Great win by the New York Knicks. They survived overtime against the Brooklyn Nets 97-95. The last preseason ended in excitement, but only marks the beginning of a new rivalry.
It is interesting how this last game had taken place in Long Island. The Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale was once home to the Nets when they were the best of the ABA during the mid-seventies. Now they make their first appearance as a New York team in the NBA. Ironically, it was also the day that the NHL's New York Islanders announced their plans to join the Nets in the brand new Barclays Center. Some events do run in cycles!
Luckily enough, I had a chance to watch the game live at the coliseum, to get a good feel about these two teams warming up for their season opener against each other on November 1.
Only 44 seconds into the first quarter, and Tyson Chandler drops to the floor. He was setting a screen for Carmelo Anthony, and bumped knees with Nets forward Gerald Wallace. Didn't seem like a big injury, but seeing Chandler's act of frustration when he slammed his hand on the ground was a negative sign for Knicks fans.
For now, the Knicks lists his status with a sore knee awaiting an MRI. It appears to me that it could be a sprained knee. Replays show how Chandler's knee was pushed slightly inward after colliding with Wallace.
Although the Nets were considered the Home team, the attendance sided with the orange and blue. The 12th man certainly played a small part in the Knicks' lead through most of the game. It was also a pleasure to see what Mychal Thompson was capable of doing. He finished the game with 13 points, including three three-pointers that were vital for the Knicks' overtime victory.
It's good to see New York ending their preseason on a high note with a win against their new rival. Yet it's bad to hear that Chandler is possibly missing two weeks with a sprained knee. Paraphrasing what Jason Kidd had mentioned post-game, they are fortunate to have a deeper roster this season. Chandler may be down, but there is promise in the rookie Chris Copeland, and veteran big man, Kurt Thomas. Injuries are a part of the usual scene in the league, but a deep roster makes teams in contenders late in the season.
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