Random NBA Photo of the Day: The New York Knicks Bench Fart.

Via: @netw3rk

That's one too many cupcakes, Raymond Felton.

The Round Up - March 14th, 2013.

D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images

Set in Stone: With the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, the San Antonio Spurs extends their NBA record of 50 or more wins to 14 seasons. After a slow start, going 1 for 7 from the field, Tim Duncan would finish with 28 points on 12 of 20 shooting, and 19 boards to become the oldest player to get such a line since 1992. The Spurs, still without Tony Parker, got their other scoring punch from Gary Neal. He had 16 points (6 of 13), including a few critical threes down the stretch. The Mavericks, who were on the last of their 4 game trip hung in for the most parts of this game. Down 3 with less than 30 seconds remaining on the clock, Dirk (21 points, 11 rebounds) would drain one from the elbow to cut the lead to 1. With a chance to win it after a Manu miss on the other end, the Mavs would come out of their time out with a Vince Carter (10 points, 4-12) fade way three that just rims out.

Yep, braids are cool again.

Via: Reddit

Bright Lights: In the dreaded return to Portland after spending a whole season at the Rose Garden slightly overweight, Raymond Felton, after insinuating that he would drop 50 points against his former team, had only 11 points on 12 shots. The rest of his teammates weren't of much help either, with the exception of J.R. Smith, who went off for 33 points on 11 of 21 shooting. The game was close in beginning, but after Portland closed out the second quarter with a 13-0 run, the Knicks would only come as close as 4 points in 4th, where J.R. Smith made three straight threes. In his second national television debut, Blazer's rookie, Damian Lillard erupted for 26 points (11 of 18), and 10 dimes, joining LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry as one of the 4 players in this season with at least 1,200 points and 400 assists. LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points (8 of 15), 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, while playing with a migraine.

Knicks' Stoudemire, Chandler and Anthony were all out due to injuries. Stoudemire will go under season ending knee surgery. Neither Chandler or Anthony have been confirmed for the next game.

He may or may not have traveled on this one.

Best of NBA Bloopers from Last Night.

Here we have Raymond Felton paying tribute to Brian Okam of App State, who currently holds the record for the worst free throw attempt since the creation of the internet.

And rightfully so.

Then we have Metta World Peace trying to walk back to LA from Cleveland during a game.

The NBA is the best.

Notes: New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat [12/06/12]

New York Knicks 112 - Miami Heat 92

The Good

Knicks: A few months ago, when the New York Knicks gave up on Jeremy Lin and signed a few older pieces, just about everyone wrote them off. There were a ridiculous, but acceptable amount of old man jokes made by basketball bloggers, including myself and none of us would have thought they will be sitting at the top of the East. Sure, the internet was much better back in the summer, but the reality is that this Knicks team has figured out their identity and are holding each other to it.

In the second meeting with the Miami Heat, they have managed to blow out the reigning champions again and this time without Carmelo Anthony. The veterans in this team completely changed the culture, the guys are always looking for the extra pass and never slow to move the ball. The spacing in this 1 in, 4 out offense opens up the floor for Raymond Felton to get into the teeth of the defense. He doesn't do anything phenomenal but he does get guys open and has a nice two man game with Tyson Chandler.

For those who doubt the Knicks ability to continue this high percentage shooting from the three can not be more wrong. Of course there will be nights where they won't hit anything regardless of defense, it happens to everyone. The fact is that NBA players will hit majority of their shots when wide open, and you can count on this to happen in this offense. Melo's return will just make this team all the more terrifying. His demand of defensive attention just creates more opportunities for his teammates.

I am still not convinced that Amare Stoudemire could co-exist with Carmelo and Tyson. The offense they are running is similar to the familiar days in Phoenix, however he was the Center back in the day. Look, the obvious answer would be putting him in the bench role, but it doesn't solve the 4th quarter problem, they have to learn to play together and it means that Amare will have to accept a reduced role, stay out of the paint and become a stretch big. Whether you are confident of his shooting abilities, that is up to you to decide.

