win marked his number 903 of his career breaking the tie he shared with Bob Knight. Krzyzewski moved to the top of the list in front of a sellout crowd of 19,979 at Madison Square Garden. Krzyzewski moved to the top of the list in his 37th season, all but five at Duke. He also coached at West Point.
Congratulations Mike Krzyzewski you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
WTF: New York Post
Dead On
By now you should have already seen or read about the screw job that was at the end of the Rutgers-St. John’s Big East tournament game Wednesday afternoon in Madison Square Garden. However you might not have seen the cover of the New York Post that ran this morning and if your one of the few that still hasn’t seen the last couple seconds that sent the East Coast into a mass panic yesterday, we provide the YouTube clip below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlOWkNBxlTo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Baltimore Ravens Tom Zbikowski Wants To Box Chad Ochocinco
I Aint A Twitter Talker
Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Tom Zbikowski safety of the Baltimore Ravens said on Monday that he wants to pursue a boxing career and that there was one particular player in his other profession he wouldn’t mind fight and that was Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
“Ochocinco talks like he can box,” Zbikowski said. “I’d let it go for about 45 seconds. I’d let him know what a real jab feels like.”
The Ravens safety made his boxing debut nearly five years ago and will fight his second sanctioned cruiserweight bout Saturday in Las Vegas against Richard Bryant, part of the Miguel Cotto-Ricardo Mayorga undercard.
Zbikowski made his professional boxing debut June 10, 2006, while still a player at Notre Dame and within NCAA regulations as he beat Robert Bell on a technical knockout 49 seconds into the fight at Madison Square Garden. Zbikowski was 75-15 as a Golden Gloves fighter, also fought a professional exhibition bout in 2007 before stepping out of the ring to concentrate on football but he expects to be “in the ring full-time” sometime in the future.
Kobe Bryant In Slow Motion
The game of basketball takes on another level of beauty when it’s slowed down and put in slow motion and what better way to show of the elegance of the game than by showing of the games best player Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Braynt go for 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 29 minutes of work against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Friday night.
New York Knicks Mike D’Antoni Wants Fans To Stop Carmelo Anthony Chants
Do Your Magic & Make It Gow Away
New York Knicks fans are up in a frenzy as the trade deadline quickly approaches and they want their hometown team to land highly sought after Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, who has been subject of trade rumors for a while now. The antsy Knicks fans have started to chant “We Want Melo” at the Madison Square Garden and that has angered head coach Mike D’Antoni.
“It’s not good. There’s no doubt about it,” D’Antoni said. “It affects some of the players without a doubt. I hate it for them. Because you’re banged up and hurting and trying to push through certain things. Psychologically, it’s not the best thing at times.”
Prince Kicks Kim Kardashian Off Stage At Madison Square Garden
During his concert at Madison Square Garden last night, Prince invited Kim Kardashian up on stage but then kicked her off when she wouldn’t shake her world famous booty.
Spike Lee Says Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett “Needs To Calm The F**K Down”
Second Favorite Director Of All-Time
Add Spike Lee to the list of people who are fed up with Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett’s antics on the court. In an interview the hardcore New York Knicks fan told a story about his recent confrontation with Garnett during Boston’s last game at Madison Square Garden. When asked about his most memorable conversation with a player, he talked about his altercation with Reggie Miller and then discussed how Garnett “lost it” in December.
“He was cursing me out for no reason,” Lee said. “Maybe because Stoudemire gave him 39 points, but take that vulgarity to Stoudemire. I’m not holding you and I did not even say shit to Garnett the whole game.”
The filmmaker said Garnett’s tantrum “really surprised” him.
“Garnett needs to calm the fuck down,” he continued. “There’s no reason he should be cursing at me the way he did the last game. So you can put that in the article. It was disrespectful and I would never do nothing like that to him.”
In January, Garnett was ejected from the Boston Celtics-Phoenix Suns game after hitting Sun’s Channing Frye in the groin. Suns coach Alvin Gentry said he lost respect for Garnett after the incident and said that there is no place for what he was doing in our game. But the criticism has not persuaded Garnett to apologize for his dirty play.
“I never apologize for my actions,” Garnett said.
New York Knicks Ranked NBA’s Most Valuable Team
#1
The New York Knicks somehow have climbed to the top of the NBA’s economic ladder according to the latest rankings from Forbes magazine. The Knicks are now the NBA’s most valuable franchise worth $655 million even thought they haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2003-04 season.
The Knicks passed the Los Angeles Lakers $643 million in taking the top spot this year. The jump validates the free agent signing of Amare Stoudemire, whose play has been the biggest factor in Madison Square Garden being sold out for the rest of the season.
But the biggest impact on the rankings came from LeBron James jump to Miami from Cleveland who the Heat had a 17% increase to $425 million in value and the Cavaliers dropped 26% to $355 million.
Following NY and LA is 3. Chicago Bulls $511 million; 4. Boston Celtics $452 million; 5. Houston Rockets $443 million; 6. Dallas Mavericks $438 million; 7. Miami Heat $425 million; 8. Phoenix Suns $411 million; 9. San Antonio Spurs $404 million; 10. Toronto Raptors $399 million.
And coming in last was the Milwaukee Bucks at $258 million.
New York Knicks Amare Stoudemire Says Nobody’s Afraid Of The Miami Heat
Please Get This Man A Towel
Despite having LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and one of the best records in the NBA, New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire doesn’t get rattled by the Miami Heat.
“Nobody’s afraid of the Miami Heat,” Stoudemire said.
The Heat play the Knicks in Madison Square Garden tonight and the Knicks have lost the previous two meetings.
“We had a chance to win both games. So we feel like we’re still improving,” Stoudemire continued. “We still have something to prove. We’re trying to get better as a team and it starts tomorrow night.”
The New York Post Welcomes LeBron James
Dropping An Egg
The Miami Heat are in New York to face the Knicks tonight but more importantly it’s LeBron James first trip to Madison Square Garden since he spurned the Big Apple for South Beach. This is what the people of New York and the King With No Rings woke up to this morning on the cover of the New York Post.
It will be interesting to see how the sellout crowd reacts to the King With No Rings just months after licking his apple sack up and down. No word if Amber Rose will be in attendance tonight.
Madison Square Garden To Have Spectator Bridges
Hopefully little Tommy Doesn't Fall From Here
Fans at the new Madison Square Garden will be on top of the action when the renovation of the 42-year-old facility is completed, spectator bridges will hang from the ceiling, allowing a bird’s-eye view of the playing surface. The bridges are supposed to be functional in October 2013.
The Garden renovation is expected to cost $775 million to $850 million and will change the entrance, seating, concourses and displays of the arena. The bridges are likely the most unique feature of the plan.
JPMorgan Chase Pays Madsion Square Garden $30 Milli A Year & No Naming Rights
The Mecca
JPMorgan Chase has agreed to a $30 million a year deal with with Madison Square Garden to secure the of every asset in the Garden/ It however doesn’t include any naming rights. The deal is valued at $300 million over 10 years, which is undergoing an $800 million phased renovation with final completion expected by 2013. It stands as one of the most lucrative annual building/team sponsorship agreement to date.
It bests the $20 million a year paid by Barclays that puts the bank’s name atop the New Jersey Nets arena under construction in Brooklyn and the $20 million paid annually by Citibank for naming rights at the New York Mets Citi Field. Both the Barclays and Citibank deals are 20-year agreements, putting the total value of both deals at $400 million each.
MSG has never intended to sell a full naming-rights package, but Chase lands the highest level “marquee” deal with the minimum $30 million-a-year agreement.
