The Post Up: It’s Hard Out Here for a Knick.
Celtics crush NY, Lakers down Denver, Warriors continue to win.
By: Holly MacKenzie
Whenever I see Isiah all I can think is “oh how the mighty have fallen”, and then I picture him in Hoop Dreams when he was so amazing and idolized and it makes me feel cheated. I don’t know why, or of what, but it just sucks. I don’t even know what to begin to say to describe the Knicks/Celtics game last night. I don’t want to write the recap, I don’t even want to see the boxscore. It was a nightmare to watch and I can only imagine how it felt to play in it from the Knicks side. I just felt so damn bad for the guys on the bench. At one point you see Steph with his towel over his head and Q beside him, just shakes his head in disgust. Yeah, he was running his mouth earlier, yeah a lot of this they have brought on themselves but what a damn mess. I feel bad for the fans because it is so sad to see a franchise fall so far. Pierce on the bench looks up at the scoreboard as incredulously as I did. I just feel like a huge fight is going to break out at one of these Knicks games. Since they have already imploded, the only thing left to do is explode. Unless of course, they can’t be bothered. Bottom line, something needs to be fixed and soon.
Edit: When I went to check out the boxscore from the game to write up this recap, the stats were all from the 3rd quarter as if even yahoo sports was so frustrated they couldn’t continue to pass along the horrible stats. Seems appropriate.
I was pleasantly shocked to see the Lakers come back from 17 down to end up defeating Denver by 28, marking a 45-point swing in the game. Sasha Vujacic’s 19-point 4th quarter was brilliantly bizarre and when the crowd starting cheering “MVP” for him as he was at the free throw line I could only shake my head. You know you are in LA when… I still can’t believe the Lakers scored 45 points in the 4th Q. Those are Suns type numbers. I was thrilled to see Crittenton get some burn, even if it was only 5 minutes. In those minutes he managed to score 7 points, grab 3 rebounds and dish an assist without any turnovers. Up those numbers. We want to see more of the kid.
I didn’t get to catch the Houston/Golden State game, but I was thrilled to see the Warriors continue to roll. Yeah for Stephen Jax and Don Nelson’s craziness that seems to work. I wish I would have seen Al Harrington shut down Yao, and I am going to make Golden State a priority from here on out.
Boston 104 New York 59
There really isn’t a lot to be said about this game. Boston came out from the opening minutes and annihilated the Knicks every single step of the way. While the Celtics had five players reach double-figures the Knicks had only one and it happened at the final buzzer. They also just managed to surpass the franchise low for points in a game as Nate Robinson hit that half-court shot to get into double-digits. For the game, New York’s highest scoring quarter was the 4th when they scraped together 18 points. In comparison, the Celtics had only one quarter where they scored less than 27 points. Boston had the luxury of resting their starters and did so with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce all sitting out the entire 4th quarter. Pierce and Allen each finished with 21 points while Garnett added 8 points and 11 rebounds in limited minutes. Eddie House had 15 and Glen Davis added 13 for Boston. For NY, Robinson ended with 11 points, and Jamaal Crawford had 8. The Celtics out-rebounded New York 51-35, they outshot them 46.8% as compared to 30.3% from the Knicks and they connected on 12 three-pointers while New York managed only two in the game.
LA Lakers 127 Denver 99
While the Lakers got down by 17 early, they managed to pull themselves out of the hole in the 3rd quarter and outscored the Nuggets by 8 in the period to take an 81-75 advantage into the 4th. It was in the final 12 minutes where LA excelled as Denver fell apart. The Nuggets gave up 46 points in the period as LA exploded offensively, led by Sasha Vujacic and his 19-point quarter off of the bench to bust the game open and lead LA to the 127-99 victory. The Laker reserves continued to come up big, outscoring Denver’s bench by a score of 63-29 and LA did so well with the second-unit in the game, Kobe Bryant got to sit out the entire 4th quarter. Despite playing only 24 minutes, Bryant was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 24 points. Besides Vujacic’s 22 off the bench the Lakers also got 14 points from Luke Walton and a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double from Andrew Bynum. Denver was led by Carmelo Anthony and his 23 points while Allen Iverson had 21 points and Linas Klezia scored 15. Anthony was ejected in the final minutes of the game for a flagrant-2 foul on Vujacic.
