HoopsHype.com Rumors

Coach Mike Woodson and Raymond Felton expect Pablo Prigioni to miss Game 1 of the Knicks’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics on Saturday. New York Times

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Raymond Felton, Injuries, Pablo Prigioni 

Tommy Beer: Mike Woodson is 1-8 in the last 9 postseason games he’s coached… His team has been outscored by an AVERAGE of 21.3 points in those 8 defeats Twitter @TommyBeer

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson 

But Grunwald’s silence begs the question: How much is he truly involved in making the decisions. Anthony, Smith and Woodson are represented by Creative Artists Agency, which also has a relationship with Garden chairman James Dolan. "Obviously, everybody has a problem with the way they do business unless you’re Carmelo or CAA," one prominent agent said. Bergen Record

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Carmelo Anthony, James Dolan, Glen Grunwald, J.R. Smith 

New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson has all but ruled out Amar'e Stoudemire for the team's opening-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. "I think he's going to be out,'' Woodson said Thursday. "That's my gut." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Mike Woodson, Injuries 

Jessica Camerato: #Knicks Mike Woodson and #Lakers Mike D’Antoni named #NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month (April). Twitter @JCameratoNBA

Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni 

Howard Beck: Woodson is first Knicks coach to be named Coach of the Month since Pat Riley in March 1994. Twitter @HowardBeckNYT

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching 

A meeting Thursday with Pistons owner Tom Gores finally confirmed Frank's ouster, after Gores offered very tepid public support of his coach when speaking to local reporters earlier this week. Frank was believed to be largely Gores' choice to replace John Kuester in the summer of 2011, although NBA coaching sources maintain that Pistons president Joe Dumars preferred current Knicks coach Mike Woodson for the job. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Joe Dumars, Lawrence Frank, Tom Gores 

Frank Isola: Woodson wants to keep Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin as back-ups. Chris Copeland could replace Pablo Prigioni as a starter. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Kenyon Martin, Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith, Pablo Prigioni, Chris Copeland 

Barbara Barker: Don't expect Amar'e in the first round, says Woodson. "I think he's going to be out. That's my gut." #KNICKS Twitter @meanbarb

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Mike Woodson, Injuries 

With the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks locked in for the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, it's no surprise that all the chatter at Monday's practice session centered on the series. That didn't stop Celtics coach Doc Rivers from playfully scolding reporters by declaring, "We’re playing Indiana tomorrow!" when the first question was asked about the Knicks. But Rivers didn't shy away from talk about the matchup -- even if he threw in a subtle jab about the Knicks winning the Atlantic Division this season. "No, it’ll be a fun series. Obviously, they earned winning the Central -- or whatever division we are in," said Rivers, who has noted in the past how the Celtics don't hang division title banners up among their 17 championship ones. "Listen, [the Knicks] had a hell of a year, you talk about Carmelo [Anthony] and all that, but they’ve had a lot of injuries, too, that people don’t talk about. I think [coach Mike Woodson has] done an amazing job. You know going in they are well coached and they have some great players." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Doc Rivers, Mike Woodson 

Rasheed Wallace could play for the first time since mid-December tomorrow when the Knicks visit Charlotte, Mike Woodson said. Wallace, who had foot surgery in late February, is significantly ahead of schedule. Wallace was on the court running today on the Garden floor before they faced the Pacers in an attempt to clinch the second seed and draw No. 7 Boston. According to Woodson, Wallace will make the determination if he is ready for a cameo vs. Charlotte. At the worst, Woodson would like to play him vs. Atlanta in the season finale. New York Post

New York Knicks, Rasheed Wallace, Mike Woodson, Injuries 

Mike Woodson discussed the signing of big man Solomon Jones and how much he might play for the Knicks as the regular season winds down. “He was a guy that I had in Atlanta that we drafted when I was there,” Woodson said. “He kind of fits what I like in terms of shot blocking and rebounding the ball and playing defense. That’s why he’s here.” Solomon was brought in because the Knicks are so shorthanded up front. So his playing time is up in the air, based on the game, the situation and who’s available. “It all depends,” Woodson said. “I don’t know what kind of shape he’s in. He played some in China last month. We’ll gauge it as we go along.” He had no points and one rebound in 12 minutes in his debut. Sulia

