Feb 1, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Nets small forward Shawne Williams (7) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at the Prudential Center. New Jersey Nets defeat the Detroit Pistons 99-96. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

A source told ESPN’s Jared Zwerling that despite Williams’ interest in returning to the Big Apple, that the team is not interested in the sixth year pro.

However Williams seems like a great fit for the Knicks for a couple of reasons.

First and most importantly is the fact that he could be signed for the league minimum. The Knicks are having trouble signing that backup power forward because they can only offer the veteran’s minimum and Williams is a guy that could be had for that.

Secondly, despite being primarily a small forward, Williams has shown that he can defend either the 3 or the 4 very well, which is something that should interest head coach Mike Woodson.

Finally, Williams is a team guy that would accept his role. He offers versatility as a guy that can play the 3 and knock down the corner three effectively and he can defend the post pretty well. There are options the Knicks have using Williams off the bench.

While the Knicks admittedly would like to add a more seasoned power forward, guys like Kenyon Martin and Lou Amundson are out of their price range. That should make their interest in Williams go up, but apparently that isn’t the case. Williams can rebound and guard bigger power forwards with his strength and length and can also stretch the floor and knock down the three. There should be a good fit in New York as another defender on the block is needed, as is additional shooting.

Williams became a fan favorite in New York during the2010-11 season. In only 20 minutes of action, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and nearly one block, while shooting 40.1 percent from downtown.

The reason why Williams may not be a good fit in New York could be as easy as there could be some resentment towards him from Knicks’ management.

Before last season, Williams as a free agent wanted to return to the Knicks and the feeling was mutual. However the salary cap strapped Knicks could only offer Williams a one-year deal for the mini-mid level exception. He instead signed with the New Jersey Nets and that could have angered the Knicks front office.

Whatever the reason may be, it looks as if Williams will not be returning to the Knicks anytime in the near future.

The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats are also rumored to have interest in Williams.

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Who do the Knicks go after?

It is no secret that the New York Knicks have one huge issue right now, and that is the lack of depth the team has been left with after tying up the remainder of their available cap space in Tyson Chandler.

At this moment in time, the Knicks have about $2.5 million worth of exceptions with which to pursue free agents. The initial hope was that this was enough to convince a more notable free agent—like Jamaal Crawford—to take a pay cut in order to have a shot to play for a contending team in the Knicks; However, Crawford turned down the offer and chose to sign with the Blazers today, leaving the Knicks to search elsewhere for some bench help. (more…)

It is no secret that the Knicks are looking to add some more depth to their team, while still maintaining enough cap flexibility to be a player in the Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Dwight Howard sweepstakes.  Adding either Caron Butler, or resigning Shawne Williams would effectively fill the hole at backup small forward which they would likely be able to do on a short term contract. (more…)

“I’m not going to lie, I really didn’t understand how big New York was until I played there,” Williams told HOOPSWORLD. “Even in my hometown, I can’t walk around anywhere anymore. The Knicks are like America’s team, just like the Cowboys. I love the Knicks’ fans. They’re the greatest fans in America. They support the team so much and I’m on Twitter interacting with all of the fans. I just love it. I can’t wait to be back.”

 

Twitter: @BucketsOverBway

Yea...So That Didn't Go In (AP)

Box Score

The 2010-11 regular season goes into the books with a tiny thud as the Knicks lose a semi-meaningless game to Boston four days before the two teams meet in the first round.  I say “semi” meaningless because even though between these two teams Amar’e Stoudemire was the only impact player who saw the court, the Celtics bench players—who had been struggling—were given a little confidence boost. But it isn’t something to read into or worry too much about. Take the jump to read more ’bout it. (more…)

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Wow. Two Shelden Williams posts in one week?!?!

In case you missed it in Will’s preview, coming off his surprisingly effective performance defending Dwight Howard two nights ago, it’s looking like Mr. Landlord Williams will get the Knicks first crack at Brook Lopez against New Jersey tonight. If he manages to go two for two in giving the East’s two most offensively talented big men (apologies to a sober JaVale McGee) extended headaches, who knows how far he can take us. The sky’s the limit when Shelden Williams is your starting center.

From Chris Sheridan:

Shelden Williams starts at C tonight for Knicks vs. Nets. Ronny Turiaf (ankle) is out. Shawne Williams (back spasms) is doubtful.

This Picture Is Funny.

Jump it to witness the glory that are today’s featured links.

