Justin Verlander and Kate Upton take in Knicks game (PHOTOS)

The Knicks lost their sixth game in a row on Wednesday night — a 97-95 defeat by the Orlando Magic and are now 1-4 at Madison Square Garden.

But that doesn't seem to stop the team from drawing a stream of famous people to Celebrity Row.

That's right ... a Magic game.

For instance, Kate Upton and Justin Verlander made the scene:

And yes, that's New York's Global Welcome Ambassador and the Knicks' latest "biggest fan," Taylor Swift, in the front row too.

Great to have you on @douglaselliman Celebrity Row, @kateupton and @taylorswift!

A photo posted by New York Knicks 🏀 (@nyknicks) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:40pm PST

Too bad all those beautiful people can't make up for that ugly, last-second, 3-point attempt by J.R. Smith at the buzzer.

NBA tells LeBron James to stop using black mask: Report

It looks like The Lone Ranger won't ride again — not if the NBA has its way.

The league has ordered LeBron James to lose the black carbon-fiber mask in favor of a clear version, but the superstar is appealing the decision, according to ESPN.

NBA officials want to see the change by Saturday night, when the Heat play the Orlando Magic in Miami.

James' mask, which he wore to protect his broken nose during a victory against the Knicks on Thursday night, was a big hit with fans and his teammates. After James destroyed the Knicks with 31 points in the 108-82 win, Heat coach Eric Spoelstra called the mask "menacing."

“It was awesome,” teammate Chris Bosh said. “He played like Batman out there. It was great. I’m glad he put a little bit of flavor into it. Clear is boring. No offense to anybody that wears a clear mask. Gotta have a little fun with it sometimes. If you want to wear a black mask and look crazy, you should do it.”

But NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league is under the impression that James's permanent mask still is being made, and that they "prefer clear masks." The clear material typically used requires 18 hours to dry.

Not so. James told reporters he liked the black mask because "it went with the uniform." James also said he likes the lightness and fit of the black mask. 

"We were wearing our throwback uniforms, and I was able to get a carbon fiber one – which is actually lighter than the one that I'd been wearing in practice," James told reporters. "And it came through in the last minute, so I went with it."

And King James' teammates like the look.

"Only LeBron can make breaking your nose look cool," Heat forward Shane Battier said.

On Friday, the Heat started selling T-shirts with an image of the masked James on them. I'm guessing that when the NBA finds out they can make money from it, they'll probably change change their mind.

Tyson Chandler blocks own dunk with head (GIF)

In what must be the defining moment of the New York Knicks disastrous season, Tyson Chandler nullified his own reverse dunk by blocking it inside the basket with his head. 

During one of those rare games where neither bottom-dwelling team deserved to win the 58-minute long contest, it was Chandler's comical goof inside Amway Center Friday night that got the most cheers.

And to add insult to the epic fail, Chandler was called for an infraction on the play.

The play-by-play on NBA.com described it as "Chandler Turnover: Offensive Goaltending (1 TO).

The Magic rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat the Knicks, 129-121, in double overtime.

Cheerleader waves to crowd from stretcher after scary fall at Knicks-Magic game

A member of the Orlando Magic gymnastic cheerleading squad landed on her head during a scary mishap during the Knicks-Magic game and was wheeled off on a stretcher of the Amway Center court while waving to the crowd let them know she was alright.

In a statement, the Magic said that Jamie Woode, a former University of Central Florida cheerleader, was moving her extremities after taking a nasty headfirst spill off the shoulders of one of her gymnast teammates in between the first and second quarters of Tuesday night's NBA game.

Woode waved her hands while both teams and the crowd gave her a round of supportive applause as she was being carted off.



Players and fans watched in horror as Woode hit the mid-court floor didn't move for a couple of minutes .

Paramedics were on the scene and immobilized the young woman before wheeling her off the court.

Lopez wants to keep the Brook in Brooklyn

Brook Lopez— the center for the Brooklyn Nets and lately the middle of trade rumors surrounding talks with the Orlando Magic about bringing Dwight Howard to the Barclays Center— wants the Nets to know he's all-in on Crooklyn.

