Steve Popper's Avatar

Steve Popper

@stevepopper.bsky.social

Knicks writer and NBA columnist for @newsdaysports. I’ve done this for a long time at a lot of papers. Opinions are my own - no one else would claim them.

6,140 Followers  |  55 Following  |  531 Posts  |  Joined: 14.11.2024  |  1.5122

Latest posts by stevepopper.bsky.social on Bluesky

Preview
Five things learned about the Knicks after Summer League A look back at what we've learned about the Knicks' shift from the run to the Eastern Conference Finals to what's next.

Five things we've learned about the Knicks after Summer League
A look back at what we've learned about the Knicks' shift from the run to the Eastern Conference Finals to what's next.
www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

17.07.2025 22:32 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks' Tyler Kolek breaks out in Summer League Tuesday night's Summer League highlighted the Tyler Kolek the Knicks saw in college.

Popper: Kolek's talking, and that's got others talking
Tuesday night's Summer League highlighted the Tyler Kolek the Knicks saw in college.
www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

17.07.2025 12:02 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks' Tyler Kolek breaks out in Summer League with his play and swagger Tuesday night's Summer League highlighted the Tyler Kolek the Knicks saw in college,

Popper: Kolek's talking, and that's got others talking
Tuesday night's Summer League highlighted the Tyler Kolek the Knicks saw in college,
www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

16.07.2025 16:25 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Raw 6-8 rookie Mohamed Diawara impresses Knicks in Summer League At 6-8 and 200 pounds with a 7-4 wingspan, Mohamed Diawara's physical traits are reminiscent of a young OG Anunoby.

Raw rookie Diawara impresses Knicks in Summer League Mohamed Diawara's physical traits are reminiscent of a young OG Anunoby. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

15.07.2025 00:59 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Kevin McCullar Jr. took long, winding road to NBA and Knicks Kevin McCullar Jr. was drafted No. 56 in 2024, but injuries and surgery kept him out until the 71st game of the regular season.

Knicks Kevin McCullar Jr. took long, winding road to NBA and Knicks. And after a year of rehab he is ready for what feels like a rookie season. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

14.07.2025 15:06 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Knicks using Summer League action to speed up their game New coach Mike Brown also saw with summer debut that it will take time to implement.

Knicks using Summer League action to speed up their game New coach Mike Brown also saw with summer debut that it will take time to implement. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

13.07.2025 16:52 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Jordi Fernandez has seen Knicks' Mike Brown evolve as an NBA coach Brown gave Jordi Fernandez his NBA coaching start, and Fernandez shares his observations of Brown then and now.

Popper: Jordi Fernandez has seen Mike Brown evolve -- from the days Brown found him here in Vegas -- and knows one thing that the Knicks are getting www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

11.07.2025 19:09 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Mike Brown's philosophy as Knicks coach: Use whatever system works "I think you have a philosophy on both ends of the floor, but you have to make sure it fits with your personnel," Brown said. "So it's ever-evolving, and it will be here."

Popper: Mike Brown's philosophy as Knicks coach: Use whatever system works www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

09.07.2025 22:03 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
Preview
Knicks' front office must share pressure with new coach Mike Brown Introduction of Mike Brown seems to be severing the past and looking to the future.

Popper: Knicks' front office must share pressure with new coach Brown Introduction of new coach seems to be severing the past and looking to the future. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

09.07.2025 00:17 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks' front office must share pressure with new coach Mike Brown Introduction of Mike Brown seems to be severing the past and looking to the future.

Popper: Knicks' front office must share pressure with new coach Brown Introduction of new coach seems to be severing the past and looking to the future. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

09.07.2025 00:17 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks need to pass on a trade for LeBron James LeBron James still is a great player, but it makes no sense for them.

Knicks Sunday Insider (early holiday read): Star chase might not be over, but it's with a cautious approach -- Durant: no. LeBron: no. Giannis:?; Also, what can Mike Brown do for Knicks' offense: www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

05.07.2025 13:57 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Mike Brown brings to Knicks what . . . Tom Thibodeau did Coaches have similar track records; now, can Brown get them to next level?

Popper: Mike Brown brings a lot of Tom Thibodeau to the Knicks. And that's a good thing. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

03.07.2025 20:41 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Knicks have found their next coach, finalizing a deal to make Mike Brown to guide the team www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

02.07.2025 17:28 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 2    📌 0
Preview
NBA free agency: Knicks add 76ers' Guerschon Yabusele The big man likely will take the place of free agent Precious Achiuwa.

Knicks add Yabusele from 76ers in free agency He likely will take the spot of free agent Precious Achiuwa. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

02.07.2025 01:38 — 👍 6    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks may be bargain hunting as free agency begins Knicks are limited by contracts of team's starting five.

Knicks may be in market for bargain in free agency The contracts of the Knicks' starting five limits the team's moves. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

30.06.2025 00:03 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Jason Kidd to Knicks just won't go away The Jason Kidd-to-Knicks thinking won't go away as long as the Mavericks' coach is without an extension and the Knicks haven't hired someone else.

