The Late Shift Blog - Opening Night! Cavs Roll, Spurs Spank Warriors

The Late Shift Blog is daily recap of all things NBA

by Rodney Fisher

We are back!

The 2016-17 NBA Season opened just as the season ended...with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tonight was the city of Cleveland's biggest sports night in history. The Cavs raise a championship banner while the Indians start the World Series a few blocks away.

LeBron James celebrates his third ring with a triple-double performance (19 points, 11 boards, 14 assists) as the Cavs rout the New York Knicks 117-88.

Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 29 points.

For the Knicks, the trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose were the only players in double digits for points. Joakim Noah played 19 minutes with 0 points and 0 blocks. So much for the new and improved...

Nothing is for Certain

So, the Golden State Warriors open the season with a 29 point LOSS to the San Antonio Spurs. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry had 27 and 26, but my sleeper pick for MVP Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 35 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge 26 and 14. Jonathon Simmons came off the bench to hit 20, including not missing a shot the first three quarters. He also had a chase-down block on Curry in the third quarter.

There is no doubt the Warriors will be a great team, but having the best starting 4 in the game today does nothing to replace the rebounding and defense you lost with Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. The seven new players in the Bay will need more time to get it together.

The young Spurs have established themselves as THE team to beat in the West...Early.

Portland beat the Utah 113-104.

The Late Shift Podcast is available fresh every Monday here on NTXGame.com

Barea Leads Mavs To Win Over Knicks 91-89 To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

J.J. Barea to the rescue for the Mavs. 

J.J. Barea's 26 points on 10-18 shooting from the field to pull out a tough win over the New York Knicks.

by Rodney Fisher

Justin Anderson and Dwight Powell got the start for the second straight game looking to build off of their performance from Sunday's win over Denver. The night belonged to J.J. Barea again coming off the bench to score 26 points, his sixth 20+ game this season.

The Mavs will hit the road again to face the Detroit Pistons on Friday, but their next home game against the Houston Rockets may make or break their playoff hopes.

NBA Nitecap Blog: 20 Racks

Carmelo Anthony surpasses 20,000 points. Photo credit: NY Post

Another night in the NBA brings another Nitecap Blog. Tonight we get a late Halloween visit from the Boogieman, the 20 racks, and a marathon.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA Nitecap Blog: The Nerve of New York

Spike Lee tells the Cavs fans what to do. Photo Credit: Clevelander

Another big night in the NBA and another late night of writing...But hey, it could be worse.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Summer League Begins, Max Melo, Bosh Begins

Nerlens Noel starts off the 2014 NBA Summer League. Photo credit: NBA 

Today in the NBA we learned that Summer League does matter. Plus Carmelo Anthony has offers he can't refuse while Chris Bosh starts the process of being a free agent.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Good To Be Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony to become free agent. Photo credit: NBA 

An introspective look at the possible destinations that soon-to-be free agent Carmelo Anthony will have to choose from in the NBA. It would be hard for him to make a bad decision considering the options available.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Coach Fisher? Will this effect Melo decision?

Derek Fisher introduced as New York Knicks head coach. Photo credit: CBS

Derek Fisher becomes second point guard to retire and coach a team in New York. Phil Jackson hires his former player to coach the New York Knicks. With the franchise's bigger decision, Carmelo Anthony, looming we take a look at how this hire will effect the outcome.

by +Rodney Fisher

NBA: Inside the Mind of Melo

Will Carmelo Anthony leave the struggling New York Knicks and test free
agency? Photo credit NBA 

by +Rodney Fisher

Carmelo Anthony is pondering the most important decision of his NBA career. Should he stay with the New York Knicks, now without any coaches, or join forces with a new team in a new city? As a rabid basketball fan, I reserve the right to over-analyze anything that happens in the association. So join me as we look at every what-if, every possible, and every mindset scenario that may be currently bouncing around in the mind of Melo.

