Sources say the New Jersey Nets will trade forward Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. ESPN says the Nets will be able to save $10 million longterm and continue to re-shape their team for the future--possibly with LeBron James in 2010. Further, the Chinese government will be thrilled Yi is in a big media market (that was China's grumble when Yi was drafted last year).......

Rangers 2 Philadelphia 0: Stephen Valiquette certainly likes playing in Philadelphia. Last time he was there he shutout the Flyers and this time he provided the same result. While Valiquette’s play was solid, the game was highlighted by hard hits and a lot of fighting, including a major scrum in the second period. Nigel Dawes got the Rangers on the board near the end of the third period as he converted a power play chance.......

Nets 87, Bucks 80: For one night at least, Jason Kidd did his best to help the Nets get maximum value in a trade. The Nets also proved that even they couldn't find a way to lose a weak team playing without its best player (Michael Redd). The fans cheered loudly for Kidd before the game, so they either want him gone -- and are cheering his efforts to leave -- or love him so......

This week in the Times, Bruni two-stars Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill (the new one, at Columbus Circle). After a few rocky meals immediately after the opening, “the food has been consistently first-rate,” says Bruni. “Much of it also reflects the [owners’, Eric and Bruce] Bromberg’s winning playfulness.” He also says that while the sushi isn't the best in town, the fried chicken may be. In Dining Briefs, Bruni visits Cooper’s Tavern (pictured) in......

Rangers 6, Maple Leafs 1: Nothing like making opponents pay dearly for their trips to the penalty box. The Rangers scored five of their six goals on the power play -- Blair Betts' icebreaker was the only even-strength goal -- and won their second straight game. This came against a Maple Leafs team that has struggled in the Northeast Division this season, but that won't bother Petr Prucha (two goals) or Jaromir jagr (one goal,......

Knicks 91, Bucks 88: Maybe the Knicks play better if no one is watching. They trailed by 15 entering the fourth quarter, but Jamal Crawford hit the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds remaining and the Knicsk won by three. Crawford's shot helped his team rinse the sour taste from Thursday's drubbing on national television in Boston right out of its mouth. Make no mistake, this team still needs to do a lot of work. Isiah......

There are plenty of Starbucks in Manhattan (over 170), but if you head over to Brooklyn -- you'll see the streets are mostly void of discarded Venti cups and hardly anyone has heard Josh Groban's new Christmas album. But things are about to change, chain-haters beware.A recent Brooklyn Real Estate Roundtable meeting revealed that retail giants such as Starbucks, Duane Reade pharmacies and Chase Bank are planning to double and in some cases triple their......

New York seems to have a love/hate relationship with the branded beanery Starbucks (their seasonal Peppermint Mochas sure are tasty, but their sterile generic storefronts keep the siren's call muted). While the local mom and pop collects our $3/day coffee allowance, there are plenty lining up at the corner 'Bucks for their daily buzz. Alas, there is now a book to appease the haters and the adoring herds of the establishment. Taylor Clark has gone......

Yankees 10, Orioles 7: Yeah, you read the headline right. Alex Rodriguez came through in yesterday afternoon's game in the biggest way - with a two-out game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the 9th inning. It was his 2nd home run of the game. The bottom of the ninth inning went something like this: out, out, Robinson Cano single, Derek Jeter walk, Bobby Abreu hit-by-pitch, grand slam by Rodriguez into the black seats. Kei......

Once upon a time at the corner of West 63rd and Broadway, there was a 6,000 square foot stationery store called Lincoln Stationers, where you could find airmail envelopes, buy a snazzy pen and order your wedding invitations. But Lincoln Stationers closed last year and a Starbucks and Duane Reade rose in its place - exactly what the neighborhood was in desperate need of, because the only other Starbucks and Duane Reades are 4-5......

Knicks 95, Bucks 93: After Stephon Marbury missed a baseline jumper, this game seemed headed for overtime. But officials said Andrew Bogut fouled Channing Frye with time on the clock, and the Knicks forward hit two free throws to give the Knicks the game at home. They won despite 23 turnovers, but don't get too carried away. The Bucks have lost eight straight and are still adjusting to playing with Michael Redd. New York also......

-Knicks 94, Hawks 82: Eddy Curry scored 20 points -- again -- and the Knicks took care of the injury-riddled Hawks at home. Josh Childress and Joe Johnson, Atlanta's leading scorer, missed the game. Nonetheless, the Knicks. Curry's streak of 20-plus point games, now at 11, is the longest since Patrick Ewing did it in the 1993-1994 season. His play and that of Jared Jeffries, who had 15 points in his first start this season,......

-Knicks 115, Bucks 107: Eddy Curry had 36 points -- his ninth straight over-20 performance -- and the Knicks gave the fans at Madison Square Garden plenty to cheer about. Curry dominated against Andrew Bogut and then Dan Gadzuric after Bogut faced early foul trouble. Nate Robinson chipped in 22, but, despite the win, the Knicks are only 3-8 at home this season. Curry's play, maligned here and everywhere it seems, has proven a pleasant......

Gothamist is going to embrace the positive and report solely on the good things that happened to the Knicks last night. After all, when a team wins for only the third time in twenty-five games, it is a cause for celebration. Yes, the Knicks won last night and on the road against a team fighting for a playoff spot as well. So, let’s enjoy the 103-98 victory. The Knicks shot 50% from the field while......

These Knicks columns are just writing themselves lately. Gothamist was on hand late Friday night along with Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Ludacris to witness Stephon Marbury dribble aimlessly for 20 seconds, then pass to a flummoxed Jamal Crawford with one second on the shot clock and all but gift-wrap a narrow 92-91 victory for the Houston Rockets. When the crowd all expects that you'll find a way to lose, a change is certainly in order. After......

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