1/03/2007

Kings 112, Knicks 100


The Knicks got completely outplayed tonight in Sacto. Congratulations to the Kings and Ron Artest, who threw down a career high 39 points. The Knicks were turnover-prone (18), inaccurate at the line (17-28), and overall slow-footed on defense in their defeat. Credit the Kings for hitting the tough, momentous shots to keep New York perpetually at arm's length. As I've said before, its the teams that don't sink those key shots when the Knicks cut it close (i.e. Cleveland, Utah, and Detroit) that end up squandering leads. Some game notes:

- Former Knicks announcer Jim Karvellas passed away at the age of 71. I honestly didn't know much about the guy beforehand, but fine stories from Clyde and Breen, as well as some audio footage and interviews of Karvellas revealed what a likable and Knick-crazy individual he was. Also, his trademark line was "BULLS-eye!", which is pretty cool.

- I've always wondered if Shareef Abdur-Rahim was always known as such, or if he assumed the name latter in life, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf, or Tariq Abdul-Wahad. Well, according to Wikipedia the name is, in fact, his birth name. He is a devout Muslim and his father is an Imam, a leader within the faith.

- There were a few bizarre plays in this game. One occured when David Lee intercepted a pass late in the Kings shot clock. As he got his hands on it and started to throw an outlet, the 24 second buzzer sounded from the previous possession. Lee freaked out and blatantly shuffled his feet, getting called for the travel. They have a loud-ass buzzer in Sacramento.

- Maybe David Lee should be posting up a little more? He is ambidextrous, shoots a good percentage, and rarely wastes a good mismatch. It could definitely take some pressure off of Curry.

- Clyde used the phrase "Hurryin' and worryin" at one point to describe the Knicks' D on Francisco Garcia. Just like "draining and paining" from a few games ago, that's the first time I've heard that rhyme. Who are the 5 best rappers in the world? Clyde, Clyde, Clyde, Clyde, Clyde. Because he spits hot fire.

- Numerous filthy dunks in this game by the Kings. Kevin Martin blew by Crawford and threw down a two-hand 180 whilest sitting on Jeffries' face. Later, Shareef Abdur-Rahim neƩ Shareef Abdur-Rahim crossed up Mittens and flushed one on his head.

- Bizzare play number 2: With time winding down in the first half, Mike Bibby thought he felt contact (there was minimal, if any) from Mardy Collins, and jacked up an awkward three-pointer to draw the foul. He buried the weird three but the foul wasn't called. Asshole.

Yup, that went in.

- There's a different guy now speaking in that quick "express written consent of the NBA" bit during every game. I didn't just plagiarize by saying that, did I?

- Brad Miller wanted a whistle on one play, and let the ref know with a hearty "Gaw Dang! Hur durr da foul on ma!" He got T'd up for his tirade, responded by spitting a wad of tobacco at the ref's feet, and then got ejected. I don't have Tivo, but I'm pretty sure that's how it went down.

- Malik had a righteous smother chicken on Shareef, and it was completely clean. It was one of those blocks that lasted nearly a full second, with the ball never actually being dislodged. He blocked Shareef's whole body through the ball. It was cool.

- On a night when Ron Artest was unbelievably hot from every region of the court, Renaldo Balkman registered a big fat DNP-CD, or as I like to call it, a DiNoPlaCoDe. I don't actually like to call it that. Well, I didn't before. I do now. Dinoplacode.

Coulda used the Humpty Hump...

- Final thought: Both of the Knicks big men are very slow-footed on Defense. I suppose Mittens has an excuse because he weighs 280 pounds, but what's Channing Frye's excuse?

Anyway, it was a tough loss in a raucous arena, but there was enough excitement to keep the basketball fan in me intrigued while the Knicks fan in me pouted. The Knicks continue their trip in Portland tomorrow night. See you then. Peace.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just laughed out loud at your Clyde riff. (This is early in the morning, that's high praise.)

Anonymous said...

i love this site.

Seth said...

appreciate it, martha.

thanks, mutoni. (oh my GAWD, people from Slam read yournyk! i'm starstruck.)