I really hate the term "Bromance", but there's really no other word to describe what took place in NYC last night between the Knicks' Nate Robinson and actor Will Ferrell. Not only did Nate high five him during a three point and-one (as seen below), but he continued to do so after almost every made basket. From the NY Daily News via Total Pro Sports....

When Nate Robinson wasn't running into crushing screens set by Jeff Foster, he was making his man crush with Will Ferrell very public, gifts included.

"If that was football I would have returned it for six," Robinson said, referring to his gridiron days at the University of Washington. "But I would have been flagged for celebrating."

Robinson celebrated after just about every basket and twice slapped hands with Ferrell, who was seated courtside. Afterward, Robinson presented his favorite actor with the green Knicks jersey Robinson wore at last week's Slam Dunk contest. He even autographed it for him.

"You guys have no idea," Robinson said. "I wanted to play well for the team and for the fans, but definitely for him."

Awww....that's so sweet. Forget selling the jersey and perhaps giving the profits to charity, I want my favorite actor to place it at the bottom of his dresser!

Nate Robinson wills Knicks to victory, then chats with Will Ferrell (NY Daily News)
Nate Robinson Has A Man Crush On Will Ferrell (Total Pro Sports)

Reggie Miller talked with CBS Sports recently, about Kobe Bryant being cheered in Madison Square Garden during his 61 point performance, and the former "Knick Killer" was less than impressed with Knick fans.

So, yes, Miller was watching Kobe Bryant's 61-point game against the Knicks Monday night. And yes, he was impressed. But he was also appalled that Knicks fans who used to torment him were chanting "MVP!" for Kobe. So appalled that he was texting his old nemesis throughout the game.

"I was texting Spike as the game was going on, saying how disappointed I was in the fans chanting "MVP!" for Kobe," Miller said Tuesday, speaking on a TNT pre-All-Star conference call. "I was like, 'How the mighty have fallen.'" Because I remember in times past, I never got cheered. I'm sure Jordan never got cheered. And now they are chanting "MVP!" for Kobe? And all (Lee) kept doing was texting back and going, 'Look, times have changed. The climate has changed.'

"I wish I would've gotten the red carpet treatment when I went to the Garden," Miller said. "That would've been nice."

There is no doubt that I feel bad for Knicks fans, but cheering for the enemy like that at home, is something that has always bothered me. Given that I'm a fan of all things DC Sports, I know this problem well. The only problem is that the cure for said problem is winning and just like most DC Sports teams not named the Capitals, that's not going to change any time soon. Unfortunately the same is true for one of the NBA's most storied franchises in the Knicks.

Reggie Miller: Shame on Knicks fans (CBS Sports)
Back in My Day, Knick Fans Didn’t Cheer for the Enemy (SLAM)

(P.S.- Yes, I know the phrase "jump the shark" has "jumped the shark". You will not be the first clever commenter to ever leave that on the site, so please give it a rest.)

It's been a long time since Gus Johnson had something to get excited about in regards to the Knicks. While my Wizards were busy losing to the f'ing Nets on their opening night, the Knicks were busy running and dunking over the Heat. In the second quarter, Gus lets out a huge "Hell Yes!" after a put-back dunk from Wilson Chandler, and the good folks at Tirico Suave decided to remix it for us....

Amazing. Obviously it's drawn out a bit long, but if you're following along with the photos and the beat....it's pretty well done. In fact, it is now my new ringtone. Hell Yes!

Gus Johnson Has Been Holding This In For Seven Years (Tirico Suave)

The New York area is all about the national announcers as of late, but this seems like a smart move. Word is that YES will soon be reuniting the once NBC and occasional TNT duo of Marv Albert and Mike Fratello for the Nets' 2008-2009 season. Via the NJ Star-Ledger....

The Nets have filled the TV analyst gig left vacant by Mark Jackson, we're told, and the choice is none other than Mike Fratello (of course).

We all should have seen this coming: Mike's family is still in Hackensack, his kids are in NYC, his heart remains in Jersey, and there aren't many people better at this gig - especially when he's teamed with Marv Albert.

The announcement is still some time off, presumably because he is shopping around for a new telestrator.

The Knicks and Nets may have two of the worst teams in the NBA last season but they've got the announcer market cornered. I'm not the biggest "Czar" fan, but he knows his stuff, and when you Marv Albert, Mike Breen, Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Bob Wischusen, Gus Johnson, Walt Frazier, etc....New York has some pretty good leads and backups in their stable.

NJ Nets: Marv and Czar, Together Again (NJ.com)

Gus Johnson is everywhere these days. From the NCAA Tournament to MMA to the NFL, and most recently even Slamball. Back when I interviewed Gus in December, he seemed to love one role more than the others. His role with the Knicks came across as the one he was most proud of , but now it could be in jeopardy.

