Lebron sits Atop his Thrown… Kings New York Knicks

LBJ does his best JR Rider Impression

Cavaliers- 100 Knicks- 91

Oooo’s and ahhh’s filled the Garden last night and it wasn’t because of the Knicks play. It was because Lebron James was putting on a show fit for a king to watch. As Yankee players C.C. Sabathia, A-Rod and rapper Jay-Z watched from court side LBJ went bonkers in the first 8 minutes and shot 5 for 6 including a buzzer beating 3 pointer. He finished the 1st with 19 points. It was a rout by the 2nd quarter as the Cavs built a 26 point lead. Lebron’s stat line in 36 minutes, 33 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds. The closet it came to a game last night was when the Knicks finally showed some fight and cut the deficit to 9 with 3:20 remaining the game. As usual same old story, too little too late.

I’d love to spin this article and add some positive things to say but while watching the game on ESPN last night, my favorite Knick coach and current ESPN basketball analyst Jeff Van Gundy mentioned this, “the Knicks are getting decent looks but their just a bad shooting basketball team”.

Last night after 8 years of frustration I finally had to admit that my team just does not have the talent to be a good team in the NBA. Yes you can argue that the 90’s teams of Oak and Mase didn’t have all the talent either, but what they lacked in talent they made up with sweat, blood, tears and simple gritty hard work. This team lacks both of those ingredients. They also lack a bona fide star to take responsibility and lead. As I told my homie last night, we have role players starting on a team of role players.

Again the Knicks did what they do best, took terrible shots and played atrocious defense when their offense wasn’t clicking. They looked awe-struck as Lebron made Wilson Chandler, Jared Jefferies and whoever else guarding him look like a kid meeting his favorite athlete for the 1st time. After the game Lebron approached 2nd year player Danilo Gallinari at center court and spoke a few words to him. Danilo said that he never met the King before last night and that they both spoke prior and after the game. “he told me to keep working hard and to take care of my back by stretching” Not a bad sign, is Lebron secretly paying attention to this Knick team in an effort to be ready to lead if he arrives next summer? I sure hope so.

Danilo one of the few Knicks who weren’t joking around with James during the game looked to play last night. He fouled JJ Hickson hard on a lay up attempt in the 2nd quarter and seemed like the only Knick to care as the Cavs sliced and diced to the basket with ease. I hated on the Rooster last year when we drafted him but he’s gained my respect by playing hard on the court no matter the score or if the Knicks were winning or losing. Gallo finished the game with 17 points on 5-10 shooting. D Lee defending Shaq most of the night dropped 21 points and 6 rebounds. Al Harrington who looked like the epitome of a 6th man since he was regulated to the bench contributed 14 points making 5 of 14 of his attempts. Larry Hughes played another decent game dropping 18 points alongside 5 rebounds, 4 dimes and 4 thefts.

This is Lebron’s only visit to New York this year, the Knicks next play them in 2010 on February 6th. Nate Robinson missed his 3rd consecutive game due to an ankle injurie he sustained last week. JJ Hickson made his first start of the season replacing Anderson Varejao. Former Yankee center fielder Bernie Williams who was recently nominated for a latin Grammy played the star-spangled banner on his electric guitar at the start of the game. Ken Mauer an NBA officiating last nights game was in NY, I mention him because a few years ago I helped him return some bad rugs he bought in Morocco while touring there. Insignificant lol but I thought I would mention it.

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-Young Jedi Fresh

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