Peter Vecsey
There’s nothing like repeatedly seeing the Eastern Conference’s seventh-best team on national TV in the so-called game of the week(end). The Knicks have been showcased five times on Sunday — topping Cardinal Dolan — including the past three. Compare that to twice for the Thunder and not a passing glance at the Spurs, two of the NBA’s slightly more successful attractions.
At least Saturday's feature is a justifiable screening in that the Knicks’ juicy, playoff-ignition Heat head-on is against a rightful heir to the soon-to-be abdicated Mavericks’ throne. And, as histrionics would have it, against Pat Riley’s children from his third marriage.
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Derrick Rose
Or has the statute of limitations expired regarding that outdated hostility? I suspect not by the hair on LeBron James’ chinny chin chin … that he plays with on the sidelines as much as he used to bite his nails.
Even if Padre Riles’ former family and fans are in a forgiving, forgetful frame of focus, a bloodthirsty platoon of paperboys or two is gory-bound to veer from their regular routes and revive the fax resignation story.
Commencement exercises have yet to begin, and I already have overdosed on the thought of how many times the nitworks will air Jeff Van Gundy hanging on to Alonzo Mourning’s leg.
Can Carmelo Anthony match LeBron for seven games? He’s certainly talented and mentally tough enough. But is he willing to do everything it takes to win, as he did with an April 17 triple-double against the Celtics? Especially find the cutter or the cross-court perimeter slinger? Though Melo notched 30.5 points in two regular-season losses, the Heat defense made life miserable for just about everyone else.
Who does Tyson Chandler guard, Chris Bosh or Udonis Haslem? Both must be guarded outside, which offsets Miami’s conspicuous lack of length and scoring underneath. The Knicks cannot afford to leave the occupied area and the rim unprotected.
Hoop du Jour scout Ross Kreines anticipates Mike Woodson regularly employing a zone: “It worked for the Mavericks in last year’s Finals.”
The Knicks have their injury concerns — Amar’e Stoudemire and Baron Davis — and the Heat have theirs. When you give up your body as impulsively as Dwyane Wade, you’re on a crash course to be the next Pete Reiser (look him up) and end your career prematurely. Clearly, the ever-mounting damage is taking its toll.
I steadfastly believe Iman Shumpert, if he stays home and doesn’t reach, can defend Wade and James. Well, at least better than he can Paul Pierce, who schooled Shumpert for the majority of his 43 points last week.
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