One of the things that makes sports so interesting is that there is always something to debate.  Sports fans (and analysts) can debate anything.

We can debate big picture issues.  What is wrong with the BCS?  Should there be a salary cap in Major League Baseball?  Should the NFL get rid of instant replay?

We can debate strategy issues.  Should they go for it on 4th and 1?  Should they leave the starter in for another inning or go to the bullpen?  Should this guy or that guy take the final shot?

We can debate umpire/referee calls.  Ball or strike?  Was the running back’s knee down before the ball crossed the goal line?  Did Lebron take 5 steps before dunking the ball or did he only take 4?

Knicks fans are no different.  So after a crushing game 1 loss, Knicks fans are debating who to blame.

Glass is half empty fan

The glass is half empty Knick fan is blaming the Knicks themselves.  He is blaming Melo for not being able to hit a shot down the stretch.  He is blaming the lackluster defense for allowing Kevin Garnett to get an easy dunk with 37 seconds left to go.  He is blaming coach Mike D’Antoni for the utter confusion that was the Knicks in the last 10 seconds of the game with the Knicks down by only 2 with no time outs.

The glass is half full fan

The glass is half full Knick fan is blaming fate.  He is saying that the Knicks played well down the stretch but lost due to the heroics of a great shooter in Ray Allen.  He is saying that had it not been for the injury to Chauncey Billups, the Knicks would have pulled out the victory.  He is saying that the Knicks proved they could battle the defending Eastern Conference champions, and do it on their home floor.

The under-analytical fan

The under-analytical Knick fan is blaming nobody but the referees.  He is saying that Chauncey Billups was fouled going to the basket on the play during which he was injured.  He is saying that the offensive foul called on Carmelo Anthony in the final minute of the game was simply Melo’s attempt to get free from the grasp of Paul Pierce, who had his left arm wrapped around Melo.  He is saying the refs looked the other way when the moving screen of Kevin Garnett tripped Toney Douglas to the ground, allowing Ray Allen to get a clean look at a 3 with 10 seconds to go.

The overly-analytical fan

The overly-analytical Knick fan is looking beyond the game itself.  He is saying that the Knicks would have won this game if they had not traded for Melo.  He is saying the Knicks would have won the game had they brought in a defensive coach to replace D’Antoni.  He is saying that they would have won the game had if the Celtics did not have the mental edge from having won all 4 matchups during the regular season.

Bottom Line

The fact is, all of these Knick fans are right.  And they are also all wrong.  There is plenty of blame to go around.  And perhaps if just one of these things happened differently, the Knicks would have won.  But as it is, these things did happen.  And while we can try to speculate that in game 2, Melo will play better, and that even great players like Allen and Pierce will eventually miss the game winning shot, and that the Knicks will get more calls on their home court, and so the luck of the Irish will run out sooner rather than later, there are a host of unforeseen events that can and will happen before this series is over.  And the Knicks will have to find a way to battle through those events to come out on top in this series.  Otherwise, the blame game will be played by Knicks fans throughout the offseason.

Via Howard Beck:

Gm1 – Sun 7p (on TNT)

Gm2 – Tue 7p

Gm 3 – 4/22 7p

Gm4 – 4/24 3:30p

Gm 5 – 4/26

Gm 6 – 4/29

Gm 7 – 5/1

Via ESPNBoston.com:

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo will miss a couple of weeks due to a sprained ankle, vice president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told radio station WEEI on Thursday.

Ainge said that the injury opens the door to more minutes for Nate Robinson.

“Nate has been playing very well for us,” Ainge said, according to the radio station. “And now he’s going to have to step it up and play more minutes.”

With Rajon Rondo, considered by many to be the best point guard in the Eastern Conference, out a few weeks with an ankle injury, the Knicks may have the opportunity to make up some ground on the Celtics.  That is, unless former Knick Nate Robinson, who almost injured himself celebrating Paul Pierce’s shot last night, can pick up the slack.

Is an “A” for effort good enough for Knicks fans?  That is the question many are asking after a tough controversial loss in a big time game against the Celtics.  Alan Hahn of Newsday examines whether simply playing hard and overachieving is enough, given that expectations had hit rock bottom after an awful decade of New York basketball and the Knicks’ failure to sign Lebron James. Or whether, as John Schmeelk of CBS New York explains, Knick fans should take this loss hard, as there are no moral victories.

A heartbreaking loss, especially considering the Knicks should have won.  This team showed a lot of fire and proved rival worthy, but unfortunately lacked the confidence to play without its leader Amar’e Stoudemire.  Whenever STAT sat, the Knicks seem to give back 6 points.  Confidence amongst this group must improve, but without question, this team has proven itself relevant.  The Knicks will need to bring it tomorrow night as hard as they did last night, with the hated (rival) Miami Heat coming to town.  It is time to refocus your hatred of Paul Pierce and KG to The Three Little Pigs.

The basketball is clearly through the basket with .7 seconds on the clock.

Why didn’t the referees review that???

With the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat up next for the all of a sudden relevant Knicks, New York basketball takes center stage for the first time in years.  NBC New York explores just how long its been since the Knicks have played a game as important as those this week.  News flash…it’s been a really long time.

With regard to tonight’s matchup in particular, the Celtics and the Knicks are two of the NBA’s hottest teams, both streaking like Frank the Tank.  The Garden is bound to be rocking tonight, and CBS Sports’ Matt Moore think the Knicks will give the C’s fits tonight.

As for Friday’s game vs. the Heat, even Heat Beat Reporter Ira Winderman is praising the Knicks (kind of).  But still, there are skeptics.  Will Leitch at NY Magazine is amongst those who question whether the Knicks can continue their run against stronger competition.

While many questions remain about your beloved Knicks, one thing is certain:  this is the first time in years Knicks fans can watch their favorite team play the NBA’s elite and know that a Knicks victory will not just be a fluke.

The hype continues…

Via ESPN:

Via NECN:

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers says Shaquille O’Neal (right knee, calf) will miss his third straight game tonight against the New York Knicks.

“If it were a playoff game or something, Shaq would play,” Rivers said. “But we’re not going to play him tonight.”

Rivers added, “he’s just not 100 percent. And you know how we are during the regular season. We want to get as healthy as possible, and that’s when we play guys.”

Without O’Neal, Boston will start rookie Semih Erden at center.

The Real Rivalry:  Bill Russell and Willis Reed

courtesy of NBA