#theoldlebrons

MSG and Time Warner have conspired to deny me my god givenly rightful Knicks games. Fuck a internet stream. I’m consuming this season by watching other teams on NBATV, highlights, Posting and Toasting recaps, and now, ineptly analyzing the box scores from Basketball Reference. (PS. Am now enjoying the Knicks on TV again).

Game 36: Cleveland Cavaliers @ NYK (February 29, 2012)

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201202290NYK.html

Great good Leap Day y'all! I thought I might be going to bed early after that first half, and was, for once, rewarded for sticking around. This one still counts though right?

When the Knicks were down 17 in that atrocious first half, they had shot 0 for 6 from the three point line, missed a bucket full of free throws, and were generally getting out hustled by two of this year's top 4 draft picks. (Sub lesson here: If you let your mega-All-Star walk and get nothing in return when his contract is up, it seems pretty smart to accumulate draft picks and tank-on-purpose the following season. The Cavs are not "The Pre-Lebron Cavs" or the "10-11 Cavs" anymore. They may get good.) 

I'd like to attribute at least some credit for the ensuing 37 point swing to Mike D'Antoni. Whatever he said in the locker room at half time at least juiced the hell out of Steve Novak and Baron Davis. While his overall line may not look it, Novak's 5 three pointers single-handedly won this game. There was a lot of good play going on around him in that epic third quarter, and the Knicks surely would not have built such a lead without excellent defense (yay!), but Novak's shots defined "momentum shifting." Not to be confused with "momentum shitting," which we've seen the Knicks do so much of in the recent past.

Baron Lob flashed a little brilliance himself, but mostly ran a very efficient B team offense. In just under 15 minutes he recorded 8 assists, one of which was a beautiful lob to Earl Swish for the reverse dunk. (Desi Arnaz voice) I could get used to this!

A lot of the B Team play in this game, which turned a troubling misfire into a blowout, was predicated on solid defense (10 steals, 6 blocks) and fast break points. If the Knicks are going to get anywhere in the playoffs they must emulate the Miami team that destroyed them last Friday night and continue to press the game when the opportunity arises. In light of that, Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler get the extra special kudos cereal boxes tonight. 

Shump's pickpocket got me hotter than both the Baron lob and the Lin-to-Shump lob in garbage time. I just love a good steal on a dumb pass. His posterizing dunk in the 3rd was also a beaute. Maybe we'll get to see him jump that couch in the dunk contest next season.

If Carmelo Anthony played like this every night, 9 for 16, coupla boards, coupla assists, no turnovers, the new mesh Knicks will be well off. And questions of "Can they play together?" will be made moot. If he inserts the occasional "Melo" game (35 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), without disrupting the offensive flow (that's the other kind of "Melo" game), the Knicks could start to steamroll.

Ditto if Stat can get his 17-foot jumper flowing. (He was unremarkable in reduced minutes, but did make his free throws, unlike Tyson, when he got to the line on a drive. I gots hope.)

I can't believe I made it to the end of this post without mentioning Jeremy Lin. The dude continues to amaze with his competence and efficiency (hard to believe point guard competence and efficiency can amaze, but I think that speaks to the dearth of such in, again, the recent Knicks' past). 6 of 12 for 19 points, 13 assists, and 1 turnover. Hoorah, I could kiss you.