When All-Star reserves were announced yesterday, several Nets fans were up in arms. Some are just madly in love with Deron Williams, who’s clearly been under-performing this year, while others want justification for Joe Johnson’s large contract. The majority, though, fairly question the inclusion of Tyson Chandler over Brook Lopez.
New York is labeled by most as a basketball town, but this city hasn’t had much to root for on the hardwood during the new millennium. In the twelve seasons since Patrick Ewing’s departure following the 1999-2000 season, the Knickerbockers, for the most part, have stunk up the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena.’
Let me start off by saying the Knicks did manage to end their 3-game skid by beating the Hornets 100-87 on Sunday. Yes, the defense came out flat in the first quarter. Yes, Amar’e Stoudemire is still not back to his old form. Yes, they are still having trouble at the point guard position with Raymond Felton out. And yes, Carmelo Anthony revealed he has been fasting. But with 3-days rest along the trip to London and another 3 on the way back, I believe this mini-vacation over the Atlantic is just what the doctor ordered.
On Christmas morning, kids all over the world will wake up early to find their new iPad, videogames, or toys left for them under the tree. That same morning Knick fans will not only awake to some new gifts, but also a new and improved Knick team.
"I can't even remember last year to be honest," Carmelo Anthony said in front of his locker on Sunday when asked about what’s different this year. Well, let me remind everyone as I take you back to May.
The final horn sounded, and LeBron James wrapped his arms around Anthony in a warm embrace. Despite their head-to-head scoring matchup being even at 139 points apiece, the Knicks season ended and Miami moved on to eventually win the Championship.
Most people know Dan Lauria as the father in the iconic family drama “The Wonder Years,” the Fred Savage star vehicle. More recently, though, especially for New Yorkers as Dan mentions in our interview, he is now recognized quite handily as Vince Lombardi, for his portrayal in the Broadway hit two years ago.
For what seems like forever now, New York City has been called a basketball town. But, that really hasn’t been the feeling around these parts for quite some time now. The Yankees own the hearts of most of the city, with seventeen postseason appearances during the last 18 seasons and 5 Championships.
The atmosphere at 620 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn was nothing like anyone had seen before. The Nets were cheered in their home arena, Knicks fans were drowned out, and Carmelo Anthony was showered in boos just 3 miles from where he was born. It wasn’t something unique and isolated in history; rather, something new.
A rivalry? Deron Williams tried to downplay the hype. “It’s one game, it was a good win for us…we can’t just be excited like we just won a championship. We didn’t win the championship of New York.”
For the last decade or so there hasn’t been much to cheer about in the “World’s Most Famous Arena” but, the Knicks are now the last undefeated team in the Association; doing so for the first time since the 1958-1959 campaign.
Last year, future Hall-of-Famers Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, and Dirk Nowitzki, who had accounted for all but two of the previous thirteen Larry O’Brien trophies, failed to add another Championship to their collection. It was the first time since the 1997-98 season that none of their respective teams reached the finals, and ABC couldn’t have scripted a more appealing showdown.
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