Bizzaro Knicks Game

Yes, I went to the Knicks game last night. My boss came over to me at 3:00 and said he had two seats in section 58 if I wanted them. Basically these seats would be front row at a hockey game and at a basketball game they are the first section behind the folding chairs. I was across from the Knick bench, about 15 rows off the court. It was insane. I brought my dad and we had a great time. So much to tell, I do not know where to start. I will just break it down as best I can...

• I was pumped to see Adam Morrison and he did not disappoint. While he did not have a great game, he had a very good first half. The highlight was seeing him hit a jumper and then yell "Keep talkin shit, I'll make that all day" to a fan in the front row that was heckling him. I honestly was hoping he would have dropped 40, but that was not to be. In any event, he is officially one of my favorite players, and horrendously ugly.
• There was a guy sitting behind us that was the worst kind of fan. He would yell out things that made him sound like he knew what he was talking about, except he would say them too late. Here are a couple examples....Guy shoots a free throw and half a second after it hits the rim he yells "short." The Knicks get the back with 15 seconds left in the first half and he yells "last shot" after they were already walking it up. There are more examples, but those were the best (or worst) of them.
• There was an all-star squad of 1990's basketball personalities at the game. The usual Knicks, Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and John Starks. In addition Michael Jordan (part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats) was there accompanied by his boy Ahmad Rashaad. I was waiting for Ahmad to take out a NBA on NBC mic and ask Michael such questions as "How does it feel to be back at the Garden?", "What strip club do you want to hit up after the game?" or "When you gunna pay be the 50k you owe me from poker last night?". Funny anecdote...Jordan was initially sitting across from the Bobcat bench, and then at halftime he moved to midcourt next to Oakley and Ewing. John Starks meanwhile was somewhere off to the side. Ewing and Jordan are Hall of Famers, so they can sit where they want. Oakley gets to sit where he wants as well, which I think is self explanitory. I guess Starks should have shot better than 3-18 in Game seven and he could have been at midcourt as well....
• "Rob" from Staten Island (random fan) his a three point shot to win 10k at one of the timeouts. Always a great moment that gets the crowd going. He proceeded to gesture to the crowd and go over to the Knick bench and pound his chest, show the "New York" on the front of his jersey to them, and yell. Considering the Knicks were down by 19 at that time, maybe it helped spark them....?
• One more Jordan note....when he was first shown on the big screen the Bulls music from their intro accompanied him on the loud speaker. The crowd went nuts and he got a standing ovation. Basically Michael Jordan (who killed the Knicks year after year) got more cheers last night than Isiah has for the entire season. Is it possible that Isiah could hate him more now than he already did? Doubt it, but this sure did not help...
• Disturbingly, I once again found myself cheering for the Bobcats. When I was not consciously thinking about it, I would fine myself saying "nice pass" or "there ya go" to a Charlotte play. I am embarrassed for myself to do that at a Knick game. Isiah, I hate you.
• Andy Samberg and Seth Meyers from SNL showed up to the game as well. I really really wanted to go up to Samberg and comment on his "D*ck in a Box" song from this past episode. I bet if my boy Buns were there he would have. First of all he is a bigger fan of the show than I am, plus one of his roommates and Samberg are related. Not really, but they look like each other. Watever...check out the clip... http://youtube.com/watch?v=-pkkzX-N2QE
• Being so close to the action made me realize that it is not hard to be a basketball scout. Now I understand how Bill Simmons knows so much about basketball and probably can't dribble with his left hand. When you are that close, players effort is so apparent, as is their hands, vision, and quickness. I was very impressed with Raymond Felton, but I still don't think he will ever be as good as Deron Williams or Chris Paul. Okafor is a great defensive player, with a non-stop motor. Morrison looked good, but he needs to not shoot so many jumpers, and try not to force his game. I won't comment on the Knicks players. I have seen them so much, and I know them too well.
• Oh yeah....The game went to double OT and the Knicks won on one of the craziest endings of all time.
• Also, I saw Jim Dolan at the game. I really hope that fans heckle him good. He is a jerk and a punk. If I knew I was not going to get kicked out, or banned from the Garden I would have gone up to him and told him what a loser he is.
• I had a great time with my dad. After going to so many games of different sports with my boys its nice to go wit my dad and remember how it used to be. Usually I am wasted and just messin around. With my dad it was the same as when I would go to games with him when I was a little kid. We hung out, talked, laughed and really enjoyed great basketball and greater entertainment around us. Nights like this don't happen nearly enough, so even with my Knick issues, I will always go and hope they turn out this fun.
• Lastly, I want to give credit to Bernie Bikerstaff, the Charlotte coach. With all the attention being given to Isiah and Doc Rivers, he has not been mentioned nearly enough for what a horrible coach he is. All game Okafor had an advantage down low. Frye, Curry and Lee all can't guard a good post-up player. He waited until the Bobcats were down in the fourth quarter to go to him. I don't understand his substitutions, and the defense on that last play was embarrassing. With Jordan probably watching his first game of this team all year, that is not a good way to impress. Maybe Jordan as too busy checking out the Knick City Dancers with Rashaad and Oakley to notice though....

STKAFI