NEW YORK — Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is missing Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

But he’s also hoping Jorts returns soon, too.

“I had no idea I’d be sitting here saying I can’t wait till Josh Harrellson gets back,” D’Antoni said Friday night at MSG before the Knicks host Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. (more…)

NEW YORK — Enes Kanter was hoping for a rematch with Josh Harrellson Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

But because Harrellson is sidelined with a fractured right wrist, the two former Kentucky teammates weren’t able to tangle in the Knicks 99-88 victory over the Utah Jazz.

“He was sad because his hand’s broke, so I was kind of sad, too,” Kanter said before the game. “He was doing a really good job and he was really happy to be here.” (more…)

Nerlens Noel, arguably the top American shot-blocker not in the NBA, has reclassified to the Class of 2012, which will have profound implications not only on the 2012 spring signing period but on the 2013 NBA Draft, too.

Boston Area Basketball Club head man Leo Papile has compared Noel to Bill Russell because of his shot-blocking skills and ability to finish around the rim.

Like Russell and Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis, Noel has a knack for redirecting blocked shots so that they stay inbounds and his teammates can recover them.

“I’m ready to do it,” Noel, out of The Tilton (N.H.) School, told Dave Telep of ESPN.com in reference to reclassyifying. “It’s a short window of time to pick a school.” (more…)

Kentucky coach John Calipari is in Las Vegas tonight (Wednesday) to watch Shabazz Muhammad, the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2012, and 6-7 forward Anthony Bennett.

Muhammad and Bishop Gorman take on Western High School in a game. Bennett and Findlay Prep have no game listed on their schedule, so Calipari will presumably watch a practice.

Ron Holmes, Muhammad’s father, confirmed to SNY.tv that Calipari “said he was coming to our game tonight.”

Earlier, Calipari Tweeted, “Getting some recruiting done today. Anybody know what state I’m in?” (more…)

NEW YORK — Brandon Knight admits he wonders what it would be like to still be playing for Kentucky and getting the chance to lob alley-oop passes to freshman sensation Anthony Davis.

“Of course , of course, I would think about that,” Knight told SNY.tv before shooting 3-for-8 for nine points with one assist as the Detroit Pistons lost their sixth straight, 113-86, to the Knicks Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

“They’re doing great this year so congratulations to them. I feel we’d be doing even better if I was there.”

While Knight’s old team is 22-1 and ranked No. 1 in the nation, his current team is 4-19 and owns the second-worst record in the NBA.

He has already lost more games in his rookie season with the Pistons than he did in his last two years — one at Kentucky and one at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Pine Crest — combined. (more…)

Knicks rookie Josh Harrellson had right wrist surgery Tuesday and is expected to be out six weeks.

“Surgery was good thank you for all the prayers! Now come on Knicks let’s get that W! Wish I was out there playing” Harrellson Tweeted.

“He’ll be back sometime after the All-Star break,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said Monday. (more…)

Knicks forward Josh Harrellson is expected to have right wrist surgery “shortly” and then faces a six-week recovery period, a Knicks spokesman said Monday.

“He’ll be back sometime after the All-Star break,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni added.

Harrellson fractured the wrist during an awkward fall in Saturday night’s 119-114 double-OT loss to the Denver Nuggets at MSG. (more…)

Derek Willis, a 6-9 forward from Mt. Washington, Ky., on Friday became Kentucky’s first commit in the Class of 2013.

Willis, rated as the No. 23-overall prospect in his class by Rivals.com, picked Kentucky over Louisville, Indiana and Purdue.

“I thought it was great [when they offered],” Willis told reporters in Kentucky. “It’s a top college in the nation. When you have  a chance to go there, it’s great.” (more…)

Anthony Davis is having a season-long block party.

The likely No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Davis scored 27 points and blocked seven shots Tuesday night to set a new single-season school blocks record as No. 2 Kentucky beat Arkansas, 86-63, at Rupp Arena.

“I know they’re definitely thinking about it when they come in the hole and they’ve got to shoot the ball,” said Davis, who had 14 rebounds. “It’s definitely in their mind – where’s Anthony Davis? (more…)

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Kentucky coach John Calipari were the biggest names on hand Monday when Shabazz Muhammad dropped a game-high 37 points in Bishop Gorman’s 73-65 win over DeMatha Catholic at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

“It gives you a little pressure,” Muhammad told MassLive.com. “But when I start playing the game I just zone in. Coach K and Coach Calipari, those are the two best coaches in the game. You look at those guys and you have a little jitters.” (more…)