Random thoughts from tonight's Knicks-Lakers game:
-Wow, what a game. Everybody knew it was coming down to Mamba. Instead Kobe never touched the ball, it was all Odom, who ended up throwing up an airball.
-The first half was blah, not very exciting. Things picked up a bit in the 2nd quarter, but thanks to a technical foul (on Q-Rich for complaining) and a buzzer beating amazing three from Kobe, the Lakers had a five point lead. The Knicks kept it close, thanks mostly to surprisingly unselfish play from Marbury, who had 7 assists (5 in the 2nd Quarter alone) versus only two attempted FGs.
-The Knicks got very aggressive starting in the 3rd, attacking the basket more - Richardson, Marbury, and Crawford all started taking it to the house, and the result was more they drew more fouls. After attempting only 12 FT in the 1st half, the Knicks went 7-10 in the 3rd quarter, and again in the fourth. The other result of the sudden aggression was that the Knicks, out-rebounded in the 1st half, were able to take control of the boards in the second half.
-The Knicks scored 32 points in the 3rd (thanks to the fouls that stopped the clock and gave the Knicks free points) to give them a one point lead going into the 4th. The Knicks are 18-1 (they were undefeated until their lose at Utah on Saturday night) when leading going into the fourth. Hard to imagine, but the Knicks know how to close a game....
-Channing Frye needs to stop shooting from the 18-20 range; Marbury needs to never shoot a three.
-When Kobe and Odom are on the bench, you really realize just how young the rest of the Laker team is: they are freaking kids. They will only get better over the next year plus, but remember this: the problem with young teams is generally defense, and that was evident tonight.
-Ronny Turiaf is a hustle monster... I say that every time I watch a Laker game. That guy is one of those guys you need to have on a championship-caliber team.
-Unrelated to this game, but: Not a surprise to most true NBA fans, but the Raptors are for real. Seriously, I see the East coming down to the Heat, the Pistons, the Raptors, and the Magic. I don't believe in the Wizards, and the Cavs will only go as far as Lebron can take them... to this point, we haven't seen enough of Lebron "trying" to really believe he can will them to the Finals. Oh, and the Pacers... damn, they are just a waste of a playoff spot. Wouldn't it be more exciting to see the Nets, the Knicks, the Bucks or even the 76ers in that spot instead of the Pacers?!?
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