Lopez— an unabashed Disney fan— would probably love to live in Disney World but even the close proximity of the AmWay Center to the Magic Kingdom does not make Orlando a place Lopez wants to play.

"He really wants to see it through with the Nets  and go to Brooklyn," said Chris Lopez— Brook's brother and advisor told The New York Post.  "We're back in California and he understands the situation, but he wants to remain consistent He wants to be a Brooklyn Net.  He hasn't played anywhere else and he likes the organization.  He wants to be a part of it now that they're going to be good."

It sounds like the Nets are also wishing upon a star and it just happens to be Howard— the most sought after free agent available.  The Nets reportedly said they are willing to give up Lopez, forward Kris Humphries, guard MarShon Brooks along with three first-round draft picks in order to land Howard.  If  the Nets throw in Sleepy, they've probably got a deal.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Orlando we go.

 Lopez would have to agree to a sign-and-trade and Chris Lopez has doubts that his brother would be willing to make that move but said,  "Honestly, I couldn't answer that, it's Brook's call."

Lopez, the 10th pick in the 2008 draft, missed almost all of the 2011's abbreviated season because of a broken foot and and ankle injury right after he returned to the lineup. He has averaged 17.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in his first three NBA seasons.

"Brook and his rehab are doing fine," said Chris Lopez.  "He has been working really hard toward seeing it through to Brooklyn.  He is willing to do anything to make it happen.

"But we haven't heard anything other than what we've read and seen [on TV]."

Now— with the signing of point guard Deron Williams— the Nets are looking to add Howard and complete their own version of the Big Three.

Suddenly Brook Lopez, you are not the fairest of them all.

Nets still in hunt for Dwight Howard

The Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic are in discussions for a blockbuster trade which would send Dwight Howard to the Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks and three future draft picks.

The report by ESPN, quoting unnamed sources, says the Nets would give up first round picks in 2013, 2015 and 2017 to land Howard— the five-time All-Star— and maybe, more importantly, help entice Deron Williams to re-sign with Brooklyn.

Howard has told Orlando management that he wants to be traded to the Nets and only the Nets.  Williams sounds like he has narrowed his picks to the Nets and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Nets traded for Atlanta's Joe Johnson on Monday and— if the pieces fall in place— make a trade for Howard and re-sign Williams, Brooklyn will have their own formidable Big Three.

Lopez and Humphries are free agents, so they would have to consent to a sign-and-trade.  The ironic thing is that Lopez— who is a restricted free agent— is a huge Disney and Disney World fan and would be more that happy to play near the Magic Kingdom.

Humphries— the most most dominant front-line player on the Nets for the past two seasons already lives in Florida during the offseason.

If the Nets do sign Howard and re-sign Williams, it would give the Nets Big Three a combined 2012 salary of $58.8 million.  The NBA salary cap was $58 million last season.

Jordan tells Ewing he won't get Bobcats job

Another head-coaching job has gone by Patrick Ewing's wayside and it looks like the big guy didn't even make it to the second round.

Yahoo.com reports that Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan has informed his good pal Ewing that he will not get the vacant head-coaching position he interviewed for two weeks ago.  After an interview with Charlotte management, Jordan personally reached out to Ewing to tell him that he was eliminated as a candidate to coach the Bobcats.

The former New York Knicks center faced competition for the job from former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, former Blazers coach Nate McMillan and Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone.

The real story seems to be whether or not Charlotte wins the NBA lottery tonight and gets a chance to draft Kentucky's Anthony Davis before it opens up a second round of interviews.  Davis is arguably the only franchise player in the draft and other coaching candidates could throw their hats into the ring if Davis becomes a Bobcat.

Ewing— an assistant coach for the past five seasons with the Orlando Magic— is a close friend of Jordan's.  They share the same agent, David Falk, and were teammates on the original Olympic "Dream Team." Jordan even gave Ewing a prominent role in his animated movie "Space Jam" in 1996.

Ewing's close ties with Jordan may have actually worked against him.  Jordan has been criticized for hiring too many of his buddies and yes-men throughout the years and Ewing fit that bill to a tee.