Knicks Sunday Insider: Kidd to Knicks just won't go away And it won't as long as the Mavericks' coach is without an extension and the Knicks haven't hired someone else; summer notes and draft recap. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

29.06.2025 13:17 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Knicks draft Mohamed Diawara, 6-8 forward from France

Knicks follow their blueprint in NBA Draft -- shifting spots and finding a friend www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

27.06.2025 12:59 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks in coaching limbo as other teams make improvements The team is without a leader, a first-round pick in Wednesday's draft and the stockpile of assets is gone.

Popper: Knicks in coaching limbo as other teams improve The team is without a leader, a first-round pick in Wednesday's draft and the stockpile of assets is gone. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

23.06.2025 21:57 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Knicks must get hiring of next head coach right After Thibodeau righted the ship, the front office can't allow the franchise to slip back into chaotic state.

Popper: Knicks need to get head coaching hire right After Thibodeau righted the ship, the Front office can't allow the franchise to slip back into chaos. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

14.06.2025 22:18 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
In wake of firing by Knicks, players offer appreciation for Tom Thibodeau "The things he's done for me, individually, I'm so grateful for," Jalen Brunson said. ". . . Not enough things can be said about what he's meant to myself, my career."

Knicks' Brunson, Hart offer praise for Thibodeau "The things he's done for me, individually, I'm so grateful for," Jalen Brunson said. ". . . Not enough things can be said about what he's meant to myself, my career." www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

13.06.2025 01:46 — 👍 8    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
In wake of firing by Knicks, players offer appreciation for Tom Thibodeau "The things he's done for me, individually, I'm so grateful for," Jalen Brunson said. ". . . Not enough things can be said about what he's meant to myself, my career."

Knicks' Brunson, Hart offer praise for Thibodeau "The things he's done for me, individually, I'm so grateful for," Jalen Brunson said. ". . . Not enough things can be said about what he's meant to myself, my career." www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

13.06.2025 01:46 — 👍 8    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks not interested in trade for Kevin Durant, source says The Knicks reportedly were also denied permission to speak to Jason Kidd for their head coaching job.

Knicks aren't in on Durant, source says, so what will they be next season as they search for a coach and clarify? www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

12.06.2025 01:29 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
High bar for next coach somewhere beyond Tom Thibodeau's success So the Knicks have set the expectations at the NBA Finals — and maybe winning it is the only satisfactory result.

Knicks Insider: Knicks' high bar for next coach a mark above Thibodeau's success So the Knicks have set the expectations at the NBA Finals — and maybe winning it is the only satisfactory result. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

07.06.2025 23:30 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Tom Thibodeau is gone from the Knicks, but what remains are big expectations One thing that any successor will face: Pressure to exceed what Thibodeau has accomplished. Quickly.

Popper: Thibs is gone, but what remains are big expectations One thing that any successor will face: Pressure to exceed what Thibodeau has accomplished. Quickly. www.newsday.com/sports/colum...

04.06.2025 23:05 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau after five seasons He helped the Knicks earn their first conference finals appearance since 2000 this season.

Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau after 5 seasons — putting an end to the best era of Knicks basketball in a quarter century.
He helped the Knicks earn their first conference finals appearance since 2000 this season. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

03.06.2025 22:33 — 👍 9    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau after five seasons He helped the Knicks earn their first conference finals appearance since 2000 this season.

Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau after 5 seasons — putting an end to the best era of Knicks basketball in a quarter century.
He helped the Knicks earn their first conference finals appearance since 2000 this season. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

03.06.2025 22:33 — 👍 9    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
5 questions facing the Knicks in the offseason

5 questions facing the Knicks in the offseason After the Knicks made the huge moves last summer to obtain Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony... www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

03.06.2025 09:29 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks disappointed, but know front office built team for long haul The deals they made aligned the core of the team on a timeline of age and contracts, providing a window to end the championship drought that drags back to 1973.

Knicks disappointed, but know front office built team for long haul The deals they made aligned the core of the team on a timeline of age and contracts, providing a window to end the championship drought that drags back to 1973. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

01.06.2025 21:33 — 👍 21    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Knicks' season ends with dominant Pacers win in Game 6 Indiana runs past Knicks to take Eastern Conference finals, 4-2, and head to NBA Finals.

INDIANAPOLIS — In the end, there is only one team that will hold the trophy, and maybe you can accept that it will not be the Knicks.

But if it was going to end, you didn’t want it to end like this. www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

01.06.2025 14:54 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Knicks' season ends with dominant Pacers win in Game 6 Indiana runs past Knicks to take Eastern Conference finals, 4-2, and head to NBA Finals.

Knicks' season ends with dominant Pacers win in Game 6 Indiana runs past Knicks to take Eastern Conference finals, 4-2, and head to NBA Finals.  www.newsday.com/sports/baske...

01.06.2025 04:28 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

@stevepopper is following 20 prominent accounts