Calling the Shots: The Excitement Is Back At The Garden
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By Alex Labidou
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Oct 17, 2005, 14:49


With 10.7 seconds left in the Knicks preseason game against Dallas, everyone at Madison Square Garden shared the same pulsating heart beat. Down two with the game on the balance, the ever boisterous Knicks fans left in the crowd put their hopes on fan favorite Nate Robinson to make two clutch free throws. For a exhibition game that had no bearings on the actual Knicks season, the atmosphere was electric and reminiscent of a playoff game. Living up to his bill as a champion of the crowd, Robinson delivered on two clutch free throws which tied the game at 102. The excitement and passion which made the Garden such an intimating atmosphere during the Knicks' glory days is back. Even after suffering a close loss, the win starved Knicks' fans had plenty to be excited about.

For Channing Frye, Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson, Eddy Curry and David Lee; playing in the Garden was an awe inspiring experience. With a smile that spanned ear to ear, Frye enthusiastically bluntly described his first experience at the Garden, "Man, it was crazy!" When asked about the fans having a playoff like intensity, Frye continued to express his pleasant first experience. "I was telling everyone (his teammates) in there, it was cracking in there. It wasn't even crowded and I am like 'wow' for people to be like that. I just want to say thank you and I appreciate their support."

Often comedic rookie Nate Robinson described his experience to waking up on Christmas morning not knowing what to expect. Making clutch free throws can often be difficult for NBA rookies. When asked about how it felt to make clutch free throws, especially not trying to disappoint the fans at the Garden, Robinson responded. " I was like whatever you do, if you miss these you're gonna' get booed so do not miss! I didn't want to lose. After I made the first one, I was like 'the second one's in the bag.' "

There is definitely a synergy going on between the Knicks three rookies, especially considering the fact that the Rookies have preformed well in each preseason game so far. Besides Nate Robinson's clutch free throws, David Lee and Channing Frye provided the athletic inside presence the Knicks have lacked since the trade of Marcus Camby. The three rookies refused to back down to Dallas team that played many of its starters during their fourth quarter rally.

"It comes from playing a lot with them, against them...We're all on one understanding and one page. I think with us out there, we all have the same style of game. We all want to play as hard as we can. We all want to go out there and win the game. [We want to] Get better every game," Frye said of his fellow rookie teammates. "Honestly we don't care whether its the NBA, College or High School, we want to be winners and get better every game. We just take that to the court."

For Knicks fans, its this winning mentality that has seemed absent over the past several years at MSG. For too many years, fans had become accustomed to winning 'just enough' or not winning at all. Most of the players that Isiah Thomas initially brought in either had no playoff experience or had been disappointments throughout their career. In bringing in guys from successful programs, Isiah is banking on the fact the hunger that made those players successful in those programs will be there. In many ways Quentin Richardson and Eddy Curry symbolize that desire to bring in pieces from winning teams. For much of Richardson and Curry's career, many questioned whether or not either could take part in playoff success. Last year both players were vital parts of their success and despite Curry not being able to play due to health reasons; both players don't want to go back to the mentality where losing is accepted. Both players are also excited at the opportunity to play under Larry Brown, a coach who doesn't accept losing in his team's vocabulary.

" It's been a lot of fun, playing under Coach Brown," Eddy Curry said talking about his adjustment to New York and Larry Brown's style of coaching. " I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to play under a coach with his status but its been great.

During his post game, Larry Brown shot down any speculation that he was more excited then usual to coach in the Garden. " I was angry to be honest." Some of that anger could be seen on the court as Brown got a technical in a Preseason, usually an atmosphere that is more relaxed then the regular season. However Brown did predict that he'll be a bit more sentimental when the season starts. "I realize where I am. I know what it means, and I am sure it'll kick in on our first [regular season home] game." Brown continued to talk about what his goals are for this Knicks team. " I'm a coach, you want to see your team get better."

Richardson also agrees that to Larry Brown, its just another team in another building. " Coach doesn't get caught up in hype...I think that's what you've got to respect about him the most, he doesn't try to put on a show. He is someone who is the same every night." After years of constant disappointment, Knicks fans might finally get the hard nosed type of style that they have been begging for.

Frye is a leader.

The Garden crowd is hard to fool. The Knicks and Rangers are rediscovering what Garden fan approval signifies.

frye is really growing on me, i like the kid

Posted by PhilinLA:

Rich, no one, and I mean no one gets more excited about young kids with talent than New York fans. Look at Eli, look at Cano and Wang, David Wright... New Yorkers know tale when they see it, just like they know effort. They can live with the growing pains as long as the effort is constant.

I agree. Unfortunately, the droughts between having the opportunity to see quality kids has often been far to long (with the exception of the NFL).