With the firing of Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy, Ewing found himself available for work.  He worked with Jeff Van Gundy  in Houston before joining the Magic and his name has been tossed around as a head coach before.  Last spring, Ewing had an interview with the Detroit Pistons and impressed general manager Joe Dumars.

Despite being rivals on the court, Ewing and Jordan were close friends off it.  It might be a blessing in disguise for Ewing to be eliminated from the Bobcats job.  The team was one of the worst in NBA history (7-59) and there are questions about Jordan's financial commitment to putting together a winning team.  A first time head coach in Charlotte might be a tough place to break your cherry.

Hey, maybe there is a chance that "Space Jam 2" can get the green light now.

Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler only makes All-Defensive Second Team

Was Tyson Chandler slighted with his All-Defensive Second Team selection? For the New York Knicks center, the second straight  Second Team pick is nice— if not a bit perplexing— especially since he was already named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year.

Since that award is voted on by the media, the All-defensive Team honor comes from all 30 NBA coaches with one important rule— coaches can't vote for their own players.

Dwight Howard— who had won three DPOY awards prior to this season— was nominated to the first team in Chandler's place.  He was joined by LeBron James and shot-blocking phenom Serge Ibaka and guards Chris Paul and Tony Allen.

Chandler was joined on the second team by Kevin Garnett, Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo and Kobe Bryant.

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin was confused by the slight and even questioned the logic behind Chandler's snub via Twitter.

Lin tweeted: "im no genius or anything but someone explain how @tysonchandler is defensive player of the year but not make the nba all-defensive team."

He did go to Harvard.

Chandler did have more points (36 overall and 13 first-team votes) than both Allen and Paul, but since only one center can be nominated per team, the honor went to Howard (16 first-place and 41 overall points).

If it was any consolation to Chandler, his teammate rookie Iman Shumpert received honorable mention after getting one first-place vote and 13 overall.

Howard's team, the Orlando Magic actually regressed from one of the top-three defensive teams to No. 13 last season while Chandler helped turn the Knicks into defensive force.

Deron Williams uses Brooklyn in final pitch for Dwight Howard

The future of the New Jersey Nets might hinge on the plight of Dwight Howard before today's 3 pm trade deadline and the Nets free-agent-to-be Deron Williams is banking on the the borough of Brooklyn to lure the Orlando Magic center to the Nets.

After a bizarre sequence of events over the past few months, including drunk-dialing from the Magic CEO and continuing with Howard telling the team he would exercise his one-year option to remain in Orlando, it looks like the big man could end up in New Jersey— until the move to Brooklyn next year.

Williams sounded like a man who would remain with the Nets if Howard came aboard and sang the praises of Brooklyn to show why the new location was desirable.

"Companies I'm dealing with are real excited about the move to Brooklyn," Williams said.  "That's what really excites them ... they see the buzz around the new arena, the fans are excited about a team coming to the borough, and I think everybody is trying to get a head start on that."

All that, and free Jay-Z tickets to boot.

Williams was traded to the Nets at the end of the 2010-11 season and made it clear he would not stay if the team didn't build the franchise around him.

The Nets guard, who becomes a free agent after the season said he will stay if the Nets sign Howard.

Nets general manager Billy King has continued to engage in trade talks with the Magic with the hope of  making a deal before the trade deadline.  King insists that the Nets will not trade Williams.

While the Nets are one of many teams vying for Howard's services, Howard has said in the past that the Nets were a top choice when he became a free agent.

If the Nets do not sign Howard, it's almost a foregone conclusion Williams— their best player— will leave at the end of the season.

Williams— who came to New Jersey from the Utah Jazz— wants Howard to know that by coming to the Nets opens up a lot of marketing opportunities especially when they relocate to Brooklyn.

"It's been a lot different than Utah, that's for sure.  It's definitely a bigger market, a better market, able to reach more people," said Williams, who has picked up deals with Audi, Metro PCS, and Red Bull.

"A lot of the companies I'm dealing with are excited about the move to Brooklyn."

If Howard re-signs with the Magic, it would be the worst-case-scenario for the Nets.

Is Williams concerned about being traded himself or his future with the Nets?

"There is no way to tell," he reasoned.  "We'll see what happens and go from there."

