The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that Kenny Atkinson has been hired as an assistant coach. As per club policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

Atkinson joins the Knicks after spending the 2007-08 season as the Director of Player Development with the Houston Rockets where he was responsible for improving player performance through on-court, one-on-one skill development and the use of video analysis.

Atkinson joined the Rockets after three years serving as the Director of Player Development/Assistant Coach with the Paris Basket Racing Club in France from 2004-06. While in Europe, Atkinson also was a Reebok EuroCamp Coach in Treviso, Italy during the summers of 2005 and 2007. He spent the 2006 summer as the Director of Player Development for the national team of the Republic of Georgia.

Following a standout collegiate career at the University of Richmond where he led the Spiders to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Northport, NY-native and St. Anthony’s HS (South Huntington) graduate played professionally in Italy, France, Holland, Germany and Spain from 1991-2004.

The New York Knickerbockers will open the team’s 63rd season of NBA basketball on Wednesday, Oct. 29, facing Eastern Conference-rivals Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m.

New York’s regular home schedule is highlighted by two visits from the World Champion Boston Celtics on Sunday, Jan. 4 and Friday, Feb. 6, one visit by the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Feb. 2 and one appearance by the Chicago Bulls and the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Derrick Rose, on Monday, Jan. 19, in its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day game. The team will play five total afternoon games at home.

The Knicks will play 18 back-to-back sets and four-games-in-five-nights on three occasions.

Prior to the 82-game regular season, New York will participate in six preseason games, including three at Madison Square Garden. Tickets for the preseason home games at MSG go on sale Thursday, Sep. 4 at 9:00 a.m. and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, nyknicks.com, (800) 4NBA-TIX and TicketMaster outlets. The preseason schedule will be released later this month.

Knicks 2008-09 ticket plans are now available, including Season Subscriptions starting as low as $25 per game. For more information call (877) NYK-HOOP or log onto nyknicks.com.

Media Day is scheduled for Monday, Sep. 29 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, NY.

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that a 2010 second-round draft choice, guard Taurean Green and guard/forward Bobby Jones have been acquired from Denver for forward Renaldo Balkman and cash considerations. The draft pick will be the more favorable selection between the Nuggets and Clippers, resulting from a previous trade.

Green, 6-0, 177-pounds, averaged 1.6 points and 4.4 minutes in 17 games last season for both Portland and Denver. Originally drafted by the Trail Blazers after his junior season at the University of Florida in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Green was acquired by the Nuggets on Feb. 21 in exchange for guard Von Wafer. In addition the Fort Lauderdale, FL-native appeared in eight total games in the NBA Development League with the Idaho Stampede and Colorado 14ers.

Jones, 6-7, 215-pounds, averaged 3.8 points and 11.3 minutes in 47 games last season for San Antonio, Miami, Houston, Memphis and Denver. In addition, the Compton, CA-native appeared in fives games in the NBA Development League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Originally drafted by Minnesota out of the University of Washington in the second round (37th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Jones was traded to Philadelphia and appeared in 44 games for the 76ers last season.

Balkman, 6-8, 208-pounds, averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 65 games for New York last season. Originally drafted by the Knicks after his junior season at the University of South Carolina in the first round (20th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, the Staten Island-native finishes his career in blue and orange having played in 133 career games, averaging 4.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.2 minutes over two seasons.

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Anthony Roberson has been signed to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Roberson, 6-2, 195-pounds, has career averages of 4.1 points and 8.8 minutes in 36 career games with Memphis and Golden State. The 25-year-old Saginaw, MI-native averaged 2.2 points in 5.5 minutes per game with Memphis in 2005-06 before tallying 5.6 points in 11.4 minutes per game with Golden State the following season. Roberson spent last season playing overseas in Turkey and Israel.

The University of Florida product was undrafted and signed with Memphis as a free agent in August 2005. After splitting time with Grizzlies and their NBA Development League affiliate during the 2005-06 campaign, Roberson signed as a free agent with the Warriors prior to the 2006-07 season. In 28 career NBA D-League games, Roberson averaged 17.1 points.

Roberson averaged 14.8 points in five games with the Knicks’ entry in the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV.

New York Knicks players and alumni have teamed up with the New York Liberty to provide memorable experiences for children and families in-need at the Liberty Outdoor Classic. Knicks forward David Leepurchased $15,000 in tickets for 1,000 children and donated them to the Garden of Dreams Foundation and other local charities. Additionally, Knicks forward Malik Rose will be sending single mothers and their families from the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Safe Space and Queens South Youth Parents Program to tomorrow’s historic event. Knicks alumnus John Starks is hosting a suite through the John Starks Foundation. The Liberty Outdoor Classic, pairing the WNBA’s New York Liberty against the Indiana Fever in the first regular season professional basketball game to ever be played outdoors, will take place tomorrow night at 7:30 pm on center court of Arthur Ashe Stadium located on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.