Golden State 113 Houston 94
Since the return of captain Stephen Jackson, the Golden State Warriors have looked and played like a different team than the one who opened the season 0-6. They have played so well in fact, that with their 113-94 victory over Houston they became the quickest team in NBA history to come back from an 0-6 start to post a winning record. Since losing their first six, the Warriors have gone 8-1 in their last nine games. In the contest last night, the Warriors got the usual contributions from Jackson and Baron Davis (19 points and 27 points, 8 assists), but they also got a huge contribution from Al Harrington as Harrington stifled Yao Ming and prevented him from dominating the game, disrupting Houston’s offensive flow. While the 1st half of the game was close, the Warriors used a 15-2 run in the 3rd to go up by as many as 19 points. They were able to coast to the victory from there as Houston was not able to cut the lead down into single-digits, despite getting a 19-point effort from Mike James off of the bench. As a testament to Harrington’s defensive efforts, Yao finished with only 10 points. McGrady struggled as well, finishing with 11 points on 5-4 field goals.
51 Responses to “The Post Up: It’s Hard Out Here for a Knick.”
Nov.30 at 8:38 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Is it possible to have your Hall of Fame status revoked? Isiah might finally have done it.
Nov.30 at 8:45 am
Keith says:
Completely agree with you Holly on the Isiah point. He’s a legend from his basketball playing days but now he just seems like a circus act. To people who have never seen him play and only know him from his front office and coaching roles, they must question how he ever got into basketball. I gotta confess, I now question how he is STILL in basketball. It’s a sad, sad sight to see. I really hope he can turn it around not only for New York but for himself.
Nov.30 at 9:11 am
Ryan Jones says:
With apologies to actual, die-hard Knicks fans, that game was AWESOME. I tuned in hoping to see a soul-crushing blowout, and that’s exactly what I got. How often as a consumer are your expectations so perfectly met? My only slight disappointment is that they didn’t finally double them up.
I’m not a blatant Knicks hater, either — my colleagues can attest that I was openly rooting for Isiah early on, if only to make Larry Brown look like a d*ck. But this… wow.
My favorite highlights:
1. Fratello making arguably the most blatant white-on-white player comparison of all time by saying tall, pasty redheaded forward Brian Scalabrine reminded him of… Matt Bonner! Catch the Czar next week, when he informs us that Yi Jianlian plays exactly like Yao Ming, and that all black people really do kinda look alike.
2. Marv oh-so-obvious relishing the chance to eviscerate the Knicks, from top-to-bottom, on national television. Reggie stupidly and randomly tried to defend them (or Isiah, at least) and Marv would NOT let it go. Beautiful. He must’ve been chewing on Fratello’s back in excitement during the timeouts.
3. Malik Rose using the entire fourth quarter as his personal low-post scoring showcase. Or trying, anyway.
4. Nate Robinson, you lovable little scamp. You just knew he’d hit that last three to keep them from their lowest scoring game in franchise history, didn’t you? Between this and his Dunk Contest heroics, has any marginal NBA player ever had a better knack for succeeding while failing?
Nov.30 at 9:18 am
Bryan says:
I’m ashamed to be a knick fan.I’m closing to changing my myspace layout.I hate Isiah. I hate Dolan.F*ck the Knicks.
Nov.30 at 9:32 am
beantown's Finest says:
great F’in game last night. the only person in double figures was nate robinson? what team was the celtics playing? i’m sensing a pink slip on someone’s desk by monday.
Nov.30 at 9:32 am
MoYooBuIuGuuPvEvNvIvS says:
once again, the warriors have made nba history. that lakers/nugs game was really odd. i dont know what happened to the nugs at halftime, but i never want that to happen to me. and that flagrant? it looked like melo was looking in the other direction when vujacic kinda ran into melo’s hand, then performed his best vlade impersonation. great game for him tho, he couldnt miss.