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NBA: Have The Knicks Turned The Corner? Carmelo Anthony Thinks So

Melo and the Knicks have won 4-of-5 in January.
Photo credit NBA 

by +Rodney Fisher 

The New York Knicks may not have a winning record, but they do play in the Eastern Conference were every team seems to have a chance of making the playoffs. At 13-22 you would think they would call this season a wash, but with the new year comes a new mindset. The Knicks have won 4 of the last five games in January. We caught up their superstar Carmelo Anthony in Dallas to hear what he thinks about the Knicks turning the corner.

NBA: How Bad Are The Knicks?

Knicks are 2-4, bottom of Eastern Conference.
Photo credit NBA 

by Rodney Fisher

Just when Knicks' fans thought the 2013-14 season could not start any worse, the Spurs come to town and blowout the team by 31 on their home court. Coach Mike Woodson called the loss "unacceptable".

Soon to be free agent Carmelo Anthony said, "We didn't compete today, and it showed out there on the court." Getting J.R. Smith back in the lineup apparently wasn't the answer. Now at  2-4 and tied for last in the Eastern Conference, just how bad are the New York Knicks?

NBA: World Peace gets his wish as he signs with the hometown Knicks

by J.T.

The New York Knicks signed Twitter's favorite tweeter Metta World Peace to a 2 year deal worth 3.2 million dollars. World Peace has a player option for the 2nd year of the deal. This is a solid signing for the Knicks because it isn't much financial strain for a team with a big payroll.

NBA: Jason Kidd unlaces his Nike's

First Grant Hill hangs up his Fila's, now Jason Kidd hangs up the Nike's. It seems like my childhood is ending right before my eyes. Dog I'm getting old but that's besides the point.

Kidd played for 19 seasons after being drafted in 1994, yeah think about it man that's a long time. Kidd played for the Mavs 2xs, Suns, New Jersey Nets and Knicks. He also was co rookie of the year with Grant Hill, an All Star 10xs, All NBA Defensive 9xs (1st or 2nd), All NBA 6xs (1st or 2nd team) and an owner of one NBA Title.

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NBA Playoffs: Knicks vs Pacers, Spurs vs Warriors Highlights

The New York Knicks live to fight another day as they extend their series after winning at home over the Indiana Pacers.

The ageless San Antonio Spurs end their series with the Golden State Warriors and advance to the Western Conference Finals, where the Memphis Grizzlies are waiting.

NBA Playoffs: Pacers take 3-1 Series Lead Over Cold Knicks

Pacers take a 3-1 Series Lead over NY Knicks

The second round of the NBA playoffs rolls on as the Indiana Pacers now find themselves one victory away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Carmelo Anthony continued his poor shooting, 9-26, from the floor and Jason Kidd as yet to make a point since before the NFL draft. Iman Shumpert, who was questionable to play, did not score in the 16 minutes he played. The Knicks have not been able to get any offense going since game 2.

NBA Power Rankings (4/8 - 4/14): Where do the Knicks rank now?

Knicks on a 12-game win streak move up NBA Power Rankings/  picture courtesy of NBA

Time for this week's NBA Power Rankings report. Everyone wants to know where I have the Knicks at now...

by Rodney Fisher

Kevin Durant vs Carmelo Anthony: Who will the scoring title this year?

Kevin Durant leads the league in scoring, 28.4ppg

Carmelo Anthony is close to winning first scoring title, 28.3ppg

Written by Rodney Fisher

With less than 9 games left in the season, it is not only the playoff hunt coming down to wire, but the race to win the 2012-13 scoring title. The resurgence of Carmelo Anthony and his Knicks now have him only behind Kevin Durant by .05 in scoring average.

Melo scorches Heat for 50 points

Carmelo Anthony scores 50 to beat the Miami Heat / picture courtesy of ESPN.com

Carmelo Anthony hits 50 points in Knicks' win over Heat 102-90

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