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Hopefully New York Can Bring A New Defensive Intensity For 48 Minutes Tonight (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

To enter the Linkin’ Center, please hop the turnstile…

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The Consummate Role Player

His droopy, bulldog-like face rarely shifts into a smile. The ragged look perpetually plastered from ear to ear makes him look an ancient 24. On the court it’s more than a game, more than a business, more than a career. For Shawne Williams, the NBA is an emotional outlet, and two years ago he hit a rock bottom most would never come back from. After Indiana selected him 17^th overall in the 2006 draft (ahead of Rajon Rondo, Paul Millsap, Kyle Lowry, and Shannon Brown), Williams, for all intensive purposes, kicked himself out of the league. Arrests mounted—first for holding marijuana, then for selling a codeine substance to which he plead guilty to a misdemeanor drug possession—and the charges piled one on top of another. The Shawne Williams book was looking less like the biography of a hopeful professional basketball player and more like a sad warning manual.

This post isn’t written to make Shawne Williams look like an angel because he’s far from it. By his own admittance, the people he hung around in his hometown of Memphis, and the decisions he made, were inexcusable. If it weren’t for an extended hand by Larry Brown—on a probable favor from Williams’ college coach, John Calipari—to try out at Charlotte’s free-agent mini cap in 2010, Shawne Williams would be a flameout. A cautionary tale. (As far as Memphis goes, he’d be a bizarro Michael Oher.) The invitation was accepted though, and Williams made Charlotte’s summer league team. The rest is borderline fairy tale history thanks to several opportunities that came knocking on Williams’ door. In 2010, two teams invited Williams to their training camp: Charlotte and New York. Instead of rationalizing a momentous decision like this one by weighing the two rosters and figuring which one gave him a better chance at re-entering the league, Williams went with New York, instantly. His decision, as told in an interview with Dime Magazine, came down to a tender connection.

“This (Madison Square Garden) is the last place my brother got to see me play before he passed; that was years back at the preseason NIT,” Williams said.

It was a fateful choice predicated on a sentimental feeling, and it’s been one that both the Knicks and Williams have viewed as beneficial. On most scouting reports, Shawne Williams is listed as a small forward, which makes sense. He’s 6’9”, athletic, and has serious range on his jumper.  Due to a desperate need for front court help earlier in the season, New York played him at center, which doesn’t make sense. Williams was thoroughly abused by guys two-three inches taller and 20-40 pounds heavier (including Dwight Howard), but he never showed any displeasure, fear, or withdrawal. When the ball came to him on offense and he was open either in the corner, on the wing, or dead straight in front of the key, Williams would pull the trigger on what at the moment is the league’s third most accurate (44.7%) three-pointer. He stretched, and continues to stretch, those opposing defenses that looked to punish him on the other end.

For an offense depending on a couple one on one scorers, shooters like Williams are vital. Taking a look at Miami, a team with similar personnel, part of the reason why the Heat have performed so poorly in tight situations is their lack of dependable shooting outside of LeBron and Dwyane Wade. Mike Miller is either still feeling the after effects of his thumb injury, or just can’t handle the vice grip that is media attention. In the 25 wins he’s participated in this season Williams is shooting a ridiculous 49% from deep. In the 22 losses? 40%.

Any article with Shawne Williams as the central focus can’t paint him as a one dimensional feel good story.  He’s had his fair share of on court outbursts and on the national stage is most recognized for throwing punches at the jaw of Marvin Williams. There’s certainly an immaturity about him still, one that he needs to do a better job of tempering. He’s the type of player who you want as a teammate and despise as an opponent. No in between exists. But since he’s on our side, his fearlessness certainly helps. He’s making less than $900,000 this season, pitting him alongside the likes of DeAndre Jordan as one of the league’s better bargains and making him due for a more appropriate deal this off-season. Whether New York can afford a player as versatile as Williams once he hits the open market is a question mark, but regardless, it’s looking like Shawne Williams finally has his life on the right track. It’s been good news for the Knicks, but more importantly, it’s been great for Shawne Williams.

Early yesterday afternoon, the Boston Celtics snatched the last legitimate jewel from the NBA’s buyout treasure chest—the 6’11″, three-point shooting, perpetually dangled Troy Murphy.  The move increases the likelihood of New York heading into the postseason with either Amar’e Stoudemire or Shawne Williams as your starting center; this isn’t good news. With no true center on their roster besides, maybe, Ronny Turiaf, the Knicks are grossly undersized right now, and in a sport that still values size over everything else this is a big problem. Shelden Williams and Jared Jeffries are band-aids on a deep cut that’s slowly getting infected. What New York needs is reconstructive surgery. Right now New York is 24th in total rebounds (24th in offensive which is one behind Cleveland, and 21st in defensive).