Hedo Turkoglu gets touchy-feely with refs

There are a few things a player can get away with in the NBA—taking five steps to the basket and not getting a travelling call or swatting a once-untouchable sensation with a Lin-sane forearm (Jason Kidd on Jeremy Lin?) and getting a no-call; but putting your hands on a referee is still a no-no.

The Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu learned that the hard way last night at the United Center.



The Magic were involved in a close game against the Chicago Bulls when the Magic forward thought he was fouled going to the hoop and went to plead his case with ref Carl Lane.

While addressing Lane, Turkoglu innocently put both hands on the ref who immediately gave him a technical.

Turkoglu continued to grab at Lane then went over and played two-hand touch on the other referee Phil Spinner.

The "T' really didn't matter as Orlando got a big game from Dwight Howard and the Magic defeated the Bulls, 99-94, snapping Chicago's eight game winning streak.

Turkoglu is lucky he didn't get two on the play— two technicals that is.

Ex-Magic CEO's Booty-Call Could Help Nets Land Dwight Howard

Nothing says "I love you" like a late night phone call to your ex—or soon-to-be free-agent—after a few rounds of drinks but the same call also says "run for the hills."

Either way, it's never a smart thing to do as ex-Orlando Magic CEO, Bob Vander Weide, found out after admitting he phoned Dwight Howard pleading with the star center to stay with with his team.

It sounds like the CEO's booty-call might have backfired.

Vander Weide, who unexpectedly retired yesterday, told Bright House Sports Network he called Howard a few days ago after having "a couple of glasses of wine" and "maybe should have waited until the morning."

"Maybe Dwight thought it was inappropriate to talk business after a couple glasses of wine," Vander Weide told the network about the 1 a.m. phone call.  "I was playing paddle with a couple of friends."

The Magic are desperate to keep Howard in Orlando.  Arguably the NBA's best big man, Howard can opt-out of the final year of his contract on July 1, and has expressed his desire to go to another team.

The situation has pretty much forced the Magic to deal the five-time All-Star now before they risk losing him for nothing in return when he becomes a free-agent.

In the meantime, teams have been taking advantage of the shaky relationship between Howard and his current team.

The Los Angeles Lakers—most notably—have offered everyone but Kobe Bryant for Howard but it's the New Jersey Nets who have actually put a tangible deal on the table.

The Nets have offered Brook Lopez, draft picks and cap space in order to keep their own All-Star point guard Deron Williams in Newark before they team moves to Brooklyn next year.

On Monday, Williams—who has his own opt-out decision to make after this season— claimed he had spoken with Howard about coming north and is "sure" he would sign an extension if he was dealt to the Nets.  The two players were teammates on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

"[Howard's] a monster," gushed Williams.  "He's like a created player.  He's not real."

The Nets might be facing an uphill battle for the coveted big guy playing alongside Williams.

Los Angeles—and the bright lights of Hollywood—might be too much of a draw for the aspiring actor Howard and the trade bait—Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum—might be too tempting for the Magic.

While the desperate call by Vander Weide might have been fueled by liquor—as suspected by Howard—the Magic are still in the mix for Howard.  The former CEO told Bright House that Howard is still waiting to see what Orlando offers the center before he becomes a free-agent after this season.

"We have a pretty good relationship," said Vander Weide.  "I have a pretty clear understanding where Dwight's head is and that's between him and this organization."

Still, the Nets don't want to turn any trade negotiations with the Magic into a media feeding frenzy, ala the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony.

"We're confident—Billy [Nets GM Billy King] and I," said Nets coach Avery Johnson.  "We've been confident all along.  Last year, we had a circus atmosphere when we were trying to make deals for some guys.  Hopefully, if we do anything, you guys [the media] won't find out until you kind of find out what we did [with Williams]," said Johnson.

Johnson said that trade talks with Orlando are in the preliminary stages and will be kept under wraps until the time is right.

"I can't talk about it publicly," said Johnson.  "But it's a foregone conclusion that we're working at it and hopefully, we'll get something done."

Maybe it's time for the Nets to bring out the big guns to lure Howard to Jersey and their new Brooklyn home next year—Madison Avenue and Jay-Z.