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Solomon Jones 

Mike Woodson had nothing but positive things to say about Kurt Thomas, and said he had a job as a coach waiting for him – at least – if he wanted one. Thomas was waived to make room for Solomon Jones. “It’s a major loss,” Thomas said. “Kurt is a big part of what we started this season with. We had to let him go because he won’t be able to play in the playoffs. It frees up a roster spot. He and I are on the same page. If he ever wanted to coach, we probably would look at him next season once he gets back healthy.” Sulia

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Kurt Thomas 

Chris Herring: Woodson on Thomas: "He and I are on the same page." Said Thomas can talk with him next season about a coaching job on staff. Twitter @HerringWSJ

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Kurt Thomas 

According to Thomas, even Rasheed Wallace—he of the NBA-record technical-foul tally—has a slight desire to coach someday. Wallace, who has been injured and is usually unavailable in the locker room, couldn't be reached for comment. "These guys have all played a major role somewhere for some team," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said of his veterans, mentioning Thomas, Kidd, Wallace, Prigioni and Marcus Camby by name, although Camby doesn't sound interested in coaching. "We obviously did our homework [in acquiring the players], but they've been so much more than we ever expected." Wall Street Journal

New York Knicks, Rasheed Wallace, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Marcus Camby 

Mike Woodson is getting the most out of @TheRealJRSmith, who he said is playing the best he's ever seen him play. But the relationship between coach and energetic scorer is still, well, let's say, unique. "We have a funny relationship, honestly," Smith said. "It’s crazy. Off the court it’s like father-son. On the court we bump heads sometimes. He cusses me out, I cuss him out and we just go from there. By the end of the timeout we’re on the same page. It’s fun. I love playing for him." Sulia

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, JR Smith 

Jason Kidd celebrated his 40th birthday in a Knick uniform on Saturday night. The question now is: will he be celebrating his 41st in orange and blue? Kidd is under contract for another two years, and Mike Woodson believes the 19-year veteran can fulfill the full obligation of his deal. “Absolutely. I really do,” Woodson said. “And I say that because he’s figured out how to train. And I said this [Friday], there's certain athletes that come along in a lifetime and play various sports, I call them freaks man. They just seem to keep ticking, nothing seems to bother them or faze them from a physical standpoint or a mental standpoint. Yeah, I think he can play two more years. Absolutely.” ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd 

On the day Ray Williams passed away, was it karma or coincidence Micheal Ray Richardson was on the Knicks’ scene Friday night at Air Canada Centre? The Knicks drafted Williams with the 10th pick in 1977 to be Walt Frazier’s successor. Williams and backcourt mate Richardson were supposed to lead the Knicks back to the promised land. Last night, the Garden held a moment of silence for Williams and original Knick, Bud Palmer. Never worked out that way. “I’m real sad,’’ Richardson told The Post Friday night while watching the Knicks beat the Raptors. “He and I were like brothers.’’ Williams died yesterday after battling colon cancer at Sloane Kettering Hospital at age 58. Richardson is living in Canada, coaching the nearby London Lightning of the NBL, and had stopped by to visit his former teammates, Knicks coach Mike Woodson and assistant Darrell Walker. New York Post

Mike Woodson, Ray Williams, Darrell Walker, Ted Williams, Walt Frazier, Micheal Ray Richardson 

Richardson spoke to Williams for 45 minutes Monday. “We talked about the olden times, about how life isn’t fair but sometimes it’s what you do with it,’’ Richardson said. “He was a tough defender, he could do it all. A big guy in the locker room. We all did think that (he’d be a superstar). Things happen. He was traded. I was traded. I got into something I shouldn’t have gotten into.’’ New York Post

Mike Woodson, Ray Williams, Darrell Walker, Ted Williams, Walt Frazier, Micheal Ray Richardson 

Howard Beck: Woodson also said he has no regrets about loading up on really old veterans who have since broken down. (I'm paraphrasing.) Twitter @HowardBeckNYT

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson