Fanshots

The Knicks are debating bringing Cleanthony Early to camp

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The Knicks have not made a final decision on whether to bring Cleanthony Early to training camp, according to an NBA source. Phil Jackson’s first-ever Knicks draft pick missed the entire Orlando summer league with a hamstring injury after two injury-riddled campaigns. Last season, Early suffered a gunshot wound to his leg when he was robbed leaving a Queens strip joint. Early could enlist on a make-good contract, but the Knicks already have 17 bodies.

http://nypost.com/2016/09/09/knicks-pursued-this-reunion-as-cover-for-joakim-noah/

ESPN's Kevin Pelton projects the Knicks to win 35 games

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The Knicks would certainly be disappointed if they improved just three wins after spending freely this summer, but RPM rates Derrick Rose (minus-2.3) as a replacement-level contributor at this point and is skeptical of New York's weak bench.

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/17375776/projected-records-win-totals-standings-every-nba-team-2016-17-season

Phil Jackson claims today's players lack the skills for the Triangle

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Today’s players simply lack the skills to play the triangle. They know how to play one-on-one, catch-and-shoot, and they’ve mastered crossover dribbles, spins, playing off of screens and step-back shots. They don’t know how to execute things like inside-reverse pivots and other basic footwork. They have no sense of timing or organization. They don’t really know how to play five-on-five basketball. It’s strictly generational.

http://www.todaysfastbreak.com/nba-east/new-york-knicks/phil-jackson-chronicles-part-3-rule-changes-knicks-woes/

Begley: Knicks still interested in Wayne Selden, Yogi Ferell

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The club has shown interest in several players in recent weeks, including Indiana guard Yogi Ferrell, who has a workout scheduled with the club next month. New York also interviewed Kansas guard Wayne Selden at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and has expressed interest in him as the draft approaches, according to league sources. Selden, a 6-6 guard, would fit the mold of the big guards Phil Jackson used in his Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Laker teams. Ferrell, a 6-0 guard, has impressed in workouts, according to sources, and was the only point guard last season to average 17 PPG, 5.5 assists and shoot at least 40% from 3.

http://espn.go.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0527883750940349578-4

Kristaps Porzingis makes NBA rookie history

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Here's a stat that perfectly illustrates Kristaps Porzingis' versatility: since the 3-point line was adopted in the 1979-80 season, Porzingis is the 1st rookie to score at least 1,000 points, grab 500 rebounds, make 75 3-pointers and block 100 shots, per basketball-reference. (as pointed out by cbssports.com).

http://espn.go.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0505782894543771471-4

Nice appraisal of Kristaps Porzingis and the 2015 rookie class

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Phil Jackson has been criticized for some of his decisions since taking over as Knicks president, but he hit a home run when he drafted Porzingis fourth overall. Nobody in New York is booing the kid now.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-2015-rookies-ahead-of-schedule/?platform=hootsuite

The Robin Lopez-DeMarcus Cousin battle was historic

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Knicks fans may have left Madison Square Garden in a foul mood following the team's 88-80 loss to the Kings. But they did see something rare: It was the first NBA game in 20 years in which opposing players each had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. The players were DeMarcus Cousins (his second such game this season) and Robin Lopez (the first of his career). The last opposing players to do so were David Robinson of the Spurs and Michael Cage of the Cavaliers in January 1996.

http://espn.go.com/espn/elias?date=20160321

Kristaps Porzingis at the 3?

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Rambis has said that due to Porzingis’s athleticism and versatility, he could "eventually see him at the 3-spot some," referring to the small-forward position. That was days after Rambis said he wanted Porzingis to sprint down court after opponents’ misses more frequently in hopes of getting more post-up opportunities. Rambis, who has said Porzingis is "going to be phenomenal," has also been critical of the rookie’s shot selection, saying "there are shots out there that he takes that I flat-out don’t like." Porzingis’s 3-point attempts are down since Rambis’s comment.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/is-kristaps-porzingis-finally-running-out-of-gas-1458261934

The Knicks go full Chris Duhon against the Lakers

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It was the first time in more than six years that the Knicks made three three-pointers, including a game-winner, in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter. Their last such win was against Charlotte on Jan. 7, 2010, with Chris Duhon scoring the winning points.

http://espn.go.com/espn/elias