Patrick Ewing: If Only I Had a Carmelo...

Patrick Ewing claims current New York Knicks super-star Amar'e Stoudemire has an easier road to an NBA title than he did because none of his teammates were as good as Carmelo Anthony.

According to the New York Post, Ewing thinks he could have won a championship if former Knicks GM Ernie Grunfeld and Garden president Davis Checketts had brought in a better supporting cast.

The 11-time All-Star was asked who was the best player he ever played alongside with and Ewing replied," Second best teammate?  John Starks, Allan [Houston], Spree [Latrell Spreewell], Oak [Charles Oakley].  But they're not Carmelo"

While Ewing, an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, may be endearing himself to the current Knicks team, it sounds like a jab at the former Knicks management for his brilliant, but NBA Championship-less career.  It sounds like he wrongly took the blame for the lack of an NBA title because he didn't have his own second fiddle.

Ewing is on the short list of Knicks head coaching prospects if current coach, Mike D'Antoni fails and believes the current Knicks brass is on the right track by bringing in an additional super-star like Anthony mid-way through the season to compliment Stoudemire--a perk he never had.

Yesterday, Ewing professed his admiration of Anthony before the Magic's 116-110 victory in Orlando.

"A great player. A great player," Ewing said.  "New York hasn't had two bona fide superstars since Willis [Reed] and Earl [Monroe] and Clyde [Frazier].  Those guys are two bona fide superstars."

The closest Ewing ever got to getting an NBA Championship ring was in 1994.  After battling center Hakeem Olajuwon and leading the Houston Rockets, 3-2, Ewing's second-banana, Starks, went ice-cold and shot 2-for-18 in game seven while the Knicks wilted away.  It still burns at Ewing.

"I can't worry about that now," said Ewing.  "I've been retired 100 years.  It feels like 100 years."

The Hall-of-Famer had a lot of good things to say about the third part of the Knicks Big-Three, Chauncey Billups.

"Everyone kept talking about him as a throw-in," Ewing said.  People overlooked him when he first started.  He's played great games. He's won championships."

While Ewing was surrounded by rugged lunch-buckets players like Starks and Oakley during his playing days, he now says he would have welcomed an offensive super-star player like Anthony and advises Stoudemire to count his blessings.

Ewing believes Stoudemire and 'Melo can co-exist in New York.  "They both have to share it, he stressed.  "You can't worry about it.  The city's big enough.  There's enough spotlight to go around."

That spotlight was always shining on Ewing during his 15 seasons at Madison Square Garden and it highlights his retired #33 jersey hanging from it's rafters.

Listening to him reminisce, it sounds like Ewing wishes he had someone to share the limelight with back then.

Asbestos Scare Postpones Knicks-Magic Game

By Tony Mangia

Tuesday night's NBA game featuring the New York Knicks against the Orlando Magic in Madison Square Garden was postponed after hazardous materials fell into the arena last night.  The Garden will not open until all the debris is removed.  Contrary to New York fans hopes, the waste being removed did not resemble in any way, shape or form either Isiah Thomas or owner James Dolan.

Following last night's Ranger game, during overnight maintenance of the Garden, asbestos-related materials were knocked loose from the attic by workers and onto the arena floor.

A statement released by Madison Square Garden said, "Out of an abundance of caution, and consulting with the NBA, we are postponing tonight's Knicks v. Magic game.  We will not open the arena until the Garden is safe."

Earlier, hundreds of disappointed fans were sent home while crews cleaned up inside.  There was no word on how much material must be removed and the estimated time of completion.

"We will be working with the city and independent experts to evaluate and determine the most appropriate course of action," MSG's release said, "As the safety of our customers and employees are our top priority."

The Knicks were hoping to get their first home victory against the Magic who are coming off a tough loss against their Sunshine State rivals, the Miami Heat.

Madison Square Garden advised ticket holders to retain their tickets and get rescheduling information at nyknicks.com. They will announce information about future events as soon as it arrives.

The Knicks next home game is scheduled for Friday against the Washington Wizards.  The next Rangers game is scheduled for Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.