Knicks set to begin huge west coast trip
Wednesday night's 126-94 blowout loss to the Cavaliers was a complete embarrassment for the Knicks. The game was over five minutes into the third quarter and by the fourth Lebron James and his teammates were flipping water bottles on the bench during garbage time. The Knicks gave up 22 three pointers, the most the franchise has ever surrendered in a single game. Carmelo Anthony put up 8 points and Kristaps Porzings struggled from the field once again. The Knicks are now 0-5 on the second game of a back to back as they had out west to start a five game trip in Sacramento Friday night.
As pathetic as Wednesday night's loss was the Knicks need to have a short memory and move on. Yes they got blown out in front a packed Madison Square Garden on national television, but the Knicks had a lot working against them heading into the game. First of all, they were without their starting point guard in Derrick Rose. Rose left Tuesday night's win over Miami with back spasms and is day to day. Second of all it was a back to back. The Knicks apparently got back to New York after 3 am from Miami and had to play the defending champs that night. Not an easy task at all. The Cavs were fully rested and ready to go while the Knicks were noticeably fatigued from the opening tip. Finally they went up against a pissed off Lebron James. Everyone knew that Lebron was out for blood the other night given the recent controversy over Phil Jackson's comments about Lebron's "posse." When you combine all those factors with an angry and motivated best player in the world and you can expect to see a result like Wednesday night.
Despite the odds being stacked against the Knicks the loss still proved how far away they are from competing with the defending champs. One thing you should always be able to control is effort. It shouldn't matter if you played the night before you still have to go out there and give it everything you have and the Knicks did not do that Wednesday night. Its one thing to lose, but it's another to get blown out by 30. There is no excuse for that and it was a shame to see in front of their home crowd on a national stage.
Moving forward the Knicks can not let this loss linger on their five game west coast trip. They need to put that loss in their rear view mirror and focus on playing the type of basketball they played during their four game win streak. The Knicks have struggled on the road this season at 3-6, but they'll play the Warriors and four teams with records under .500 during their next five games. I've said all season that if the Knicks want to get a 3-5 seed in the East that they have to win against the teams they are supposed to beat.
