Well, that was bizarre.
For most of the first quarter the Knicks looked like an energized and coherent playoff contender on both sides of the ball.
Then, just for spite, to deflate the spirits of two of my recently recruited positive pussies, they had an acid flash back to this past spring.
What exactly is it in the Knicks DNA, that no matter the coach or the personnel, that their opponents simply seem to rain threes on them like the Soviets unloading a barrage of Katyusha rockets on the Wehrmacht at the Gates Of Berlin, circa April, 1945.
Things seemed to deflate when Frank came on in the second quarter. Then, oddly, they made a late run when Frank came on in the fourth.
Wiz dared Peyton to score, and he wilted at the challenge. Dennis Smith will most def get an opportunity to make a case for his ability to rudder the offense, and to create his own. Elfird, Dennis, Frank? How they are deployed will probably be transactional, as per match-ups, hot hands, defensive assignments. Will take a while to sort out.
Mitchell reverted to his rookie form, with lots of goofy fouls.
Morris was effective throughout, while our other bigs, Gibson, Portis and Randle, were up and down.
RJ a hot start, going to the rack, then a clang fest, then a late couplet of sweet looking three. Go figure. And FTs again a concern. Oh, and Beal seemed highly motivated against him and whomever the Knicks tossed his way. Impressive performer. [PS: Time for BoD to mock me for opposing proposed fantasy trades for BB, as if the Wiz would EVER consider moving him to a division rival, let alone THIS DIVISION RIVAL. Anyway Bo, point taken.]
Trier had some moments, and looked to create opportunities for his team mates, as well as hoist more threes. However, like Taj and his mates, an offensive foul fest.
Garden fans on an emotional roller coaster, given how dynamic we looked early on, and both the depth of despair which shortly thereafter ensued. Was impressed by how motivated the Wiz were, and who good their stretch bigs Wagner and Bertrans [sic?] looked.
When the Knicks' lack of familiarity with each other became terminal on offense, as Breen and Clyde pointed out, seemed to effect their D.
Hawks next on Wednesday. Like the Wiz and ourselves, a youngish team on the re-make.
We shall see.
PS: Looking forward to Pharoah's breakdowns of our breakdowns.
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