Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni made a statement last night on and off the court in his debut. First off, the Knicks looked great for 95 percent of the game in their 120-115 win over the Heat, and secondly, neither Eddy Curry or Stephon Marbury saw the floor.
D’Antoni’s offense worked like a charm in his first look at the Garden as head coach. The team moved the ball great compiling 27 assists and looked energized.
After a dreadful preseason, Jamal Crawford scored 13 of his 29 points in the first quarter and looked solid. Zach Randolph and David Lee both looked comfortable in the new style of play and both passed the ball well.
Wilson Chandler (former DePaul forward) can really be an exciting NBA player — especially in this system. He also has a knack for posterizing dunks and a great nose for the basketball (by the way The Knack were an underrated rock band).
The Knicks did let the Heat get back in it late in the game after being up by as many as 23 points. As Knicks color commentator Walt Clyde Frazier pointed out, “the Knicks don’t have a killer instinct.”
But Knicks fans will take any signs of hope and last night they got it. But no need to get too crazy, the Heat looked awful and the Knickerbockers will now have to travel to Philadelphia to face a very talented Sixers team Friday.
GAME NOTES:
— When asked why he didn’t play Marbury in the post-game press conference, D’Antoni didn’t really give an answer, which is classic. Instead, he said, “I would be mad too.”
— Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari saw his first NBA action after missing the entire preseason. He played only four minutes and went 0-for-2 from the floor. But he played more than Curry and Marbury, which isn’t saying much being Phil Collins (who was sitting courtside) saw as much time as Starbury and Mr. Softy.
— Heat rookie Michael Beasley looked shaky in his NBA debut
LINKS:
Wilson Chandler dunk from the preseason
Mitch Lawrence's column on King James possibly playing in New York in 2010
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