Limited tickets for this historic event, with proceeds benefiting Breast Cancer Research, are still available by logging onto nyliberty.com.

Prior to the game, a FREE fan-festival will be taking place outside Arthur Ashe Stadium from 5:00-7:30pm; it is open to the public. The festival will feature New York Knicks star David Lee with Knicks and Liberty alumni John Starks, Charles Smith, Cal Ramsey Kym Hampton, Teresa Weatherspoon and Sue Wicks; and former Big East and MSG’s 50 Greatest Moments Star Dwayne “Pearl” Washington. Children will also have the opportunity to enjoy carnival rides, interactive games and special Knicks and Liberty prizes.

Also, fans will be treated to a post-game concert with teen sensations MENUDO and V-FACTORY.

Former Blazer Forward Faces 10-Game NBA Drug Ban; Let’s Not Jump to Conclusions Yet

Former Portland bad boy Darius Miles doesn’t even have a job, yet he faces a 10-game suspension in the event that he does catch on with an NBA team. The league’s Anti-Drug program has that same penalty for one positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

With the name of the drug not being released, the Internet has been doing its usual irresponsible reporting methods putting anabolic steroids at the top of the list. To a certain degree, many of us have become jaded when it comes to steroids and athletes, causing us to immediately go there as soon as we hear anything about anti-drug programs.

While it may be steroids, there isn’t anything to prove or dispute that. Unless the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement changes to allow the release of the drug name - or of Miles himself states it - it will remain just speculation.

Since being drafted third overall out of East Saint Louis High School in 2000 by the Los Angeles Clippers, Miles has been an overall disappointment on and off the court. In eight seasons, he has averaged 10.6 points per game playing for three teams (Clippers, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers), and having problems with his head coach at every stop.

He has had to sit out the last two seasons due to a knee injury. In April, an independent doctor ruled that it was a career-threatening injury, causing the Blazers to release the 26 year-old. It is not known if Miles intends to attempt a comeback or not, but this can not help his chances. A report on Oregon Live website stated that Miles may be working out in Phoenix, and that a call to his agent Jeff Wechsler went unreturned.

Sacramento Kings Center Cited for League’s Anti-Drug Program

Brad Miller, the veteran center of the Sacramento Kings, received a five-game suspension from the NBA after violating the league’s anti-drug program. The name of the drug was not released, and speculation was that it may have been marijuana or even anabolic steroids.

Looking at Miller’s injury history makes one wonder if he did take a performance-enhancing drug. He missed quality time for two years leading up to last season, where he played in 72 games and averaged 13.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game before being forced to the sideline for the final seven games due to a left leg stress fracture and a bad elbow.

Miller released a statement through the team, which did not give any clues as to what he was actually suspended for. “I want to apologize to my family, teammates, fans and the entire Kings organization,” the statement read. “I made a mistake. It was an error in judgement and I’m very sorry. I regret it deeply. It’s something I won’t and can’t take lightly. I hope to bounce back from this as a better person adn I’m excited about the upcoming season”

The NBA’s drug policy is a 10-game suspension for steroids, but this report was very vague. Miller could have missed taking a scheduled test, which would fall under the umbrella of “violating the league’s drug program.” There is nothing in the statement by the NBA indicating there was a positive test or even an actual test run.

Looking over the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, a player is gone for 10 games the first time he gets caught using performance-enhancing drugs, but won’t miss that many games until his fourth positive test of marijuana. What exactly does that say to the fans?

Miller will serve the suspension at the beginning of the 2008-09 season.

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Chris Duhon has been signed to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“Chris has established himself as a solid point guard in our league making him a good addition to our roster,” Walsh said. “He plays hard on both ends of the floor and makes good decisions with the basketball.”

Duhon, 6-1, 185-pounds, has averages of 6.9 points, 4.5 assists and 25.8 minutes in 300 career games (159 starts), all with Chicago. The 25-year-old Slidell, LA-native averaged 5.8 points, 4.0 assists and 22.6 minutes in 66 games with the Bulls last season, and has played in 21 playoff games in three different postseason appearances, averaging 4.7 points and 2.6 assists per playoff game.

“Chris will strengthen our backcourt and help us in several areas,” Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He is a smart player who always plays with intensity and I look forward to working with him.”

Originally selected by Chicago with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft, Duhon played in all 82 games as a rookie in 2004-05, making 73 starts and averaging 5.9 points and 4.9 assists per game in helping the Bulls to the playoffs. He averaged career-highs of 8.7 points and 5.0 assists in his sophomore campaign in 2005-06.