NBA rules have changed over the past 15 years, opening up guard play by outlawing hand checks and making perimeter defense that much more difficult to execute.  Today, the only superstar in the league who’s labeled as a center is Dwight Howard, and by the time players like Allen Iverson and Vince Carter came into the league with their high flying dunks and light speed handle, guards were in full force as the sport’s headlining money maker. But through it all, once the playoffs kick into high gear, big men are arguably the most vital ingredient in the winning recipe. In order to have success, you must have a deep front line (unless Michael Jordan’s on the roster). It doesn’t necessarily mean you need Howard or a 26-year-old Shaquille O’Neal to see success, but big, tough, coordinated guys down low are a huge advantage. They rebound (the Knicks rank 25th in the league in offensive rebounding percentage), block/alter shots from pesky penetrators, and are able to help control a game’s pace with lengthy outlet passes and inside, outside ball movement.

Taking a look at New York’s likely opponents in the playoffs this year, almost every team is a terrible matchup. Star studded Miami, the group that New York defeated Sunday night by going small, is the only one that gives them a decent chance.  The Heat’s offensive philosophy right now is to get out and run by way of making defensive stops—with two of the game’s best open court players attacking you at the same time the strategy makes sense. This works in New York’s favor because the Knicks love running just the same. They take quick shots and focus on cramming as many as possible into a 48 minute time span.  Kenny “The Jet” Smith’s take on this ideology is that it works when you have more talented players than your opponent. (If both teams have 100 possessions, whichever one has the better players is likely going to score more points.) Before the Knicks made their trade for Carmelo they were a few games over .500 and a modestly talented team with one superstar and one borderline All-Star, but they could never have defeated a legitimate playoff team in a seven game series playing the underdog role because they didn’t have more talent.  Now that they have Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony leveling the playing field, that might not be true anymore, which is why they could defeat a Miami Heat team that features absolutely no size advantage.  I’m not saying they would definitely beat Miami, but they have enough horses in the stable to make a series interesting. And if Chauncey gets hot, the Knicks would have a significant point guard advantage over whoever Miami wants to throw out, whether it be Chalmers or Bibby.

Unfortunately for the Knicks this is where things end. The Orlando Magic have the aforementioned Dwight Howard, a series changing talent who would probably draw 547 fouls in a seven game series, completely debilitating the Knicks already weak front line. After Howard, the Magic’s big man book runs out of pages, but as we saw last night that didn’t seem to matter once the Knicks’ shots stopped falling. And Orlando isn’t even close to the biggest playoff problem. Elsewhere in the East, we have the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls. The two teams who will with 100 percent certainty stand in New York’s way should the Knicks make an unexpected push for the title so soon. Both teams boast a fare share of scary behemoths just waiting to bully the playoff playground. To those who say the Celtics traded away one of their greatest strengths to help fill a necessary void, they’d be right. But they’re still a title contender because of the two offseason O’Neal additions Danny Ainge made as Kendrick Perkins insurance. Boston could afford to make the deal. They now have five players listed at 6’11″ or taller: Kevin Garnett, Nenad Krstic, Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal, and now, Troy Murphy. That, right there, is a championship caliber front line.

In Chicago the central focus for defenses is Derrick Rose. The MVP award is his to lose and there’s nobody in basketball who can stay in front of him, but the Bulls are a championship contender because they have an annoying amount of frontcourt depth—Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, Kurt Thomas, and Omer Asik—that puts them over the top.

Height is the main magnetizing force shifting the compass for general managers who believe their team can compete for a title. It’s why Oklahoma City traded Jeff Green—a player who was widely considered just a season ago to be a more than suitable complimentary building block alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook—for Kendrick Perkins, why the Lakers have dominated the NBA since combining Pau Gasol with Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, and why San Antonio would probably get worn down in a seven game series against Dallas. This is basketball; amazing happens, but size matters. It’s why, as ridiculous as it sounds when you say it out loud, the Knicks reportedly didn’t want to include Timofey Mozgov in the Carmelo Anthony deal. A 24-year-old rookie, he was their only legitimate seven footer and averaged a decent 10.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in games where he played over 20 minutes.

So can New York win a playoff series this season? Yes, but only if the opposing interior defense is shrubbery compared to the Redwood forests currently growing within the league’s true title contenders.

