The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball OperationsDonnie Walsh announced that forward Danilo Gallinari had successful back surgery today. The laminotomy, performed by orthopedic spine specialist Dr. Patrick O’Leary at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, is a surgical procedure that shaves the bony plate surrounding a nerve root. Gallinari is expected to have a full recovery in 6-8 weeks.

In 28 games this season, the 6-10, 225-pound rookie averaged 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 14.7 minutes. On Mar. 4 versus Atlanta, Gallinari recorded a career-high 17 points.

 

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that guard Joe Crawford has been signed for the remainder of the season. The 6-5, 210-pound rookie had been signed to a 10-day contract on Mar. 27 and has yet to appear in a game for New York.

 

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walshannounced today that center Courtney Sims has been signed to a second consecutive 10-day contract. Sims was signed to his first 10-day contract on Mar. 23 and has yet to appear in a game for New York.

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Joe Crawford has been signed to a 10-day contract. Crawford, a member of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, became the 18th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season.

 

Crawford, 6-5, 210-pounds, was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 58th overall pick. The Detroit, MI-native played with the Lakers during the 2008 preseason before being waived on Oct. 22. Crawford then signed with the NBA Development League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders and averaged 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 43 games.

 

Demetris Nichols’ 10-day contract had expired and the club elected not to re-sign him. The Knicks roster stands at 14 players.

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent center Courtney Sims has been signed to a 10-day contract. Sims, a member of the Iowa Energy, became the 16th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season.

 

Sims, 6-11, 245-pounds, was undrafted out of the University of Michigan and has played a total of 13 minutes in four NBA games with Indiana and Phoenix over the last two seasons. The Roslindale, MA-native was signed as a free agent by Indiana on Oct. 2, 2007 and played in three games last season with the Pacers before being waived on Dec. 19, 2007. Sims spent the remainder of the 2007-08 season and the beginning of this 2008-09 campaign with the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy. He signed two 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns beginning on Jan. 20, 2009 and appeared in one game for the Suns this season.

Cheikh Samb’s 10-day contract had expired and the club elected not to re-sign him. The Knicks roster stands at 14 players.

 

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The New York Knickerbockers and New York Rangers will each host a “Garden of Dreams Night” to raise awareness for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Garden of Dreams is a non-profit organization that works closely with all areas of Madison Square Garden, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Media, MSG Entertainment, and Fuse, to “make dreams come true for kids in crisis.”

 

The week begins Sunday, March 22, as the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators. Children from Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley and Starlight Foundation will attend pregame warm-ups and watch the game from a catered suite. One child from Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley will sing the national anthem and another child, from Make-A-Wish Connecticut, will participate in a ceremonial puck drop prior to the game. A child from Make-A-Wish New Jersey will have the opportunity to accompany the game organist on guitar to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. Children from Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and Starlight Foundation will participate in a Rangers “high-five line” as players enter the ice for warm-ups.

Garden of Dreams week will continue on Wednesday, March 25 at the Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers game when children from Ronald McDonald House, Life Center and Children’s Village will attend pregame warm-ups and the game. One child from Ronald McDonald House will serve as an honorary Knicks City Dancer for the night. A second child from Make-A-Wish Foundation Metro will participate in a ceremonial ball tip prior to the game at Madison Square Garden and children from Ronald McDonald and Children’s Village will receive the chance of a lifetime when they participate in a Knicks “high-five line” during player introductions. The 7th Avenue Squad, the Garden’s newest entertainment team, will feature a special member from Children’s Village to help energize the arena. In addition, all Knicks players will wear Garden of Dreams t-shirts during pregame warm-ups.

 

WHO:               Children and Representatives from Garden of Dreams Partner Organizations       

John Starks, Knicks Legend and Alumni Relations Advisor

                        Cal Ramsey, Knicks Director, Special Projects and Community Relations

                        Rod Gilbert, Rangers Legend and Director, Special Projects and Community Relations Representative

Adam Graves, Rangers Legend and representative of Hockey and Business Operations

                                   

WHAT:              Garden of Dreams Awareness Week

                       

WHERE:           Madison Square Garden

 

WHEN:             Sunday, March 22, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. – New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. – New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers

 

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Local and national media are invited to speak with New York Knickerbockers legends on Monday, March 23 at 5:00 pm at Madison Square Garden on the evening the franchise will honor six of the greatest players to have worn a Knicks uniform with the Knicks Legend Awards. Individuals will be recognized  for having made the most significant impact on the court in their respective decades. A seventh award, the Knickerbocker Legacy Award, will also be presented to the individual who exudes the qualities of what it means to be a Knickerbocker: Pride, Tradition and  Class.

 

The following Knicks players will be honored at halftime and expected to be available to media prior to the game:

                                    1940’s: Carl Braun (daughter Susan Braun will accept on his behalf)

                                    1950’s: Richie Guerin

                                    1960’s: Willis Reed

                                    1970’s: Walt Frazier

                                    1980’s: Bernard King

                                    1990’s: Patrick Ewing

                                    Legacy Award: Dick McGuire

 

When: Monday, March 23, 2009 from 5-5:30 pm

 

Where: Madison Square Garden Multipurpose Room

               Media should enter through 8 Penn Plaza (33rd street and Eighth Avenue)

 

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that center Cheikh Samb has been signed to a second consecutive 10-day contract.

 

Signed to his first 10-day contract on Mar. 2, Samb, 7-1, 245-pounds, has yet to appear in a game for New York.

The Knicks roster is currently at 14 players.

 

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball OperationsDonnie Walsh announced today that the team will be honoring six of the greatest players to have played for the franchise with the Knicks Legends Awards on March 23, when the team takes on the Orlando Magic. A seventh award, the Knickerbocker Legacy Award, will also be presented to the individual who exudes the qualities of what it means to be a Knickerbocker: Pride, Tradition & Class.

 

“Recognizing the strong tradition and important contributions of our Knicks alumni is essential in preserving the team’s rich history, something that is important to all of us as we proceed into a new era of Knicks basketball,” Walsh said. “These players – and their teams – represent a model for me as we move forward. There is no better way to honor these great men than to let our fans show their appreciation at the World’s Most Famous Arena.”

 

To celebrate the team’s proud history, the Knicks Alumni Relations Department created an 11-person committee that selected the individuals who had a significant impact on the court in their respective decade. At halftime on March 23, each of the winners will be presented with a special Legends Ring to commemorate the occasion. The current decade’s best will be honored in 2010.

 

The following are the winners, as voted by the committee:

                                                1940’s: Carl Braun

                                                1950’s: Richie Guerin

                                                1960’s: Willis Reed

                                                1970’s: Walt Frazier

                                                1980’s: Bernard King

                                                1990’s: Patrick Ewing

                                                Legacy Award: Dick McGuire

 

A media availability session for all winners is scheduled from 5:00-5:30 p.m. at MSG’s Expo Center for all credentialed media. (Please note that, unfortunately, Carl Braun will not be in attendance.)

 

 

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent center Cheikh Samb has been signed to a 10-day contract.

 

Samb, 7-1, 245-pounds was selected in the second round (51st overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, before being traded to the Detroit Pistons on draft night. A native of Senegal, Samb has career averages of 1.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 5.4 minutes in 20 career games over two seasons with Detroit, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers. On Nov. 3, he was traded from Detroit to Denver, and on Jan. 5 from Denver to the L.A. Clippers. In 16 games this season with the Nuggets and Clippers, Samb averaged 0.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.63 blocks over 4.7 minutes. He was waived by the Clippers on Feb. 16.

 

The Knicks roster now stands at 13 players.

 

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