Knicks Can't Compete with the League's Elite
Lack of Size and Talent Puts Knicks a Step Behind
“Dream Week”
It was being called “Dream Week” around New York’s Madison Square Garden. In a span of five days, the Knicks hosted the top three teams in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics. It was quite a challenge for a young and undersized Knicks team that was hit with a dose of reality as they lost all three.
Monday, February 2nd: Record Setter
The grueling schedule began last Monday night when Kobe Bryant and the Lakers made their only appearance of the year at “the Garden”. Kobe loves playing New York and he showed it early as he scored 18 points in the first quarter.
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player slowed a little in the second as he scored 16 to post up 34 at the half. Kobe had the look in his eye that this was going to be a special night so when he finished the third quarter with 46, those in attendance began to think about the Garden record for points scored in one game.
That mark was set on Christmas Day, 1984, when Forward Bernard King poured in 60 points in a losing effort against the New Jersey Nets. Kobe had his target and he was zeroing in.
Bryant took a seat for the opening minutes of the fourth quarter because head coach Phil Jackson wanted him fresh for the stretch run.
With 7:51 remaining, Kobe re-entered the game and proceeded to score 15 more points, 11 of those coming from the free throw line, to give him a record setting 61 at Madison Square Garden.
Bryant was 19 of 31 and a perfect 20 of 20 from the free throw line. Next up King James
Wednesday, February 4th: How About an Encore
Cavaliers F LeBron James watched Kobe Bryant’s spectacular performance Monday night and knew the spotlight would be on him more than ever to see what he could do to top that effort.
What’s special about LeBron is that he’s mature enough and secure enough in his own skin that he doesn’t get fazed over hype and distractions like these. James priority was getting a win for his team and that’s what he set out to do.
He did it in style with 52 points, 9 rebounds (James had 10 rebounds but the NBA took one away after reviewing a tape of the game), and 11 assists to lead the Cavs to a win.
It marked the second time that James had 50 or more in a game at Madison Square Garden.
There’s much speculation centering around James possibly becoming a Knick when he goes free agent after the 2009-2010 season, so whenever he comes to the Garden now it’s a big time event.
LeBron’s performance had the fans and the media comparing the two nights but the Knicks would suffer one more elite defeat.
Friday, February 6th: That’s Why they’re the Champs
The defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics rounded out “dream week” and they were coming off a grueling, overtime loss to none other than the Lakers the night before in Boston. Many were wondering if the Knicks could “steal” one from a drained Celtics team, but the champs found a way.
It was looking good for New York after three because the Knicks had a 76-72 lead, but a 13-4 run to open the fourth put Boston up 85-80. The Celtics would go on to shoot 14 of 18 from the field in the final stanza, to capture a hard fought 110-100 victory.
There were no superb individual performances in this one. In five days, the best that the NBA had to offer was on full display at 33rd street and 8th avenue in New York City.
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