Nov.30 at 9:37 am
Esco says:
What? No quotes from Q? But yeah, he was right, I don’t fear the Celtics either, but that’s probably because I live in Paris and don’t have to play them…Celtics opened up a can of ‘I’ll-f*ck-your-*ss-up-quick-fast’ on them Knicks (word to MOP)
Nov.30 at 9:41 am
Keith says:
Everyone talks about the big three in Boston the whole time but seriously, the bench isn’t as shallow as people make out. Sure, it’s flawed but the pine dwellers are stepping up and playing hard night in and night out. That and the fact that Rondo has really picked up his game so far. Good to tsee the yougn guy flourish with 3 all stars. Cor blimey guvnor.
Nov.30 at 9:41 am
Bryan says:
close*
Nov.30 at 9:42 am
white hot eboy says:
Are we all supposed to be surprised? Isiah will be gone by Monday.
Nov.30 at 9:42 am
Bryan says:
All right it’s been fun see you all Monday.f*ck the Knicks.
Nov.30 at 9:50 am
Ryan Jones says:
Also: Cherry Chocolate Rain.
Nov.30 at 9:53 am
white hot eboy says:
Shia should just move to Panama City.
Nov.30 at 10:04 am
MoYooBuIuGuuPvEvNvIvS says:
eboy, are you going to join him after tonight?
Nov.30 at 10:09 am
white hot eboy says:
While your screen name shows you have mental potential, your comment leaves me wondering why you live.
Nov.30 at 10:13 am
Joel O's says:
Ditto, Keith. Back in the day, people were saying the same about the early-2000’s Laker supporting cast: that their guys wouldn’t get any burn on any other team. And Rondo was killing.
Nov.30 at 10:13 am
MoYooBuIuGuuPvEvNvIvS says:
miami might suffer a similar embarrassment tonight.
Nov.30 at 10:14 am
white hot eboy says:
Tarzan.
Nov.30 at 10:17 am
Steve O says:
I second that Ryan. Cherry Chocolate Rain kills the original, mainly because they found some dude to rap along with that kid. Priceless.
Nov.30 at 10:33 am
MoYooBuIuGuuPvEvNvIvS says:
“i didnt shoot once in that direction” “we’ve heard you, now leave”
Nov.30 at 10:35 am
MoYooBuIuGuuPvEvNvIvS says:
“nobody moved a gun towards you”
Nov.30 at 10:41 am
Keith says:
The most impressive thing about Rondo isn’t so much that he’s making the right plays but more that he isn’t making the wrong plays. It’s got to make life easy having three all stars but he’s not trying to get above himself and prove himself to be a star. He seems to have accepted his role. It’s so pleasing to see in an era when it’s all about ’stars’.
Nov.30 at 10:48 am
white hot eboy says:
Keith, since you are one of the few Rondo lovers in the world, you better hope he learns how to make a jumper by the time the playoffs roll around.
Nov.30 at 10:54 am
BETCATS says:
former knicks are always bad coaches look at Willis Reed or Phil Jackson…
Nov.30 at 10:55 am
Keith says:
Yeah, he’s gonna need a jump shot eventually but I’d be quite content if he simply continued what he was doing - driving to the whole and making the right pass. That jump shot will come with time. You mark my words, Rondo is the new Tiny Archibald. Word.
Nov.30 at 10:57 am
white hot eboy says:
Keith, an Englishman should never end a thought with “word”. It’s just not…..right. Bullocks.
Nov.30 at 11:02 am
Keith says:
Yeah but it makes it all the more amusing (to me at least) that a well spoken Englishman would say ‘Word’. Just think about that scenario for a second….
Nov.30 at 11:07 am
white hot eboy says:
I already pictured it and I thought of Ali G.
Nov.30 at 11:07 am
white hot eboy says:
BOOYAKASHA!
