Wild game. Finally home from the Garden and after game revelry. Was about 14 rows behind the Knicks bench so I had a clear view of the incredible defense they played in the fourth quarter. I gotta say, I will take 36 points on 29 shots and 1 (clutch) assist from Melo if he hikes up his shorts and plays the kind of defense he did in the second half for the entire playoffs. He was ALL OVER Jeff Green down the stretch. I knew that he could play good D when he put his mind to it, but I had no idea that he could be a
shut down perimeter defender. I'll be expecting more of Melo on D from now on, now that I know of what he's capable.
Jason Kidd was a BOSS on defense today. He was so active, so alert. He was fantastic.
And, oh, the Garden LOVES KMart. When he checked in the game, several people around me gave him a standing ovation. He's getting the kind of love Novak used to get, and given how well he performed today, it is well-deserved. Speaking of Novak, he was invisible all game. The Knicks have got to do a better job of getting him a look. There was a time in the first half that Felton drove to the hole and had Novak wide open on the wing, and instead forced up a bad shot.
The Knicks played as poorly as they could have offensively today; they did all of the things that usually get them into trouble. Isolation plays, forcing up shots, lack of ball movement. But their second half defense was spectacular. They committed to team defense and were incredibly active along the passing lanes.
If they can execute even just a little better offensively while continuing to play this kind of defense, they could make these games a lot easier on themselves. Let's see what else this series has in store. #knickstape