The Knicks first half performance was too loosey goosey for a playoff game. So much emphasis is placed on swagger these days, or swag if you have teenage children. The Knicks definately out swagged the Celtics for two quarters. Shots were falling, cats were getting dunked on and Carmelo Anthony was smiling. Cheesing actually, if you don't mind my 90's slang. Someone forgot to tell our players that new York invented swag a hundred years ago and the world is just catching up. In todays terms, its Kinda played out. The reality if it all was the Knicks simply caught the Celtics of guard. Doc Rivers mentioned at the half that his team broke alot of their defensive rules and could not score the way they are capable because they couldn't crack the Knicks offensice attack. He was absolutely right on all accounts. The second half told that story.
I can talk about how the Celtics came out harder in the second half. I can talk about their guys making timely hoops/stops. Two key plays told me the Knicks were going to lose game 1. Both happening in the second half. Both starting "Chucky Cheese" Carmelo Anthony. More on that name later. The first play was early on in the second half Carmelo got the ball early in the shot clock with the knicks still holding a comfortable lead. Carmelo launches a shot 30 plus feet out that would have made Chris Duhon proud. I contemplated suicide after witnessing that shot and D'antoni looked like he could have stabbed Carmelo on the spot if he was close enough. The second play happened during crunch time if the 4th quarter. The Knicks were looking to let Carmelo do his thing. Carmelo got the ball about 22ft from the basket but gets called for an offensive foul because he felt he needed to brush the swag off his shoulders. There was no need for Melo to throw his elbows that far away from the basket. Paul Pierce was defending him and was playing tight but he wasn't trying to foul Melo that far away from the basket. The referee had no choice but to call it because the elbow swung around Pierce's neck and cleared around to the other side. The expression on Melo's face and the feeling I'm sure most of us had at that point was: "This game is over".
It was a horrible way to lose. To add insult to injury there was still great time left to get a great shot after Jesus Shuttlesworth hit that shot to wash us of our sins. Toney Douglas got the ball across half court with nearly 10 seconds left and passed it to Melo. He stood there for 2 seconds before chucking up a contested 3. There was plenty if time and a lane to drive to hopefully force overtime. I would count that as the third bad play because the game was already done by that time.... Don't think I forgot about the 2 quick fouls in the first 2 minutes of the first quarter. Not a good day for Melo.
"Chucky Cheese".... Its the chain restaurant/arcade your kids keep annoying you about taking them on your off day. I'd like to use it for Mr. Melo. #1 he hasn't seen a shot he would not take. The guy seems to have no feel for the moment or the defense. He just takes shots. That explains "chucky". The "cheese" comes from his smile that always seems to be there after he makes a couple shots. Just play ball Melo. He claims he idolized Bernard King. Bernard had the killer Ghostface when he played even when vs was dropping back to back 50pt games and countless 30/40pt games. Focus damn you. The Celtics showed in the second half that they arent playing around....
Game 2.... Show us why you are here! Bring it!
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