Award Acknowledges Bravery of Young Man Who Protected Fellow Subway Passengers

The New York Knickerbockers have announced Hassan Askari as the winner of the Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award for the month of December. The award, named in honor of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who was the first African-American to play for the Knicks, recognizes those who have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Each month, a winner is chosen by members of the Knicks front office staff and honored at center court of a Knicks game. The winner will receive a $2,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice from the New York Knicks.

Hassan Askari, 20, was riding a Brooklyn-bound Q train when he helped defend fellow passengers as they were attacked by a group of assailants. Askari came to the rescue in an initial attempt to protect the women, and ended up serving as a distraction, so that one of the men under attack could escape to pull the emergency brake. Askari suffered two black eyes and multiple bruises before the attackers were arrested by police.

At tomorrow’s game versus the Chicago Bulls, Askari, will accept the City Spirit Award at Madison Square Garden. He will donate his award money to BRAC USA, which is involved in various relief activities for the victims of Hurricane Sidr in Bangladesh.

To nominate your hero, or to read more about this month’s winners and other past winners, please visit nyknicks.com.

The NBA’s New York Knickerbockers basketball team, in its 62nd year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns Madison Square Garden, L.P., which includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

Isiah Thomas shook things up a little by starting Jared Jefferies and David Lee in Orlando. The Knicks started off fast and led by a score of 24-18 with less than two minutes left in the first quarter.

When you fall behind by 25 points at home, it should not make a difference that the second half involved a little spark and some sort of comeback. After four quarters, the scoreboard tells the story.

This could be the intro to many of the Knicks games this season, as they have made a habit of allowing their opponent a large early advantage and then chipping away as the second team on both sides log in a few minutes.

The Sunday matinee at MSG ended with a 95-90 defeat at the hands of the LA Lakers, and Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points. He scored 39 points in the win.

Kobe Bryant actually gave Knick fans a rise a day before he is playing at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers star addressed a few questions from reporters in Philadelphia and acknowledged that the Knicks were one of the four teams on his list to management that he would accept a trade to, and that all four (Knicks, Bulls, Mavericks and Suns) are still on it.

A longshot at best, the Lakers would have to accept contracts in order for Bryant to even fit into their salary cap. And those players are not exactly going to give back anything close to equal value.

The Knicks dropped to 1-10 on the road with Friday night’s 105-95 defeat at the hands of the Bobcats in Charlotte. Due to a fourth-quarter comeback, the final score was not the full indication of how the game went.

The Knicks allowed 67 points in the first half and trailed by as much as 29 points in the third quarter. They obviously could not come in with the momentum from the win at home versus the Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers only a few nights ago.

Swingman Quentin Richardson and head coach Isiah Thomas had words on the bench not even two minutes into the second half when Thomas, who ‘celebrated’ his fourth anniversary with the team on Saturday, pulled an ineffective Q-Rich and center Eddy Curry with the Knicks trailing by a score of 71-44. Assistant coach Herb Williams got in between the two, but a few moments later, Thomas spoke with Richardson and both played the situation down after the game.

Another game, another loss for a team that is experiencing a full season of controversy way before the All-Star break has even arrived.

The Knicks came in to the game on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden as down as you can be. On a five-game losing streak without their starting point guard and their center coming off a game in his hometown (and former team) where he scored zero points.

The Nets were riding high and on a six-game winning streak. How does one then explain the Knicks 94-86 victory? For whatever the reason, they have now defeated New Jersey for the second time this season since December 5.

For the sports fan in your life, give the gift of Sportscene.
With full color, exciting layouts and all of the New York sports covered - especially the Knickss - NYS is the perfect gift for the fan in your life.
Twelve issues only costs $25.50, so it is affordable for everyone.
Go to www.nysportscene.com/subscribe.php and buy it online or call 631-580-7772 and ask for Michelle.
Sportscene for the holidays - a perfect gift.

In-arena school supplies drive at upcoming Knicks home games to collect

much needed supplies for New York City’s kids.

NEW YORK, December 8, 2007 - The New York Knicks and the Garden of Dreams Foundation are encouraging fans to help collect school supplies for children in crisis. Fans who donate new, unwrapped supplies at upcoming home games versus the Dallas Mavericks, Seattle SuperSonics and New Jersey Nets, will receive a special five-piece commemorative magnet set. All collected supplies will be donated to Garden of Dreams’ partner organizations, including homeless shelters and foster care agencies. The school supplies will be delivered by Knicks players in January.

The in-arena drives are in conjunction with this month’s “Autographs for Supplies” events, where players sign autographs in exchange for donated school supplies. Knicks big men Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry, along with the WNBA’s New York Liberty legend Kym Hampton, appeared at the NBA store on Dec. 3 and gave autographs to participating fans. Guards Mardy Collins and Fred Jones also hosted a drive on Dec. 3 at the Cablevision Call Centers in The Bronx. Collins and Quentin Richardson are scheduled to appear Dec. 11 at the Cablevision Call Center in The Bronx to continue collecting supplies.

WHAT: In-Arena School Supply Drive

WHERE: Madison Square Garden Box Office

WHEN: Dec. 10 Knicks vs. Mavericks 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 Knicks vs. SuperSonics 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 Knicks vs. Nets 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The NBA’s New York Knickerbockers basketball team, in its 62nd year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns Madison Square Garden, L.P., which includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non profit charity that works closely with all areas of Madison Square Garden, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Entertainment, MSG Media and fuse to “make dreams come true for kids in crisis”. Garden of Dreams partners with local children’s hospitals, “wish” organizations and community-based organizations to build on-going, unforgettable programs for children in the tri-state area who are suffering from devastating illness, homelessness, abuse, hunger, extreme poverty and tragedy.

What: New York Knicks guard Jamal Crawford will host his annual ‘Giving Tree’ at The Westchester Mall in White Plains, NY benefiting Family Services of Westchester.

With the purchase of a holiday gift from the “Giving Tree”, fans will receive an autographed picture of Crawford as well as New York Knicks game tickets for those who purchase three or more gifts (while supplies last).

The Westchester Mall will staff a table set-up for those looking to purchase gift cards for the charity. Crawford has set the goal of collecting 400 holiday gifts and raising more than $2,500 worth of Mall gift cards for Family Services of Westchester.

Family Services of Westchester was founded in 1954 as a private, not-for-profit agency with a mission to provide a broad range of mental health and social services to strengthen and support families, children and individuals at every stage of the life cycle. Today, with seven offices located throughout Westchester County, four residential homes, a senior employment agency, adult day care, enriched housing and many satellite programs, Family Services of Westchester serves more than 24,000 children, families and individuals each year, strengthening and supporting families and the communities in which they live, worship, go to school and work.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2-4p.m.

Where: The Westchester

125 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY

Contact # - 914-421-1333

Visuals: Jamal Crawford signing autographs for shoppers that purchase items for children from the Family Services of Westchester.

Jamal Crawford purchasing holiday gifts in the mall for children from Family Services programs.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE JAMAL CRAWFORD FOUNDATION

“The mission of the Jamal Crawford Foundation is to provide inner-city children with experiences and activities to strengthen both their minds and bodies leading to well-rounded and complete adults.”

Former MSG executive Anucha Browne Sanders, who previously was found in favor of her sexual harassment civil lawsuit, has reached an agreement with her former employer. Terms of the settlement were not released, but speculated to be approximately $11.5 million, just under the amount awarded by the judge two months ago.