Nov.30 at 11:09 am
BETCATS says:
hoola comoestas
Nov.30 at 11:10 am
BETCATS says:
ching ching Ping Ping
Nov.30 at 11:12 am
Keith says:
Is the seriously the image you have? Ali G? You are nothing but a racist. Good day to you.
Nov.30 at 11:13 am
white hot eboy says:
BET, I clicked on your link and was fascinated by the fact that you have a Celine Dion banner running across the top of your page. My heart will go on indeed.
Nov.30 at 11:14 am
white hot eboy says:
If you lived in Kahzakstan, I would have pictured Borat so sue me.
Nov.30 at 11:14 am
albie1kenobi says:
i was at the warriors/rockets game last night. great for the home crowd, not so good for a basketball fan. both teams played the night before, and unlike the warriors who can feed off the home crowd, rockets just looked tired/disinterested in the game.
the Ws started the game off at 15-3, the rockets came back to tied it up 35-35, then it was all golden state. mcgrady, other than 2 acrobatic layups, seemed to be in 2nd gear the whole game. yao tried hard but was just ineffective. he’s either too far away from the basket trying to set screens, or he’s completed crowded by the quicker warriors when he’s down low. rockets didn’t make it any closer than 10 points in the 2nd half.
warriors played better, but still have area for improvements. it was an entertaining night though. a matt barnes-monta alley got me jumped out of my seat. that was great.
Nov.30 at 11:21 am
Keith says:
Albie; How did Monta play last night? He’s been impressing me of late. A nice energy guy.
Nov.30 at 11:21 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I think I’m heading down to Seattle on Sunday to catch the Sonics and Warriors. I am pretty excited to see GS play. I love SJax, Baron and crew!
Nov.30 at 11:24 am
Keith says:
And Durant, Holly! He needs a nickname too.
Nov.30 at 11:28 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
Durant’s arms are like praying mantis lengths of skinny. He is a fun young gun to watch though.
Nov.30 at 11:32 am
BETCATS says:
White Hot: I did?
Nov.30 at 11:32 am
Keith says:
Was that a subtle attempt to get him the nickname ‘Praying Mantis’? I’m hugely impressed by his work ethic. Kevin Durant is good. Kevin Durant will be great.
Nov.30 at 11:37 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
nah, it was just an observation.. didn’t marion used to be called that? i might just be crazy this morning, so don’t mind me if that came out of nowhere. Or maybe Tayshaun Prince… I don’t know, I’ve heard it before. I think. He will be great, he is already fun to watch.
Nov.30 at 11:37 am
white hot eboy says:
You have ads running. It was a joke. Why do you have ads of your blog? Is it costing you money to keep it running?
Nov.30 at 11:45 am
albie1kenobi says:
Keith, Monta played alright, sitting back a little for Jax and Baron to shine. those two had a fake-pass layup each during the opening minutes. but as i mentioned above, that monta alley oop got me out of my seat and the whole arena roaring. he didn’t display his speed too much, instead knocking a few 17 footers down. i was more impressed with that, because it’ll help him become a more complete offensive threat.
Nov.30 at 12:01 pm
minikidd says:
I sure hope knicks improves before christmas because I got tickets to my 1.st NBA game EVER around new years, but the’re playing the Bulls so I’m not to worried about anything like this happening to them again…..
Nov.30 at 12:39 pm
Keith says:
Where abouts you sitting in the Garden Minikidd?
Nov.30 at 12:39 pm
Keith says:
At this rate you could probably get a seat on the bench.
Nov.30 at 1:08 pm
Myles Brown says:
The Lakers won.
Nov.30 at 2:25 pm
d.Y. says:
“… has any marginal NBA player ever had a better knack for succeeding while failing?” Brilliant Jones.
Nov.30 at 2:26 pm
Sko says:
Holly, I didn’t read any of the comments, so somebody might’ve told you, but that headline is fresh!
Nov.30 at 5:27 pm
t-rocc says:
hilarious, hilarious title for this post. well done.