The Knicks are done. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the most exciting and hopeful Knicks season in a decade is over. New York was the first team out of the playoffs this year and the only team to be swept in the first round.
The Celtics are quite simply a better team than the Knicks. The defending Eastern Conference Champions most certainly proved this with their clutch play and defensive dominance throughout the series. Naturally, they were the overwhelming favorites going in. They finished with a 56-26 regular season record, which was good enough for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks finished a mediocre 42-40. Despite this, they meshed well towards the end of the season, winning 7 of their last 9. New York marched into the playoffs with confidence, momentum, and plans to spring an upset. But it wasn't to be.
Rightly so, many pundits gave the Knicks a legitimate shot in this series. Most expected a lengthy, drawn out battle and some even predicted an upset. I expected the Knicks to push Boston to a deciding seventh game, with the Celtics most likely pulling off the victory on their home court. Boston is not exactly a young, spry bunch and, unlike the Knicks, they faltered down the stretch of the regular season. Boston's identity revolves around experience and defense. Their "Big Three" consists of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Pierce is 33, Garnett is 34, and Allen is 35. The Knicks are younger and significantly more athletic. But the Celtics were able to make quick work of New York by relying on veteran experience, superior play down the stretch, and stout defensive play. They were also fortunate that the injury bug hit New York at an inopportune time. Injuries were the prevailing factor that led to the sweep.
The basketball gods were with Boston in this one. Injuries played a major role in the series and severely hampered New York's chances. Chauncey Billups sprained his left knee with 51 seconds remaining in game 1. It was unfortunate timing for a serious injury to their starting point guard, with both teams tied at 82 at the time. The Knicks would go on to lose a heart-breaker and Chauncey subsequently missed the rest of the series. Billups' presence on the court goes beyond stats. He's the Derek Jeter of basketball. His intangible qualities are invaluable, especially on a team comprised mostly of players with minimal playoff experience. Chauncey has a championship ring and a Finals MVP award on his impressive resume. He's a clutch shot-maker and a seasoned veteran who won't be fazed by the bright lights. Losing your point guard is like losing your general in battle. All hopes and dreams of an upset died when Chauncey limped off the court.
On top of this, Amare Staudemire was forced to battle back spasms in the final three games of the series. Due to this, his minutes and overall production dropped considerably. He shot just 38.2% in the series, averaging 14.5 points. To compare, he averaged 25.3 ppg in the regular season. Amare is the heart and soul of the team. Unlike Carmelo and Billups, he's been with the Knicks since the start of the season. His absence, coupled with Chauncey's, spelled doom for New York.
The Knicks showed tremendous heart throughout the series. Despite the injuries, they gave the Celtics all they could handle. Fans and players were surely left with a bad taste in their mouths. Getting swept is no fun. But it's a bittersweet feeling. The year ended in a fizzle, yet the future for New York Knicks basketball is finally bright. It's time to look forward. At last, Madison Square Garden got another taste of playoff basketball. General Manager Donnie Walsh will continue to work his magic this offseason and the Knicks will only improve from here on out. "Getting swept in the first round, I don't do this," Billups said. "We're on the move, and it's how fast we can get that elevator up."
The response of Knicks fans spoke volumes after their disappointing loss in game four that officially put an end to this rollercoaster season. With the Cetlics celebrating in the middle of the Madison Square Garden court, fans in the arena gave the Knicks a standing ovation. I can't imagine Yankees fans ever doing this. Or Knicks fans during the mid-90's when every year was supposed to be their year. Let's be honest, this season was never about winning anything. At no point were the Knicks good enough to get passed the elite teams. Fans are just happy their team is relevant again. And they should be. This was the first season since 2001 that the Knicks had a record above the .500 mark.
After game 4, Carmelo and company were losers on the scoreboard. But they were winners everywhere else. That was made evident by the fans' standing ovation. Truth is, Amare and Melo accomplished all they had to this year the moment they put on the orange and blue uniform and officially became Knicks.
New York lost game 4 and the series, but they restored hope in the hearts of Knicks fans. And that's good enough, for this year at least. Next season is a different story.
No comments:
Post a Comment