NBA News Wire
NBA roundup: Knicks’ Woodson expects to be fired
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Embattled New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson expects to be let go next week during the All-Star break, according to SheridanHoops.com.
The Knicks are 19-30 after losing 30 games all of last season. They have games against the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings before the break.
Woodson and his assistant coaches, except for Herb Williams, will reportedly be fired.
Williams will likely take over as interim coach, according to the Bergen Record. He served in that role in 2005 after Lenny Wilkens resigned.
Guard J.R. Smith has publicly expressed his support for Woodson, but ESPN New York reported that other players have become weary from Woodson questioning the team’s effort after losses.
The New York Daily News reported that star forward Carmelo Anthony recently met with owner James Dolan about the state of the team.
—New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Anthony Davis was named to replace injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the 2014 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, the league announced.
It will be the first All-Star Game appearance for Davis, a second-year player who is averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and an NBA-leading 3.3 blocks this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks, who will coach the West squad, will decide which player replaces Bryant in the starting lineup.
—Indiana Pacers forward Lance Stephenson is out for Friday night’s game against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers because of a back injury.
Forward Danny Granger will start in place of Stephenson.
Stephenson injured his lower back during the Pacers’ 89-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. He is averaging 14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season.
—The NBA named Phoenix Suns center Miles Plumlee as a replacement for injured Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antic in the Feb. 14 Rising Stars Challenge in New Orleans during the All-Star break.