Clearly, we all know about the story that has developed over the past week or so since Howard Beck of the NY Times penned this piece back on January 31st. Donnie Walsh, who has been the driving force behind rescuing the Knicks from the depths of NBA/Isiah Thomas hell the past  2 1/2 years, is in contract limbo. He has an option for 2011-2012 that James Dolan must pick up by April 3oth or his current deal will expire on June 3oth. The enigmatic Knicks owner has not talked to the media in four years and his PR lackeys have given no comment on Walsh’s tenuous contract situation.

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Oddly, since teams often start sluggishly in afternoon games (with the Knicks particularly egregious in this regard at home), they both came out firing.  Even odder, one would think that would favor the Knicks (the Pacers are ranked 24th in offensive efficiency), yet the first stanza ended with us down 30-32.  It wasn’t because they shot lights-out, but rather because in a Zydrunas-Ilgauskas-esque nightmarish way they outrebounded us by five boards in that quarter alone.

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The New York Knickerbockers beat the Toronto Raptors last night, winning their sixth straight game and 11 out of their last 12, but it took Amar’e Stoudemire once again performing like an MVP, and Raymond Felton’s clinching three-pointer bouncing off the rim five times (plus once off the backboard) before falling in.  With our record at 14-9, it’s the best we’ve been since 2001.  And tonight we have one last easy game (against Washington, who also might likely be playing without John Wall, perhaps their best player).  Then the true test begins when we finally start playing teams with winning records.
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Before Darko came to the Knicks last season, he worked on his "Blue Steel" look. This summer he decided instead to work on his game. Turns out that was more useful. Go figure.

Former bench boy Knick Darko Milicic returned to New York with his new team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, hoping to issue another beat down.  Antony Marino had this to say about it:

Just sixty minutes before one of the great disasters in American aviation history, the New York Knicks—victorious in nine out of ten games—prepared for payback against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Whether it is more obviously absurd that the Knicks had accomplished this brilliant feat or that any NBA team should have to avenge a loss to the hapless Wolves, I cannot say. Nevertheless, it was sure to be a winnable game, and with the soft underbelly of the 2010 schedule fading fast, it was a game the Knicks had to have.

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We've been waiting for CP3 or a point guard for the future to arrive, but Raymond Felton keeps showing that we may already have one. (Source: Yardbarker.com)

Writer Joshua Greenberg had this to say after last night when Raymond Felton led the New York Knicks to victory over Chris Paul’s New Orleans Hornets:

Raymond Felton has severely outplayed CP3. Whether it was just an off game for the All-Star PG or he had the same stomach bug as David West, he has gotten beat by Ray Ray. Felton played with some serious heart on both ends of the court and seems to have finally figured out how to play for Coach D. The best part about his effort tonight was, indeed, the effort.

There has been a lot of build up about the game in NOLA due to the potential of Paul coming to NY, the past ACC rivalry, and the fact that they were drafted in the same year. Helping his game tonight was the stellar play of Amar’e who forced defenders to sag down in effort to contain him. Felton took advantage, nailing clutch three after clutch three against the Hornets. He also allowed Shawne Williams to fill up the stat sheet by setting him up for open treys. Watching the heady PG go against Paul tonight will silence a lot of critics who thought he just wasn’t the answer for the future or even this season. You gotta love his effort on both ends of the court and his “don’t eff with me” demeanor. For the first time in a long time, the Knicks seem to have leader in the backcourt. Now, if he can consistently figure out how to make that tough pick and roll pass we might be headed for greatness.

…or at least a playoff birth.

See you in Canada.

Why are we using a picture of Shawne Williams as a Memphis Tiger? Because before Sunday he'd never played on the court in a Knicks jersey. (Source: Yardbarker.com)

One of the oddest things about the New York Knicks’ double-overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday was that it also featured both coaches using double rotation strategies: getting everyone a shot initially, only to end up with a short leash.  By the end of the first quarter, Detroit coach John Kuester had already gone ten players deep.  For the Knicks, Mike D’Antoni went nine-deep in the first half, which might not seem like he went too deep into his bench, until you see who he played.

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Patrick Ewing Jr has not had the same post-Georgetown success that his dad had. (Source: Yardbarker.com)

The Knicks, needing to cut their roster down to the league-mandated 15 players, chose to cut Patrick Ewing Jr.  This is the second time in three years that we’ve sent our former franchise player’s son packing.  Supposedly Poppa Patrick even tried to put in a good word and convince management to keep his boy on our squad.  Instead, we opted to keep Shawne Williams.

A couple of facts:

-The 15th player pretty much never plays.  Maybe if it’s a blow-out or if there’s a bizarre set of circumstances like last year in Golden State where every single player got injured, but otherwise forget it.

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