The Knicks came out on fire and smoked the Suns. Completely smoked ‘em. At the half, the Knicks had 71 points and ended up winning 126-99. The win improved the Knicks to 4-14, while the Suns dropped to 14-4.

Danilo Gallinari, the second-year forward from Italy, led the way for the Knicks with 27 points, ten rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 36 minutes. David Lee had 24 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Off the bench, Al Harrington had 22 points and eight boards.

Steve Nash was the lone bright spot for the Suns, finishing with 20 points and eight assists. After the game, Nash didn’t exactly mince words.

“Terrible performance. I’m embarrassed. Obviously just a disastrous effort,” said Nash.

This game was also the first time this season that the Suns didn’t score 100 points. D’Antoni had one wish after the game.

Said D’Antoni: “If we can bottle this up.”

Mike D'Antoni got the last laugh on Tuesday (Image: Zuma Press)

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Mike D’Antoni Gets Sweet Revenge

Tonight, they’ll have a chance to see just how good they really are when they play the defending NBA Champions. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 6-1, and they are on a mission to repeat.

“When you’re playing the world champs, it’s always a great measuring stick,” said Nash, according to ESPN.com. “Now we go to LA and see how good we are.”

The Phoenix Suns will try to keep Kobe Bryant in check when they face off against the Lakers in L.A. tonight.

Accurate shooting, a high-flying offense and good defense have helped get the Suns off to one of their best starts since the 1980-81 season. After beating the New Orleans Hornets by 20 points last night, All-Star guard Chris Paul had this to say:

“They’re like the Phoenix Suns of my rookie year and my second year in the league. I give them a lot of credit. They did a great job of putting those pieces back together.”

We’ll see how those pieces can measure up against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers tonight.

Image: Zuma Press

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High-Flying Suns Ready For The Champions

“I was a free agent and it was natural to explore my options,” Nash said, according to ESPN.com. “Some people said I was a little crazy going back to Phoenix because I wouldn’t have as good a chance to win. I liked the team and coaches and I was comfortable.”

Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns are on the rise after going 4-1 during a five-game road trip.

From the outset, it looks like Nash made the right decision. The Suns are on the rise in the West, wrapping up a five-game road trip with a 4-1 record. Last night, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Nash registered the first 20-20 in points and assists in the NBA since  Jan. 2, 2006, at New York (where he totaled 22 assists — the highest in his career).

Life with out Shaq on the court seems much brighter as well, as the Suns are back to their high-flying, quick-scoring ways.

The college basketball season also got underway last night. Here are some quick highlights:

• Jim Boeheim reached his 800th win at Syracuse.
• North Carolina is ranked #4 in the nation, even though they lost four starters to the NBA.
• Isiah Thomas lost his first game as head coach for FIU against the defending champs, UNC.

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Looks Like Nash Made The Right Decision

Howard had 25 points and six rebounds in only 23 minutes as he battled foul trouble. Anderson, who is starting at power forward while Rashard Lewis serves a suspension, had 20 points and ten rebounds. The second-year bigman was acquired in the trade during the offseason that sent Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets to the Magic.

The Suns, who were outscored 64-48 in the second half, were led by Amare Stoudemire’s 25 points and 15 rebounds. Steve Nash, who has been playing very well early in the 2009-10 NBA season, was held to 12 points and four assists.

The Suns next take on the Boston Celtics on Friday night, while the Magic play the Detroit Pistons on the same day.

Dwight Howard and the Magic and very good once again (Image: Zuma Press)

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Magic Hand Suns First Defeat

Lopez was injured during the Suns intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. His foot injury has been diagnosed as a broken fifth metatarsal. He’ll need a screw to fix his foot during surgery.

Last year, as a backup to Shaquille O’Neal, Lopez averaged 3.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 10.2 minutes per contest. The 21-year-old shot 51.8% from the field and 69.1% from the free throw line.

This season, Lopez had a good chance to start at center for Phoenix. Without Lopez, the team will likely have to turn to Channing Frye or Louis Amundson as Amare Stoudemire’s partner up front.

While the team claims that Lopez may be able to return in six weeks, a more likely scenario is for him to return at some point in the month of December.

