HoopsHype.com Rumors

Reggie Miller: From all indications, Woodson probably will go back to smaller lineup with Melo at PF. Bottom line, Knicks have to MAKE shots. Easier said Twitter @ReggieMillerTNT

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Carmelo Anthony 

Nate Taylor: Mike Woodson said Chris Copeland will play & see the court early in the 1st half. Twitter @ByNateTaylor

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Chris Copeland 

Kidd is in the first season of a three-year deal — he has two years and more than $6 million remaining on it. But he has said there is no guarantee he will finish the contract. Now the question becomes whether his struggles could influence his decision on his future. Could Kidd’s postseason horror show be an indication to him it’s time to call it quits and retire early? Or could it make it tougher for him to go out on such a down note? New York Post

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Off to the side of the Knicks’ practice court yesterday, standing in a corner outside the locker room, J.R. Smith was talking to reporters when assistant coach Darrell Walker chimed in. “Got your back to the corner, huh, young fella?” Walker said. “You know what happens when they back a dog in the corner?” “Oh, I know,” a cheerful Smith replied. “We’re gonna find out.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Darrell Walker 

There’s no better place for the Pacers to get the recognition they deserve than to do it in the Mecca — Madison Square Garden, known as the world’s most famous arena, where the stars sit courtside and the crowd will be so loud fans can’t hear the person next to them. “It’s going to be 10 times harder, it being in New York,” Pacers swingman Paul George said. “We know how well they play at home, so it’s going to take a great effort, so we’ll see where we’re at.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Paul George 

The latest chapter went something like this: Knicks get drilled by Indiana Tuesday night to go down 3-1 in the series. They are getting fried in a variety of media precincts, including the Valley of the Stupid. With the heat on, James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan’s lackeys figured it wasn’t in their best interests to fuel the radio conversation by allowing Mike Woodson to participate in it. By banning Woodson from ESPN-98.7 on Wednesday, Garden suits created a needless controversy. Now that’s funny. The joke is on Dolan & Co. Pulling Woodson from his regular spot on ESPN-98.7 with Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco made the situation worse. It created another story that again made the organization look paranoid. The move also added to the perception (we would call it reality) that the Knicks are a free-falling team in disarray. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Media, James Dolan 

“Mike Woodson was supposed to be coming on, ladies and gentlemen. We didn’t lie to you. The New York Knicks organization backed out,” Smith said at the beginning of Wednesday’s show. “The coach didn’t back out because Mike Woodson wouldn’t do that — no matter what he says.” Smith’s revelation came shortly after he declared the series over (three times) and called the Knicks “a decrepit old bunch.” Smith has been a big Knicks supporter, one who occasionally strays into Pom-Pomsville (he once even broke out the old chant of “Go New York, Go New York, Go New York — Go!). New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Media 

Al Iannazzone: Woodson when asked about Jason Kidd's struggles, said he would "never kick JKidd to the curb, man." Twitter @Al_Iannazzone

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Jason Kidd 

Has Mike Woodson been muzzled? Wednesday, the day after his Knicks lost 93-82 to Indiana to go down 3-1 in the series, Woodson did not show up for his regular ESPN-98.7 radio segment. Stephen A. Smith, the show’s co-host, put the blame squarely on Garden suits. Mike Woodson was supposed to be coming on, ladies and gentlemen. We didn’t lie to you. The New York Knicks organization backed out,” Smith said at the beginning of Wednesday’s show. “The coach didn’t back out because Mike Woodson wouldn’t do that — no matter what he says.” New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Stephen A. Smith, Media 

An industry source said Woodson called Smith prior to the show and told him he would not be making his scheduled appearance. The station had promoted the Woodson segment during its morning programming. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Stephen A. Smith, Media 

Iman Shumpert said his scoreless evening - 0 for 6 from the floor - wasn't related to his sore left knee. And today he was unbothered by the knee that underwent an MRI only yesterday. "It felt good while I was shooting,'' Shumpert said after practice. "I didn’t feel so (effected yesterday). I just missed. Good looks. Missed shots. I felt fine.’’ Sulia

New York Knicks, Injuries, Iman Shumpert 

Sam Amick: How's this for BOG flavor: Knicks owner James Dolan approaches @dakasler in Dallas hotel lobby to apologize for being rude last night. Dolan says he didn't mean to be rude when he was approached for an interview, that he was cranky that the Knicks had lost. Twitter

New York Knicks, James Dolan 

Chris Herring: Woodson: "We're contemplating" going back to the Prigioni starting lineup. Twitter @HerringWSJ

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Pablo Prigioni 

Now we’ve got Carmelo Anthony saying basically the same thing, only in his case he’s unlikely to even earn a date with the Jordan of this era, LeBron James. “I still believe we are the better team," Anthony said when he again failed to produce in the clutch and the Knicks fell to the Pacers on Tuesday night, 93-82. “We are not playing at that level right now." New York Daily News

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony 

“I take the blame for this whole series,” Smith said. “I’ve been letting my teammates down, I’ve been letting my coaches down, and it doesn’t feel good.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

“I want J.R. to shoot,” Melo said. “He can’t take the shots with him. I don’t want him to stop shooting. I want him to stay aggressive.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

“I believe, I really believe we can to do something special,’’ Anthony said in a low voice. “We must win [tomorrow] and we got to believe in ourselves. At this point, it’s do or die. No need to hang heads at this. We got to do it being very confident.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony 

Knicks center Tyson Chandler emphatically said his critical comments after Saturday night’s game and after Sunday’s practice were not directed at Carmelo Anthony. “I pulled Melo to the side. I’m a man of my words,’’ Chandler said. “None of the words were directed at him. I didn’t want him to take it like, that. I would never want to cause a problem with any of my teammates in the locker room. I wanted him to understand the comments were directed at the team. Most of the time I’m speaking about myself first. I didn’t want to add any extra pressure to his game.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler 

Kidd has not scored since Game 2 of the Boston series, on April 23, a remarkable drought that has spanned 161 minutes. He is 0 for 16 from the field. In eight playoff games since that Game 2, Kidd has attempted more than two field goals three times. “I’m not a guy who’s going to score,” Kidd said. “If the ball doesn’t go in, that doesn’t dictate my game. It’s always been trying to find the open guy and make a play for my teammates, and when there’s a shot presented, take it.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd 

Raymond Felton has been one of the Knicks' X-factors in the playoffs, averaging 15.7 points on 47 percent shooting to go with 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Nate McMillan, who coached Felton in Portland last season, told ESPNNewYork.com that the way the veteran point guard has performed this postseason is what the Trail Blazers coaching staff envisioned. "What he's doing now is what we felt he was always capable of doing for us," McMillan said. "He just didn't have that kind of year. When we brought him to Portland, what he's doing -- pushing the ball, attacking the basket, his ability to create opportunities as well as push the tempo -- we felt he could do that." ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Raymond Felton, Nate McMillan