This is a stretch to say, but is the offseason melting into the preseason quicker than we expected? If we’re to base our judgement exclusively on having two of these posts published in a span of just three days, not so much! On to some links and notes!
- In case you missed it, now we know the Knicks’ five-game preseason schedule, which includes a trip out of the US of A.
- The Knicks’ repeat bid would put them in increasingly rare company, and Michael Zeno has the breakdown covered. Per Zeno, New York already broke one historical pattern last season by becoming only the second champion since 1978 to win without receiving a single MVP vote. So… do you believe?
- Mike D’Antoni and Amar’e Stoudemire were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, a little more than two months after the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years.
- Stoudemire reflected on becoming the star who helped make New York relevant again when few players wanted to come.
“New York, the Garden, there’s nothing like it… before I got there, no one else wanted to go to New York. So that’s why I was like, ‘The Knicks are back, and we’re gonna do this.’”
- D’Antoni, meanwhile, used his speech to remember another famous Knicks chapter: Linsanity.
“Jeremy, he was on a 10-day contract and close to being released. But my assistants, Kenny Atkinson, Dan D’Antoni and Phil Weber, kept telling me, just give him a chance. Boy, were they right.”
- Karl-Anthony Towns got another ring this summer.
- Mitchell Robinson sounds pretty happy about his move to Boston, and lobster is a reason why.
- Losing Ariel Hukporti to Philadelphia continues to look more significant as the Knicks search for a third center, SI’s Isaiah De Los Santos believes.
- Opening Night against Philadelphia is already looking absurdly expensive, with the cheapest tickets ranging from $1,881 to $1,970. No need to mention the game is on pace to become the most expensive opener in NBA history.
- Charles Oakley is not treating the latest dismissal of his lawsuit against Madison Square Garden as the end after a federal judge dismissed the case for a third time.
- The NBA publicly pushed back hard against an ESPN report regarding the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers investigation.
“ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation – for which the NBA declined to cooperate – contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.” — NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
- The Lakers’ latest ownership drama is getting messier. Sister blog Silver Screen and Roll has you covered, if you want a laugh.
- Enes Kanter Freedom continues his announced attempt to play in the WNBA, has officially declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, and now he’s also proclaimed himself the next No. 1 overall pick. Not only that, Enes has promised to dunk on Angel Reese, who he says is “the Paul George” of the W.
