Got up to Greensboro to see the Hornets new Dleague team take on the Knicks.
The venue was an adjunct building on the campus of the 21,000 seat Greensboro Coliseum. The "field house" is a new venue built just for the "Swarm" that also houses their offices, gym, Weight rooms, etc. Greensboro is about 90 miles north of charlotte in an area called "The Triad" comprising of Winston Salem and High Point. About a million people population.
The venue is modest with capacity for 2500. Reminded me of the "Island Garden" and seeing my first professional basketball game I think was in 1971. Rick Barry played for the Nets and Lou Carnasecca was the coach. My dad had to cover my ears because we sat behind the nets bench and Lou was foul mouthed for my 9 year old ears!
Last rites attendance was 1300. They did sell out their first game on Saturday nite.
The food choices, beer and amenities was modest as was the scoreboard, but in a place so small they don't need any video. We paid $55 for a court side seat. Not necessary but it was fun. We sat in the corner basically with the Swarm bench. What strikes you is how young these guys are and they are all so close to the NBA, but yet so far.
Greensboro team is a new franchise and of course new players. 34 year old Damien Wilkens leads them and the man can still play. He had 17 puts and 10 rebs but was passing up shots to involve the team which struggled to a 22 pt deficit after the fist quarter. Knicks held on to win 117-115 in what turned out to be an exciting game down the stretch. IN the small venue that had great lighting and full professional staffing the place was loud and fun to be in! Xavier Munford of Rhode Island lead the swarm with 33pts and Rasheed Suliamon, former standout from Duke who finished his career at Maryland had 27pts. Mike Tobey, rookie center from Virginia had 20 points. It was Wilkins leadership that lead them back.
But we talking knicks right?
Chasson Randle in the first half was clearly the best player on the court in the first half seemingly having his way with the swarm. In the second half he lost his legs and struggled. Marshall Plumlee went for 10 and 10 and was fun to watch. His screens, picks, footwork, etc does not come natural to him but he makes up for it with solid fundamentals. He was very vocal on defense and seems to enjoy the game.
5'6 Jordan Crawford is a nate Robinson type player with incredible hops and good court sense. I don't think he is NBA caliber. As good as he is on defense he cannot defend against taller players as Nate did. Nate was much stronger as well. Fun to watch player as he has to compensate in other ways to succeed. He does.
Max Hooper did not get off the bench. Inglis is a big Boris Diaw type player and looked good. Knicks had good ball movement and with returning players from last year had better team play then Greensboro.
I'll get to few games over there as its easy and affordable. I spoke with the complex director and he thought the Swarm is a bit organizationally disorganized and just taking it game by game. They should have promoted the game more especially with Plumlee being an attraction to Duke Fans. Greensboro is 45 miles from Duke. Went to game with fellow ex NYer and knick fan. Mrs. Nalod was a bit sore at me as I did not ask her. My bad, I did not think she would be interested. I'll get her to a game soon enough!
11/17/2016 9:00 AM