Robin Lopez of the Suns has a broken foot (Image: Zuma Press)

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Robin Lopez Injury Update – Foot Surgery

JR Smith, who has a chance to start for the Denver Nuggets this season, was suspended for seven games for a reckless driving charge he pleaded guilty to during the offseason. Last year, Smith averaged 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.7 minutes per game. Each of those stats were a career-high for Smith, who also shot 44.6% from the field and 39.7% from being the three-point arc.

Jason Richardson of the Phoenix Suns received a two-game suspension for pleading guilty to drunken driving. Richardson, who will start at shooting guard next season for the Suns, was traded to Phoenix early last year. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest in 33.1 minutes.

Smith and Richardson won’t be paid during their respective suspensions. Even though they will be suspended to start the regular season, they will be able to participate in training camp and preseason play.

JR Smith Suspended - Denver Nuggets (Image: Zuma Press)

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JR Smith and Jason Richardson Suspended

The 6-foot-7 forward will be transitioning to playing out on the perimeter in the NBA. During summer league, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 assists per game. Last year playing with his brother on the Oklahoma Sooners, he averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.

While the Suns might like his talent, there is also financial motivation for this move. Since he’s a second round pick, they can sign him to the smallest deal allowable in the NBA. With the luxury tax looming, saving every possible penny is good news for Phoenix.

Expect this Griffin to be playing in Iowa for at least part of the season so that the Suns can get a look at him in the NBA D-League. If he can improve his outside shooting and his ballhandling, he may eventually be known for something other than being Blake Griffin’s older brother.

Taylor Griffin and Blake Griffin (Image: Zuma Press)

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Suns Sign the Other Griffin

The 35-year-old native of Canada is coming off of another very good season. While his numbers were down a little bit, he still is regarded as one of the best point guards in the leauge. Last year, Nash averaged 15.7 points, 9.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in 33.6 minutes.

Despite Nash’s play, the Suns weren’t able to make the playoffs. They struggled under new coach Terry Porter and they also had to deal with an injury-shortened season for star power forward Amare Stoudemire.

While this is undoubtedly a risk for the Suns due to Nash’s age, the point guard is a fan favorite and there was a risk that the New York Knicks would go after him in the offseason. Nash even hinted at being interested in signing on with the Knicks to join his former coach Mike D’Antoni.

Steve Nash gets extension from the Suns (Image: Zuma Press)

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Steve Nash Gets Extension from Suns

Coach Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors stole Curry right out from under the Knicks’ noses when he picked him 7th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.

To anyone out there who thinks Nelson is planning on trading Curry to the highest bidder (ahem, Phoenix Suns) — think again.

“He can unpack his bags and relax,” Nelson said after welcoming Curry to Oakland. “He can buy a house. We drafted him because we think he’s a terrific player that fits right into our program. He ain’t going anyplace.”

Curry will be paired up with Monta Ellis to create a quick and sharp-shooting backcourt. He will definitely see playing time this fall, as Nelson hopes Curry can help spark his offensive attack.

“I looked at the top 10, and [the Warriors] jumped off the page with the way they play,” Curry said. “I’m a fan of the game, so I notice these sorts of things. I’ve seen enough of them to know I’d fit in here, at least on the surface. It’s exciting to get here and think about what could happen with this offense and this coaching staff.”

If Curry is as exciting to watch in the NBA as he was in college, then Bay-area basketball fans better get ready for some highlight-reel-worthy plays this season.

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Stephen Curry Is Staying In The Bay Area

In return for Shaq, the Phoenix Suns received Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, cash and a second round pick in next year’s draft. The Suns did the deal for financial reasons as Pavlovic has an unguaranteed contract and Wallace is said to be leaning toward retirement.

The 37-year-old O’Neal is coming off of a very good season. He averaged 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.7 assists per game. He shot 60.9% from the field and 59.5% from the line.

The Cavs need Shaq to give LeBron some help. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic, the Cavs struggled to find offensive options. They also struggled to defend the rim. Shaq should help in both regards.

Marketing-wise, this is a dream for Cleveland and the NBA.

Shaq and Lebron (Image: Zuma Press)

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Shaquille O’Neal Traded to the Cavs