HoopsHype.com Rumors

The New York Knicks were without starting guard Pablo Prigioni in their playoff opener, going with rookie Chris Copeland against the Boston Celtics. Prigioni sprained his right ankle Wednesday in the regular-season finale. Coach Mike Woodson says Saturday that Prigioni has been running and "coming along nicely," but wanted to give him a few more days off. NBA.com

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Injuries, Pablo Prigioni 

Woodson admitted how much it would mean to him personally if he could coach a team to an NBA title. And how he knows time could be running out for him to do so. "At the end of the day, our clocks are ticking," Woodson said. "I'm 55. Some of these older guys, they don't have a lot of time left, man. So the urgency of winning is right now." Newsday

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching 

"That's all I coach for, man," Woodson said about winning a title. "If it could happen here in the city of New York with all these wonderful fans that we've had all these years, it would be the most wonderful thing for me." Newsday

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching 

Al Iannazzone: On Amar'e playing, Woodson said, "I think it’s a matter of time. It’s not any time soon, but I think eventually he’ll be back." Twitter @Al_Iannazzone

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Mike Woodson, Injuries 

Nate Taylor: Mike Woodson on Rasheed Wallace's role now: “He’s going to be like me cheering these guys on." Twitter @ByNateTaylor

New York Knicks, Rasheed Wallace, Mike Woodson 

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