Duhon enjoyed a standout career at Duke and left Durham as the only player in ACC history to finish with at least 1,000 points, 800 assists, 475 rebounds, 300 steals and 125 three-point field goals. He led the Blue Devils to a 123-21 record in his four seasons and guided Duke to two Final Four appearances and one national title in 2001. He also led the Blue Devils to three ACC championships and left school as the all-time leader in minutes and steals.

MSG, a premier sports and entertainment network, will telecast all five New York Knicks Summer League games live from the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first game is on Monday, July 14 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Current Knicks Nate Robinson, Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins, and Wilson Chandler will be joined by 2008 1^st round draft pick Danilo Gallinari on this year’s summer league team. For most fans these telecasts will be the first opportunity to see Gallinari play live, as he played professional basketball in Italy last year. Robinson returns to the summer league team after being voted most valuable player at last year’s summer league competition.

Mike Crispino will call the play-by-play and Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier will provide commentary for Knicks Summer League telecasts. All of the games will air live on MSG at 4:00 p.m. ET, with full replays at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. for weekday games, and 10:30 p.m. and the following day at noon for weekend games.

Monday, July 14^th    Cleveland Cavaliers    4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 16^th    San Antonio Spurs    4:00 p.m.

Friday, July 18^th    Phoenix Suns    4:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 19^th    Charlotte Bobcats    4:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 20^th    Minnesota Timberwolves    4:00 p.m.

Nate Robinson, Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins and Wilson Chandler will headline the New York Knickerbockers entry in the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, July 14-20. The quartet of Knicks veterans will be joined by rookie forward Danilo Gallinari, the sixth overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.

New York will look to duplicate their success in last year’s Las Vegas Summer League, when the team posted a perfect 5-0 record. Robinson, Balkman and Chandler were all members of last year’s summer team, with Robinson earning Most Valuable Player honors after averaging 19.6 points and 6.0 assists in New York’s five victories.

New York will carry a 15-man roster for the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and will play five games beginning on July 14. For the third consecutive year, all five of New York’s summer league games will be televised locally on MSG. The Knicks are scheduled to play Cleveland, San Antonio, Phoenix, Charlotte and Minnesota during the week, with all five games beginning at 1:00 p.m. (PT). In addition, the team will hold a three-day mini-camp at Valley High School, July 11-13, with media availability after the sessions on last two days (on July 11, media availability will be held before the session). Assistant Coach Phil Weber will coach the Knicks’ entry this season.

The team’s itinerary is as follows:

Friday, July 11 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 12 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, July 13 9:00 a.m.

Monday, July 14 vs. Cleveland 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 16 vs. San Antonio 1:00 p.m.

Friday, July 18 vs. Phoenix 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 19 vs. Charlotte 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 vs. Minnesota 1:00 p.m.

* - all times are Pacific time zone

No Player Pos Ht Wt Born College/Country 2007-08 Team Yrs Pro

32 Renaldo Balkman F 6-8 208 Jul. 14, 1984 South Carolina New York (NBA) 2

21 Wilson Chandler F 6-8 230 May 10, 1987 DePaul New York (NBA) 1

25 Mardy Collins G 6-6 220 Aug. 4, 1984 Temple New York (NBA) 2

8 Danilo Gallinari F 6-9 225 Aug. 8, 1988 Italy Armani Jeans (Italy) R

18 Dan Grunfeld G/F 6-5 198 Feb. 7, 1984 Stanford Valencia (Spain) R

7 Antonio Graves G 6-2 190 Apr. 17, 1985 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh (CBA) R

6 Marcus Hall G 6-2 175 Aug. 6, 1985 Colorado Colorado (NCAA) R

36 Delonte Holland F 6-7 220 Mar. 2, 1982 DePaul Cimberio Varese (Italy) R

30 Brandon Hunter F 6-7 266 Nov. 24, 1980 Ohio Angelico Biella (Italy) 3

1 Antione Johnson G 6-1 185 Sep. 21, 1985 Albany Gazi (Turkey) R

40 Paul Miller F/C 6-10 250 Nov. 17, 1982 Wichita State SPEC Polonia (Poland) R

2 Anthony Roberson G 6-2 188 Feb. 14, 1983 Florida Hapoel (Israel) 2

4 Nate Robinson G 5-9 180 May 31, 1984 Washington New York (NBA) 3

5 Von Wafer G 6-4 195 Jul. 21, 1985 Florida State Portland (NBA) 3

55 Zhang Songtao C 6-11 212 Oct. 27, 1987 China Beijing (China-ABA) R