Daily News has word, that MSG is giving Johnson the run around now that his contract has expired, and that the announcer might not return to Madison Square Garden next NBA season....

How are the negotiations going? Here's where it gets sticky. The same sources said MSG Network brass - boss Mike Bair and executive producer Lydia Murphy-Stephans - are playing hardball with Johnson over terms of a new deal.

Would these two be bubbleheaded enough not to ink Johnson? The Excitable One has spent 10 seasons as part of MSG's Knicks radio team - the past five as the Knicks' No. 1 radiocaster, working with veteran analyst John (Legend) Andariese.

The fact that it's almost September and MSG has not come to terms with Johnson is a tad strange. Especially considering what's taking place on the court.

The broadcast end of the operation will be key in describing the transition to friend and foe alike. Johnson should be part of this. He's been with MSG through mostly bad times. If this is the start of a turnaround, Johnson has the chops to chronicle the franchise's resurrection on the radio.

Did Johnson cut Isiah Thomas major slack and spread MSGulag party propaganda? Yep. He, along with all the other MSG Knicks voices who joined him, have been ripped to shreds in this space. A new day may be dawning. Johnson took the heat. He has thick skin and a unique style. His calls are full of over-the-top passion. The man has a following.

Perhaps this has actually dawned on Bair and Murphy-Stephans. But who knows what these two are thinking? After all, their regime has not made anyone forget about those grand days when MSG was the Rolls-Royce of regional cable sports networks.

It would seem beyond crazy for MSG to not bring back Gus if the money is right, but if I were him I wouldn't take it personally. There are, and will be, plenty of opportunities down the road. His crossover potential is unprecedented for someone his age and his popularity with fans just across multiple Sports continues to grow.

Hopefully everything works out for Knicks and NBA fans, but you'll be able to find him elsewhere if MSG decides to give up on one of the good things they have going for them.

MSG plays tough with Knicks voice Gus Johnon (NY Daily News)
The Gus Johnson Interview (Awful Announcing)

Last week it was another announcer, Mark Jackson, who was being talked about in regards to the Knicks. This week it's a TNT analyst who's expressing interest in working for the Front Office of the team. Via Newsday....

“It’s a good possibility,” Smith said during TNT’s pregame show before the Detroit-Philadelphia playoff game.

Smith, who also works part-time on the Knicks’ local broadcasts, could be considered a candidate for general manager or assistant general manager, depending on how Walsh reorganizes the front office.

Smith said he had not spoken directly with Walsh. But he expressed a general interest in working for a team.

“If it’s basketball, in terms of coaching or a general manager or owning a team, that’s me,” Smith said. “If it’s sitting here with you numbskulls, it’s me. Basketball is me. I’m from New York, and that is the epitome of a franchise — the Lakers, the Celtics, the Knicks.”

It would be a shame for TNT to lose yet another key player to a Front Office job (Steve Kerr last year), but Kenny Smith is an extremely intelligent person and could be a good fit for the struggling Knicks. Just like Kerr leaving meant more Reggie Miller, a Smith move could mean more Magic Johnson. Ugh.

On a side note, Chris Webber did a pretty damn good job last night. At one point he said that he wouldn't want to play for the Mavs because no one came to Jason Kidd's aid after the hard foul on Janero Pargo. He said, "Outisde of Jerry Stackhouse, no one would have your back." It looks like he attended Charles Barkley's school of honesty and that's always a good move.

TNT’s Smith Has Interest in Knicks (Newsday)

I don't know if Gus Johnson didn't think the cameras were rolling during pregame of the Knicks game last night or what, but we were treated to an impromptu concert by Gus Johnson. Cue the music!

I understand that when ABBA comes on you just have to sing, but normally you just lip sync it my friend. The look on Walt Frazier's face is just priceless.

Gus Johnson Dancing Queen Diva (Odenized)

I posted an article in the Daily Links below that detailed a small tiff that the Knicks had during their game against the Wizards last night and here's the video...

I'm not really sure who that chick is at the end of this video, but I know that's Zach Randolph throwing a cup of water at Nate Robinson. If they do this during games that they actually win (F you Eddie Jordan) then I'd hate to see what happens when they lose.

I love when regular media folk try to step into the Sports World and seem like they belong. It works occasionally but more often than not it just leaves them looking like dumbasses. Here's Whoopi Goldberg talking to Michael Strahan and David Tyree....whoops...that's not Tyree....

Amani Toomer was pretty cool to not call her out, but you think someone could have gotten her a bio or something. I guess Eddie hasn't studied up on her New York sports teams since Isiah took over for the Knicks.

Whoopi Goldberg Is A Big Sports Fan (With Leather)