New York Knicks, Metta World Peace reportedly parting ways

The New York Knicks were reportedly working on a buyout of Metta World Peace’s contract Saturday.

But there was nothing even the notorious Knicks public relations machine could do about the tweets of Daniel Artest, World Peace’s brother. Among the highlights:

“Ron wanted to be a knick his entire career and his dream became a nightmare. Knicks need an overhaul. Top to bottom.

“Well. At least I got some nice knick gear.”

“I’m not threatening [owner Jim] Dolan on twitter tho. Lol. Some fan is locked up for that. Lol. However. I can say he’s the worst owner in sports.

“Mike Woodson isn’t the man for NYC. Puppets will never prosper. Well actually. He made millions coaching. Still a yes man tho.”

World Peace remained classy after an injury-plagued season in which he averaged a career-low 4.8 points per game.

“I just want to say ‘Thanks for everything,’” tweeted World Peace, the former Laker who will be free to join another team once the buyout becomes official.

Signing day

Last-place Philadelphia didn’t need to wait for the draft to make a high-impact acquisition.

The 76ers signed Kevin Grow to a two-day contract Monday after the local high school senior with Down syndrome shed his role as team manager to make four three-pointers in a recent game.

Grow was given his own locker and introduced by the 76ers’ public-address announcer as the team’s sixth man before a game against Cleveland.

One player noted that Grow’s No. 33 jersey was the same number that was supposed to be worn last season by Andrew Bynum, who never appeared in a game. The jersey finally found a worthy owner.

Watch what you say

The biggest loser of last week’s All-Star game might have been Johnny Dang.

The Houston jeweler who sells watches to athletes and celebrities supported his hometown Rockets by offering any of his customers a refund if the East beat the West.

Alas, the East rallied from an 18-point deficit to win, 163-155. It was a costly defeat for Dang, who told ESPN.com that he would refund the roughly $200,000 he had made from 37 watches sold if his customers brought him their receipts by Friday.

Maybe Dang should have Dwight Howard pick up part of the tab after the Rockets center finished with only eight points.

Award-winning review

NBA TV’s “The Starters” panned the critique of silly questions posed by the media during All-Star weekend that appeared in this space, selecting it the “Worst of the Week.”

“It’s terrible that we tried to turn All-Star weekend into an entertaining event that allows players to show their personalities rather than figuring out if they’ll give 110% in an exhibition game,” deadpanned co-host Tas Melas, who had spent much of the media access period asking players about their favorite smoothie ingredients.

Apparently Melas departed New Orleans before making his pick for worst of the week. He missed the dreadful dunk contest, a gasp-inducing performance by Vanilla Ice and a scoreless appearance by Dirk Nowitzki in a game that featured 318 points.