Knicks get humiliated in opener

[arrakis]

Updated 12:48 AM ET November 1, 2000

NEW YORK -- The cries of anger filled the Madison Square Garden air late in the third quarter Tuesday night as the New York Knicks were getting pounded beyond recognition.

"Patrick Ewing, Patrick Ewing, Patrick Ewing" came the chants from the masses who had a right to feel as if they had wasted their money after such a pathetic effort.

For the first Opening Night in 16 years, Ewing was not a New York Knick.

The Knicks dawned in a new era by getting drilled 101-72 by the Sixers in the worst Opening Night loss in the 55-year history of the franchise.

The fickle fans decided to wait until their team was getting hammered to voice displeasure about Ewing's absence.

Good thing they got it off their chest so early because by late in the fourth quarter, the building was nearly empty.

Instead of being inspired by the challenge of life without the Big Fella, the Knicks basically quit.

It was Halloween and the Knicks decided to dress up as the Washington Generals.

Sure the Philadelphia 76ers are a very good team, one of the best in a mediocre Eastern Conference. But there was no excuse for the lifeless way the Knicks would play.

You always hear clichés about NBA players not being able to get up for all 82 games in the marathon season. But how can you not get up for the opener at Madison Square Garden?

"We didn't play well, nor did we play hard," said Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy. "We played a horrible game, we gave a horrible effort and got badly beaten."

Come on coach, tell us how you really feel?

At the World's Most Famous Arena, the Knicks put forth what will surely go down as one of their most infamous performances.

"You have patience for poor play," said Van Gundy. "You don't have patience for lack of work."

Aside from Allan Houston, the only Knick to score more than 10 points, they couldn't shoot. They constantly allowed Toni Kukoc (10-for-12, 23 points) open jump shots and uncontested drives. They handled the basketball like a boiling potato. Interior defense was as invisible as Ewing, who was all the way across the coast gearing up for his Seattle opener Wednesday night.

No Ewing is no excuse. The Knicks have played -- and won -- countless games bigger than this one without Ewing the last few years.

In fact, they often played their most energized ball without him.

And it isn't as if the transition of the roster was a valid excuse either. Glen Rice, the lone worthwhile player the Knicks got in the Ewing swap, is the only newcomer in Jeff Van Gundy's eight-man rotation.

The bottom line was that nobody but Houston played even remotely well.

"I don't think we gave Allan Houston any help today," said Larry Johnson. "He was out there all alone offensively. But we lost defensively. We didn't have any defensive intensity."

They didn't have any intensity period.

Latrell Sprewell, the leader of the new Knicks, shot 1-for-9. On this night, he was erratic instead of enigmatic.

Marcus Camby, who started at center in Ewing's absence, was putrid in every facet of the game. LJ, the consummate veteran, made zero impact. Point guard Charlie Ward was a shell of the guy who stepped up in last year's playoffs.

Through the Pat Riley and Van Gundy years, the Knicks have often been ugly. But one thing they've always been is intense. That is what made this disinterested effort so shocking.

"We didn't have that Knick pride tonight," said Sprewell, who also didn't have his jump shot. "We were really flat and didn't have any emotion."

When the Sixers built the lead to 24 late in the third quarter, the Knicks flat-out decided not to dig in. It was blatantly obvious to anyone in attendance.

"You always have to have your foundation," said Houston. "Defense and hard work has always been our foundation and tonight we couldn't stand on that. At some point in a game, the Knicks will always step up to the challenge. Tonight, we didn't."

Van Gundy had been warning the Knicks in recent days that if they didn't stop being so lethargic, this type of embarrassment could happen. But the Knicks -- and those who cover the team -- just looked at it as Van Gundy being his overly worried self.

This time, the coach was right. And you wonder how big the bags will be under his eyes Wednesday morning.

"I knew this game would be a good barometer of where we're at," Van Gundy said. "We were exposed tonight."

Fortunately for the Knicks, they have another 81 games to work out the kinks.

Ultimately, they will be a factor in the Eastern Conference. Especially if GM Scott Layden ever makes up for the putrid Ewing deal by acquiring a big man of significance.

But on this night, nobody could see beyond the ugliness in front of them. And the Ewing chants couldn't help but be heard by the players.

"Everyone knows how tough New York fans are," said Sprewell. "They just want the best from our team.

For openers, the Knicks gave their worst.

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"House music... it can change your soul."

"The second most popular game that we played as children... is house."

"Not everyone understands house music... it's a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing."

[PinkFloyd40]

awww how sad

poor disgruntled heat fan

we didnt' mean to send you home early all those years

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-BRING BACK FRANK ALVEE *FOR GOOD*-

"And thus they give the time, that Nature meant

For peaceful sleep and meditative snores,

To ceaseless din and mindless merriment

And waste of shoes and floors."

[arrakis]

It's all good; nothing lasts forever... and revenge can be oh-so SWEET!

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"House music... it can change your soul."

"The second most popular game that we played as children... is house."

"Not everyone understands house music... it's a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing."

[chick]

Its going to be a long season. Cant wait for St. John's to kick things off with their new recruiting class. Should be an exciting season.

Im looking to buy some games at the garden if anyone has.

peace - chick

[ricfutures]

Originally posted by chick:

Cant wait for St. John's to kick things off with their new recruiting class. Should be an exciting season.

Im looking to buy some games at the garden if anyone has.

peace - chick

Graduated from there in '97. I was at the game where Artest hit that 3 pointer to send it into OT against Duke 2 years ago. Artest and Barkley should have one more year... we would have been awesome. Anyway, always up to see the Johnies so lets keep each other in the loop when they play at the Garden.

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Neo: You ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?

Choi: All the time. It's called mescaline, it's the only way to fly.

-Ricfutures

[This message has been edited by ricfutures (edited 11-01-2000).]