Heat: On the night LeBron James goes nuts, 31 points, 10 boards and 9 assists. His teammates disappeared. James alone was responsible 50 percent and more of Miami's offense. In the few minutes he was off the floor, his team allowed runs and repeatedly failed to find a bucket. They only kept themselves into the game with free throws, because what else can the other two All Stars do when they combine for 6 of 25 from the field.

The Bad

Knicks: Their defense was not particularly great. The game was close up to 4th quarter because they allowed Miami to get inside via cuts. It got worst with Tyson Chandler on the bench, the Heat either got an easy layup or a pair of free throws.

Heat: Before I go through this disaster of a defense, I acknowledge that the NBA regular season play is far different than the playoffs. The Heat proved that last year, but as of right now, they look nothing like the team that won the Championship in June. The Heat relies on constant pressure and interior help to make up for their size deficit. They trap ball handlers off the screen hard and make their life miserable. A wrong move results in a turnover and pave way for the Heat's transition game. If somehow, the ball handler can pass out, one of the Miami players rotate right away and the offense will once return to a stand still.

None of what I mentioned above happened, Raymond Felton got in the paint whenever he wanted. He threw passes right into the middle of the paint to Tyson Chandler that normally would turn into a fast break for the Heat. These half ass rotations allowed threes after threes uncontested and the switches from the pick and roll that left Miami bigs out in the perimeter did not do them any favors. You can put the blame on the new additions that are struggling to adapt and Shane Battier's injury but the problem is the lack of effort. Until they decide to give it their all, this defense will continue to suffer.

A Quick NBA Round Up - December 6th, 2012.

Stats Rundown

In the rainstorm brought on by the New York Knicks, only LeBron James stood tall. 31 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals in the loss.

Honorable Mention: Raymond Felton put on his best Carmelo impression, 27 points (10 of 20 shooting, 6 of 10 from three), 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals in the blow out victory over the Miami Heat. This 20 point loss for Miami is the worst at home, since the Big 3 era.

Boards: Markieff Morris grabbed 17 rebounds (7 Offensive) to go with his 15 points, 3 assists and 2 blocks in the money-back guaranteed loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Not the greastest business idea.

Watered Down: Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh combined to shoot 6 for 25 from the field to much of LeBron's delight.

#STARER: Guessing she was not a fan of Wade's game tonight. (Via: @cjzero)

Tres: The New York Knicks shot 41% from the three point line today. Cashing in 18 of their 44 attempts, you may allow your jaw to drop on the floor in response to Miami's terrible defense.

SHEEEDDD: He is on that Novakane. (Via: @cjzero)

Speeding: A good rule of thumb when playing basketball against LeBron James is you don't ever get near him if he is at top speed.

Air Combo: Double-Oops.

Butt Dudes: Right in between 4 cheeks. (Via: @cjzero)

Jokes: Byron Scott knows how to get out of an interview.

No, that's not Mike Brown, but hilariously fitting.

Raymond Felton never got into the weight room until this season.

That picture was taken 4 months ago, before the New York Knicks swept up the rest of the NBA, going undefeated for 7 straight games. Last year, Raymond Felton came in to the shortened lockout season out of shape for the Portland Trail Blazers. He even admitted he relaxed because he didn't think there would be a season. It was totally unprofessional, he became somewhat of a internet joke and was hated by every Blazer fan. It also really bothers me that his job was to ONLY stay in game shape, instead he ballooned up over the summer, and stuffed a few too many cupcakes in his face.

In a recent interview with the New York Post, Raymond FAT-ton explained how he got back in game shape in 4 months.

I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in since college, since the first year I got into the NBA. I feel like I’m back to 21 years old starting off with the Charlotte Bobcats.

This is what he looked like as a Bobcat. Yea, pretty hard to believe, he once looked athletic and it went downhill from there.

Doug Benc/Getty Images North America

 To follow up:

... Probably getting in the weight room, something I never did in my life (chuckle). I did a lot of running ... training two times, three times a day ... and then I had a great chef on board. I didn’t drink nothing but water for like three months.

Seriously? A professional athlete like yourself, did not work out until your 10th season in the league. Unless you are Kevin Durant, you have no excuses. At least you are playing great in New York right now, but that doesn't mean the fat jokes will stop.